Koran Burner Gets His 15 minutes of fame

I have been hesitant to write about the impending plans by a Florida fundamentalist pastor (I'm not sure I really want to dignify this man with such a title) to burn copies of the Koran (Quran) on Saturday.  Saturday is, by the way, the 9th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on the WTC and Pentagon. 

First of all, burning books of any kind is simply bad taste.  Second, at a time when the United States has troops engaged in combat in one Muslim country, and thousands more still present in a supporting role in another, such antics, as General David Petraeus noted, puts troops in danger -- but then again so do statements by politicians like Newt Gingrich and preachers like Franklin Graham.  If you want to bring these wars to a successful close, incendiary language about the people living in these war zones doesn't help the cause.

I think it's clear that this guy has few supporters.  He's the anti-Muslim equivalent of Topeka's Fred Phelps, and as such he seems to be an embarrassment even to the most Islamaphobic fundamentalists. 

So, instead of burning Korans, Bibles, or any other book, maybe we could actually do some reading of them to see what is found there!  We might not like everything we read in the Koran, but I guarantee that you won't like everything you read in the Bible. 

Mr. Jones, just put the light out and go away, would you please!

Comments

Marvel Boy said…
Here here. My thoughts exactly.
Ace said…
Bob,
I do not dignify this wolf in sheep's clothing as a pastor.
Gary said…
I very much support Pastor Jones' burning of the Korans. I am thinking of trying to do something similar where I live. I don't have a Koran, so I might have to burn some in effigy(along with a cutout of Bob Cornwall).

The Leftists, including Cornwall, are bending over backwards not to offend the murderous Muslims, partly because they want to appear to be tolerant and open-minded, partly because they are theologically confused, and partly because they are just very afraid that those who practice the "religion of peace" will kill them.

But these same lefties are free with their condemnation of Christians, in part because they aren't afraid of Christian violence.
phil_style said…
A lovely reply full of love and patience Gary. Thanks. Its obvious that the fruits of the christian holy spirit (patience, kindness, self control, charity) are abundant.
Gary said…
phil style,

Thanks for your double standard. Cornwall trashes the pastor, along with Fred Phelps, but that must have gone over your head. How come it is just me that is lacking in the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

Please spare me your ignorance and double standards.
phil_style said…
Gary,

BC says "He's [Jones] the anti-Muslim equivalent of Topeka's Fred Phelps, and as such he seems to be an embarrassment even to the most Islamaphobic fundamentalists."

How is that "trashing"? Does he seems to be the anti-islamic equivalent of an anti-homosexuality preacher like phelps? Are his rhetorical styles and actions roughly equivalent? If so, Bob's statement is broadly correct.

Why should it matter anyway that I didn't apply the same standard to Bob. Pointing out that someone else doesn't live up to it doesn't exhonnorate your comment does it? Let Bob be dealt with in due course. I'm applying it to YOUR comments for now. That's not me being "ignorant", it's me being deliberately selective.
Gary said…
phil style,

Fine. Get back to me when you have had a chance to apply the same standard to Cornwall that you are trying to apply to me.
phil_style said…
Gary,

No problem, if you'd rather wait on the conviction of others.
Robert Cornwall said…
Gary, I normally don't respond to your rants, but again I think you prove my point. Mr. Jones has every right to do what he wants with the Korans, and if you wish to burn me in effigy, that's fine as well. In fact, I have a couple of books that cost around $100 each, so if you want to buy a couple hundred copies and burn them, so be it. My publishers will be fine with it as they'll get the proceeds.

But Mr. Jones along with Fred Phelps have at their heart a message that is hateful and bigoted and it requires, unfortunately, a response. If that makes me intolerant, then well, so be it.
Gary said…
No, I won't buy your books, Cornwall. But I do think it would be more profitable to burn them than to read them. At least the fire would produce some light, which cannot be said for the content.

You disagree with what Jones and Phelps are saying, as well as how they say it. But what they are saying is much more in agreement with what the Bible actually says than with what you think the Bible says.
Brian said…
Gary,

I hope you are taking literary licence.

Are you really planning on purchasing copies of the Koran for the purpose of burning them?

Further, are you being serious about burning my colleage Bob Cornwall in effigy? If so, I have a serious problem with that. If, on the other hand, you are joking, I'm cool.

I did our 9-11 service today for the long term care residents. Mostly, I try to avoid controversy for my congregation. However, this morning I stated, 2xs, that "There is a fool who is making a choice to use his God-given free-will in order to dishonor Christ by burning some Korans on 9-11." I then paused and stated it again along with the words, "please note, I'm not saying this with any emotion whatsoever. I want it to be known that this is a reasoned and intentional position."

Then I said, we will not dishonor Christ in our 9-11 service. Then we did our thing.


I don't like to name call, but Rev. Jones is an idiot.
Gary said…
Brian,

If you want to see an idiot, find a mirror.

And please stay away from people who can't walk out when you start lying. It isn't fair.

No, I'm not joking about burning Korans and Cornwall in effigy. And I'll include you too.
Brian said…
Gary,

Before you burn me in effigy, at least dress me properly. Something preppy, but not too snooty. Blue brings out my eyes. Oh, and I absolutely love Dillards. If you could get something from Dillards, that would mean the world to me. It makes me look fabulous.

Also, please record it so I can see video on youtube. That way I can make copies for family and friends for Chrismas.
Gary said…
Brian,

I thought I'd put you in a burka. Or would you prefer a dress?
I had the same idea, and it wasn't original to me either. I'm hoping that a lot of Christians can get behind the idea of having a "Read the Qur'an Day" as an alternative to "Burn the Qur'an Day." This seems like it could be a good way to acknowledge the free speech of others, while using our freedom to say something very different.

I've set up a Facebook event for this, to make it easier to spread the word.
Sorry, I was responding to your post, and so hopefully it will be clear that my reference to "having the same idea" didn't mean the idea to dress you in a burqa... :)
Brian said…
These don't have to be mutually exclusive aims. I can both read the Koran and wear a burka at the same time.

Your idea is a good one. Read the Koran on 9/11 (well, not the whole thing). Count me in!
Glenn said…
Once again Gary has become a caricature of himself. Mention Islam or homosexuality and watch him wet himself with hatred. Or is it self-loathing? I don't recall Jesus burning anybody or anything in effigy, but then again my Bible isn't a 1611 King James version so I'm probably not getting the real word of God. I get the feeling that the reason this particular post wound Gary up so much is because his brother, pastor Bryson, falls into the same category as Jones. A small time snake-oil salesman with a handful of followers (mostly relatives) whose only means of getting attention is to dress up like a character from Men in Black and stand on a street corner spewing nonsense and hatred. These topics just hit a little too close to home for Gary.
Gary said…
Glenn,

Thank God my brother is nothing at all like you. Not only is he right with God, but he is a man of integrity and character.

And for your lying about my brother, if I ever get the opportunity, I'll knock your teeth out. While I sing Amazing Grace.
Brian said…
Of course. Nothing glorifies Jesus Christ quite as much as pre-meditated assault.
Glenn said…
Yup. Hit the nail on the head. :)
Gary said…
If ever I get the chance, the nail won't be the only thing hit on the head.

What's your address, Glenn? I'd like to know how far I'd have to drive.
Anonymous said…
I believe the lesson we just learned is some people like to dish it out but they don't like to take it.
Gary said…
www.warningsofwrath.com
Brian said…
I know we're having some fun and goofing around, but Gary, your words really do sound like cyber-bullying. You are crossing a line when you make serious threats about hunting people down and assaulting them. It stops being fun and games.

Glenn, if you ever find yourself the victim of a violent crime (God forbid) you know who the first suspect must be. It would be wise to save this thread....just in case.
Gary said…
If I ever get close to Glenn, I'll identify myself. He won't have to wonder who did it. If he's unconscious, I'll leave a note.

But I don't think Glenn has the guts to identify himself.
Robert Cornwall said…
Okay, things have now crossed the line of decency. From now on in this thread -- any threats will be deleted. So, lets tone down the conversation.

Thanks,

Bob
Anonymous said…
Ok, the comments above are getting a little wierd. Allow me to make a point regarding the proposed mosque. Yes, we have freedom of religion here in America. What we don't have is the freedom or right to build anything we want anywhere we want in America. Anyone who has tried to add a room on to his house knows this. The point is that the City of New York makes decisions every day about what gets built and where. It's innappropriate for this mosque to be built in the destruction zone of 911, period! This is what most NYC citizens and Americans agree on. Anyone who was watching live on tv as I was will never forget the sight as those two planes flew into those tall buildings, killing everyone on those planes, and then watching as both of those magnificent towers crumbled to the ground killing thousands more screaming and horrified innocent people. Muslim terrorists were the killers responsible. It's insensitive and inappropriate for a muslim mosque to be built anywhere near this area. Freedom of religion does not have anything to do with it. This is a city zoning and community building issue with national ramifications. The majority of people living and working in NYC have spoken against the mosque's proposed location.
John said…
Gary,

I know that you have an in your face style, but get a grip.

John the Baptist would call out the vipers, but you are not his disciple are you?

Jesus' teaching to his disciples about how to respond to unbelievers was to shake their dust of your shoes, it was not to burn down their houses or even to destroy their idols, or even to taunt them. He taught them to just move on.

Jesus himself argued and debated with his opponents - but he did not insult them and he did not threaten them. He blessed them and forgave them and he moved on.

John
Anonymous said…
Well said, Pastor Bob. It's a shame to see this charlatan getting so much attention, but I'm glad to see that his actions are being condemned by religious leaders such as yourself, as well as being condemned by a multitude of religious organizations of every faith. This guy has a right to burn every book in his library if he wishes, but it looks like Christians everywhere have made it clear that his actions are his alone.

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