While I think that anyone who resorts to burning the American Flag, the Bible, the Quran, or ANY book for that matter as a protest acts childishly, there is also no doubt that such behavior has been allowed and tolerated for decades in my lifetime - starting in the '60's when women were burning their bras! But I don't believe any action of this nature is effective. As I read the article below, the sentiment that most jumped out at me was the apparent fear America has of Islam. In my view, appeasement is not the answer either. We are in a world-wide war for the religious hearts and minds of humanity. On the one hand we have freedom of religion - freedom to believe and practice whatever religion you'd like. Those religions are mainly peaceful and loving religions. On the other hand we have the religious fervor to convert all peoples to Islam, and those who are unwilling, or unable, are punished or killed. That is a non-peaceful, hateful religion. So why haven't we drawn a line in the sand and declared we will fight the war to win? When you appease a bully, the bully doesn't quit until he's tired of the game. Well, in terms of spreading Islam, the bullies will never get tired of the game. We have only two alternatives. One is to stand up to the bullies and either defeat them or die trying. The second is to accept the conditions the bullies want to impose on us. We have a clear choice, which one do you prefer?
State Department Calls Plan to Burn Korans 'Un-American'
Published September 07, 2010
FoxNews.com
The State Department described as "un-American" plans by a controversial church to burn Korans in memory of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks -- though the head of that church says he is not deterred.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley called the plan "inflammatory" at a briefing Tuesday and said it would put U.S. troops and interest around the world at risk, echoing a concern expressed by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan.
"It doesn't represent the vast majority of American views," Crowley said.
Secretary of State Clinton also condemned the church's plans during her remarks at a State Department dinner she hosted in observance of Iftar, the breaking of the daily fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
"I am heartened by the clear, unequivocal condemnation of this disrespectful, disgraceful act that has come from American religious leaders of all faiths," Clinton said.
But Terry Jones, pastor of the 50-member Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., says not even protests and death threats will deter him. He told MyFoxOrlando.com that he and the church's members feel strongly about their decision to hold the book burning despite being denied a permit from the fire department.
"We understand the general's concerns, we are taking those into consideration," Jones was quoted saying. "We feel it's maybe the right time for America to stand up. How long are we going to bow down? How long are we going to be controlled by the terrorists, by radical Islam?"
On Tuesday, Petraeus said that even rumors of the possibility the church would hold a Koran-burning touched off protests in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia.
"Images of the burning of a Koran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan -- and around the world -- to inflame public opinion and incite violence," Petraeus said. "Were the actual burning to take place, the safety of our soldiers and civilians would be put in jeopardy and accomplishment of the mission would be made more difficult."
Though the National Association of Evangelicals and the National Council of Churches have denounced the plan to burn the Koran, Jones indicated he had support from other churches around the country. He did not name any, however.
Jones said he and members of his church are taking seriously several death threats directed at them, but if something happened, it would not be their fault.
"We will not be responsible," Jones said. "We are only reacting to the violence that is already there in that religion."
Stand With God, Stand For Liberty, And Stand Against Tyranny In ANY Form!
I doubt most Americans think burning the Koran is a good idea, or we would all be ordering Korans and matches from Amazon.
ReplyDeleteBut I defend the freedoms in this country. Some things are worth everything.
I agree Opus, but it has the same connotations as the NYC Mosque issue. The right to do it exists, but should it be done? Is it right? Does it accomplish anything worthwhile and good? Or does it just divide and inflame? Don't get me wrong, I don't particularly care for the Islamic religion, I've made that quite clear. But if we're against it, let's be against it - burning Koran's doesn't demonstrate that sufficiently in my mind. And it doesn't look like the government has the stomach to engage the fight in earnest...
ReplyDelete