Clinton Slams 'Disgraceful' Koran Burning, but Pastor Defiant

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"An evangelical pastor insisted his plans to torch the Koran would go ahead after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the 'disgraceful' burning ceremony in Florida."

Rev. Terry Jones, the head of the Dove World Outreach Church in Gainesville, Florida, plans to burn copies of the Koran, the Muslim holy book, on September 11, 09/08/10. (photo: AP)

Comments

+3 # CharlieL 2010-09-08 08:52

The correct response from our Government officials SHOULD be simple:

"This is the United States of America, and we have many great freedoms in this country. One of them, is the right for our citizens to say and do the most disgusting, filthy, sick, and hateful things. We would like to be able to stop these hateful, ignorant, and pathetic human beings from being able to use their free speech rights, but if we did that, we would not be the America I am proud to be a part of."

Of course, that might not make them points with the right-wing, hateful, fundamentalist churches that they are constantly sucking up to, or help to fan the flames of Muslim-blame that let them avoid dealing with the issues of Corporate off-shoring and big bank bailouts.

+4 # Guest 2010-09-08 11:32

It is up to us a citizens to demonstrate our commitment to 'liberty of conscience' and to nullify the disrespectful speech and symbolic acts of Jones and Islamaphobics in our midst. No, we have no right to call on moderate Muslims to condemn Muslim extremists as long as we set such a poor example of countering our own. Are we citizens so weak and powerless that we cannot speak loud enough for all the world to see Jones does not speak for us. Do not let the media ignore us while focusing on this sensationalisti c opportunity. Dowse any fire he starts and drown out his vile message. Demand media attention to our freedom of expression and not just his.

+5 # volcanoexpert 2010-09-08 10:14

The man (Jones) pastors a church of FIFTY persons. And, according to the local news last night, THIRTY of his own parishioners have QUIT over his fanatic "sending a message!" Even his own constituency cannot condone his obsession!

+4 # Guest 2010-09-08 10:15

The real problem is with the fundamentalists of ALL religions. They are the ones with the most outrageous behavior causing the most human misery. This Florida "pastor" is a good example of fundamentalist Christians and his actions will allow fundamentalist Muslims to go crazy. Meanwhile the moderates of all stripes can only decry their actions and suffer their consequences.

+2 # Guest 2010-09-08 10:17

The sentiments Thomas Jefferson expressed in the Declaration of Independence is very similar to the theme of the Qur'an.

If you want to burn the Qur'an then burn the Declaration of Independence also.

Thomas Jefferson was studying the Qur'an at the time he authored the Declaration of Independence

+2 # Guest 2010-09-08 10:18

Are they going to burn the Qur'an that belonged to the author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson also?

+2 # Guest 2010-09-08 10:21

In The Holy Qur'an are these names written:

G-D - 2,069 times

Adam - 25 times
Prophet Noah - 47 times
Prophet Abraham - 69 times
Prophet Lot - 28 times
Prophet David - 16 times
Prophet Solomon - 19 times
Prophet Jacob – 19 times
Prophet Isaac – 16 times
Prophet Joseph – 34 times
Prophet Moses - 167 times
Prophet Aaron - 24 times
Mary the mother of Jesus - 32 times
Jesus the son of Mary - 28 times
Prophet Muhammed - 4 times
Children of Israel – 40 times
Muslims* - 15 times

* Arabic word meaning those who have submitted themselves to obey G-D’s commands

So if you ignorant fools want to burn copies of G-D's last Revelation to humanity, I say go ahead.

G-D has given mankind Free Will, but know that for this ungrateful act you will receive HIS Punishment.

You will certainly burn baby burn. In the Fires of Hell.

0 # Guest 2010-09-08 11:55

You say it is the "last" revelation. However I think the Bahais would disagree. Islam murders every Bahai they can get their hands on. They also refuse to recognize other people's rights to be Christians, Bahai's, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. Do something to Koran and they freak. Say something about Mohamad and they fread. But they can do and say anything they like about other people's religions. They also think they have the right to issue a fatwah against anyone who says something they don't like. Please get real. They are unfortunately BIGOTS. They use GOD as an excuse to kill and discriminate.

+1 # Guest 2010-09-08 20:53

Quoting

You say it is the "last" revelation. However I think the Bahais would disagree. Islam murders every Bahai they can get their hands on. They also refuse to recognize other people's rights to be Christians, Bahai's, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. Do something to Koran and they freak. Say something about Mohamad and they fread. But they can do and say anything they like about other people's religions. They also think they have the right to issue a fatwah against anyone who says something they don't like. Please get real. They are unfortunately BIGOTS. They use GOD as an excuse to kill and discriminate.

This is true for many Muslims, but I see no evidence that it is true for most. Name a religion of any size that doesn't have idiotic extremists.

+7 # Guest 2010-09-08 10:26

Does the fact that this originates from evangelicals even slightly surprise anyone? I sincerely believe these to be among the most dangerous, cultist-driven fanaticals to walk the Western World today. Fundamentalists and God, so it appears, are foreign to each other.

+8 # Guest 2010-09-08 11:35

Just stop and reflect for a moment on the words of one of the great poets of our age, John Lennon:

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries,
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one

==

The problem, is religion, period.

+3 # Guest 2010-09-08 13:18

The problem is that religions create separation where none exists in nature. They differ in beliefs they cannot prove and really don't matter in the long run. We are mortals. We have life and spirit but can't prove what it is and argue over it and fight over it endlessly. Other creatures do not. We have spirit in common with all creatures, great and small.

Pecking orders are as common among men as animals. Everyone wants to feel superior and resent others wanting to be equal. Religion creates inequality and satisfies the innate desire to feel superior. That's the problem. No one likes to feel inferior. Yes, it's all about feelings. No set of laws can satisfy them, just keep them in check. Only in death are we equal.

+5 # mattucee 2010-09-08 11:37

This irresponsible, immature and foolish act is a direct result of the controversy over the Islamic Community Center near the World Trade Center site No one knew or cared much about the so called "ground zero mosque" until Republican operatives started their whispering campaign in May and it has grown into a conflagration. Therefore the Republican Party, or the Obstructionist Party, aka the Party of No is directly responsible for this heinous demonstration. This will do nothing but encourage young moderate Muslims to consider the opinions of more fanatical extremists. My question for Reverend Jones is, how is this act a warning exactly? What kind of warning are you sending? Attack us and we'll burn your holy book?!??! This is not a warning, only a provocation!

-5 # Guest 2010-09-08 12:06

I must take issue with the way some terms are being used here. Fundamentalists and Evangelicals are not all fringe crazies and vary widely in beliefs and practices. It is just as bad to lump them all together with Jones as it is for him to lump all Muslims with evil and terrorists who call themselves Muslim.

My understanding is that Jones is Pentacostal. Pentacostals also are independent, vary widely and its hard to pin down a common denominator. Anybody can become a Pentacostal preacher and start a church. This an American tradition. Don't like the church or the preacher....leave and start your own.

Too many folks do like Jones and condemn people without knowing them or what they are like. I have been to many of their meetings and churches and they are no different than mainstream except poorer. They sing, pray and praise God, eat, socialize and go home.

How can you condemn Jones for intolerance while practicing it as well?

-1 # Guest 2010-09-08 21:03

I'm disappointed bjw. You offer such a circular argument. "How can you condemn Jones for intolerance while practicing it as well?" Are we to suppose then that we should be tolerant of everything objectionable? Were we supposed to tolerate Hitler? We tolerate free speech and his isn't being threatened although it is like shouting fire in a crowded theater if you think about it. Ultimately there are things we must not tolerate simply because these things are wrong. I would make mention of child pornography as one example. In the realm of religion, I am comfortable with being intolerant of Jones and his ilk, especially of the kind of consequences HIS intolerance will bring. Perhaps we should burn as many Bibles as he burns copies of the Koran? Will you tolerate that bjw? Really? Why?

+1 # Guest 2010-09-09 10:30

Please read my post again. No where did I offer any tolerance for Jones or his disgraceful speech and actions, and as in another post, I urged everyone to do what they can to stop him and to nullify his message to the rest of the world. He refuses to see either that he is wrong or the harm he can do with his intent to insult.

My problem is folks who say all people who have been labeled evangelical, pentecostal or fundamentalists are not like Jones and condemning them all is doing what he is doing. As long as they stay out of other people's business, I do care how they interpret their sacred texts. No, we cannot tolerate using any beliefs as cover for hurting innocent people.

+1 # Guest 2010-09-09 10:49

Please read my comment again. My point was that too many folks are blaming whole large bodies of people for the horrible actions of a few. No where did I say Jones was to be tolerated or anyone else who acts to insult, belittle, degrade or harm in anyway others.

However, I can condemn Jones and others who act and speak like him without smearing all people who attend churches with similar labels which few people understand...even those who attend them.

To use such a broad brush to condemn is exactly what Jones is doing. Why is that so hard to understand?

-6 # Guest 2010-09-08 12:13

Jones was described as a Pentecostal preacher. Here's a link to what that means. It's a big umbrella term and it's unfair to condemn them all because of Jones' ignorance and disrespectful actions. Doing so is to be like him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentacostal

0 # Guest 2010-09-08 21:06

Quoting

Jones was described as a Pentecostal preacher. Here's a link to what that means. It's a big umbrella term and it's unfair to condemn them all because of Jones' ignorance and disrespectful actions. Doing so is to be like him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentacostal

I am intolerant of ALL book burning, no matter the source. No, I don't have to look up "Pentacostal" in wikipedia to make that decision. Therefor, all Pentacostals who burn books are dolts. Those who don't are fine by me as long as they aren't trying to convert me. That would be harrassment of course.

+1 # Guest 2010-09-09 11:11

I would hope everyone would try to use words more carefully and not condemn everyone who happens to share a religion or group label. I myself was unsure of the differences and the labels are inexact and we should be careful not to do what bone-head Jones is doing....lumping large numbers of folks all in one group and insulting them believing he knows what they believe while showing his ignorance so clearly.

+4 # Guest 2010-09-08 12:47

The most helpful thing the media could do would just be not to cover this at all. Fat chance.

+2 # Guest 2010-09-08 13:20

The second best thing would be to cover all those who deplore his doing what he's doing.

+3 # Guest 2010-09-08 15:09

Why not take away the tax-exempt status of all churches here in the USA and see how many of these religions remain. I would be very happy to see tax placed on all donations to religion. Makes more sense then sending the swat teams after kids selling lemonade.....

+1 # Guest 2010-09-08 16:51

What would be the opinions of Christ or Sarah Palin on the burning of a sacred texts? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Or Burn Baby Burn!

+2 # Guest 2010-09-09 10:55

Palin made a statement condemning Jones and his Koran burning. Christ has not weighed in on the subject but the CINO's (Christians in name only) are okay with it.

+1 # Guest 2010-09-08 18:42

What grabs me is these evil protestant hypocrites who uses their "God" for evil purposes try to outdo each other to see who does the most evil.

As an Atheist, I see these evil religious freaks as mental disturbed
brain washed fools!

Chalk a plus one for Islam, minus one for Christianity. Really these Christians better get their act together and do away with the fools who insults their beliefs!

I could say burn the bastard instead and see how he likes it, but hey, it's like picking on the village idiot, isn't it?

+3 # Guest 2010-09-09 08:58

Does anyone remember to deplore the KKK? They are bible-thumping Christians, too, aren't they?

+1 # Guest 2010-09-10 12:11

These sorry bastards don't know who they are worshiping. Jesus was a Jew even until the day he died. These sorry bastards don't see that. And they hate Jews?

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