I am ambivalent about giving any additional attention to a hate-filled, fear-driven, religious leader like Pastor Terry Jones. Once the Gainesville, Florida minister is being covered by the New York Times however, it seems that coverage is assured. The only question which remains is what shall be the response?
Is it appropriate to simply right him off as a kook? Can we afford to stand silently by? The answers to those questions have nothing to do with how one feels about Islam in general, or about the proposed cultural center and mosque to be situated a few blocks from the site of the former World Trade Center.
Whether one opposes the mosque or not, this proposed Koran burning is obscene. Tragically and ironically, this is an expression of Christianity which parallels the parts of Islam which represent a genuine threat to the human race. I guess it’s an irony Pastor Jones misses, but reminds us all that it’s not the faith which kills; it’s the fanatical attachment to it.
Before deciding what you think is the appropriate response, think for a minute about the response you would hope for, if it were bibles that someone proposed to burn? What would be the appropriate response to a religious leader calling for the public burning of a Torah scroll?
We cannot call for a vocal response from Muslims when Muslims engage in hateful acts towards the followers of other faiths unless we, who cherish those other faiths, speak out when our religious leaders behave hatefully. Ultimately, this moment is not a test of Pastor Jones, but for the rest of us. I hope we pass. I guess we’ll see.
Reprinted from Rabbi Brad Hirschfield’s blog Windows and Doors: Where politics and pop culture meet 3000 years of Jewish Wisdom on Beliefnet
Clearly the minister has a right to burn the Koran. CLearly Muslims have the right to build the mosque near Ground Zero. In both cases the question is “Should they exercise those rights?” How about some journalist or columnist suggesting that someone get the minister to NOT exercise his right, if the mosque builder will NOT exercise their rights. IT will be intersting to see how the media and the muslim world react whena clear way to protect the Korans fomr fire is reached.
Even if that idiot preacher in Gainsville, Florida postponed or cancelled his Quran burning, some imbecile just burned pages from a Koran on September 11th at the World Trade Center. What a asshole. His own 15 seconds of fame is more important to him than peace with the Muslim world.
You have got to be joking. This Quran burning day is a total disaster towards the United States population! Did everyone forget the Golden Rule? Treat others like you’d want to be treated. There will undoubtedly be an international backlash against this asinine event. Just watch.
Another Title…
[...] I saw this really good post today and wanted to link to it [...]…