Dove World Outreach Center's Plan to Burn the Koran for 9/11
However, one wonders what the purpose of this exercise is besides just venting. It is true that the World Trade Center was taken down and 3,000 innocents were slaughtered in the name of Islam. It is also true that a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam is very antithetical to the values of Western civilization. Some of the reasons that the Dove World Outreach Center give for its Koran-burning exercise have some truth to them.
Indeed, the plan to burn copies of the Koran seem to stem out of a weariness of some people constantly showing tolerance for a faith that has, by and large, not returned the favor. Yes, we know that the assassins of 9/11 were not exercising the values of most Muslims nor, strictly speaking, many of the teachings of the Koran. But it would be nice, one supposes, if more Muslims would say so.
The 9/11 Mosque controversy is a case in point. Many American Muslims recognize how building such an edifice so close to Ground Zero is an affront. But the people behind the plan and certain political enablers like President Obama and New York Mayor Bloomberg seem to be deaf to the entreaties of family and friends of the victims about how hurtful the plan is.
But a Christian church such as the Dove World Outreach Center should remember the teachings of Jesus when considering burning copies of the Koran. Has this church not heard of the concept of turning the other cheek? This is not to say that the terrorists should not be hammered and wiped out wherever they are found; that is exercising the right of self-defense.
But it seems to this writer that burning copies of the Koran is a childish gesture that will not accomplish anything but inflame opinion. The terrorists will certainly not be impressed. Their opinion that the rest of the world does not respect Islam and is at war with the same will be validated. And the majority of Muslims who are as appalled and affronted at the jihadists, if not more so, as anyone else will also be offended.
It would be as if some group decided to burn copies of the Bible to protest, say, the bombing of an abortion clinic or ethnic cleansing of Bosnian Muslims by Serbian Christians.
Perhaps a better way to commemorate 9/11 would be to publicly read those passages from the Koran that condemn suicide and the killing of innocents, even in the context of a jihad. It is true that the Koran, like a lot of other holy books, has contradictions. The Meccan passages contain a far more benign message than the Medina ones. But just like most Christians ignore those passages of the Bible that call for the killing of homosexuals, the subjugation of women, and justify slavery, modern Muslims can ignore those passages in the Koran that call for murder and subjugation of non-Muslims and pick and choose those truths that promote peace and understanding, unlike the terrorists who just look at the blood and bigotry.
That would be a far worthier thing to do than make a bonfire of books.
Source:Ten Reasons to Burn a Koran, Fran Ingram, Dove World Outreach Center, September 2nd, 2010
Published by Mark Whittington
Mark R. Whittington is a writer residing in Houston, Texas. He is the author of The Last Moonwalker, Children of Apollo, Dark Sanction, and Nocturne. He has written numerous articles, some for the Washington... View profile
Church Plans "International Burn a Qur'an" Protest on 9/11The Dove World Outreach Center has planned a protest set for 9/11 in Gainesville, Fl. where members of the church will come together and burn Qur'ans in an effort to warn others...- How to Burn Stomach Fat Without Self-Deprivation and SufferingDo you want to know how to burn stomach fat without self-deprivation and physical or emotional suffering? It's interesting to see what so many people commonly think about when they begin talking about exercise and di...
- How to Burn Stomach Fat QuicklyWith the present weight epidemic in the nation, it's not at all a surprising to find so many individuals wanting to know how to burn stomach fat quickly.
- Four Ways to Burn More Calories with YogaYoga can be a meditative exercise, but it can also be a high-intensity cardio workout that increases flexibility, endurance, and strength. I will show you what it takes to burn more calories during yoga without losing...
- How to Burn More Calories WalkingAre you no longer seeing results from your walking routine? Has the needle stopped moving on the scale? Maybe it's time to add a little extra punch to your workout. Here's how to burn more calories walking.
- How to Make Back Up Xbox 360 Copies
- Banned and Burned: A History of Book Censorship on Religious Grounds
- A Look at Islam and Muslims
- The Most Effective Way to Burn Crabgrass
- How to Burn Stomach Fat Quickly
- Creative Way to Burn Calories During Fall Activities
- How to Burn Fat by Walking
9 Comments
Post a Commenti look so cute
My point is...you do not burn a book to make a statement. you get to the hearts of the people to have an effect. Not burn their book and further alienate them.
Mary G...Terry Jones definitely does NOT have a real commitment to Jesus Christ. if hedid he would not even contemplate this act. I am a Christian and find the Koran to be an evil book. However, to follow true scriptural authority is to mean you burn the Book of Mormon, The Torah, any other books not being the Bible. In other words he is willing to put people in harms way for HIS OWN arrogance and ignorance.
(continued) If you weren't in safe and comfortable Florida would you still consider having such an event? You are responsible for the lives of Christians in those countries, including missionaries. You brothers and sisters are suffering and praying for God's help, and this ill-considered publicity event does nothing for the gospel except to build more hatred and anger against America.
DON'T DO IT!
Despite your commitment to God and to Jesus Christ, which I do not doubt, you have no right to endanger the lives of men and women around the world by such an action as burning the Koran. Such an action will only incite more hatred and death.
I do not believe Jesus would undertake such a foolish action. Paul did not destroy the monument to the "unknown god" but rather used it as a tool to teach the truth so that God could be known. Our task as believers in Christ is to reach unbelievers, and even infidels, for the gospel. Although Muslims are not allowed to change their religion, many have, and continue to do so, embracing the gospel even at the possibility of their own death.
Are you going to burn Mormon teachings that refer to Jesus as the firstborn, but nothing more? What about Jehovah Witnesses theology that Jesus was an archangel? If you weren't in safe and comfortable Florida would you still consider having such an event? You are responsible for the lives of Christia
Freedom of religion either exists or it doesn't. Burning books is an act of stupidity.
I believe a better use of your time would be continued corporate and individual prayer praising the Glory of Jesus Christ and growing in intimacy with your Father.
This burning event you have planned doesn't do anything to invite others to witness the power of the One True God and the Glory of His Son. Regardless of the personal satisfaction and release of anger you may realize, burning books in a symbolic gesture is nothing more than an attempt of the flesh to manage God's feelings.
You want to send a message to Islam and the dark side? Try:
- prayer;
- form and participate in your church (both small groups and various other levels and activities)
- be involved the elections--a legitimate aspect of government that needs maximum involvement
- give up your pride at desire for attention
WOW dude its quran no Korean or whatever you wrote you should probably change that. LOL
I heard about this on the radio. You're right, this is an extremely childish demonstration. I'm as against the mosque being built there as many are, but I can't condone such actions. These people are not exactly shining representatives of Christianity, no more than the Islamic extremists are.