This report is directed towards those if you in the state of Florida or the surrounding areas. I won’t lie – some of you will not approve of what I am about to say. Be that as it may, I feel it must be said.
Rev. Terry Jones has claimed that despite the pressure from Americans, the military, the President and others around to not burn the Quran in two days, he will go forth with this plan any way.
It is obvious to me that he is not doing this in the spirit of Christianity, American pride or for any deep-seeded hatred of the Middle East. He is doing it to gain attention. Nothing more, nothing less. He has decided that this action will attract more people to his congregation by means of being the center of a national debate. He is using and abusing the faith of his congregation to serve his personal goals and agendas. There is nothing “Christian” about that.
Interpol on Thursday issued a global alert to its 188 member countries, warning of a "strong likelihood" of violent attacks if plans for the Quran burning proceed. And the FBI warned local law enforcement that the plan, along with other recent controversies involving the American Muslim community, could lead to hate crimes and encourage extremist rhetoric, although a federal law enforcement official said there was no credible information that attacks were planned.
On Wednesday, the Vatican joined a chorus of groups imploring the church not to burn Islam's holy book, saying it would be an "outrageous and grave gesture." The president of the United Nations General Assembly, Ali Abdussalam Treki, also expressed concern, saying it will "lead to uncontrollable reactions" and spark tension worldwide.
Earlier this week, the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, warned that the plan "could cause significant problems" for American troops overseas.
And what is Jones’ response to these please?
"The general needs to point his finger to radical Islam and tell them to shut up, tell them to stop, tell them that we will not bow our knees to them," Jones said on CNN's "AC360."
"We are burning the book," Jones said. "We are not killing someone. We are not murdering people."
Sorry, Reverend, but if even one person is killed because of your actions, that death is on your hands. And, by association, American’s hands.
Faith rests in the heart and mind, not in paper and ink. The teachings of Christ are, like faith, held in the heart. I believe Jones knows this, which is why he is so willing to burn a religious tome, regardless of the genuine risks involved.
So, my fellow Americans. Floridians. I encourage those of you who stand against the burning of the Quran to stand up, bring a Bible, sit on the lawn of his church and advise Jones that if he goes forward with burning that book, you will burn yours. Arouse the media. Bring this to the attention of the national and the world. Show that America is a land of tolerance and equality, not of condemnation and hatred. If Jones is so willing to place our troops overseas at risk then we should be equally willing to show our support of them by matching Jones page for page, flame for flame.
Worst case scenario, a little ash and flame. Best case scenario, you will have stopped an act with potentially disastrous consequences.
I know it is a lot to ask, but if you are one of faith, I am asking to call upon that faith now.
Peace.