Burning the Koran – Commentary
As the blog administrator for Coal Country, I’ve been very keenly aware of how people can throw words, and actions around in the attempt to get their point across, publicity for their cause, or outright expressions of hatred towards others. With 9-11-10 looming in the near future, a “pastor” from Florida has been in the news lately, threatening to burn the Koran in protest of the Islamic religion.
(Side note: it’s amazing that the media continues to consider this sort of thing “news”, and are just as guilty of putting our country, and troops in harms way.)
In protest of what he calls a religion “of the devil,” a nondenominational church in Gainesville, Florida, plans to host an “International Burn a Quran Day” on the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Self-proclaimed “Pastor” Terry Jones is the leader of the “Dove World Outreach Center”. (Alachua County officials revoked part of the church’s tax-exempt status earlier this year, saying portions of the 20-acre campus are used in for-profit businesses. The property is valued at more than $1.6 million,though the 1,700-square-foot taxable portion is worth only a measly $135,000, according to the Gainsville Sun.)
So what are we to think of this so called Christian “World Outreach”, of hatred and intolerance? What happened to the teachings of Jesus when it comes to these self-proclaimed “Christian” centers? Maybe it’s the same thing that happened to terrorist offshoots of the Islamic religion that do the exact same thing. Proclaim their “God” the only God, and wish harm and death on others who think differently. Sound familiar? For the life of me, I can’t see much of a difference between planning terrorist suicide attacks, or planning a book burning that will put our troops in peril overseas. Well, maybe I can. It’s worse.
People with simple, evil, and destructive minds see violence as the way to make a change in this world. I was lucky to have learned in my early years just what Jesus spoke against, and died on the cross about. It was written in another holy book, and it seems pretty simple, easily understood advice to me.
- Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: Ex. 21.24 · Lev. 24.20 · Deut. 19.21
39 but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. - 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
- 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
- 15 ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
My mother is an Episcopalian priest, and she went to seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, finishing in Oxford, England. Her training as a priest by the Episcopal church qualifies her to be a spokesperson for her church. The key word here is “qualified”. A self proclaimed pastor, priest, monk, cult leader, rabbi, teacher, or whatever, is not qualified to teach. It’s that simple, and here’s another example of it.
Lastly, in respect to the coal issue, I think it can be fairly similar in the way the dialogue is handled. As far as Mountain Top Removal, in the grand scheme of things, it’s a non issue. In the past mere couple of million years, the Appalachians have been underwater, toppled, crushed, and moved along with continental drift in a constant bout with change. That’s what a mountain is. Change. The issue is that within a short lifetime, or 100, humans will be affected in an adverse way. So ultimately, I’m not worried about the Earth here. Mother Nature has strong weapons against forces of nature that get out of harmony. They get wiped out quickly.
The issue here is whether we can grow as human beings to the point where we can work together in harmony and peace to accomplish great things. Thank you Pastor Terry Jones, for pointing out the complete opposite of the teachings of Jesus, and how not to accomplish peace, and brotherhood.
What would Jesus do?
Rich Reardin – September 9, 2010
It appears as of this post that the book burning has been cancled. Jones said that Florida Imam Muhammad Musri told him the mosque would be moved, however after the press conference the Imam said all he offered was a meeting with the New York Imam. I’m sure this is far from being over.
For the record, I think this book burning and any other book burning is a waste of time. I am however a little surprised by your view on this matter, I thought you would support the groups first admendment rights, after all you support your buddies when they walk into the offices of coal companies and protest, or block the entrance of mine sites and the DEP offices. Is there really any difference?
Many in this administration and those active in the U.S. political world have said that if the book burning happened it would endanger the lives of many U.S. soldiers. I find that hard to believe. The Muslim extremist want to kill all American’s. Do they really need another reason? I think not. The New York Imam said it was to late to find another location for the mosque, because it would offend Muslims around the world. My question is how much longer are we (U.S.A.) going to continue appeasing the rest of the world.
Why do the Muslims who claim to be one of the most peacful people on earth refuse to move the site? Is it because the mosque really backed by the Muslim extremist and not the Muslim world?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39074573/ns/politics-white_house/?GT1=
Let me preface this by quoting my father: “Son, there are two kinds of people in this world, knuckleheads, and nutballs. Watch out for the nutballs.”
“Pastor” Jones is a nutball. There should be no talking to him by anyone, and the fact that the Muslim leader went to see him was stupid on his part. By setting up any kind of meeting with this asshat by anyone gives him credibility, and power. The power has been given to him on a silver platter by the media, and the government, who had no business doing anything about it in good conscience. I heard the Imam tell CNN last night that it just isn’t how his meeting with the “Pastor” went down. That he had no pull to change the location of the Mosque in New York, but had offered to see if he could set up a meeting. The main reason he talked with him about, was the the Muslim holy day is today, and that in radical areas of the world sermons might be preached that stir things up in a bad way should he go ahead with his plans.
The only people who probably had a reason to meet with this bigot was a coalition of Christian leaders, to ask him to please stop this outrageous action that is not representative of Christian Theology, or sociology. Then he would have been vilified by the church, and not given power as a religious leader.
For the record, I said nothing of wanting someone to stop his action. He is free to do whatever he wants to in this country, as we all are. There is no law that you can’t burn the Quran or the Bible, or Playboy in this country. You just need to pay the consequences, should you do it in public. I protested the Vietnam war, but did not burn a flag. I still would not burn a flag (though I might turn one upside down in lieu of our last 45 years of political history), because I respect my country’s original principles.
What I did mention that “Pastor” Jones was not qualified as a Christian leader, because what he proposes is not Christian in respect to the teachings of Jesus, and he’s not ordained. He doesn’t have the first clue as to what Jesus’s teachings are about. Same as half of the “Christian” politicians, Religious Right “Christians”, etc., who missed the whole point of the Sermon on the Mount. I saw Glenn Beck on Fox News break a chalk on his chalkboard last night, and he turned to someone off camera and said, “could we get something other than Chinese chalk?” – with a stupid look of superiority – another great example of another self proclaimed “born againer” that is a hypocrite for calling himself Christian. He’s recently moved from knucklehead to nutball status in my opinion.
I feel that any person has a right to say what they feel, or protest. Yes, I have that opinion. However, if what you do jeopardizes the safety of people, it’s up to the laws of the country or state to intervene. As far as the coal protesters, and knowing some of them, they went into their protests knowing they might end up in jail. That is the personal choice of a protester in this country, and they knew the possible consequences. They weighed the fact that the consequences according to law, and what they wanted to accomplish was worth it. It’s different than in a country where the most minor infraction, or word against the powers that be would result in longterm imprisonment, torture, or execution. That’s the way of dictatorships, and power through intimidation. Though even in those circumstances, with no freedom to do so, some brave heros choose to take a stand anyway in face of death.
Is there any difference? In principle, of course there’s a difference. Protesting so that the health and welfare of your children, friends, community and country is taken into consideration with compassion and love for fellow beings is much more palatable than protest from the aspect of hate, power, greed, intimidation and ignorance. A HUGE difference.
Yes, Muslim extremists want to kill Americans. The point I was trying to make here was that they aren’t truly Muslim. They hide behind that label by association, and are trying to change the original religious tenets by their actions. So calling them Muslim extremists should really be replaced by “terrorists”, as they don’t reflect the intent of the religion. Jihad is a bastardized term taken out of context, just as the Inquisition was a bastardized version of Christianity. It’s the same thing that happenes in all religions when the teachings are twisted by radicals for political and power gains, opposite of the intent of the original teachers.
The terrorists don’t need another reason to kill anyone, but giving them a rallying issue is not prudent. And for it to be clothed in the Quaran just gives credibility to those who want it painted as a religious issue. Let me remind you that “Christian” extremists or political “terrorists” like Pastor Jones or George Bush, are just as guilty. Terrorism is a two way street my friend, and Terrorist America goes in just as well to push people around to get power, wealth, and resources for themselves. The reason I still fly a flag, is that true America is against being a bully for our own interests. It’s for the people who have bastardized our constitution and are users for their own gain, that I fly an upside down flag.
There should never be an issue of moving the Muslim site in New York, for reasons I just put forth. Terrorists of both “sides” are complicit in the WTC disaster, and it has nothing to do with religion. What it has to do with is power, and domination by terrorists, and those who might be seen in sheeps clothing are still wolves. The fact that many Americans are upset that the Interfaith center, and Mosque should be allowed to be there is just a reflection of how pitiful many peoples spiritual and patriotic beliefs have become. All basic religious philosophy is about being kind, loving, compassionate, and tolerant of others towards an enlightened existence that is in harmony with nature, and man. Any other idea that condemns others faith, origin, color of skin, etc., is a bastardization of the philosophy, and reflects a misunderstanding of the original tenets.
True Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Taoists, Jews, Aborigines, or atheists are all the most peaceful people on Earth. It’s the nutballs that feign to be representative of religion for personal gain that you have to watch out for.
Have you forgotten what you said in the original post? You said “it seemed pretty simple easily understood advice to me.” I thought the second verse should be added.
Matthew 7
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Yet in your last post you called Jones a nutball, asshat, bigot, and was unqualified as a Christian leader.
You then called Glenn Beck a hyprocrite. Do you know what is in Mr. Becks heart?
Do you truly believe what is said in Matthew 7:1-2 or are you above following the Bible’s word?
Do you not think standing up to Muslim extremist/terrorist is not looking out for ones health and welfare?
IMO for anyone who flies the American flag upsidedown, might as well take it down and stomp on it and set it on fire, there is no difference in my book.
The Greek church that was destroyed by the collapsed of the twin towers has not been able to gain permits to rebuild, but a Mosque sponsored by terroist can be built close to the site.
No…..What is truly pitiful is that there are people like you that could careless if a Mosque is built at ground zero. If the people supporting the Mosque were true Muslims they would move the Mosque to another site. By not moving the site leads me to believe that Mosque is not sponsored by true Muslims but by Muslim extremist/terrorist.
No I didn’t forget what I said in that post. Judge and you shall be judged? You’ve just done that, too! Touche! I am free to judge a situation, and make judgments, and I shall be judged for judging! You just did it to me! That’s all. Yep. I judged. I have no fear that my judgment will bear negatively on me. FYI: Jesus says nothing concerning admonishing someone against judgment, after all, he judged the Pharisees. He just mentions here that basically people that live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. And no, I don’t live literally by the Bible, or hold it as being a “perfect” book. It’s been edited, turned into a fairytale for ancient political reasons by Constantine and the Council of Nicea, as well as many, many other churches, priests, and “Pastors”. Again, I just said Jones was unqualified to be a representative of Christianity. I think many people in this country would agree with me. As most educated people that read, and study understand what Jesus was saying in general, and don’t hold hatred in their hearts for others. They also accept all religions and people, as is the tenet of this country’s constitution.
Glenn Beck? When you blab your mind endlessly to the public day after day on television and radio, yeah, I’d say people can have a pretty good view of what’s in your heart. Because what’s in your heart is expressed in words, and actions.
The flag. When your government turns the flag upside down, figuratively, by starting wars for financial, political, and energy reasons, as well as doing murder in the name of it all. Yes, the physical representation of the flag turned upside down may be a good way to represent your disdain for the situation. I agree that it’s abhorrent, isn’t that the whole point? The flag has been upside down since Nov. 22, 1963 when the American Coup D’etat happened.
“People like me that could care less about whether a Mosque is built near Ground Zero?” On the contrary, I care very much about that. I care very much that people would support it, as a beacon of our country’s constitution. That citizens of our country are not forced to take a separate place in society, but are treated equally. This is not a “Christian Country”, as it’s purported to be. This is a country of Buddhists, Jews, Christians, Atheists, Muslims, etc. and everyone has the right to exist here equally. Would you say that a Christian center at the same spot would be wrong? And that they’re probably a terrorist group? If they are what better place to have them, but in a high profile spot where we can keep an eye on them. If they’re caught doing something bad, then deal with it then, don’t condemn them with no evidence. I haven’t heard a shred of evidence that they are terrorists. Only that money is being raised to help them. I wonder where the fund is? Maybe I can send out my own donation.
I think you’ve missed most of my point here. So let me paraphrase so you don’t get caught up in semantics.
This is not a religious issue, it is a terrorist issue.
Extremists on both sides are not representative of their religions, or governing Constitutions, -are terrorists only, and are complicit.
As an American, I can protest freely.
The Mosque in New York should be a non-issue to Americans that hold the Constitution dear.
“Pastor” Jones is not qualified to represent Christianity worldwide, or even in his own Florida county.
I’m going to try and keep this short and to the point. You my friend brought up the bible verses about judging people, not me. Did I say anything about it not being right to pass judgement on someone? No, I did not. So don’t give that “You just did it ti me” crap, that’s just another excuse.
Since you mother is an Epicopalian priest, I’m sure you’ve heard this saying “practice what you preach”. After your little sermon, and hyprocritical responses your sermons no longer have any merit with me.
During this discussion you and I both have agreed that the true Muslims are not the issue here. Everyone seems to agree that the extreme/terrorist Muslims are the problem, and it is a fact that this Mosque is supported by the extreme/terrorist, and still you want to help them build this mosque, a mosque that will support terrorism which wants to kill innocent Americans including both of us.
No evidence….are you serious? You need to get out of your cave more often. I admit with most of the media caving to the left wing’s agenda the true information is harder to obtain. But the evidence is all around you, if you want it.
If you really want to find out what’s going on with the terrorist sponsered Mosque, then I suggest you go to biggovernment.com this site has over two dozen links to other sites which detail the Mosque sponsers.