I've been mulling over the discussions about this Saturday's planned demonstration by a Florida pastor to burn a stack of Korans (equivalent of the Muslim bible). The debate rages across the country and around the world about whether or not the Rev. Terry Jones should go ahead with the book burning as part of the September 11th terror attack remembrance he has dubbed "International Burn A Koran Day."
Political leaders around the world are running scared that Rev. Jones' actions will fuel terrorist actions. Meanwhile, Jones' supporters (at least 14,400 according to his Facebook page) point that the Islamic extremists regularly burn Christian Bibles, and attack both Christians and Jews with a strong desire to blot both from this planet.
So, I figure this discussion needs some no-brainer talk.
1) It has struck me that the political leaders who are afraid of insulting terrorists are reacting very much similar to the way the world did when Hitler was invading European countries. The key word then was Appeasement. The actions of our current set of leaders (and those around the world) remind me of the cowards who let Germany and Italy run amok through Europe, because they were afraid of war.
2) Let's be honest, Islamic terrorists don't need a reason to murder people. They do it for sport, and in the name of their religion. Peaceful Muslims will react much the same way Christians do Bible burnings: get angry, voice their displeasure, and maybe demonstrate a little. But, those who will use this an an excuse for violence never needed it as an excuse. Terrorists kill. That's just what they do.
It's at this point that someone will probably drag out the crusades or the inquisitions as proof that Christianity is a misguided religion that also supports extremist views. The only problem with that argument is that Jesus never taught us to hate our neighbor. The crusades and Spanish inquisition were based on twisted misuses of Scripture. So, to bring that argument is like comparing apples and oranges.
And, going back to #1, a scared bunch of world leaders will only entice terrorists to kill more. The only answer to terrorism is a strong military force.
3) My third point pulls an illustration from Jesus and one from Paul. Paul wrote that everything was permissible for him, but not everything was beneficial. He wrote in regards to eating and drinking, issues some of the early Jewish and Gentile Christians were struggling with. But, I think we can use the point to mention that, even in America where we have the freedom to burn flags, Bibles, etc., not everything is beneficial (or wise).
Taking this to the next level, Jesus told us to love our neighbor as ourselves. He also told us to go into the world and share His message with all peoples. By his planned actions, the Rev. Jones will be forfeiting any chance to ever love or minister to Muslims. He will be building a steel wall between himself and them that will nearly impossible to break down.
In addition, part of loving your neighbor as yourself has to do with respect. The Islamic extremists have no respect for Christianity. Jesus taught that the best way to lead people to Him would be by loving and respecting people (opposite of the world system).
As such, the Rev. Jones should fore go his book burning and just have a prayer time...and maybe some fried chicken.
UPDATE: The pastor late this afternoon decided to call off his demonstration after Christian leaders urged him to do so. Good move.
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