On the morning of the 7 January 2015 heavily armed gunmen burst into the Paris office of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and murdered at least 12 people. The dead were journalists (including four of the most popular cartoonists in France) and two policemen, one of whom was shot at close range while appearing to surrender.<\/span><\/p>\n Early reports suggest that the gunmen shouted \u2018Allahu Akbar\u2019 during the shooting but links to Al-Qaeda, Islamic State or other Islamic terrorist groups have yet to be established.<\/p>\n If any of the horrible variety of Islamic terror groups do claim responsibility, or if it turns out to be a \u2018home grown\u2019 attack, journalists are once again on the front lines in an ideological war. Seen through the eyes of the \u2018West\u2019 this conflict is mediated through the terms of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. \u2018Libert\u00e9, \u00e9galit\u00e9, fraternit\u00e9\u2019 versus the monochrome vision of groups like Al-Qaeda and IS where ideologies are imposed and enforced at the end of a Kalashnikov and (loosely defined of course) \u2018offense\u2019 to the prophet is considered a capital crime.<\/p>\n Journalists are on the \u2018front line\u2019 of this battle. However, in the war of ideologies, missiles, bombs and cartoons are as effective as shadows on a wall. We know only too well that even a well-aimed missile risks spawning more willing jihadists than it kills. Satirical cartoons are a good symbol of defiance at being told what is or what is not acceptable to sketch but they make few converts. No, to really win this fight theologians must join the trenches.<\/p>\n