Burn a Qur’an Day Facebook Page
SUMMARY: Pastor Terry Jones of Dove World Outreach is organizing an event for people to burn Qur’ans on 9/11. This is to protest the spread of Islamic (sharia) law.
My thoughts
Before I answer the question of whether Christians should participate I have a few thoughts I would like to share:
Liberal Media
1. First, the liberal media’s treatment of religious issues in general: watching this clip from CNN may not tell the whole story. Pastor Jones probably has a lot more to say (hence the links above). On the face of things it sounds extreme but when compared with the atrocities initiated by Muslims (Christians burned alive in Pakistan, more persecution in Pakistan, Bible burning & persecution in Sudan) it almost seems reserved… almost. The second link is talking about the Taliban’s response to foreign troops:
In Pakistan, partly as a backlash and response to the US and Pakistani military operations, the Taliban have targeted Christians through killings, torture, forcible conversions and burning of churches and Bibles, the report says.
Without getting into the political dispute over what our troops should/shouldn’t be doing, I only want to point out two things. One, CNN is selective on what stories they cover. They deliberately choose to not cover some, and give attention to others. In the case of this whole burn-a-Quran-day thing, they intentionally chose to paint it as a few wacky fundamentalists who are intolerant and and bigoted. Two: well, two is my next point…
Political, Religious, or Both?
2. The case above of the Taliban reacting violently to US troops (and burning Bibles in the process) is an example of (again) two things. 1) A fundamental difference between Islam and Christianity. Full-fledged Islam is a religion as well as a lifestyle (which included politics, law, and many other things us ignorant Westerners don’t normally consider religious). Christianity, on the other hand is a religion designed to exist within different governments and within different cultures. Sure, Christians in the past have tried to create “Christian” nations, but biblically speaking, legislating religion is not the duty or aim of the New Covenant people of God. Rather, God’s Kingdom is spread through evangelism and King Jesus conquers hearts and minds rather than nations and land. Islam (meaning Islamic religion AND Islamic culture, law, customs, etc) is all encompasing and in Pakistan they burnt Bibles because in their minds America is a Christian nation and therefore the US troops are like troops from any Islamic country, representing their country AND that country’s religion.
2) Back to our story in Florida, Pastor Jones and Dove World Outreach seem to have blurred the lines which I discussed above. He is speaking as an American about political statements. He is also speaking as a Christian about religions beliefs. As an American he is concerned about Islamic (sharia) law someday being enforced on American soil. As a Christian pastor he is concerned about the damning effects of Islam on the souls of 1.5 billion people. Is he wrong for either? I would say no. I share his concerns. Politically his way of expressing these concerns is taking shape in Burn A Koran Day. Since the Bible nowhere commands us to burn competing religious texts I can only conclude he is being patriotic.
As a pastor, however, the media is portraying this as a Christian event rather than a patriotic event. Heck, Pastor Jones may not even make the distinction that I’ve made and be confusing the issue even further.
Is it Wrong Because it Makes People Feel Bad?
3. Rick Sanchez tries to impose the emotional impact of burning the Qur’an on Muslims on Pastor Jones (who doesn’t hold it to be sacred). This is dramatic, yes, but it goes both ways. History has seen Bibles burnt by all kinds of groups. Did the fragile feelings of Christians factor in for the participants? No. Well, why bring it up then? Anti-Christian agenda? Maybe. Catering to a post-modern audience who is more concerned about feelings and emotions than cold hard facts? Perhaps. Ratings? (are you kidding, everything is about ratings!)
Historical Irony
4. There is an sense of historical irony here. Remember Uthman? Yes, I’m going there. Uthman ibn Affan, the 3rd Caliph, revised the Quran and oversaw the destruction of the source documents (thus eliminating many Quranic manuscripts with textual variants). Many full and partial copies of the Qur’an were burned. Not by protesters, not by Christians, no; good and faithful Muslims willingly burnt their own Korans. If we are going to be consistent, we need to express the same indignation against Uthman as we do against Pastor Jones. That is, as long as we are protesting the general idea of burning religious texts. If in reality you are really against Christianity and are just using this as ammunition then be honest and say it. If you are OK with Uthman burning Korans, then the bare, raw concept alone is not the issue here.
Should Christians Participate in Burn a Koran Day?
No. (And you totally thought I was going to say “yes,” ha!). I’m no fan of the Qur’an. For me it ranks up there with the Book of Mormon, the Gitas, Science and Health with a Key to the Scriptures, and a dozen other books which (in varying degrees) are here to either replace or supplement the Holy Bible. But remember my comment above about the Kingdom of God spreading through evangelism? As Americans we may do some wacky things, but as Christians (regardless of nationality) we would do better to read the Qur’an and equip ourselves to explain to the world why it is not from God. Burning them will undoubtedly get a reaction, but not the same kind of reaction that a studied response from biblical Christians would generate.
Rick asked Pastor Jones about how he would feel if a Muslim did what he is doing and burnt a bible. I think that question would be better framed: how would you feel if a Muslim studied the Bible, disagreed, and wanted to talk about it with you? I can’t speak for Pastor Jones, but I would personally LOVE it. I would feel like that person spent time they didn’t have to spend reading God’s Word and honor that with my time, talking to them, going back and forth on the issues they brought up. Folks! lets do that with them! Can I get an “Amen”?
OMG!!! This dude need some serious mental help!! Why would you do something this insane? Does he want retaliation? Does he want violence to come from this? Because that is what will happen. Just like if a Mosque decided to burn a bunch of Bibles and let it be known world wide, you are going to have Christians coming out from everywhere in retaliation! This CULT needs to really wake up before they do this and open a can of worms they shouldnt have opened! God Bless us ALL!!! The Quran and The Bible both say that in the “endtimes” We will see this…….
Hi Glenn,
Thanks for your post. I did really think you were going to say you supported what we were doing. You certainly seem to agree with the bulk of it. (By the way, I am a member of Dr. Jones’ church.) You say we would do better to read the Qur’an. Well, what if we have? and what if we have in fact been studying it, and even have copies we don’t intend to burn? What if the only reason that we are doing this is to raise awareness so that more people will start talking about it? I can tell you that is exactly what we are doing. We have no crazy notions of trying to wipe out Qur’ans. Even if you think people from the south are uneducated, I can assure we’re not that daft. We are doing it to make a statement about a religion and political ideology which people have misunderstood and many people, even many Christians we talk to, have absolutely no idea what it is. If this gets some more Christians to read a Quran, then good. If it gets Christians talking about this topic, then good. But we as Christians can’t simply sit back and do nothing, accepting all religions as equal, but just thinking ours is maybe a little better.
I think much of the church in American is very much in danger of Jesus’ warning in Revelations 3 about being “luke warm”. You don’t have to agree fully with our method, but please do something.
Thanks again for your article.
Dave, thank you for your comment. On the face of things it seems we more or less agree that Islamic Law (Sharia Law) poses a threat to the freedoms we enjoy here in America. Likewise we both agree that the doctrines of Islam are soul-damning, that Allah is a false god, that Muhammad is a false-prophet, etc. I certainly don’t jump to the hillbilly stereotype because of your locale (I’m from Southern California and am also somewhat a black sheep here).
There is a need to raise awareness, but do you think that burning Qur’ans is the best way? Granted it will work to the end of drawing attention, but is it the kind of attention that will be useful later on, say, in 1 year, 5 years, 20 years? Maybe 9/11 could be witness to a Muslim Day: A day where Christians all over the country will pledge the time to share the Gospel of Jesus with a Muslim they know. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this…
Hi Glenn, yes, absolutely, 9/11, 9/12 and every other day can and should be witness to a Muslim day. The problem is that huge parts of our population don’t see that as necessary and don’t see Islam as a problem. So yes, we could make it witness to a Muslim day, but would that raise awareness? would it get people talking? would it really make so many people stop and consider Islam and Christianity? I certainly don’t think so.
Our methods may be crass, but what does it take to get America to wake up? to get the church to do something?
I think its critical that we as Christians be a strong voice in speaking the truth. Jesus certainly didn’t mind if people got offended when he spoke the truth. Now, of course the situation is different here, but I think it’s relevant. He offended everyone around Him in John 6 after all.
So, if Jesus can speak the truth and offend, and if you agree that what we are saying is the truth, then is there really a problem?
In just the last two weeks our phones have been ringing off the hooks with people from all over the world asking questions about Islam, Christianity, the Quran, the Bible, and we have had countless opportunities to share the word with people there, online, plus through mass media. We’ve been on talk shows, TV, news papers, all sharing the word of God and the message of repentance and Salvation through Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:14 NIV:
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
dave, do you honestly think people are calling the church and asking about burning the koran day because they want to hear about jesus? are you telling me jesus would burn a koran to get the message across the his way is the right way to follow? i know prophet muhammed surley wouldn’t do that. i’m not trying to convert you, but i just got the instant impression that the people in your church are extremely ignorant, and disrespectful. why not hold a conference about christianity, and make it open to non-christains? why aren’t you burning a torah instead of a koran? you’re targeting one specific religion, and i don’t find that fair. muslims that stay true to the koran would NEVER burn a bible just to get a point across, and i find it very sad how so many people are willing to do that. there are many lines of offending people, is this one goes down the farthest one. especially that you happen to be holding the day on the day(of maybe some states) or the day after of a very holy day for islam.
Peace to you.
If you are a member of this Pastor, then u r truly following christianity.
“I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword” (Gospel of Matthew 10:34)
That’s the teaching of the Bible. So by burning the Holy Quran, it’s a reflection of what Jesus said in Matthew, i.e., u guys are not here for peace but to bring terror.
Secondly, if you really studied the Holy Quran, then you surely did come across Chapter verse 256. Right? So to remind you of the commandment of the Eternal, He said in the Quran:
“There is no compulsion in religion”.
That’s the commandment of the Quran. That’s what our Lord ordered us to do. Hence, if anybody is acting otherwise than this, he is sinning.
Oh yea: One more thing.
Quran says: “We call to witness (the Prophet’s repeated) cry: ‘O my Lord! these are people who will not believe’ (43:88)
The Prophet’s heart was so saddened by the fact that the disbelievers were not seeing the truth. He cried in his prayers for your guidance. But the next verse gives a representation of Islam:
And (Our reply was), “So turn aside from them, and say ‘Peace’ ” and soon shall they know (43:89)
If u guys do not want to understand that our Lord is One. Then the commandment of the Father in the Heaven is to say Peace and turn aside. He did not say “KILL THEM”.
Now, there 1 or 2 verse in the Quran which says kill the disbelievers whenever you see them. But if u really studied the Quran as u claim to have been doing, then u should have seen that Allah said:
“Allah has sent down the best Message (in the form of) a Book, (whose verses are) mutually supporting… “(39:23)
Hence, it is clear that the verses in the Quran are MUTUALLY supporting. So, when u find a verse a bit ambiguous u’ll have the answers with other verses related to the same issue. When Allah said fight the disbelievers, we should analyze the whole Quran and then we would see that we can fight the disbelievers only when they fight us (in defensive circumstances):
“Permission (to fight) is given to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged — and Allah indeed has power to help them — “(22:39)
Also it says:
“And fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress. Surely, Allah loves not the transgressors.” (2:190)
Hence, fighting the disbelievers is allowed only when they start to fight us. Thats it. No offensive wars are permitted in Islam.
So, compare the sayings of Jesus “I came not for peace, but to bring a sword” to that of the Holy Quran’s teachings “Turn aside from them and say peace”.
U have eyes to see.
So the Pastor Jones is doing nothing but to apply the biblic teachings. So Im not surprised at all with his acts but as far as we are concerned our Lord said:
“O ye who believe! Be steadfast in the cause of Allah, bearing witness in equity; and let not a people’s enmity incite you to act otherwise that with justice. Be always just, that is nearer to righteousness….” (5:8)
Hence, ur enemities will not make us act otherwise than justice since this is nearer to righteousness.
I know it frustrates the Pastor Jones to see that Islam is by far a peaceful religion than Christianity, but in any case he is doing what BIBLE preached “do not live for peace but rather promote hatred and disorder (I came not for peace but to bring a sword)”
So, im turning aside from u and say Peace to you.
I am not going to burn a Qur’an and would not, if I had a hard copy. I only have digital copies, but I try to make it easy for others to obtain and read digital copies.
I have taken this sideshow as an opportunity to expose the doctrines & practices of Islam. I hope that other bloggers will join me in the effort.
I appreciate what Dove World Outreach and Pastor Jones are doing, and resent the LibTard attacks against them. They brought an important issue to the front burner and stimulated public interest.
“What’s Wrong With Islam/Muslims?”, What You Need to Know About Islam” and “The Defamation of Jesus Christ” are receiving more page views, and that is a good thing.
nice read and i think the pastors a bastard and a bigot nazis burned books not people with a soul
as for your religious thinkings they are equal to onion soup worthless
Out of control.This guy is ridiculousl How could he even claim to be a Christian? He is not a Christian! He is a heathen!
I’m with George in that he’s not a christian. He’s a fire worshipper, or one of those who worship satans (luciferians). terry jones dresses like that. so christians beware.
Eagle.
terry jones is not a christian. So beware. he’s most probably a fire worshipper. Fire worshippers live hidden these days. Please don’t take him as your community member. terry jones is not of your community.
The proof is his moustache, he doesn’t wear it like christians, his moustache is like those of fire worshippers.
Fire worshippers were defeated by Ceasar of Rome (a Christian) (Roman empire) about 1000 years ago. Muslims prayed for Ceasar of Rome to win the war against fire worshippers. It is also predicted in the Qur’an (the winning of Rome against fire worshipper) so that’s what make them (the fire worshippers) so bitter against Islam and Muslims.
Don’t fall into trap of terry jones. he’s not your friend.
http://takht-e-sulaiman.eseaf.com/02/08/2010/september-11-and-their-satanic-rituals/
Eagle.
You will find No Religion on earth teaches hatred but you will find its followers
doing so. Tery Jones of Dove World Outreach church is bringing shame and disgrace
to Christianity and will not harm Islam by this evil planned act of hatred.
** oh dragon of the time don’t sting me**
** you won’t die me but you will make me alive**
What would Jesus do? he most definitely wouldn’t born a Quran!
I bet you that these people, if were allowed, would hold a burn a Muslim day. Shame on you, you are no Christian!
It is obvious from some of the comments that people don’t get it at all about the Quran. None of you have bothered to investigate it, nor have you realized that it is a book of Satan.
That’s right Allah is Satan. Mohammed was a child molester and a murderer and is held by these vile evil scum calling themselves a religion, as their “prophet”.
Islam is not a religion as they so cowardly would like for you to believe, but an agenda to kill all infidels. The bleeding heart liberals aka progressives aka communists in this country continue to be spoon fed their daily dose of “Pravda” propaganda. Trash in, trash out.
This Pastor has the guts to stand for Christ and denounce Satan. Wake up America.
What else will it take to wake up these poisoned puppets??
The Muslims who have truly converted to Christianity will tell you first hand that the Quran is the work of the devil.
A mock religion that teaches honor killing its own children, beheading their wives if they displease them, or stoning their own people for stupid reasons.
They also marry off 5 year old little girls to grown men, and the parents have nothing to say about it. If the parents speak out they get beheaded or stoned.
Sounds like a great group of people doesn’t it? The Pastor is correct and now has many followers, and will have more.
you’re actually wrong. thousands of year ago yes, that’s what the people of mecca did. however, prophet muhammed saved many people from all those wrongdoings because he said that that is NOT what islam is. you need to actually pick up the book and read. there is NOT any chapter in the quaran that encourages any of that. it actually forbids it. just because muslims do that stuff, doesn’t mean they’re following the quaran. get your facts straight. and i’m so sure that jesus will be beaming in pride as you burn those quarans “true patriot”!
@ True Patriot, I feel sorry for you, and I will pray for you and your twisted mind. It is not the religion that makes these people do stoning and killings. Its their pathetic minds that make them do that. Its because they care more what the relatives will say or the neighboors, if a child or a wife does something to dishonor them.
I AM A PROUD MUSLIM, PROUD MUSLIM PARENT AND GRANDPARENTS. MY BACKGROUND INFO IS NOT THAT IMPORTANT, BUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT I WAS NOT RAISED TO HATE, I WAS NOT RAISED TO JUDGE, BUT TO BE KIND AND GOOD TO PEOPLE. Don’t worry I will pray for you.
What you wrote about killings and molesting children, with no disrespect to anyone, but in europe we don’t hear so much about serial killers and child molesters, where as in the usa that is sadly happening way to much. I am not going to say it’s religios thing, no way, it’s the mentality of those who commit the crime. It has nothing to do wheter they are christians or muslims or jews.
I have not met a single person, who thinks Hitler did a great job in the WWI&II, even the germans I’ve been around can’t stand him. If you are against the quran and muslims, you may as well hate buddhist and jews, and so many other religions.
Islam has not changed over thousend of years. Quran has not been modified. Bible has been modified, the first bible differs a lot from the last one. Why, it’s not mine to worry about. It just simply has changed. Might be a good thing, might be not. Quran speaks of peace. It is a sin to think bad about someone, to gossip, to do bad things to others.
It is a sin to kill inocent people.
Self defense, as in any court house, if proven that it was self defense you might be of the hook, other wise its a sin and a criminal act.
so get your thoughts and facts togheter before you speak your mind again. you may look smarter and someone might try and follow your advice if you prove to them you know what the heck you are talking about.
STOP BUILDING THE MOSUQUE BY THE WORLD TRADE CENTER AND WILL STOP BURNING THE KORAN,!!
The old man is an Idiot! Their Facebook group has less member, than the group Protesting it. If you stop coming into our countries, raping our woman, we’ll stop building!
for sake of peace in your country and wrold, would someone lock this person that insist of burning holy book of Quran or any religion book. Everybady wishes they could stoped Hitler before it all happen
here is your chance Stop Him while you still can
If Islam is a lie why does 20,000 Christians in America converts to it every year?! :) MashAllah :)
The question is: Should Christians Participate?
The answer is up to the individual. You may only speak for yourself. If you speak for either side, you are on their side. This is about freedom, not religion. Someone should have the freedom to burn a Koran or a Bible if they wish, and the rest of us are free to say it was wrong, however legal.
That is what a secular country is all about, being secular. If the law steps in to say that you cannot burn a Koran, or a Bible, or the Book of Mormon, then it will never end. To some people, Aristotle is their Bible and their God, and to others, Lady GaGa could be a God, and her picture never be burned! A Jedi can complain of disrespecting Star Wars figurines!
I’m a Christian, but if more churches plan things like the Burn a Koran Day, I’m going to pull an Anne Rice …
I prefer reading books to burning them. In this case, a burning can assist in opening eyes so that more will read.
For the long term, there are better ways to attract attention. One of them will require a great deal of dedication and effort but could reap great rewards. Use Qur’an verses and related ahadith to create a series of simple plays depicting the teaching and actions of Moe.
Instead of a Halloween Hell House, have a Mosque scene. Let the congregation and guests see and hear what Moe said and did.
Video Tape the plays and post them on YouTube.
I would encourage pastors to use the Qur’an in their sermons. Take a deep breath, relax, and think about it. That method can be used to show what Islam really values, as a negative exemplar. How better to familiarize Christians with Islam than by reading Surat al-Anfal & at-Taubah in church?
For those who like to agitate, I have a blog post entitled “The Defamation of Jesus Christ” which you can find with your favorite search engine. If your Pastor does not know about Islam, email it to him.
Muslims assert that they love Jesus as a Prophet. In reality, they love Isa as a genocidal warlord. You will not fully realize that truth without digging into the Qur’an, hadith & tafsir. I did the research so that you don’t need to. A slightly shorter blog post: “What Will Jesus Do” explains much of the same information.
If you muslims call your self a peace full religion then why are you so freakin upset about it????????????
Muslims are less upset and more disgusted at these silly ploys attempted by claimed peace making Christians, of Freedom liberation and Justice. It is just a facade, this war on Islam set out by those too ignorant to truly learn of its authenticity and connectivity to ALL the Messengers sent by our One Lord. Islam is the only faith that continues to practice in the way of Moses.. Noah.. Isaac.. Abraham.. Jesus(Yeshua) and all the other messengers of God may peace and blessings be upon them all. Christians today do not follow the way of Jesus, paganism has hijacked the faith and now left soo unable to recognize the message of their Lord that it instead insites blinde anger rather than a solace of comfort and peace…
I pray for all those who follow Yeshua(Jesus) who follow Moeses.. who follow Noah and who follow Muhammad that God enlighten and guide them all upon his TRUE path of submission to the will of our One creator, who has no partners, no daughters, no sons nor mother or grandchildren…
For once this is achieved through humbly gaining knowledge.. then the peace of unity will be rebuilt between us all…
how would you feel if I said I want to burn your bible? if a bible is no holy to you, quran is hoky to me. as a muslim i would never do anything to harm anyones religion.
“Do you want to burn the Quran?â€
If you want to burn the Quran I invite you to read it first.
Then it is your choice to proceed; You will figure out that:
You will be burning Adam and Noah, Abraham and Issac, Jacob and Josef, David and Salomon, Moses and John….and all prophets and saints
You will be burning Jesus and his saint spirit ….
You will be burning Mary and her baby ….
You will be burning the Torah and the Bible ….
Go ahead
Burn the light to satisfy your darkness….
Burn the love to satisfy your hatred….
Burn the peace to satisfy your anger….
Burn the compassion to satisfy your cruelty….
Burn the knowledge to satisfy your ignorance….
Do all the above in your heart only….
Oh wait; would you still have a heart after the above?! Would you be Christian or Jewish, would you be even human?!
The Quran won’t be affected of what you would do, because the creator said about it:
“Surely We have revealed the Reminder and We will most surely be its guardian.†15-9
You would burn the papers of the Quran, but even by burning it, it will show light… to all man kind.
It will keep saying: “Their intention is to extinguish God’s Light with their mouths: But GOD will complete His Light, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it).â€61-9
And it will keep saying: “And the servants of the Beneficent God are they who walk on the earth in humbleness, and when the ignorant address them, they say: Peace!â€25-63
Peace….Peace….Peace….
Hassan Yaghi, Seattle, Wa
Aug 26, 2010
hassan.yaghi@gmail.com
…they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace… (Ezekiel 13:10).
What would Jesus say to Muhammad (the founder of Islam)?
“You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not. Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me? He that is of God hears God’s words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.” (John 8:44-47)
Islam is of the devil (who wanted to be like God). It advocates murder, pedophilia, abuse of women, lying, and dumb teachings like the claim that Adam was 90 feet tall.
Yes, burn the Koran. The early church did stuff like that (e.g., Acts 19:19). Fear no evil (cf. Psalm 3:6; 23:4; 27:1, 3).
Again….
Read the Quran once….and you’ll change your mind
Even though that stupid minister in Gainsville, Florida cancelled his Koran burning, some moron just burned pages from a Koran on 9/11 at the World Trade Center. What a loser. His own five minutes of fame means more to him than peace with the Muslim world.