As you all probably know, there is an uptighty-righty in Florida who plans, with his 50 congregants, to burn copies of the Qu'ran on Saturday, September 11th (3 days from now) because "God told him to."
Are we to believe that his God hates Muslims? Or that his God wants to offend Muslims? Or maybe his God loves Muslims, but hates their religion?
Don't his followers have an internal BS-o-meter? Or are they simply blinded by their own bigotry?
Burning the Qu'ran, or any book for that matter, is a stupid exercise in futility. You cannot burn ideas. When you burn a book that is of significance to a particular group, like the Torah, the Bible, the Qu'Ran, or the Book of Mormon, all you are really doing is giving that group the finger, letting them know you hate them because they are different. It's not like you're actually erasing anything.
How does Pastor Zippo think he is serving God or impeding Islam by this arson? What would he do if someone burned a Bible? Would he say, "Gosh, I guess that was all untrue after all, I quit?" No, he would most likely become even more committed to his faith and wave the flag of religious persecution, just like the millions of Muslims all over the world will this Saturday.
What's more, while the sane among us we are trying to convince Muslims that we are not at war with their religion a certain number of Americans actually are waging a war against Islam (yes, I'm talking to you Newt Gingrich). To these hate-merchants, I say, "It's 2010, you morons, not 1010! The Crusades are over! We live in a free, sectarian society where everyone can practice whatever religion they choose!"
And yes, Pastor "I hear voices and call them God" has the right to burn the Qu'ran as a form of protest. It's his first amendment right. But it still makes me sick, embarrassed, and furious. (And no, my objection it is not the same as opposing the Community Center in NYC because the people opposing the Community Center are being intolerant of Muslims, and I am being intolerant of intolerance, something for which I will not apologize. Bigots are hateful and wrong and do not deserve tolerance in a free society, even if they have every right to be bigots.)
I know the local fire department has said they will stop the burning as a violation of fire code, but I think we all know that the image of him standing there with a fire to the Qu'ran will be published worldwide, and used on terrorist recruiting posters in every Muslim community. How does any of this help us prevent terrorist acts? But more to the point, how does it help Pastor "Say It With Fire" convert a single Muslim to Christianity? (Because isn't that his job?)
Some may say religion is all to blame for this because it makes people ignorant by encouraging blind faith and discouraging thought. There might be some of that influencing this idiot's flock, but the Vatican and vast numbers of other religious organizations have condemned this idea and asked Pastor Crusader to cancel this "event." So lets give blame, and credit, where due.
IMO this is just a few bigots waving their big bigot flag, and it has little or nothing to do with religion or faith. It just makes these ignoramuses feel "a little bit superior." Well, I hope that keeps them warm at night while our troops are incurring the violent wrath of pissed off Islamist jihadists who have been moved to action by their little event.
One of the things W did very well was reign in the anti-Islamists on the right. I wish he would speak up and address this from his Crawford brush-field or Augusta golf course or wherever he is. It might help.
I still hope "God" tells Pastor Everflame to cancel the burning. I shudder to think how far back this hateful act will set our diplomacy and our status in the world. If he does go forward, can we all hope and pray that this crackpot will face his God one day and be judged for this act of hate? Can I hear an Amen?
I have been thinking of a way to make amends for this blight on our country that is to take place on Saturday. I think I'll make a donation to the local Mosque here if Paster Pinhead goes forward. Why don't you do the same? We can make it an anti-hate campaign!
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