A pastor in Florida says he will burn the Koran on 9/11. I suppose most of us recognize that he has the right to do on his property what he wants to do, including buy a Koran and burn it. We also recognize that this is free speech, and he has the right to express himself in this way. Those who burn the flag of the United States are making a statement, and so is this pastor.
Yet, such observations do not exhaust the story. In fact, I find it rather unsatisfying if we stop there. Those who question the wisdom, propriety, and Christian character of the act of this pastor and church also have freedom of speech. As a Christian community, we have a responsibility to care for the witness of the churches who seek to minister in this nation and around the world. This pastor is harming the witness that the churches seek to undertake for Jesus Christ in this world. Fortunately, the Christian community will universally condemn him. In fact, he figured out a way to put Jim Wallis and Sarah Palin on the same page. I am sure that this will not happen often, but he figured out a way.
I will say that Jim Wallis figured out a way to comment on this in what I consider a stupid way. He identifies the "extremists" who invoke their distorted view of the Muslim faith with the "extremists" of the pastor and church who burn the Koran. My disagreement with him is that the Muslim extremists to which he refers will kill people who disagree with them. In fact, as the approach of 9/11 reminds us, they already have done so. They are also killing other Muslims. Muslim extremists, if they kill several thousand Americans again in an attack in America, will be cheered by millions of Muslims around the world. This pastor and church will burn a book. They will not kill. They will continue to receive, justly, condemnation from every facet of the Christian community. It is this type of leveling and equating between the Christian and Muslim communities that continues to aggravate the dangers people face. In fact, it will actually discourage genuine moderates within the Muslim community from coming forward.
I am not one to pray for rain, but on 9/11, it would be helpful if it rained over this pastor and church.
George - I understand your offense with Jim Wallis equivocating murderous Islamic terrorism and the rhetoric and (yet to come) book burning of the Koran by Terry Jones in Florida.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I would point out that the Chicago Seven were convicted for inciting riots during the 1968 Democratic Convention and the global denunciation of Hitler is based on the effect of his words. I doubt seriously that Hitler ever turned the valve to exterminate Jews but he is still culpable for inciting others to do so.
In the battle of ideologies, the highest culpability must remain attached to the ones invoking inflammatory speech to advance their agendas. In Islam, radical imams are no less (and likely more so) culpable for the death and destruction carried out in the streets by their followers.
To knowingly and intentionally offend is an act of violence as it reinforces the spirits of fear and division which are violence against God's order for humankind and the spirits of sacrificial love and reconciliation. I cannot in any realistic way disagree with Wallis' assessment that Jones, if he follows through with his announced plan, should be held accountable for any resulting loss of life.
As the old adage goes, we do not need to add heat to the situation but rather to bring light. Jones is throwing gas on the fire and should be called to task for it.
David B. Doty
Well, are you comparing this pastor in FL to Hitler? If so, I think you are quite wrong, unless you know something about this pastor that I do not. It seems to me that Hitler organized armies, both before and after he became chancellor. He commanded people to exterminate Jews. I do not see your comparison, David. Yes, words means things. Words can incite others to violence, although I have not read where the pastor is inciting others to do anything to Muslims. However, when you have words combined with violent activities, such as organizing armies, you raise the ante, do you not?
ReplyDeleteA friend on facebook said:
ReplyDeleteWallis' point was that Jones is acting as an extremist just like the extreme imams. No moderate Christian would act he is so he actions do not promote moderate Christianity either. He is intentionally inciting violence among extreme Muslims... simply because he knows they will make his point for him. That is not the Way of Christ. He, knowing the response he is likely to get, must take responsibility for his actions.
Ultimately it is a war of words but, given that extreme Islam is given to violence what sane person would intentionally stir it up?
My response was:
I disagree with identification of the "point" that Wallis makes. I think his opening sentences are an attempt to equate the pastor with violent acts. Again, unless you know something that I do not, I would not even equate him with Imam's who incite their followers toward violence. I think I would argue that this pastor is an example of an "extremist" within American Christianity. Yet, not even he is organizing an army or marching down to the nearest mosque to burn it down. The "typical" Muslim, on a global scale, would do such things. Witness: cartoons of Mohommed, the pope (who makes a statement and Muslims in Africa kill some nuns), and so on. They are easily roused to violence, which seems to be the only way they can make their point. They do this to silence opposition.
George, well written, thought provoking, and well stated from a Christian perspective. My two great concerns are how this Pastor and his church will further do evil to Christianity and the danger that this can and will put our troops in...perhaps even us living here in the USA. Thanks for your insight.
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