So I gave my two cents worth on facebook about this issue that floored me, but I wanted to elaborate on it by expressing more of my view point and opinion because nothing bothers me more than ideologies that breed discrimination.
On facebook I wrote the following:
I for one would like to be a Christian voice advocating against the heinous act this so called Christian preacher plans to execute on 9/11—on burning copies of the Quran. It disgusts me when people use religion as a means to advance their own agenda. Did we not learn anything from the martyrs of the 16th century—those who died to protect the burning of the Bible? This is unbecoming of not only a Christian, but also a human being.
To continue with my opinion on the matter: I was so proud of the CNN reporter who adamantly stood up against this man and presented some pressing concerns on the matter regarding the kind of consequences that might surface from his actions? For example, one of the main concerns she addressed was the safety of our military serving in Afghanistan and other areas around the world. She asked the question, would you like innocent blood to be on your hands for the violent outbreaks of animosity that will be imposed upon those serving our country overseas?
Another consequence: creating further animosity not only with nations outside our border but citizens within our own country; i.e. radical Muslims acting in retaliation of America’s hypocrisy in the constitutional right of every American citizen (yes, even Muslims are considered citizens of America) to exercise freedom of religion.
How can burning someone’s sacred text bridge the gap of hatred that divides us from even being civil with one another? How can fighting hate with hate accomplish anything? As the reporter stated, to appose this mans antics of using the Bible as a way to rationalize his actions (the example he used was Christ turning over the money changers table at the temple): I thought it was a common Christian belief to turn the other cheek, to take the high road? I don’t know what copy of the Bible this man preaches his sermons from but I am pretty sure Christ clarified how we are supposed to treat our “enemies” as noted in his sermon on the mount found in Matthew 5:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not aevil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right bcheek, cturn to him the other also.
44 But I say unto you, aLove your benemies, cbless them that dcurse you, do egood to them that fhate you, and gpray for them which despitefully use you, and hpersecute you;
I think verse 19 sums up Christ’s view on those who teach otherwise:
“Whosoever therefore shall abreak one of these least commandments, band shall cteach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and dteach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven”
That is the goal right—for us all to be great, for us all to be better people by leading our lives with good intentions.
My bit of advise to the preacher who chose to use scriptures to advance his own political agenda is this: you might want to brush up on the theology of the New Testament—aka the “new law”— Christ enacted during his ministry on earth, and incorporate them into your antics. If you want to continue to use only parts of the Bible that add value to your agenda and leave the others by the wayside, you might want to remember that no matter how you slant a biblical passage, the only judge of any mans character is God: the perfect judge. We have no right as the imperfect mortals we are to pass judgment on someone else no matter the judgment or animosity they have passed upon us.
Imagine if our bible was in jeopardy once again, as was previously noted in the 16th century during the onset of the Reformation and the cruel reign of Mary I, of England, aka “Bloody Mary”. What if Muslims decided to “pay us back” for the harm we have done them by burning our holy text either here in our own country or in their own land?
You better believe the citizens of this country would rise up in protest and defense; we would not stand for it. This is a country formed to liberate people from inhumane acts of brutality imposed upon them by “radical leaders” who seek to suppress the equal rights of ALL people.
The preacher and his followers might say in contest to my opinion: “that is exactly what we was doing, enacting our freedom of speech . . . “ RUBISH! The reality of freedom of speech, or any other freedom we enjoy as citizens of this country is that when it starts infringing upon others freedom (i.e. when you deliberately take away another persons freedom of speech—the copies of the Quran being able to exist freely in this country is the example) your freedom of speech becomes null and void.
In summary, although it may not sound like it, I honestly feel sorry for the chap. He supposedly came up with this idea to show the radicals of the Muslim faith that we do not tolerate their behavior; a “we’ll show you” gesture that was nothing less than an expression of ignorance and intolerance. And so I pray that he will have tolerance and I pray that ignorance will be replaced by knowledge of what it truly means to strive to be a Christian.
