On 21/02/2008, The Mangoe the.mangoe@gmail.com wrote:
As long as the two sacred principles of "No pictures!" and "Not censored!" stand in rigid opposition to each other, the conflict will continue. The "show" solution (with an appropriate note) or even putting all the images on the "depictions" page (again, with a prominent note) seem like reasonable solutions. As far as the "depictions" article is concerned, I can't see how that article can exist without images.
If this is a "slippery slope", it's because "not censored!" is often interpreted to mean "dare to be offensive". It is taken to be a highly POV-pushing statement about how public discourse is to be conducted. In the present case it represents a statement of defiance against "fundamentalist" Islam; more generally, it can be taken, with some justification, as the adoption of a particular liberal, secular, Western public morality. This is not the only sign of this: we also tolerate POV-dubious advocacy projects such as LBGT and animal rights, but I think it would be very hard for there to be a (say) Wikiproject Fundamentalism, except as a sort of authorized hatchet workplace. I'm not saying that I want to step up to that really huge issue, because I simply don't have the stamina for it. I am saying that in the instant case, I think we can make a reasonable concession and stick to it.
You present these two principles as equal: no pictures and not censored. There is a great difference between them and their moral value. Wikipedia's sense of no censorship is limited to our project. We have no belief that others (non-Wikipedians) should comply with this rule outside Wikipedia or that they will be punished (or are immoral) for not behaving like us.
The other principle is that no one--non-Muslims included--can see the face of Muhammed. It is ridiculous absolutism to suggest that people who aren't members of your group should comply with your rules (and should be punished for breaking those rules). I am not a Muslim and I have no moral, ethical or religious motivation to comply with a rule that I see as wrong and arrogant.