Burning Qur'ans?

I am a Christian, by most accounts a conservative, and I am at my core not comfortable with the claimed motives of those building a Mosque 2 blocks from the location where a team of Islamic extremists killed nearly 3,000 Americans.

That being said, what the heck is going on in the mind of this idiot in Florida with his "Burn a Qur'an Day"?!!! I mean, really - what the heck are you thinking, dude?

I am firmly convinced that the core essence of being a Christian is to live your life in imitation of, and for Christ. The guiding principle here is succinctly expressed in the view, WWJD (that's "What Would Jesus Do", for the rare individual who is unfamiliar), and I am FIRMLY CONVINCED that there is NO WAY Jesus would participate in, condone or fail to verbally object to the burning of a Qur'an or anything else that other people honor and revere.

I am not allowed to question this man's Salvation, but I can indeed question his brains, his motives, and his ability to follow our Lord. He is making Christians look bad because, with the attention the media is giving this idiot, it almost appears that there are more than 10-15 people participating. His church has 50 members - total - and I sincerely doubt that all of them will participate. Which leads to my next question...

WHY is our media giving this...person...power he doesn't deserve?

This one-man crusade to offend millions is being heard around the world because our media is giving him the voice to reach that far. If the moderate Muslims are indeed moderate, this will certainly cause many of them to reconsider their moderate position. If they were ever inclined to learn anything about Christianity and Christians, this will change a lot of minds in the wrong direction. In a world full of hatred, this will bring even more.

I do NOT endorse this man's actions. I repudiate them, as a citizen of the US and as a Christian. He does NOT represent me, my Lord, or my country. May God have mercy on him for what he is doing.

"Ground Zero" Mosque

In the years since 9-11 I've heard many times that the actions of a few radical Islamists in conducting those attacks shouldn't reflect on the majority, and that "Islam is a religion of peace".

Now, I agree that the rule in our country says that the people who want to build a mosque on privately owned land near the 9-11 site (and I think the entire "ground zero" or "near ground zero" debate is completely specious) have a right to do so. The community also has a right to object (just as in any other case where a controversial construction project is going into a neighborhood), and there is a resolution process to decide the entire result. I'm sure the same thing would happen if someone tried to build a XXX Adult Theater in my neighborhood.

What is more important to me is the views of those who are proposing the construction in the first place. I think that I am learning a GREAT DEAL about the sensitivity - or lack thereof - of the "moderate" Islamists/Muslims who have claimed to have zero affiliation with the extremists. If they cannot or will not see how offensive their actions are to the community they are living in, I now am certain of something about Islam and its adherents which I only suspected previously.

Someday, and remember you heard it here first, some or other of the Imams teaching at that site will refer to it as the site of a "great victory", for in truth I believe that many of the moderate Muslims think of it in that way even if they won't say as much among those who do not share their beliefs. It explains just why they seem not to hear the objections of those who lost family that day, for whom the site still hold very powerful memories and associations.

I can understand and appreciate that. It lets me know with no more room for doubt just exactly who I am dealing with...

Regarding developments on the other side of this issue...

The entire "Burning Korans" thing is completely and totally embarrassing. Yeah, I know you're upset. I know this whole issue reaches your 'hot buttons' and that the deaths of 3,000 Americans at the hands of Muslim extremists isn't something that is going to go away anytime soon. I know that Muslims have been burning American flags and killing Christians all along, and that the "Islam is a religion of peace" is a mantra used when it's convenient, but WHY would you cross THAT line?! WE are BETTER than that! Why do you drag us down to their level?!

Some people need to have a little more faith in the American way, and a LOT more brains when it comes to living it.

And finally, what the President said...and didn't say.

Obama said that he believes "Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances," he said. "This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable."

The funny part is that I believe the above is absolutely correct - IF accompanied with the caveat that the lack of sensitivity on the part of those wishing to build the Mosque is appalling. The President didn't say that though. What he said a day later when asked specifically about it was:

"I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there. I was commenting very specifically on the right that people have that dates back to our founding."

Well if he isn't going to comment on the wisdom of putting a Mosque there, why the hell did he bother to comment on the legal right to do so when he isn't part of the legal case?!!!

He needed to say both or neither, but he failed us rather miserably on this one. I've really liked the man until this point, but Senate candidate Jeff Greene said it FAR better.

"Freedom of religion might provide the right to build the mosque in the shadow of Ground Zero, but common sense and respect for those who lost their lives and loved ones gives sensible reason to build the mosque someplace else."

He gets MY vote.