What Would Jesus Burn?

You've just gotta love those charismatic churches, right? Makes me wanna throw up my hands and shout "Amen!" Actually, it just makes me want to throw up.

Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center, a non-denominational church in Gainesville, Florida, announced that his church would be sponsoring a "Burn a Koran Day" on September 11th. According to the "International Burn a Koran Day" Facebook page, the event is meant to "bring to awareness to the dangers of Islam and that the Koran is leading people to hell."  September 11 was chosen, natch, because of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on 9/11/2001. However, this year it also happens to correspond to the Islamic holiday of Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.  Thus, burning a Koran on this date is doubly offensive to Muslims.

It should also be noted that many Islamic leaders have called for a day of service instead of the usual parties this year on Eid in order to show respect for the tragedy of 9/11. Others have encouraged their congregations to make sure their festivities are on a day other than 9/11.  This move by the Muslim community seems respectful , thoughtful, and peaceful, why, something sort of like Jesus would do!

I wonder whether Dr. Jones of the Dove (aren't doves symbols of love and peace BTW?) World Outreach Center church asked himself, "What Would Jesus Do?" before preaching to his flock of inbred, borderline IQ lemmings? Did he then answer, "I know! Jesus would want us to burn the holy book of the Islamic faith thus igniting the hatred and resentment of thousands, if not millions, of Muslims both here and abroad!  Why, our actions might even put our troops in Afghanistan in more danger!" Indeed, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, has warned that Islamic extremists would undoubtedly use images of a burning Koran to incite violence. Dr. Jones, in his defense, did say that he would "pray about it."  Sounds mighty Christian to me!

Of course, we shouldn't judge Terry Jones and the Dove World Outreach Center by their "Islam Is of the Devil" campaign alone. (T-shirts with this fun slogan are available on their website! C'mon Christmas and Hanukkah are coming soon!) This is also the church that launched the "No Homo Mayor" protest of August 2, 2010 in Gainesville, FL to protect its citizens against a gay mayor.  They proudly declare that homosexuality is "detestable, indecent, wicked, offensive, perverted, shameful, unnatural, degrading, impure, futile, foolish, godless, dishonorable, a lie." See? They don't just hate Muslims!

I really hope that come 9/11, Terry Jones has a change of heart.  Perhaps he'll decide to cancel the Koran burning in order to avoid causing harm to our troops overseas.  At least he can appear patriotic that way. I know he won't have a change of mind about the sheer ridiculousness of his ideas. One must first have a mind in order to change it.  If he decides to go ahead with his ill planned idea, perhaps Gen. Petraeus could order some sort of small scale air strike or land attack on the Dove World Outreach Center.  I might even volunteer for that mission!