Grayson Who?????

Tony Pritchard, Cancun, Mexico

I'm too frightened to say anything
Good Job the government has done away with free speech

Adrian H, Lancs, uk

In the clash of cultures the west is losing to those who would turn the clock back 1400 years. If you keep letting them in someday they will be in the majority. Then the will want sharia and if they are the majority how can they be denied? Close the door and lock it or you will be living is Englistan!!!

Bruce L. Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

Yeah, "Islam means Peace" as the bus advertising said! It's disgusting to see how our politicians is allowing this and that artists no longer dare express themselves, because we keep importing this savage culture.

Henrik, Växjö , Sweden

We have a simple choice. Either we can stop being offended by the enlightenment, rationality, art, literature, painting, sculpture, opera, comedy, cartoons, civil society, christian values, emacipation, equal rights, free speech and democracy. Or, if you prefer, we can go back to the hysteria and barbarism of middle ages and wipe out all the progress of the last 900 years. Its up to you.

Lucas Tatek, Herts., UK

This simply proves how freedom of speech and freedom of basically everything - is pretty much - not free anymore. By being afraid and avoiding, then they are winning. We need to stand up for our country and ourselves!

Jodie, Bolton, England

this is a perfect example of 'sharia creep'. islam is gradually tightening its grip over Britain.

Britain will be in islamic country in 20-30 years.

This is nothing to do with fundamentalism. all muslims share the goal to subjugate their host country, either through peaceful or violent means.

Islam is about subjugation through deception and stealth.

If people think fundamentalism is a threat then they are missing the target.

The threat is islam itself.

aaron, west hollywood, usa

If the government refuses to take any action against fundamentalist extremists, why should artists put their heads above the parapet? I do not look to Grayson Perry or any other artist for leadership, I look to the government of the day. The government of the day, be it north or south of the border, is spineless and self-serving and it is the people who will suffer the consequences of their lack of action.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

Grayson Perry is not a coward for being scared to criticise Islam. Those who do so publicly put themselves in real danger. You could describe those who do put themselves in that danger as "brave"; you could describe them as "foolhardy". How many of those readers and contributors who describe Grayson Perry as a coward would be prepared to put themselves in real danger by publicly criticising Islam?

Matthew, Ringwood, UK

Islamic terrorism can only really be addressed by banning it in most democratic countries until it has a structure that can address terrorism and violence, especially against women and non Muslims. The problem is that it is not out of control - it HAS no controls, no single voice, no code of practice or conduct. Sharia is not a code acceptable to the modern world.

Bill Williams, Darwin, Australia

Some artists are engaging with islam. As an example, see the absurd Miss Iran image at www.concepttshirts.co.uk

jp, uk,

Not all of us are frightened. We have an exhibition "Cycle of Terror" with 28 abstract watercolours portraying the life cycle of terrorism. The main themes are Terrorism - the threat, Terrorist Attack, Trauma, Rebirth and Peace.
Check it out at www.patyallup.com

Pat Yallup, Monmouth, UK

Well, a constant, common rallying cry of Islamists is the phrase "death to (insert relevant noun)" for "insults" or "dishonor" or a whole list of supposed transgressions that are proscribed. That seems to be the only way they know how to deal with criticism. Isn't there any other way? Don't CIVILIZED people have other ways to deal with critique? This shows that backward tribal customs are still impedimenta to Islamic societies, and after 1400 years, they've beheaded all the Martin Luthers in their own societies that ever did dare to voice any dissent. I think they will carry on this way for the next millennium.
Look at the cartoon issue..IDOLATRY??? Which idiot is going to pray to a CARICATURE ??? The Bible says "Thou shalt have no other god before Me", the Koran likely says something similar, but give me a break. Anyone who CAN mistake Garfield for God needs his head seriously examined.

LS, Asia, Asia

now, gary... what sort of christian would punch perry on the nose? that's a bit... um... old testament, isn't it? how can it makes sense to respond to an attack on a religion by effectively disowning its teachings?

I'm not sure we can really label artists cowards merely because they choose not risk life and limb to make a political statement. perry is, if not brave, at least refreshingly honest in mentioning that he censors himself.

pretty much all of both modern art and religion are absolute rubbish. the only worry anyone should have which might prompt them to self-censor should be the worry of extremists for the rule of law. believe whatever ridiculous stories you will, but as soon as your thoughts and suggestions become anti-social, you should feel a jackboot on your throat.

we are taking far too soft a line against extremist propaganda. don't start a war on islam, but do not allow any expression of or incitement to violent hatred. if islam=peace, moslems will agree.

jem, london, uk

"There'll always be an England." NOT

Mike Cato , Vestal, NY, USA

Grayson Perry is just identifying a trend and is not the only person guilty of this. The media regularly attacks the christian right, Louis Theroux et al, I dont think a group of fundamentalist muslims would get the same level of hilarious ridicule that they rightly deserve because everyone is scared. As a nation we are being totally builled. We need a bit of national pride, something that we must not knock the US for.

Toby, Bristol,

Surely the fact a doctrine that allows no room for any individual expression or deviation can control a so called 'free society' is a prime reason for irony and criticism.

Am I alone or does anyone else recall the sacrifices made last time an ideology tried to take away our freedom for us to now just hand it over?

Spineless.

Nick, Birmingham,

They wouldn't be able to slit your throat if you're carrying a gun. Such is the life of a peasant serf.

Steve, New York, NY

Just goes to show you, terrorism works...

Russ, Chicago, USA

What a chilling irony that these people have made an art-form of cowardice.

ranchorita, Texas, USA

Hey Perry. Imagine what your art will be worth if you are killed by extremists. Art by dead artists always sells for a higher price.

Do it for the children.

John Davies, Pittsburgh, PA USA

it is not for us to criticize an artist who doesn't wish to risk his or her life to make a political statement. We should be hounding our governments to turn over the stones in the more extremist mosques in our local communities and stamp on the spiders that crawl out.

We should be looking to brring back the age - old concept of exile.

James, Vista,

I guess terrorism works

Chuck, Portland, OR, USA

In my opinion at this stage in the world we should rather focus on common grounds rather than conflict because every reasonable person will know that furthering the conflict will not yield any result rather it will escalate the present situation further and it will then be impossible to come out of it. So what everyone of us should do on our part is to reduce such activities which might offend anyone else. What the artist is doing is I think what every artist of this sort should do i.e to keep your art to yourself and not make it public. You can also try to show the positive side of each other's culture/religion rather then always showing negative. Hope I got my message across. Thanks and take care!

Ahsan Mahmood, manchester, UK

Maybe Christians should take a queue from the radical Muslims. They seem to garner a much higher level of "respect" among the artistic community, the sort that would urinate on a drawing of Christ and call it "art". I dare you, Grayson Perry, to try to create something that expresses your "free speech" with Islam as the subject, coward.

ArtisiticCowardice, Detroit, USA

I think it is affecting more areas of society than art - for instance, on the rare occasion you see some Islamic group canvassing / prostelyzing on the streets or shopping areas, you can help thinking if you got into a spirited debate and said something, which was seen as offensive to Islam or the Prophet, your life could be put at risk. And so this has to be weighed up.

Whereas, you might be perfectly happy, vigorously challenging some of the wilder Socialist Worker ideas - without fear.

Marie, London,

Sun Tzu says that you should never leave an enemy with no apparent escape, for they will be the most aggressive opponent.

Islam knows that it is losing the battle, hemmed in from all sides by capitalism and other, more powerful religions.

So perhaps this is why they react most fervently to social and cultural attacks - because they believe (subconsciously) that their society and culture is fast becoming obsolete in the modern age.

Mark, London, UK

Ramin Gray's current production of The Arsonists at the Royal Court features an extremist Muslim cleric who, as the explosions kick off, seeks to distance himself from terrorism. A fairly muted analogy, but it left people feeling that the theatre had been brave to include it at all - a reaction which shows the grave extent of our capitulation. Any criticism of Islam, however justified, clearly entails as a reaction violence and the threat of violence. But instead of protecting our freedom of speech, the British authorities and police have made clear their obsequiousness in the face of Islamic threats. It is this official cowardice which we need to eradicate as the first step in regaining our freedom; we should all, artists or not, do everything we can to excise this rot.

St G, London,

as much as i value freedom of speech i can't help but wonder why you would go out of your way to upset people (in this case muslims) im not talking about treading on eggshells around them - but the point im trying to make is what use is it purposely upsetting people who hold specific beliefs - whether it be muslims, christians or even gay people. like they say if you dont have anything nice to say dont say anything at all - you're just asking for it to come and bite you back one day.

niki, birmingham, uk

I am a Proudly South African Muslim that has recently started performing stand up comedy- I am hoping to both, challenge the myths that are portrayed about Islam, as well as the ideas of those Muslims who give Muslims in general a bad name- there is space for this and I think Muslims have a role to play as well...

Halal Bilal, London, UK

Artists who bravely criticized islamists are mainly former muslims and black like Salman Rushdie,Tasleema nasreen-bangladeshi auther and doctor who was forced to flee from her country for speaking out against islamists.Then there is Ayan Hirsi Ali who brought out the concept which van gogh made into a documentary.If white artists can be as brave as above listed people, but without being racist,then it would be great.It is not the colour of the skin that matters,but evil religious concept that must be tackled if the free world is to survive.

bobby, kerala, india

As a Christian, Perry's work depicting a teddy bear being born from a penis as the Virgin Mary offends me and many other fellow Christians but he feels ok and "safe" to offend me and others alike!

How wrong is this attitude...

I question how "shock" or "radical" Perry and his contempories really are if they're happy to give us a diluted version of their so called "artform' without displaying "real freedom of expression".

It is evident that the Islamic extremists are winning! Freedom of Speech exists no more!

Coffee Grinder, Cumbria, UK

All my life the Left has clamored for confrontation with fundamentalism but now, when actually faced with a potent fundamentalist force that threatens all they espouse, they curl up and crawl away. The problem is that they always pictured themselves directing their steely eyed glares in support of freedom at some harmless overweight middle aged white guy. Like Pat Robertson. You know, someone whom they could be sure would, at most, scold them. Not some bearded, beturbaned loon with a knife between his teeth. Hey, that guy might actually hurt them!

Best take a pass and tell each other how brave they are to oppose Bush - yet another middle aged white guy from whom they have nothing to fear. Very impressive.

Hucklebuck, Montserrat, BWI,

If the extremist are not confronted all of the west will lose all our freedoms. we are dealing with people who have no concept of what it is to live free and want to drag the rest of the world down to their level. these thugs are still stuck in the 7th century, Where women are treated like animals and if you do not tow the line you get your head chopped off or stoned to death. Wake up people before it is too late.

Kenny, Pharr, Texas USA

Most artists are Leftists, most all Leftist like to pick on people who will not strike back.
Examples of Leftist mentality: Stalin behaved badly because the West treated him badly, same for Hitler and Mao.
Look at all of the Anti-Christian books and movies, Christians don't strike back slitting throats, shooting and car bombing civilians. They are easy meat for the Leftist, no pain, plus it makes Leftists feel good when they are done it eases all of that phony guilt.

John W, Fort Worth, TX

I have read, and agree with, the scathing comments on the establishment’s craven submission to intimidation. But I have to congratulate Grayson Perry, not one of my favourite artists, for his honesty in admitting to this craven submission. It takes courage to make a public declaration of this sort. I cannot recall any comparable statement by anyone in the media or the arts. The views expressed hitherto have been largely of the "there are limits to freedom of expression" variety and this is the first time to my knowledge that anyone has openly said "Yes – I am terrified of the consequences of mocking Islam although I remain uninhibited when it comes to mocking other religions" So, good for you Grayson Perry for coming out so to speak.

Fabian Olins, LONDON,

What you REALLY need to know is how the police went after the documentarians who produced "Undercover Mosque" for Channel 4 and NOT the radical preachers calling for jihad and death to the kaffir.

At least the makers of Undercover Mosque displayed a hell of a lot more courage than the artist depicted here. It isn't "self-censorship" when you assault one religion through art, yet cower from another. It is cowardice, pure and simple.

Is EVERYBODY walking on eggshells around Islam in Britain now? What a way to lose an empire - without a shot fired.

JohnnyT, NH, USA

That's awesome - finally some 'artist' who is willing to admit the obvious. Their 'courageous art' has always been seen by intelligent folk as regressive pre-adolescent potty play. At least now even children can see that their art is actually a reflection of their strength of character. Cowardly, weak and simpering fools who lack even the spine to be who they are.

Watch the 'artists' grow ever more courageous in attacking that which poses no threat to them, while groveling and scraping to anyone who might do them physical harm. Such is the noble state of character in the last days of degenerate Europe.

Roger, Vancouver, Canada

We are doomed. Doomed.

Sophocles, Joannina, Greece

That this situation would arise, was obvious from the time when Salman Rushdie came under a death sentence from Muslims. At that moment, freedom of expression became history, in the very cradle of its birth. It just has taken some time for this to become apparent.

The situation is now much worse. Freedom for artists and writers, to criticise social norms, is no more, threatened as they are by "hate thought" legislation from the government and the EU, and the pervasive fear of Muslims amongst us.

Coupled with the fact that ordinary people are now subject to security measures more draconian then in WWII, and the ever present fear of being blown part, surely the time has come when we ask ourselves, if immigration of
unassimilable people who have an active hostility to the culture and traditions of the UK, has been such a good thing.

DaveP, Beverley, UK

You British allowed the Politically Correct forces to take away your gun rights. Now you fear being attacked and killed in your own country by the Islamo types that carry guns and knives.

Can you now understand why we treasure our 2nd Admen rights?

Without the ability to protect ourselves those other rights matter very little.

Hopefully, you will win back your country again in the future.

Mr. Smoopy, Republic, USA

It is appauling to watch artists self censor themselves. The cowardice of the western media when confronting the truth about Islam will eventually lead to our losing our freedoms. Botton line, threats of violence towards artistic freedom works.

Mr Balk, Miami, USA

Awesome! We now have a western press that cowers under the table at the mention of the depredations of Islam, and a western arts community that has locked itself back in the closet they came out of.

That leaves -- naturally -- the conservatives of the western world as the only defenders of the truth and the ideals and traditions of our liberal democracy, foremost freedom of speech, a free press, and religious freedom.

As Steyn says, you folks are the ones with much to lose under Sharia. Better stiffen up a bit.

Jeremiah, San Antonio, Texas

So much for artists who feel their role is to challenge inequities in society. If artists kowtow to Islam now, there will be little left of free art in 50 years.

In the vein of "art imitates life," these artists are following in the European philosophy of taking the easy way. It will become a dead end, unfortunately.

Jon, Phoenix, AZ

I suggest the best way to deal with this self-imposed silence ( as prevalent in the msm as in the visual and performing arts) is that THE TIMES publishes several articles dealing openly, honestly and critically with: Islam's doctrines: Taqiyya (lies to present a false image of Islam to non-Moslems), Jihad (permanent conflict to create an Islamic world state), Sharia law (based on the premise of degrading inequality); the 1400 yr history of conquests, destruction and persecution of societies, ethnic groups, religions and its slave trade responsible for 140 million slaves; Islam's denial of free will as responsible for lack of scientific & academic achievements (contrary to its taqiyya about 'islamic civilisation') and end with Mohamed: warlord, mass murderer, slaver, rapist, paedophile and bigot as well as one whose constant (and conveniently self-satisfying) 'revelations' render his sanity, as well as his self-proclaimed 'prophethood', suspect. The Truth will set us free.

Thomas, london,

B ye,bye to freedom of thought and expression. If Islamists faced a death sentence for murdering people in Western countries I doubt if even the promised delights of seven virgins
would persuade them to carry out their barbarous deeds.
Islamists should br made to feel the true cruelty of Sharia Law when they trangress in the West.

Brian O Cinneide, eThekwini, SOUTH aFRICA

"I think there are genuine reasons for concern. Fundamentalism is a really complex issue and one of the things artists can do is to help us through that complexity."

What a load. It's not a complex issue. They feel perfectly safe insulting Christians and anyone else, except Muslins.

The issue is really this: *No One* worries about violent reprisals from Christians for anything that the might say or print. *Everyone* worries about violent reprisals from Muslims.

"Crucifix in Urine" should be all the proof anyone needs of that.

It won't change until the appropriate governments make it very clear that such reprisals will be strongly dealt with AND when enough Muslims agree to end the violence.

Greg, Spokane, WA

All that Mr Grayson Perry is doing is coming to terms with the fact that the UK is now run by Muslim thought. Give any religion the power to flex it's muscles and you will soon be controlled by it.

Sign George, Chester, UK

Couldn't resist including Christian protests against 'Jerry Springer: The Opera', could you? As if there is a 'fundamentalist' kinship to Christians waving signs and Islamic extremists cutting throats. Perry and other artists who adore the 'transgressive' label yet play the game only when it's safe are moral cowards, and their work deserves the historical dustbin it is bound for. Truth lasts, and the body of work by Perry and his fearful, dishonest, like-minded colleagues deserve all the obscurity coming their way.

Troy Riser, Indianapolis, Indiana

As a Christian minister, I regard freedom of expression a valuable commodity. But, it has often dismayed me, as I've watched Gerry Springer et al come and go, savaging my faith with merciless "humour", that no one, including the BBC has the guts to have a go at Islam. The word "spineless" comes to mind.

John, Birmingham, UK

Thank you, Grayson Perry, for rewarding Islamist violence! What a great message! You are so courageous!

I guess the message to Christians is, "if you want us artists to stop insulting Christianity, just murder a few of us, and then we'll shut up". Again, great message! Such admirable courage Western artists display today!

Then again, what can we really expect from shmucks who create such "art" as a crucifix in a jar of urine? What constitutes art does speak volumes about a civilization... and our art isn't saying anything good about us.

David Lantos, Toronto, Canada

It's easy to prey upon those that you know won't harm you isn't it. Kinda like the playground bully picking on the kids that he knows aren't a threat.

Take your "art" and shove it, you spineless idiot.

I hope a Christian forgets that he's a Christian long enough to give Grayson Perry a punch in the nose.

Gary, Portland,