I Just Don't Dig On Swine, That's All

Jesse Walker | January 30, 2008

News from Great Britain:

A story based on the Three Little Pigs fairy tale has been turned down by a government agency's awards panel as the subject matter could offend Muslims.

The digital book, re-telling the classic story, was rejected by judges who warned that "the use of pigs raises cultural issues".

I haven't read this version of The Three Little Pigs, but if it bears any resemblance to the story we all know then Muslims should love it. The villain attempts to adopt a haraam diet; he is foiled by structural integrity. Surely the Prophet (PBUH) would approve.

Granted, that's not the only problem the government had with the story:

The judges also attacked Three Little Cowboy Builders for offending builders.

But not, apparently, for offending cowboys. It's the last acceptable prejudice.

Bonus clip:

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Yowser|1.30.08 @ 9:43AM|#

Jesse,

Your headline lacks the requisite double negative.

|1.30.08 @ 9:55AM|#

So the UK has basically turned into an absurdist Python sketch. Got it.

|1.30.08 @ 10:00AM|#

I haven't read this version of The Three Little Pigs, but if it bears any resemblance to the story we all know then Muslims should love it. The villain attempts to adopt a non-halal diet; he is foiled by structural integrity. Surely the Prophet (PBUH) would approve.

The Three Little Bops cartoon takes message this even further by suggesting that only the damned play with pigs.

|1.30.08 @ 10:01AM|#

Mr. Praline : Look my lad, I've had just about enough of this. That parrot is definitely deceased, and when I bought it not half an hour ago, you assured me that its total lack of movement was due to it being tired and shagged out after a long squawk.

Owner : Well, he's... he's, ah... probably pining for the fjords.

highnumber|1.30.08 @ 10:02AM|#

Remember the story about the mosque opening in Texas next to the farm?
There were a couple of disputes between the farmer and the mosque builders over land use. Finally, the farmer said he would start holding pig races on Fridays to piss off the Muslims. I can't find any versions of the story that aren't slanted one way or the other now, but I recall reading a version that concluded with the Muslims explaining that they don't eat the pigs but they don't hate them either, the pig races are now a regular event, and the mosque and the farmer are good neighbors.

|1.30.08 @ 10:07AM|#

Whew! The 50s was hell on a once-great cartoon brand and Bop killed jazz! Thanks alot, Dizzie Gillespie! Thanks for nothing, TV era!

But then, in the nick of time: Mad magazine!!!

|1.30.08 @ 10:16AM|#

Great show there you well meaning idiots. No one from either minority complains, the judges pre-empt the offence - which doesn't appear - and Muslims, Jews and Builders get to be the bad guys. And they didn't even need to show up. Road to hell, good intentions etc.

|1.30.08 @ 10:24AM|#

I don't think you should make these kinds of anti-semitic remarks on a blog like this. Look what happened to Ron Paul.

Yes Jews and Judeo-Muslims don't eat pork. Their males also cut pieces of their penises. And fast on certain days.

Seriously it is tragicomical if you are aware of the fact that, during centuries of christians murdering and trying to wipe out jews because they killed the christ (aka they were richer) muslims were the ones saving the lives of the jews because they were richer. Well muslims are smarter and more civilized back then.

All that changed of course after the founding of the jewish theocracy called Israel.

Now americans think muslims are all demons, ignorant of the fact that christianity and islam are all sects of judaism.

But of course if you want to kill millions of humans first you have dehumanize them. Otherwise it might keep people up at night.

|1.30.08 @ 10:27AM|#

The judges criticised the stereotyping in the story of the unfortunate pigs: "Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their work blown down, and builders are like pigs?"

They really must stop raiding the local mental institutions for judges.

I take it back; even the insane aren't this dim.

|1.30.08 @ 10:28AM|#

kerem tibuk,

Is the whooshing sound of that post going over your head as deafening as I think it is? Would you like me to post in all caps?

Pork Toast|1.30.08 @ 10:37AM|#

during centuries of christians murdering and trying to wipe out jews because they killed the christ

Oh, I get it! It was the Jewish bankers who controlled the Ottoman Empire!

RSDavis|1.30.08 @ 10:54AM|#

Crazy story, I know! But there's more. Here's what I wrote in the blog about this story last week:

That's just fucking retarded. And what do local Muslims think?

Muslims criticised Becta's response and insisted that a computer program based on the Three Little Pigs should be welcomed in state schools.

Tahir Alam, the head of education at the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "We are not offended by that at all."

I'd be plenty offended, myself - at people walking on eggshells around me like I was some sort of petulant child.

- R

lunchstealer|1.30.08 @ 11:08AM|#

highnumber - I never heard that story, but from some indirect experience, I would say that living next to a mosque is probably less problematic than living next to a pig farm. Pigs got some stink on.

|1.30.08 @ 11:10AM|#

kerem,

I dunno maybe, you're new here, so I'll give you the benefit of a doubt. But this post was not about demonizing muslims or minorities. It was highlighting out how ridiculous and dimiwitted regulations/judges are in the UK. You cant just scan for the word 'muslim' and immediately assume someone is attacking them. Reading the article, the post, and the comments with an ounce of an open mind will do wonders for your worldview.

Fluffy|1.30.08 @ 11:12AM|#

But what if the pigs had some personality?

Could their tale be put back into the curriculum?

|1.30.08 @ 11:30AM|#

If the judges have said, "the story might be offensive to jews lets change it", this post would have been called anti-semitic.

I know the story is about an idiotic decision but it seems all part of demonizing the muslims. The post actually says "Oh look at the intolerance of the muslim".

Muslims are easiliy offended, some are much more easily offended than others. Like some christians are offended when you might say "jesus was a faggot hanging out with 12 men".

A majority of Americans are subject to propaganda demonizing the muslims, and this place should have been different I thought but I guess not.

By the way I am an atheist living in a muslim country. And I think all believers are morons and there isnt a difference between jews, christians and muslims.

I hope I havent offended anyone.

|1.30.08 @ 11:35AM|#

"Oh, I get it! It was the Jewish bankers who controlled the Ottoman Empire!"

Actually yes they were, in a way. They financed the ottoman empire for a very long time even after the ottomans lost their super power status. Ottomans would have vanished much sooner if it wasn't for the jews.

Still to this date jews that know history feel indebted to Turkey and help it out occasionally.

|1.30.08 @ 11:47AM|#

"Now americans think muslims are all demons, ignorant of the fact that christianity and islam are all sects of judaism."

rubbish, and not supported by evidence

|1.30.08 @ 11:49AM|#

"I hope I havent offended anyone."

You haven't. "Jesus was a fag" doesn't even come close. Just don't jump up and down on his grave like some Jew.

|1.30.08 @ 11:50AM|#

"Muslims are easiliy offended, some are much more easily offended than others. Like some christians are offended when you might say "jesus was a faggot hanging out with 12 men"."

the difference is that christians (who number the vast majority in this country) do not murder, riot, pillage etc. when their god is insulted

see: hundreds of examples a day all across the US.

muslims (a percentage thereof) murder, riot, destroy property etc. when their prophet, koran etc. is defiled. also, fatwahs are issued, etc.

THAT is the difference.

serrano, etc. did not have to hide out based on death threats issued to them. compare to rushdie.

etc. etc.

so, there is no equivalence

ANY group gets offended when their sacred cow(s) are insulted. that's true of atheists theists, whatever.

the difference is the RESPONSE.

jackanapestarian|1.30.08 @ 11:52AM|#

By the way I am an atheist living in a muslim country.

Isn't atheism an insult to Allah, punishable by death?

|1.30.08 @ 12:07PM|#

You haven't. "Jesus was a fag" doesn't even come close. Just don't jump up and down on his grave like some Jew.

lol, now thats comedy

|1.30.08 @ 12:27PM|#

Lets remember its not the Muslims that demanded this, but overly-sensitive PC beaurocrats. I doubt if the Muslim on the street even cares.

"ANY group gets offended when their sacred cow(s) are insulted. that's true of atheists theists, whatever."

What is the sacred cow of atheism?

|1.30.08 @ 12:28PM|#

A majority of Americans are subject to propaganda demonizing the muslims, and this place should have been different I thought but I guess not.

What is this anti-Muslim propoganda you speak of? I certainly haven't seen any anti-Muslim propoganda when I lived in the United States.

Perhaps you are believing your anti-U.S. propoganda too much.

|1.30.08 @ 12:31PM|#

What is the sacred cow of atheism?

Atheism isn't an ideology or belief system. It is a small part of other ideologies or belief systems.

So a sacred cow of an atheist ideology would be Karl Marx, or Ayn Rand, or whoever, depending on whatever ideology they have chosen.

That said, Athiests still tend to not get upset about sacred cows as other people.

What is the sacred cow of atheism?

It has something to do with stamp collecting I think.

|1.30.08 @ 12:33PM|#

I wonder if Muslims and Jews were to accidentally eat bacon and then ask what the wonderful ingredient is that tastes like Heaven, would realize how ridiculous they are when the cook says "oh, it's just a pig."

Maybe they would realize God was just bullshitting and laugh as if they just got the joke.

"Yahweh, you got me. All this time. Man, that was a good one."

|1.30.08 @ 12:42PM|#

"Atheism isn't an ideology or belief system. It is a small part of other ideologies or belief systems."

Dumbest thing I've heard all day, and I work in insurance.

Brett|1.30.08 @ 12:44PM|#

It's over, bigbigslacker wins the thread.

|1.30.08 @ 12:55PM|#

Their males also cut pieces of their penises. And fast on certain days.

If I absolutely had to cut my thang, I would totally do it on one of the days when you can do it fast.

|1.30.08 @ 1:00PM|#

"Muslims kill, others don't"

This has nothing to do with Islam itself. In all religions there is martyrdom, and promise of a very nice heaven. Islam went a little further with virgins and such.

The fact that muslims get all riled up, blow themselves up, even talk about jihad is because of sociological reasons.

Back in the middle ages when Christians were dirt poor and Muslims were rich it was just the opposite. For example when muslims and chinese were bathing regularly christians in the west were stinking.

Teror is the tool of the weak. Those people over there feel victimized. Some of their property were taken away and given to some other people claiming it was their promised land. And after oil, west started meddling alot.

So they started using religion as extra motivation and fight with whatever they have. Somethime they throw rocks at tanks, sometimes they blow themselves up. They cant get to the real responsible individuals so they unfortunately target the innocent.

If Budist were living in the oil rich middle east, US media would be talking about budofascism.

In short every religion has violance in it. If you are an atheist you can condemn it all you want. But being a christian and calling muslims violant is a joke.

Franklin Harris|1.30.08 @ 1:09PM|#

That's it. The British are now officially more annoying than the French.

|1.30.08 @ 1:11PM|#

""Now americans think muslims are all demons, ignorant of the fact that christianity and islam are all sects of judaism."

rubbish, and not supported by evidence"

Do you know anything about Islam?

I will give a quick run down.

They believe the same creation story, adem and eve apple and all that stuff.

They believe the same angels using the same names, a little changed but same. They call Gabriel, Cebrail like they call Abraham Ibrahim.

They believe the same flood story with Noah.

They believe Joseph, Abraham, Solomon, Moses, Jesus all propehets and kings and etc.

They dont eat pork like jews, they get circumsition like jews, they fast like jews, like sacrifice lambs like jews used to do.

But there are also differences. Muhammed was a pervert so that reflects on Islam, just like Jesus' hatred of women reflects on christianity.

Also Islam started out in the desert nomads so that reflects on it.

So So believe me I know when I say Islam is a sect of judaism just like christianity.

Just like judaism is an evolved version of the Sumer/Egyptian religion.

cgee|1.30.08 @ 1:17PM|#

Hey, Fluffy, that'd have to be one charmin' motherfuckin' pig...

|1.30.08 @ 1:25PM|#

wow. way to miss the point, kerem

i wasn't disagreeing with your point about islam. it's an abrahamic religion. duh

i was disagreeing with your claim that " americans think muslims are all demons"

they don't

whether or not christianity and islams are 'sects' of judaism is somewhat contentious due to the word "sect". but clearly, without doubt. they are both OFFSHOOTS from judaism.

judaism, christianity and islam all have the same god, the same history, etc.

that's not in denial, nor did i deny that.

i deny your claim that 'americans think muslims are all demons"

and i repeat that there is no evidence to support your bigoted, nonfactual statement

hth

Rhywun|1.30.08 @ 1:27PM|#

But what if the pigs had some personality? Could their tale be put back into the curriculum?

Pig tails have no place in our curriculum! Think of all the poor, tail-less pigs running around! They'll probably be wandering in circles without the use of their tails! And poor school girls too! Those cute hair styles should not be subject to such crass scrutiny! ... What? Oh. Sorry :)

|1.30.08 @ 1:50PM|#

"deny your claim that 'americans think muslims are all demons""

I dont want to accuse a collective abstract like "americans".

I am talking about a lot of americans though.

I also know it is necessary, since American soldiers are killing a lot of Muslims. If they would be "humans" that would bother people.

And I know this is nothing new, when there is a war, oppostion has to be demonized.

I know this site isnt a wormongering neocon site but the little bits and pieces like this post helps their cause.

That is I am bothered by it.

|1.30.08 @ 1:58PM|#

"I dont want to accuse a collective abstract like "americans"."

well you did before.

"I am talking about a lot of americans though."

it's a minority imo, and that's why ithought your statement was nonfactual and bigoted.

the minimal # of anti-muslim hate crimes ex-post 9/11 is very good evidence otoh, that your claim is bogus.

if anything, PC america has bent over backwards to make muslims feel welcome - see for example local swimming pools that went through the trouble of setting up special hours so muslim women could swim (fully clothed) free from the prying eyes of evil men.

"I also know it is necessary, since American soldiers are killing a lot of Muslims. If they would be "humans" that would bother people."

i think we demonized SH and his minions (not that they needed demonizing), but not muslims.

we have demonized "islamofascists" but those are a subset of muslims - the ones who kill people for what they believe and to create a muslim world.

"And I know this is nothing new, when there is a war, oppostion has to be demonized."

sure

"I know this site isnt a wormongering neocon site but the little bits and pieces like this post helps their cause.

That is I am bothered by it."

feel free to be bothered. i think america in general, and this site are very fair towards muslims and the muslim religion. regardless, claiming that AMERICANS think muslims are demons is simply ridiculous imo.

|1.30.08 @ 2:07PM|#

I also know it is necessary, since American soldiers are killing a lot of Muslims. If they would be "humans" that would bother people.

You must have missed the endless pronouncements about how this isn't a war against Muslims generally. Not to mention the fact that we aren't actually trying to kill Muslims generally anywhere, and the fact that we count quite a few of them as allies.

Swill_is_Good|1.30.08 @ 2:14PM|#

You can tell whether God favors you, your ethnicity or religion by whether or not you are commanded to refrain from eating pork. If you are, you are obviously not in His favor, and likely your ancestors have done something to greatly offend Him.

So God is at least, okay with Christians but by this train of irrefutable logic Hawaiians are God's true Chosen People.

Pork chops are good, ribs are good . . . .

Brandybuck|1.30.08 @ 2:51PM|#

If I were a Muslim, I would be offended at all these judges deciding what I would get offended at.

Another Phil|1.30.08 @ 3:20PM|#

All that changed of course after the founding of the jewish theocracy called Israel.

Someone says this from time to time and no one ever calls bullshit.

No question, there is a tribal component to the state of Israel. But it is not governed according to religious law.

|1.30.08 @ 3:22PM|#

"So God is at least, okay with Christians but by this train of irrefutable logic Hawaiians are God's true Chosen People."

but don't take da pork over da pali brah!

|1.30.08 @ 3:25PM|#

"All that changed of course after the founding of the jewish theocracy called Israel."

riiiiiight

let's compare and contrast:

jewish theocracy. can you walk around in public with a koran prominently displayed?

sure.

can you proselytize your religion?

sure

can you criticism judaism?

sure.

now in a ReAL theocracy (like oh so many muslim ones) try doing the same thing.

walk around any of them and try to proclaim that mohammed is a false prophet and smells of elderberries

when you are beaten/killed etc. THEN you will know what a theocracy is.

|1.30.08 @ 7:40PM|#

"everything" is code for "Jews"

|1.30.08 @ 11:27PM|#

I thought the bonus clip was great and a nifty little interpretation.

Mr. Wanker|1.31.08 @ 1:15PM|#

Islam is a social disease.

|1.31.08 @ 1:21PM|#

"but it seems all part of demonizing the muslims"

From what I've seen, muslims are doing a fine job of it all on their own.

Bill|1.31.08 @ 1:32PM|#

"So So believe me I know when I say Islam is a sect of judaism just like christianity"

No, it is not. And here's why.

God gave Moses the Law saying, "Try to keep this will ya?" But ultimately, that didn't work so well because no one could keep the law and adulterers were stoned and whatnot.

Then Christ came along and said, this law thing just isn't working out for you folks. On the one hand, you can't keep it and on the other hand when you don't, say like adultery for instance, you stone the adulterer, and that's not good. So, on your behalf, I will willingly give up my life for you. In fact, I tell you this, there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for another."

And the people were impressed.

Then along came Mohammad who said, "Naw, let's go back to that stoning thing."

Islam is not an Abrahamic faith; it is an apostasy.

|1.31.08 @ 1:35PM|#

"I also know it is necessary, since American soldiers are killing a lot of Muslims. If they would be "humans" that would bother people."

Muslims are killing more Muslims than anyone lse on earth.

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