by the Left Coast Rebel
Here at the Left Coast Rebel we hardly avoid controversy. And a story about a church in Gainesville, Florida, burning Qurans on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks is about as controversial as it gets.
Having fatwa all over it, this just hit Memeorandum and will be a big discussion topic coming up. Here's why:
Screenshot of the Dove World Outreach Center website, one is greeted with "Islam is of the Devil":(CNN) -- In protest of what it 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.
The Dove World Outreach Center says it is hosting the event to remember 9/11 victims and take a stand against Islam. With promotions on its website and Facebook page, it invites Christians to burn the Muslim holy book at the church from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
"We believe that Islam is of the devil, that it's causing billions of people to go to hell, it is a deceptive religion, it is a violent religion and that is proven many, many times," Pastor Terry Jones told CNN's Rick Sanchez earlier this week.
Jones wrote a book titled "Islam is of the Devil," and the church sells coffee mugs and shirts featuring the phrase.
Muslims and many other Christians -- including some evangelicals -- are fighting the initiative.
The church launched a YouTube channel to disseminate its messages.
"Islam is of the Devil" is also a book written by Dove World Outreach Center's pastor Terry Jones:
Screenshot of the "International Burn the Koran Day" Facebook page:
And the "Burn the Koran" Youtube 'instructional' video (ThinkProgress wouldn't post it):
Analysis for me is pretty easy for me on this one. The so-called "International Burn the Quran Day" is geared to the sheer shock factor. It's beyond incediary, ludicrous and a waste of time. And worse, this kind of behavior (burn the Quran/Koran day) distracts from the clear downsides to Islam. It sells books too, apparently. But in the end it is this group's right to do as they please on their property - free speech (including liberal pet projects like flag burning) is sometimes ugly.
Perhaps the Dove World Outreach Center could have instead prayed for our nation, our fallen heroes and those still fighting for America across the world in far too many unappreciated God-forsaken corners of the world.
But then again - that wouldn't garner the attention that this will.
Updated: Let the Islamic threats begin. The Times of India just reported:
Reactions to the Koran burning announcement were swift. Members of the Al-Falluja jihadist forum have threatened to "spill rivers of your (American) blood" and "a war the likes of which you have never seen before".
Updated x2: Reader John in Florida chimes in:
Please, as a Floridian I hope this wont affect general opinions of other Floridians...
My first thoughts are about Nazis burning books that were contrary to the regime.
In this sense he is no different than Adolf!
Although I agree with most of his beliefs, I disagree with his solutions. And unfortunately, I think he has invited those he opposes to attack him and his flock that he is responsible to protect.
A great responsibility...
He quoted from the Bible that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. That is not the job of Christians. The same bible tells us to "pray for our enemies". I agree that we should or even must do something, putting ourselves an others at risk is irresponsible. He has put his face on the "hit list" of those he opposes... And one more point, The Bible tells us to be " Gentle as doves and wily as snakes"...
DaTechGuy weighs in too (and links, thanks!)
They get 10 out of 10 for not being afraid of the inevitable fatwa but they also get 0 out of ten for giving Islamists an actual cause for grievance. Going nuts over a cartoon? Nonsense! Burning their holy book, yeah I can see getting angry over that.
This of course doesn’t change the fact that it is protected first amendment speech and violent retaliation is the act of barbarians.
Please, as a Floridian I hope this wont affect general opinions of other Floridians...
ReplyDeleteMy first thoughts are about Nazis burning books that were contrary to the regime. In this sense he is no different than Adolf!
Although I agree with most of his beliefs, I disagree with his solutions. And unfortunately, I think he has invited those he opposes to attack him and his flock that he is responsible to protect. A great responsibility...
He quoted from the Bible that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. That is not the job of Christians. The same bible tells us to "pray for our enemies". I agree that we should or even must do something, putting ourselves an others at risk is irresponsible. He has put his face on the "hit list" of those he opposes... And one more point, The Bible tells us to be " Gentle as doves and wily as snakes"...
This has got to be the stupidest and most ridiculous thing I've heard about in a great while.
ReplyDeleteCue the Kristallnacht meme from the media.
As a believer, let me just say these people are complete tools.
Thanks, Dove World whatever. Ass hats!
Shouldn't the media be decrying the anti-christian backlash? Yet I bet they cheer on the fatwa.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why Rick Sanchez and others of his ilk don't make much more of the threats of death and violence by opponents of this event than they do of someone peacefully burning their own property as a method of political protest?
ReplyDeleteSo What. Big Deal. This is not news; just a pesky little bug for all of us. Move on.
ReplyDeleteIf there were a burning of the bible day, I'd say the same thing; "Just a pesky little bug."
But consider this; The bible and American Flag have been burned into infinity. Guess What..Both continue to survive and show the world value.
These idiots in FL need to realize that they may be setting up a rally flag for Islam.