I wrote out of disgust for the war Jostein Gaarder sticks to the intentions
behind his controversial critique of Israel's conduct in recent fighting in
Lebanon, but admits that the approach chosen was 'problematic'.
"I must admit that the reactions have been stronger than I expected. But now
it is over for my part. Starting today I have no intention of further comment
on this matter," Gaarder told Aftenposten.
"Now it can run its course without my participation. But I hope that in a
month or a year I can think back and not regret what I have done. I don't
regret it today at least," Gaarder said.
The reactions to Gaarder's editorial "God's chosen people", published on
Saturday, have been ferocious. The author of the bestselling "Sophie's World"
has been accused of being anti-Semitic, muddled, ignorant and mixing an ill
assortment of themes. He now admits that he would have chosen a different form
for trying to make his point if he were to do it again.
"I said in advance that my greatest fear was to offend Jews and when I now
see that I have done this I have to ask myself what could have been done
differently. First and foremost I would have tried to differentiate more
clearly between religion and how religion is used politically and rhetorically
in Israel," Gaarder said.
"Also, I think it is sad that the debate has turned away from my intention,
namely to confront the war Israel is waging... but I must also point out that I
have received hundreds of encouraging and supportive mails and messages, much
more than would have thought from the debate in newspapers and other media. The
support also concerns the style of the article."
Form and content
Gaarder is asked if he could expect to urge reconciliation from Israel while
writing in the manner of biblical prophecy, and if he should not have given
greater thought to the consequences of his article and the mood of anger that
inspired it.
"Perhaps. It is a bit early to say. Let us see how the debate develops. I see
that the rhetorical devices chosen were debatable. On the other hand, I am a
writer. The piece is written in literary style, formed as a prophecy. And I am
absolutely not about to retreat from the content, despite the clarifications I
have now given you. I have long thought of confronting Israel and the abuse of
religion for political ends taking place in Israel itself. I drafted this with
several Middle East experts before I published it. Many Israelis have messianic
ideas about their nation and the war being waged. They believe the land is
given them by God. This is naive and dangerous. I believe we must confront this
type of thinking - no matter where we find it. 'God bless America' says
President George W. Bush. Why can't he say 'God bless the world'?", Gaarder
said.
Worries
Gaarder said that calls like those of Professor Helge Høibraaten, who wrote
that he should 'shut his face', only remind him of those who ask for an
author's books to be burned. Gaarder confirms that he has been frightened by
the reactions.
"It is correct that I have started to look over my shoulder when I walk down
the street. Not that I have any objective reason to do so, it could well be
just that I am just a bit crazy. And I have no fear at all of being attacked by
Norwegian Jews. They are very peaceful people," Gaarder said.
'Laughable obsessions'
Gaarder is asked about the passage "we laugh at this people's obsessions", one
of the article's flashpoints.
"...We must ask: Is it so that we can discuss some religions and not others?
Some aspects of a religion and not others? It must be possible to put forth
religious criticism in the public sphere. We have traditions for this in
Norway. Arnulf Øverland wrote "Christianity - the tenth plague" in the 1930s
and was accused of blasphemy. This is over and done with," Gaarder said, and
goes on to stress the importance of using freedom of speech, and that it must
be possible to have such discussions without being branded an anti-Semite.
"I have said it countless times and I can repeat it again: I am a humanist,
not an anti-Semite. Both the Jewish and Greek traditions of thought are part of
the foundation on which I stand. My article was written from disgust for the
war, and the assault of the Israeli war machine ... and I also condemn
Hezbollah's missiles over Israel, to make that clear," Gaarder said.
Mohammed caricatures
Gaarder paused when asked if he would have published the caricatures of the
prophet Mohammed that set off violent reactions in the Muslim world last winter.
"I have seen the drawings and didn't like them. I have seen caricatures of
Jesus, too, and don't like that either. So if I had been the editor I would not
have printed the Mohammed drawings. Of course I don't mean that it should be
forbidden, but that I personally would not have done it," Gaarder said.
"It has to do with giving offense. This is not the type of religious
criticism I want. I don't want to offend people. That is also why I say that
the only thing that I am truly sorry about my article is that it has been
hurtful."
Aftenposten's Norwegian reporter
Per Anders Madsen
Aftenposten English Web Desk
Jonathan Tisdall
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1415414.ece
---------------------------------
How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messengers low PC-to-Phone call rates.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
***************************************************************************
Berdikusi dg Santun & Elegan, dg Semangat Persahabatan. Menuju Indonesia yg
Lebih Baik, in Commonality & Shared Destiny.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia
***************************************************************************
__________________________________________________________________________
Mohon Perhatian:
1. Harap tdk. memposting/reply yg menyinggung SARA (kecuali sbg otokritik)
2. Pesan yg akan direply harap dihapus, kecuali yg akan dikomentari.
3. Reading only, http://dear.to/ppi
4. Satu email perhari: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
5. No-email/web only: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
6. kembali menerima email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
