Most were rightfully appalled by the announcement last week from Rev. Terry Jones who said he planned to burn copies of the Quran, the holy book of Muslims that is considered the sacred word of God.
Jones called off the planned burning of Qurans late last week based on a deal negotiated with the president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida that the location of a mosque planned near ground zero in New York would be changed, according to Associated Press reports. Jones said that if the mosque location were moved, he would take it as a sign from God to call off the Quran burning.
Jones also said the planned protest at his Dove World Outreach Center was because the Quran is evil and it espouses something other than biblical truth and incites radical, violent behavior among Muslims.
Religious and political leaders around the world condemned Jones’ plans, and the public outcry along with a message from President Barack Obama and a personal call from U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, finally led to Jones’ withdrawal of the scheduled burn.
Religious leaders from the area also came together last week to issue a statement against the plans.
Leaders of the Maine Council of Churches, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, the Episcopal Diocese of Maine and the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ joined with the Center for Preventing Hate in a public statement, which said in part:
“America is a place where Jews, Christians, Muslims and those of other faiths work, go to school and form friendships together, but worship separately, according to their different religious traditions. We are proud of our country’s religious diversity and our culture of civility and respect toward those who are different. ”¦
We are appalled and saddened by the planned burning of Qu’rans by the Dove World Outreach Center in Florida. Such actions are contrary to both the Christian gospel and the values of religious freedom and tolerance on which our nation was founded. America is a better place than this. ”¦
We wish to send a message to our Muslim neighbors and friends here in Maine and across the world: Those who spread negative stereotypes, discriminate against Muslims and engage in acts of violence against the Qu’ran by no means represent all Christians. They do not speak for the gospel of love, mercy and justice that we know and cherish.”
We applaud these leaders for standing up against such appalling behavior and encourage Mainers to heed the word of these religious leaders. While Jones’ could not have been stopped by law, the act of burning a sacred text does not serve a positive purpose. Jones said he believes the Quran is evil ”“ based on a small number of radical acts by those who say they are Muslim. But all too often people commit acts of violence and crimes in the name of God and other deities ”“ the defense is not confined to the Muslim faith.
When people like Jones act “in the name of God,” they are truly acting out of fear and ignorance. These acts put many people at risk. Defense Secretary Gates reached out to Jones for concern that U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan may be endangered if word spread of the planned burn. Acts inspired by hate and prejudice can lead to more acts in retaliation.
Like Gates, Obama and Maine’s religious leaders, it is the responsibility of all Americans to stand up and speak out against intolerance and respect the cultures and religions that people choose to practice.
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