The Right to Do Right: Should Rev. Terry Jones Burn the Quran on 9/11?

You and your small church have suddenly become the focal point of the entire globe. As a Christian, I exhort you to handle this attention in a godly manner.

Remember -- you and your small church represent something infinitely greater.
For one, you represent the great freedom-loving nation of America. We are all a part of her history, carrying on her blood-bought legacy. Furthermore, despite what our president has said, America remains a Christian nation at heart or, at very least, in the eyes of other nations. Like it or not, we the people of the United States of America represent Christianity to the world. You represent the United States of America. You represent Christianity. You represent me.

Thus, your actions are our actions; your words, our words. If and when Muslims avenge you, they will not only avenge you, but all America and all Christians. As a Taliban spokesman recently told CNN, "If in Florida they were to burn the Quran, we will target any Christians, even if they are innocent, because the Quran is our holy book and we do not want someone to burn our holy book."

Most importantly, you profess to represent God by calling yourself a Christian, a follower of Christ. You may be the only Jesus that this Taliban spokesman ever sees. Remember that "you are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14, ESV) but "if then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" (Matthew 6:23, ESV). Therefore, I "urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness" (Ephesians 1:4, ESV).

Remember -- vengeance belongs to God, not us, not you.
Every American remembers 9/11. We remember the horror, the shock, the pain. Visions of that fateful morning are forever engraved in our memories -- we will never forget. But, we will forgive.

Forgiveness isn't an option for a Muslim. But, it is for a Christian. We can forgive because we know how much we've been forgiven. We know that we're in the same boat as the 9/11 hijackers - all equally deserving eternal judgment. To require the 9/11 hijackers to pay for what they've done is to demand that we pay for what we've done. Leave vengeance in the hands of God for He is just and will ultimately require full payment for every evil deed.

"For we know him who said, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay.' ...It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:30-31, ESV). God's justice is perfect - we cannot add or subtract from it. Leave it in His hands.

Remember - we have been given freedom to do good.
In the land of the free, you indeed have a right to free expression. You may legally burn the Quran. But, is this the freedom that our forefathers died for and that our brave troops are fighting for? Just because you could, does it mean you should? Bear in mind that "'all things are lawful for me,' but not all things are helpful" (I Corinthians 6:12, ESV).

America has been blessed with an abundance of freedom. We must be good stewards and "live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God" (I Peter 2:16, ESV). Don't abuse this precious gift.

Remember - no one has a right to do wrong.
Abraham Lincoln's words still ring true today. Truly, no one on the planet has a right to do what is wrong. This is because we are held to a higher standard than the Bill of Rights. Scripture never gives us a right to intentionally burn the holy book of another religion in a vengeful and spiteful demonstration. Instead, we find commands to love our enemies, to pray for them, and to overcome evil with good.

Thus, I exhort you to proclaim a different message to the world while it has its eye on you. Don't succumb to the world's game of revenge. It's not too late to hijack your original plan and to turn this event into God-glorifying, Christ-exalting experience. Show the Taliban the real Jesus. Prove the power of the cross. Exercise your right to do right.

Don't do it because the Taliban says so. Don't do it because President Obama says so. Don't do it because Sarah Palin says so. Do it because God says so. Do it because it's right.

Respectfully,

Amy Tanaka

Sources
CNN Wire Staff. Reaction to Quran burning pours in from around the world. CNN World.

All quotes from Bible are from the English Standard Version (ESV).