Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

Actually he did not call for the death of Rushdie, thats another matter separate from this one and a very common misconception, but a misconception nonetheless.

http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:GUo6sko4AycJ:catstevens.com/article...

It has been hashed over and over again but basically what Cat said, even according to independent sources rather than his own response which is what the link above is, is that the Islamic law says that blasphemers should be killed. He also said that the same thing was true of adulterers, murderers, and so on.

Now of course people like to jump all over this, but its true, and its not something Cat created.

The major religion in the United States has a book that is supposedly the word of God that states among other ridiculous, false and absurd things that you should stone disobedient children to death (this book is widely although selectively quoted and employed for reasoning, where none exists).

In my opinion ALL of the Abrahamic religions (and for that matter other religions as well) have some really absurd and ridiculous rules and "laws", none of which Yusef was the source of, but I would agree hes a bit illogical and irrational if he believes any of them (but no more so than any person of religion believing in whatever their text or laws are).

you are missing the point and this entire thread is off the point of the article.

Yusef was simply relaying the religious laws he lives by, those of Islam. He was simply doing so in a far less SELECTIVE way than say Christians (who have just as many absurd, unfair and violent tenets).

Yes it makes him extreme, those beliefs in those religious laws are EXTREME. I dont deny that and completely agree with it, but the characterization that he called for Rushdies death is wrong. He stated the Islamic laws on blasphemy and then very clearly said it was however not a matter for any individual to decided (no one should go kill Rushdie of their own accord, thats up to God and whatever).

As for the President, I dont wish him physical harm, I wish him a long vacation at the ranch, a permanent one from politics, but not any harm, lets leave the ridiculous threats of physical violence up to those that are really good at them, religions and religious people.

To the person named Atrox who says that Cat Stevens did not call for the death of Rudsie: Cat Stevens always says he was misunderstood when he finds himself cornered. His stand on Rudshie is not a misconception, I witnessed Stevens' live interview where he not only said that he approved of the assasination of Rudshie, but would also match the sum that Iran had on Rudshie's head if the author was assasinated. Don't even try to tell me I didn't see and hear that. I have relatives in Afghanistan so I follow news and interviews that pertain to that region carefully. I went to the live interview in San Francisco to tell him what I thought of him. My hustand is exiled from Iran for political differences, and they have a price on my husband's head too. I know what I and my sister heard Cat Stevens say in that interview. He is a terrorist.