This morning, I awoke with a stretch and a smile. It was Everybody Draw Muhammad Day! Over the past few days I’ve been waiting impatiently to post my picture of the prophet, and it’s finally here!

If you’re just joining us, Everybody Draw Muhammad Day is a day of blasphemy. Because of the absolutely outrageous reaction of muslims (not all muslims, mind you) to the various artists who have recently drawn Muhammad from Lars Vilksto Matt Stone and Trey Parker of South Park, a movement arose to stand up to the bullies. I’m not implying that muslims are bullies. I am, however, the first to say that my right to free speech is not something you can get in the way of, even if you feel that what I’m saying is hurtful.

But I’m not a mean person. I did not see any reason to denigrate the muslim faith with my drawing. Well, at least no more than my horrible artistic skills and lack of access to proper materials would denigrate it. I chose to draw the prophet with a bic pen and some highlighters:

In case you can’t read my awful handwriting, it says:

Hi! I’m a prophet named Muhammad! I’m the guy who came up with Islam. It’s a religion of peace. So please don’t kill the guy who drew this. His free speech trumps your indignation.

See? I wasn’t being a dick. I was being blasphemous, and the difference is important. As has been said countless times (and I’m sure I don’t know who first said it) you do not have the right to not be offended. That goes for myself just as well as anyone else. We learned the lesson on the playground; if someone calls you a poopyhead, you do not have the right to punch them in the face.

To those who feel that this is an offensive move on my part, good. I meant to offend. Anyone who feels that their feelings or the dogmas surrounding their faith are more important than my or anyone else’s right to express themselves should definitely take offence. And I don’t apologize for that. The whole point of my doing this was to let you know that I won’t be bullied by you.

To those who want to join in, it’s as easy as putting pen to paper and letting your blasphemy soar free. At the very least you can’t possibly do a worse drawing than mine.

Jim