Question: Is it ever okay to burn a holy book, no matter what the reason?
American’s as a rule abhor book burning, remembering the association of book burning with ruthless tyrants throughout world history.
However, this wisdom was lost on a reckless US evangelical preacher who oversaw the burning of a copy of the Koran in his small Florida church. His reason: He found the Muslim holy book `guilty` of crimes against humanity. The burning was carried out by pastor Wayne Sapp under the supervision of Terry Jones, who last September drew sweeping condemnation over his plan to ignite a pile of Korans on the anniversary of September 11, 2001 attacks.
Oddly the minister justified his actions under his right to freedom of speech. He said Muslims need to be more tolerant and this Koran burning was his way of acclimating them to being more tolerant.
Unfortunately the media played along with this flawed scheme because they’re always looking for some controversial story to exploit for ratings. Thanks to their cooperation the news of the Koran burning went around the world in hours and it inflamed the more ignorant Muslims into action. As one might guess these easily angered types would be Muslims in Pakistan and Afghanistan. So far the death toll for retaliation attacks on US interests is 12, but more are sure to follow.
The Rev. Sapp (appropriate name) takes no responsibility for the consequences of his actions.
One editorial put it like this, “The Koran has been used to justify the subjugation of women, genocide against infidels, and hundreds of terrorist attacks. Any individual with a modicum of commonsense will admit that the Koran is responsible for the spiritual and literal enslavement of millions. The Bible has been used to justify the subjugation of women, genocide against infidels, and numerous other crimes. Jones should focus on dealing with the sins in his own denomination.
But the bloody legacy and the harmful effects of the Bible pale in comparison to the Koran. There isn`t a single Muslim nation that I would consider a democracy, not even Turkey or Indonesia.. Almost without exception, Islamic countries are dictatorships where women are treated like chattel, and practitioners of minority religions are persecuted and murdered. In contrast most Christian nations are democracies where women are treated as equals and minority religions are respected.
Burning a Koran serves no useful purpose, it only serves to inflame passions and intimidate American Muslims from practicing their religion.”
What’s your opinion?
Burning flags, draft cards, bibles, Koran’s, or pictures of old girlfriends, are acts that are in and of themselves harmless. It’s all symbolic, we decide what meaning to attach to these things, we make the rules and we can change the rules. Most of mankind has always been out of balance when it comes to substance over symbolism, especially where religion is concerned. It should always be more about what you do with your life and less about what you believe….belief systems are way too over rated. Love, empathy, and compassion should always take precedent over written words, holy messengers, and burning things. Just my opinion.
My opinion is that “organized” religion is a joke and a tax dodge. That guy should have his tax shelter bulldozed.
Jack you ask an important question, whether it is ever okay to burn a holy book. I think most people would agree that it is not acceptable to burn a holy book, or any book for that matter.
Upon consideration another question springs to mind; a question of equal, if not even more compelling importance. Is it acceptable to commit acts of violence and murder in response to someone burning a holy book?
This is THE question that nobody seems to want to ask much less effectively address. Instead we dance around it, we substitute our concerns for tolerance and our time honored notions of equality.
As nutty as this man seems to be his actions speak to a problem that fuels murder, unrest, division, war, unspeakable acts like the beheadings that were part of this “protest” and terrible acts against women, minorities and children. It is a problem of extreme oppression. It is the problem of radical, violent, intolerant islamists, men that have declared war on the West and Israel and would use any excuse to wreak havok in their quest to dominate in the world.
According to one report Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued a statement calling the burning a ‘crime against a religion’. He denounced it as a ‘disrespectful and abhorrent act’ and called on the U.S. and the UN to bring to justice those who burned the holy book and issue a response to Muslims around the world.
While I agree it was a “disrespectful and abhorrant act” I’m not certain Karzai would have the same opinion were it the burning of a Bible at issue. My first thought was, “Translation, cowtow to Islam. The entire world must adjust and get in line with the laws of Islam.” But in thruth I know not what is in Karzai’s heart.
I also don’t know what he expects in terms of justice. But I do know the violent “protesters” that murdered and beheaded people in response to the book burning believe the pastor should be publically humiliated and then killed. Is that brand of justice something Americans are ready to embrace? And if so would such punishment amount to justice for burning all holy books or just the Koran? this too is an important question and sits at the heart of the conflict we all now face.
The pastor has drawn a bright line in the sand. All peace loving, tolerant peoples of the world should have the common sense to acknowledge and defend that line no matter what they think of the pastor and his vile act.
Thanks for posting this Jack.
Tina, you said, Is it acceptable to commit acts of violence and murder in response to someone burning a holy book? That is only a tough question for about 6% of worlds population. For the rest of us with an IQ over 75 the answer is only too obvious that the question need never be posed. But, there are still that minority that are so brainwashed and twisted in their screwball beliefs that they are hopelessly indoctrinated idiots.
It depends on what you mean by OK. I’ll take it to mean not illegal.
So, of course, in this light it is OK to burn a holy book. With some exceptions as to where the burning is done, it is always OK to burn a book or any symbol in protest.
It is just crass and stupid and sometimes downright malicious and evil to do so.
The last time I checked it is not illegal to be crass and stupid (nor to be malicious or engage in some forms of pure evil).
Neither is it illegal to utter horrible words, be they racist or sexist or bigoted in one form or another. It is just crass and stupid etc. The N-word is not illegal and neither is the Q-word. (Funny how people from the N and Q communities themselves seem to relish those words when they apply them to themselves. The context magically renders them inoffensive.)
When and if it becomes generally illegal (and not just under a few specific logical and reasonable limited circumstances) to burn books or symbols or utter foul words, then that will mark the end of liberty, freedom, and justice for all.
Frankly I think the Supreme Court was very wrong to allow those horrid, crass, stupid, and malicious protests at the funerals of military personnel. Those evil people could easily express their opinions elsewhere without doing it at a funeral. To allow the grief stricken to bury their dead in peace is a special circumstance that any reasonable and logical person can see does not violate the right to freedom of expression. Sometimes the law is an ass. (Ass as in Equus africanus asinus, not what you crass people were thinking.)
Tina: “Is it acceptable to commit acts of violence and murder in response to someone burning a holy book?
This is THE question that nobody seems to want to ask much less effectively address”
That’s because everyone in the non-crazy community already knows the answer.
“But I do know the violent “protesters” that murdered and beheaded people in response to the book burning believe the pastor should be publically humiliated and then killed. Is that brand of justice something Americans are ready to embrace?…this too is an important question”
The answer is no. I really don’t think we should open the floor to debate on that one.
Chris you make a lot of sense on this one. Yes, we’re a tolerant people and we stand up for our ideals like the 1st amendment. We may not always like what people have to say, but we do defend their right to say it. Killing someone over words or a book burning is a million times worse than saying something highly offensive.
Chris: “That’s because everyone in the non-crazy community already knows the answer.”
My bad. But do they really? In the ME it is apparently not only acceptable to commit acts of violence and murder but it is required! Some Muslims living here believe this also.
Why are we in the West unwilling to defend free speech in deference to this radical political/religious edict. Isn’t it time to grow up and face the facts about those who are the enemies of tolerant peace loving people? Shouldn’t peace loving Muslims choose to stand with those who tolerate the jerk who burned their holy book? Otherwise they risk being run over by those Muslims who will commit violent acts, including murder.
“I really don’t think we should open the floor to debate on that one.”
We don’t have to “open the floor to debate” on this one. Muslims have already done it. People are being prosecuted in the west over just such incidents. In Europe and Canada Muslim intolerance for western ideas is winning or trumping western ideals. The question may soon reach our shores. Are you prepared to stand up for your Western ideals?
(Hint: This isn’t a question of hating Muslims or lumping them together. This is a question of properly identifying your enemy and being prepared to defend yourself)