I have an old poster on my living room wall by Ben Shahn. It includes this quote from British Liberal statesman John Morley, “You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.”

I thought about this quote when I first heard about the attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine office in Paris yesterday.

I am frozen in feelings of anger, sadness, and disgust. Twelve lives were taken for no reason that a rational, compassionate person can possibly support. I add my voice to the other expressions of outrage. My emotional reaction sees theistic religion, and Islam in particular, as an atavistic way of thinking that is keeping us from realizing our human potential. Then I calm down and reflect more on the horror.

I cannot condemn religion, or Islam, for the actions of these men. Even though they were reported to shout “Allahu Akbar” and “We have avenged the prophet” as they shot people down. Condemning religion, or Islam, does a profound disservice to the millions of religious persons, including many millions that practice Islam, who do not engage in or support violent acts.

I can condemn the dogmatic religious views that contributed to their actions. It is wrong, wrong, wrong! It is wicked and evil. These actions cannot be justified. Yet the situation is messy – complex. Although I do not pretend to know what motivated these three gunmen, their actions were not taken in a vacuum. Actions are situated in complicated historical, economic, and cultural contexts. My own country uses guns and bombs to kill those that it disagrees with – with impunity.

In my mind violence is never justified. Killing someone because their cartoons offended you is absurd – if it wasn’t so horrible. Killing with bombs and drones is also horrible and only perpetuates violence. Everyone must end violence as a legitimate means of settling differences. Until we do, the seeds of our own violent acts will continue to bear violent fruit.

No one that I have read has suggested that we should be cowed by violence, or threats of violence. The courage shown by the people who continued to work at Charlie Hebdo after their office was destroyed by a firebomb is laudable.

The response to the Charlie Hebdo attack has generated many thoughtful pieces from diverse sources.

I will close by referring you to the posting at the International Humanist and Ethical Union’s website:

http://iheu.org/iheu-statement-on-charlie-hebdo-attack/

The IHEU also modified the international humanist symbol, in solidarity with those killed in yesterday’s violence: