I’m going to say something controversial here. Critics of Israel’s politics or society are often labelled as ‘anti-Semitic’ (never mind that some are Jewish themselves). Due to the imprecise definition of Israel as a ‘Jewish state, a sleight of hand is played that conveniently converts a political issue into a religious one, a n issue which can then be shielded from rational examination and debate by playing the Holocaust trump card.
Woe betide anyone who dares to compare current Israeli policies with South African Apartheid or the religious persecution of the 17th and 18th centuries.
However, Google ‘Jerusalem and spitting’ and you will find that the religious tolerance the Jewish people quite rightly deserve to expect is not extended to others.
The loving God Likes to protect Israel with genocide of it’s opponents. See Samuel 1:15:2 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Iremember that which Amalek did to Israel. How he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
Religious tolerance is not for the God of Israel
Yeah, it’s not just limited to religious conversation either. I remember back when the US invaded Iraq (second time, not the first) and in many places if you dared to criticise the attack you were automatically labelled anti-American. “Why do you hate us? What’s so bad about American culture? Do you hate all freedom?” Erm no – I hate the American government’s foreign policy, not America and not Americans.
Still, it’s in religious discourse where it arises most often. My evangelical ex-girlfriend would employ it every time topics like evolution arose in conversation. Not fun.
Is there something in the air? The christo-slaves on cafemom have been up in arms lately, too. Something about being persecuted for their religious beliefs. The posts are all over the place about how atheists and non-believers are bashing them and demands for us to STOP. Like they are queens of the world or something. Eerie!
@ Bruce – Not sure how long you have been visiting this site but some of us have been regulars for years. I think we all need a V.I.P. lap dance and a free bar tab for an evening from the barmaid (obviously not from Mo)!!!!
@Author – Just something about all those tangled hairs getting caught up in the thong as he gyrates suggestively. Of course then there is the whole problem of the little hairs (albeit beard, back or testes) getting on, in around my drink!!!!!! OMG
Author, congrats on the table and thanks for the new ‘toon.
I started reading the comments, though, and was quickly confused. How did we get from Jesus and Mo to Jews and Israel? … from restrictions of speech for religions to the Holocaust and the false accusation of apartheid by Israel? For the record, Palestinians require that NO Jews live in their territories and made it illegal for Palestinians to sell land to Jews, yet Israeli Arabs (a.k.a. Palestinians) include politicians and legislators, land holders, business owners, university students, and professionals — fully educated in Israel, just like any other citizen. So, where is that apartheid?
Great toon as always, Author, but I can sense this thread barrel-arseing out of control into a shouty Israel v Palestine train-wreck.
Which should be fun.
PS Nassar is indeed getting better. Quite the gadfly.
Maybe it’s just me missing something really obvious, but just what in the name of whatsisface is John on about. Did I miss a sexual minority-motivated attack of some kind?
I pointed out NBH’s merits several strips back and suggested he compile his rhymes into an anthology. Some of them are actually quite funny and complement the cartoon’s message and humour.
@Logic Brain We got to Israel through discussing ‘special protection’ of religious belief: Israel is a Jewish state, not a secular state.
Although I don’t think Israeli Ashkenazim treat even non-Ashkenazim equally, despite laws to protect religious and political freedoms, I am not personally making the charge of Apartheid (hence my choice of words: “Woe betide anyone who dares to compare current Israeli policies with South African Apartheid or the religious persecution of the 17th and 18th centuries”).
There is deeply ingrained intolerance and prejudice amongst all communities in and around Israel, and it is the state’s duty to address that. Annexing the Palestinian capital while allowing illegal building to continue in the West Bank and walling-off Palestinians in to ‘reservations’ is unlikely to reduce sectarian conflict. Ironically, it risks establishing the Palestinian Territories as ‘Bantustans’, nominally autonomous and independently ruled, but in reality powerless and economically and militarily beholden to Israel.
Palestinian terrorism, like any terrorism, has a psychological effect out of all proportion to the actual damage it inflicts. The combined-arms response of Israeli forces inflicts damage out of all proportion to that received. Even by the anachronistic and idiosyncratic principle of an eye for an eye, this is not justice.
I don’t want this comment thread to spiral in to an abusive argument, but as with most things, there are at least two points of view. A position that is argued based on religious/cultural precedents has a fallacious foundation.
Another great strip Author ~ I really enjoy your work and also the commentary. I don’t comment so much, but the ideas expressed are always very thought provoking. Being neither a theist or athiest ( I am more of a wait and see kinda guy ~ it appears that I will have much more time to discover what being dead is after I am there than to spend my comparatively short life stressing over it.) So in the spirit of “maybe there is” ~ this is from the only other comic I read on a daily basis ~~ enjoy ^^! http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3954
I’m sorry kikainonakanoyuurei, but that ‘sinfest’ comic is just……DULL! It’s like switching between ‘Viz’ and ‘Bunty’ (under 40’s ask your parents).
It’s what I’d call a ‘homeopathic’ comic; it’s like a normal comic, but with all the funny taken out.
@Author. Why do I STILL need to keep checking the ‘not a spammer’ box, surely the interweb knows me by now? (or in other words, “Shit, forgot to check the box…..again)!
@AoS~ that’s OK ~ to each their own ~ we all find amusement in different things ~ had to look up the Vis and Bunty thing though ~ not under 40 but not from the UK either ^^!
Jesus & Mo (the characters) are absurd, blinkered, and oddly very sweet. J&M (the cartoon) is brilliant: sharp, delicious, irresistible. Salman Rushdie
Jesus and Mo cartoons are wonderfully funny and true. Richard Dawkins
Jesus and Mo make the world a better place, bless their little hearts. Ophelia Benson
In a world defined by outrage and offence and liberal spinelessness, Jesus and Mo is a treasure, whose value we should never fail to recognize. Read them. Laugh. And think. Kenan Malik
The brilliant, celebrated, freaking hilarious atheist comic strip ... Greta Christina
...rays of sanity in a befuddled world. Keri Hulme
The liveliest depictions of Muhammad currently available... Malise Ruthven
J & Mo is the funniest and most consistently thought-provoking cartoon strip on the Net. In a saner world, it would run in a major newspaper. Nelson Jones, Heresy Corner
Consistently amusing, frequently thought-provoking and often heart-warming. New Humanist
Jesus & Mo is one of the most wonderful things on the internet.. JT Eberhard
Wittily captures much of the absurdity of religious apologetics. Mano Singham
I love jesusandmo.net cartoons - witty and sharp! Katha Pollitt
Often hilarious, frequently wry, these cartoons do what all the best cartoons do: they tell the truth through humour. Terry Sanderson, NSS President
...a wonderfully acid British cartoonist... Nick Cohen
I love the scrappy mockery of Jesus and Mo. Freedom of speech
includes the freedom to mock any person, any thing, any activity, and
any belief -- and J&M stands up for this unflinchingly Richard Stallman
...empowering, important and deeply progressive, not to mention hilarious... Council of Ex-Muslims
July 29, 2010
Congratulations on making it to the top Table, at least Periodically.
It’s not easy being green, er, religious.
Oh ho. Delightful as always. One of your best, if a tad predictable.
Right on!
I’m going to say something controversial here. Critics of Israel’s politics or society are often labelled as ‘anti-Semitic’ (never mind that some are Jewish themselves). Due to the imprecise definition of Israel as a ‘Jewish state, a sleight of hand is played that conveniently converts a political issue into a religious one, a n issue which can then be shielded from rational examination and debate by playing the Holocaust trump card.
Woe betide anyone who dares to compare current Israeli policies with South African Apartheid or the religious persecution of the 17th and 18th centuries.
However, Google ‘Jerusalem and spitting’ and you will find that the religious tolerance the Jewish people quite rightly deserve to expect is not extended to others.
> the religious tolerance the Jewish people quite rightly deserve to expect is not extended to others
And you wouldn’t believe what bears get up to in the woods…
The loving God Likes to protect Israel with genocide of it’s opponents. See Samuel 1:15:2 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Iremember that which Amalek did to Israel. How he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
Religious tolerance is not for the God of Israel
Author, shame on you. I’m sure you’re breaking numerous blasphemy laws.
@ Wrinkly Dick – Too right, and what about Numbers 31? At least there they get to spare the virgins from death, only to keep them as sex slaves.
Yeah, it’s not just limited to religious conversation either. I remember back when the US invaded Iraq (second time, not the first) and in many places if you dared to criticise the attack you were automatically labelled anti-American. “Why do you hate us? What’s so bad about American culture? Do you hate all freedom?” Erm no – I hate the American government’s foreign policy, not America and not Americans.
Still, it’s in religious discourse where it arises most often. My evangelical ex-girlfriend would employ it every time topics like evolution arose in conversation. Not fun.
Is there something in the air? The christo-slaves on cafemom have been up in arms lately, too. Something about being persecuted for their religious beliefs. The posts are all over the place about how atheists and non-believers are bashing them and demands for us to STOP. Like they are queens of the world or something. Eerie!
Hmm, sort of similar to how dogs would rather be yelled at than ignored.
I SO want to see this barmaid!
This barmaid and I would be such great friends!
@ Bruce – Not sure how long you have been visiting this site but some of us have been regulars for years. I think we all need a V.I.P. lap dance and a free bar tab for an evening from the barmaid (obviously not from Mo)!!!!
Why not from Mo?
I’ve never seen this before but as an atheist and free thinker I like it!
Lapdance from Mo…….mmmmmmmmmmm!
He looks pretty good in a thong.
we are the barmaid, the barmaid is legion
Nina for barmaid!
@Author – Just something about all those tangled hairs getting caught up in the thong as he gyrates suggestively. Of course then there is the whole problem of the little hairs (albeit beard, back or testes) getting on, in around my drink!!!!!! OMG
Will there be any ball slips if Mo gives a lapdance? Not sure I could stand that.
The problem with being outrageous
Is it tends to be somewhat contagious
Those indignant folk
Are a trivial joke
And really should remain in cages.
Is it just me, or is NBH actually getting better at this?
I’m going to have to bill you for a new irony meter.
Daz
I agree about NBH.
Is he moving to the dark side?
@kiyaroru and Daz His English and rhymes are improving. Not sure about his thinking. This last one makes me wonder which side he’s sniping at.
@Haggisforbrains
blushing – although I do have nice bar martonly boobs.
Author, congrats on the table and thanks for the new ‘toon.
I started reading the comments, though, and was quickly confused. How did we get from Jesus and Mo to Jews and Israel? … from restrictions of speech for religions to the Holocaust and the false accusation of apartheid by Israel? For the record, Palestinians require that NO Jews live in their territories and made it illegal for Palestinians to sell land to Jews, yet Israeli Arabs (a.k.a. Palestinians) include politicians and legislators, land holders, business owners, university students, and professionals — fully educated in Israel, just like any other citizen. So, where is that apartheid?
We all need a lap dance from the barmaid? I don’t. Conversation and laughs, enhanced with wine, yes, but a lap dance, no.
Once again, the Author has attacked sexual minorities for their usual tactics. Why are you picking on sexual minorities, Author?
Great toon as always, Author, but I can sense this thread barrel-arseing out of control into a shouty Israel v Palestine train-wreck.
Which should be fun.
PS Nassar is indeed getting better. Quite the gadfly.
@John- unsuccessful troll is unsuccessfull (non sequitur / false analogy)
Author, please ban…
Maybe it’s just me missing something really obvious, but just what in the name of whatsisface is John on about. Did I miss a sexual minority-motivated attack of some kind?
I pointed out NBH’s merits several strips back and suggested he compile his rhymes into an anthology. Some of them are actually quite funny and complement the cartoon’s message and humour.
@one wonders which of the proposals J&M would prefer. Unruly Simian’s or OB’s more modest one? It’d be great to see them debate it anyway …
Acolyte of Sagan
I have no idea. Glad it’s not just me that wondered though, ’cause I can’t see one either.
Shorter Logic Brain: “But Mom, he spit on me first!”
Daz,
John must be a Daily Mail reader; they tend to look for reasons to be offended and, when they don’t find one they invent one instead!
Acolyte of Sagan
Well, to be fair, they’re only following the example set for them by their paper…
So which came first, the Mail or the outrage?
@Logic Brain We got to Israel through discussing ‘special protection’ of religious belief: Israel is a Jewish state, not a secular state.
Although I don’t think Israeli Ashkenazim treat even non-Ashkenazim equally, despite laws to protect religious and political freedoms, I am not personally making the charge of Apartheid (hence my choice of words: “Woe betide anyone who dares to compare current Israeli policies with South African Apartheid or the religious persecution of the 17th and 18th centuries”).
There is deeply ingrained intolerance and prejudice amongst all communities in and around Israel, and it is the state’s duty to address that. Annexing the Palestinian capital while allowing illegal building to continue in the West Bank and walling-off Palestinians in to ‘reservations’ is unlikely to reduce sectarian conflict. Ironically, it risks establishing the Palestinian Territories as ‘Bantustans’, nominally autonomous and independently ruled, but in reality powerless and economically and militarily beholden to Israel.
Palestinian terrorism, like any terrorism, has a psychological effect out of all proportion to the actual damage it inflicts. The combined-arms response of Israeli forces inflicts damage out of all proportion to that received. Even by the anachronistic and idiosyncratic principle of an eye for an eye, this is not justice.
I don’t want this comment thread to spiral in to an abusive argument, but as with most things, there are at least two points of view. A position that is argued based on religious/cultural precedents has a fallacious foundation.
@ Intelligent Designer;
Well maybe it’s about time they all grew the fuck up and joined civilisation!
Another great strip Author ~ I really enjoy your work and also the commentary. I don’t comment so much, but the ideas expressed are always very thought provoking. Being neither a theist or athiest ( I am more of a wait and see kinda guy ~ it appears that I will have much more time to discover what being dead is after I am there than to spend my comparatively short life stressing over it.) So in the spirit of “maybe there is” ~ this is from the only other comic I read on a daily basis ~~ enjoy ^^!
http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3954
BTW ~ I agree ~ NBH is improving ~ but also agree that is isn’t quite time to quit his day job ~^^!
I’m sorry kikainonakanoyuurei, but that ‘sinfest’ comic is just……DULL! It’s like switching between ‘Viz’ and ‘Bunty’ (under 40’s ask your parents).
It’s what I’d call a ‘homeopathic’ comic; it’s like a normal comic, but with all the funny taken out.
@Author. Why do I STILL need to keep checking the ‘not a spammer’ box, surely the interweb knows me by now? (or in other words, “Shit, forgot to check the box…..again)!
@AoS~ that’s OK ~ to each their own ~ we all find amusement in different things ~ had to look up the Vis and Bunty thing though ~ not under 40 but not from the UK either ^^!
Acolyte of Sagan: “So which came first, the Mail or the outrage?”
Erm…
Er…
‘Yes’
hear, hear!