How Does Pastor Terry Jones of Dove World Outreach Center Justify Burning the Quran on Sept. 11, 2010?: A Radical Act!

On Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010 Terry Jones, Pastor of a small 50 member church called Dove World Outreach Center plans to burn a Quran (Koran). Why? This article discusses the purpose and motive of this very controversial mission he is on. It will also include my personal opinion on why I don't think he should carry out his mission this Saturday. What do you think? Should he listen to the opposition in his hometown of Gainesville, Fla. and advice from the United States top commander Gen. David Petraeus, or should he do what he thinks is the right thing from his perspective?

General Petraeus has warned that Pastor Jones' Quran burning on Saturday can and will jeopardize our troops and civilians safety abroad and anywhere the US is involved with the Islamic community. But so far Jones is determined to carry out this radical act of hatred. As a proclaimed "Christian," how can he be an example to the Muslims and so openly despise and destroy their Holy book at the same time? It's simple, he's not trying to be a Christian example and he thinks his actions are justified! How do I know? It's right there on his website for Dove World Outreach Center. On the front page of the site, there is a YouTube video of Jones explains "Why the Church Must Stand Up," and there is a copy of his book "Islam is of the Devil" for purchase. It is clear that he is full of hatred for the Muslim people.

Further into the church's website, one of Jones' church members Fran Ingram lists ten reasons to burn the Koran on her blog, which states the church's justification for the horrendous act they are planning to carry out on Saturday, Sept. 11. In summary, the Dove World Outreach Center thinks their act is not one of love or hate, but an act of warning and to raise awareness of the lies of the Islam religion. They believe the Koran teachings are demonic and Islamic law is totalitarian with no separation between church and state. They believe the Muslims do not have the right to change their religion and that apostasy is punishable by death! What happened to what God says in Pastor Jones' bible and mine about "Judge not lest we be judged?" Still another reason they use to justify burning the Koran is that Islam is not compatible with humanity or democracy. I think Pastor Jones is not compatible with humanity according to his twisted mentality!

Also posted on the church's website is a link to Dave Ingram's (another church member) blog with 5 More Reasons to Burn the Koran, which in summary says they will burn the Koran to "shock the world into focus," to get people to start asking hard questions, to remind the world we still have freedom of speech, to force the world into action, and to expose the truth.

I cannot grasp any idea of Pastor Terry Jones other than he is acting like HE is GOD and this is in no way right. Sure he is covered legally by the First Amendment as we all are, but that doesn't give him and his church the right to use this privilege in an effort to stir up more anger and hatred than what is already in this world. A Christian is supposed to be a servant of God, reaching out to others in love, not force their own religion down someone else's throat and demean and despise another's religion as Pastor Jones is doing. He has stated that he "knows" he is offending the Muslims, but still he chooses to carry out this radical, fanatical and harmful act of burning a Koran. What is this attitude, but one of selfishness and outright boldness to think that he has any right to judge another man's religion and morality?

Pastor Jones, you need to "rethink" whether you are a "true" Christian or just a hypocrite and hate monger. Are you just hiding behind this cruel act and in secret seeking some cheap publicity for the sale of your book? Whatever your reasons for carrying out this outrageously selfish act of burning a Koran, you are one of the increasing number of Pastors who are disgracing the name of Christ and giving all other truly loving "Christians" a negative stereotype and a false picture to the world of what grace and mercy is all about. These are the characteristics of my loving God. He created ALL people, Mr. Jones and that means you as well as Muslims. Think about it and pray about it and come to your senses before Saturday. Don't do this!

Sources:

CSmonitor.com Petraeus: Dove World Outreach Center's 'Burn a Koran Day' endangers troops - CSMonitor.com

Fran Ingram: http://www.doveworld.org/blog/ten-reasons-to-burn-a-koran

Dave Ingram: 5 More Reasons to Burn the Koran | Dove World Outreach Center

CBSnews.com: Pastor: I Know Quran Burning is Insulting - CBS News