An Open Letter to Pastor Terry Jones
The Nazis Burned Books - Didn't They?
Dear Pastor Jones,
Let me start off by saying that I am an agnostic. For a more detailed description of my religious beliefs you can click here.
I have been asked countless times in my life, "Why don't you believe in God?"
Almost invariably, my answer is, "It isn't God that I have a problem with, it's religion."
You are a prime example of exactly why I have a problem with religion.
Your planned ceremonial burning of the Qur'an on September 11th is not only a disgrace to religion...it is an embarrassment to this country and an effrontery to God.
The God I learned about, should he exist, would never condone such behavior.
If I'm not mistaken, Jesus himself is reported to have preached tolerance and acceptance. You must have been absent the day they taught that lesson at Pastor school.
Burning the Qur'an in "protest" over the tragedy of September 11th is tantamount to the Japanese burning copies of the Bible on August 6 and/or 9. If the Japanese people held all Christians responsible for the atomic destruction they suffered, you would probably be greatly offended.
To say the very least, it would be a gross stereotype - and you would probably lead the crusade to end it.
Blaming an entire religion for the actions of a few demented extremists seems childish at best and absolutely ignorant at worst.
It is actions like yours that promote an atmosphere of ignorance, spread hatred and start wars.
Please reconsider - you're embarrassing the entire country.
Yours truly
Tim Baker
Published by Tim Baker
Tim Baker was born and raised in Warwick, Rhode Island. After graduating from The Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1980 he embarked on a career in Architecture and Engineering. Along the way he has also... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentHes not an idiot.He HAS NO BALLS.
Tim, thank you for your remarks. I cannot believe that an American and a Christian would so ignore Christian history, Christian pleas and would put the American army overseas in such danger. The church, the President, the government...including the FBI have tried to talk this man out of this. I have been an American all my life, and I am a Christian. Any Christian knows that ABRAHAM was the ancestor of Christians and Jews and Muslims. Jesus never once said that those middle east religions should be demolished. I say that all Americans should IGNORE what Pastor Terry Jones does on Saturday.
Burning the Koe-ran is a bad idea, so, if I were Pastor Jones, now having the worlds attension, and without informing the press I would change plans to instead burn effigies of the Crazed man of Iran and the CooCoo-BinLaden. This should indeed make the press and unite the world (including the good muslims) in agreement that evil should be fought against. Pass it on.
Tim, I like your open letter very much. I am a committed Christian, and I too have a problem with religion, not relationship with God. Terry Jones does not seem to me to be Christian and he certainly is not inspired by the teachings or presence of Jesus Christ. He claims to still "be praying" about having this Qur'an burning. In the meantime, go to the website of Dove World Outreach Center and on the contact page is a place to leave a message. I did so and listed all the concrete reasons why this would be a disastrous anti-Christian, not just anti-Muslim, thing to do. Let's deluge his website, his phone lines, and boycott his book. As MJ pointed out, he is not accountable to anyone (except God who he does not seem to be in touch with). He is a loose cannon and I can't think of a legal way to stop him.
I agree with MJ STEVENSON this man is not a (PASTOR) he is just a IDIOT and thinks nothing of his fellow man if this is a so call Pastor,I am a Christian and would never think of anything as bad as this,PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU ACT,GOD BLESS OUR SOLIDERS
I agree, any form of a violent act toward another faith,people,idea, or religion is against Christianity. It is just wrong.
I agree, this self proclaimed "pastor" is an embarrassment to America AND Christianity.
His inflammatory behavior isn't helping anybody or anything and is just going to make things worse for everyone. It should be noted though, that "pastor" Terry Jones is not a minister of any recognized Christian denomination. Anyone can call themselves a preacher or make up a "religion" as it appears this guy has done. He does not represent Christians or Christianity. His behavior certainly isn't very Christian at all. I suspect he's about as "Christ-like" as that loony Fred Phelps of the evil non-church known as Westboro Baptist.