I'm surprised that no one else has commented so far on the proposed burning of the Koran which is going to take place this Saturday in Florida. Here's one link. Terry Jones, the pastor of a church with a congregation of just 50 people is determined to have his day in the news, in spite of world wide condemnation and the knowledge that his actions could endanger American troops in Afghanistan.
Although I believe in freedom of expression, I actually think that he should be stopped because this is just going to throw petrol on the flames as far as widening the rift between Islam and the West. But then he would turn himself into some kind of martyr....so what to do?
If it were in the UK, the authorities would be looking to deal with it as "inciting racial hatred" or some such thing.
The blokes and idiot, and if that's what he thinks religion's about, he needs to go back and read his bible.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Terry Jones, the pastor of a church with a congregation of just 50 people is determined to have his day in the news, in spite of world wide condemnation and the knowledge that his actions could endanger American troops in Afghanistan.
Although I believe in freedom of expression, I actually think that he should be stopped because this is just going to throw petrol on the flames as far as widening the rift between Islam and the West. But then he would turn himself into some kind of martyr....so what to do?
Trouble with the times we live in is that every Tom **** and Terry;) has a voice, thanks to internet. A good thing turned into a calamity as apparently not all recognise the responsibility that comes with freedom.
A bunch of 50 idiots can rock the world. What do you propose to do?
What to do? Personally I do Nothing. Love thy neighbour! Invest your energy in your immediate world. World takes care of itself.
A bunch of 50 idiots can rock the world. What do you propose to do?
What to do? Personally I do Nothing. Love thy neighbour! Invest your energy in your immediate world. World takes care of itself.
I know, jnani, I know. Everything happens perfectly. I just find it so sad that there are people whose hearts are filled with hatred and who justify that hatred by bringing God into it. Does Terry Jones really believe that Jesus would thank him for what he proposes to do? Another example of the 'My God is better than your God' concept which has had human beings killing other human beings for millennia. For those of us who know that we are all one it is truly sad. But as you say, the world takes care of itself.
I couldn't put it better than Giles, the man is a complete loony. If the US do nothing they'll be seen to be condoning his idiocy.
What a real Christian would have done is arrange a prayer meeting with Muslims where everyone would pray for peace and tolerance.
Edit: I've just been reading that whilst it may be against the US constitution to stop the pastor from burning the Koran, the city and county police services plan on invoicing him for tens of thousands of dollars if he goes ahead because they will have to ensure public safety on the day.
I agree with Giles and Sunanda. Just heard on the news that the pastor has decided to cancel the burning - thank goodness - obviously someone who had no concept of the consequences of his actions! Such a bigoted idiot and so un-Christian!! It may not appease the Islamist extremists though.
Focussing on peace is paramount IMO.
I'm just back from the wilds of Norfolk and dial-up, plus very little news because of guests! I find all this shocking, yet, reading fundamentalist "Christian" discussion forums as I do, not in the least surprising. i thought this commentary in the Christian Science Monitor was good (obviously American slanted) as it iwas written from the perspectives of two US Muslims with diametrically opposed views:
If Terry Jones burns the Koran, he'll also set fire to America's identity
The planned burning of Korans this weekend would not just be a national disgrace or dangerous for our troops abroad. It could set fire to the very fabric that makes America strong and righteous.
Judy
There are people who believe that they are right everywhere in the world.
If the US is so fragile that one group of religious extremists can destroy the fabric that makes us strong and righteous, we are in big trouble! Research Fred Phelps and see his take on God and gays. It is basic to our freedom that even crazies may have their say. In this case I would say the media is more to blame for the spotlight on the proposed action than Jones is for thinking of it. It's nowhere near a national disgrace!
And I have been searching for the thread that is concerned about the BP oil spill and its effect on the quality of life in the US. Did I miss it?
I'm completely off-topic here, but to Holos -
I'm not there to view with my own eyes, so only going on the news. Apparently the vast majority of the oil has just disappeared - and fascinating research discovered that there was a form of bacteria there that fed on it. Amazing thing, Nature.
V
Edit: I've just been reading that whilst it may be against the US constitution to stop the pastor from burning the Koran, the city and county police services plan on invoicing him for tens of thousands of dollars if he goes ahead because they will have to ensure public safety on the day.
Could they continue to send bills after the event too, due to the continuing public safety of all Americans (in the US and serving as troops abroad) that will be necessary due to his actions. That would be one helluva big bill. 😉
Pastor Terry Jones obviously hasnt read the book he so much wants to burn. If he did he would discover that Jesus and Mary are mentioned in the most reverent tones in the Quran.
Kaif
If the US is so fragile that one group of religious extremists can destroy the fabric that makes us strong and righteous, we are in big trouble! Research Fred Phelps and see his take on God and gays. It is basic to our freedom that even crazies may have their say. In this case I would say the media is more to blame for the spotlight on the proposed action than Jones is for thinking of it. It's nowhere near a national disgrace!
I'm not sure I understand your point, Holos. Firstly, if Terry Jones had gone ahead and burned the Koran IMHO the Western world would have been at greater threat of terrorist action than it is now. So actually two groups of religious extremists, Christian and Muslim, would have caused US - and possibly European - citizens problems all over the world. Thereby threatening individuals with loss of life. Personally I hadn't considered the possibility of this threatening the fabric that makes the US strong and righteous because I don't believe that the US is either of these things. And I don't understand your use of the word 'righteous'. Does it mean 'being right'? Because, again IMVHO, the US has rarely been 'right' or even 'in the right' in recent decades. Nay, in centuries.
But Pastor Jones has had his publicity and has succeeded in stirring the pot. I am happy that he has found the courage to back down from his stand. But he's certainly awoken the hornet's nest once more.
Personally I hadn't considered the possibility of this threatening the fabric that makes the US strong and righteous because I don't believe that the US is either of these things. And I don't understand your use of the word 'righteous'. Does it mean 'being right'? Because, again IMVHO, the US has rarely been 'right' or even 'in the right' in recent decades. Nay, in centuries.
Sunanda, those were not Holos' words, but those of two US Muslims (writing from opposite standpoints) who wrote the commentary on this subject in the CS Monitor that I gave the link to.
What I find interesting and encouraging is that the Muslim community in America is much more integrated into society and feels much more patriotic that certainly the older generation of ours do here. But then, I understand that many are middle class professionals, while in the UK, you can live in a ghetto, never learn to speak English or have any contact with your new home's (or even your birthplace's) culture and identity all you life!
Judy
Sunanda, those were not Holos' words, but those of two US Muslims (writing from opposite standpoints) who wrote the commentary on this subject in the CS Monitor that I gave the link to.
What I find interesting and encouraging is that the Muslim community in America is much more integrated into society and feels much more patriotic that certainly the older generation of ours do here. But then, I understand that many are middle class professionals, while in the UK, you can live in a ghetto, never learn to speak English or have any contact with your new home's (or even your birthplace's) culture and identity all you life!
Judy
Judy
Be careful about what you're saying. I thought this was a thread about the proposed stunt of burning a religious scripture which is holy to hundreds of millions of people.
By straying into the issue of ghettoes in the UK you're implying that the immigrant community or a section of it dont want to integrate into the host community. This begs the question - does the host community want to embrace the immigrant community with open arms?
Kaif
And I have been searching for the thread that is concerned about the BP oil spill and its effect on the quality of life in the US. Did I miss it?
There was one on Healing and Prayers pages, Holos, but no, not here, this site being consisted of mainly UK members as you know.
You might like to have a look at this page though: http://christianscience.com/healing/gulf-oil-spill/ Plenty of concern and caring there!
Judy