Pastor Feels Endangering Troops Is Just Fine

Sep 7, 2010 by James

Pastor Terry Jones feels that burning the Koran, the Muslim holy book, is not only the right thing to do but that it won’t endanger Americans abroad. Jones who is a Pastor at Dove World Outreach Center plans to host a book burning on the anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Protests in opposition to the book burning are taking place around the world as we speak and especially in Afghanistan.

The American Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan has issued a statement condemning the actions of the non-denominational church in Gainesville, Florida. Afghanistan’s top commander, General David Petraeus, has said that, ”It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort. It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here, but everywhere in the world, we are engaged with the Islamic community.” Even with the remarks from the General, who commands 150,000 troops, the Pastor plans to continue his disgusting display.

Lt Gen William Caldwell, the commander of the NATO training mission in Afghanistan told CNN, “It’s their holy book, so when somebody says that they’re going to destroy that and cause a desecration to something that’s very sacred to them, it’s already stirred up a lot of discussion and concern amongst the people.” Imagine how Christians would react if the Afghan people were hosting a bible burning. Any American who partakes in burning the book of another religion is certainly not an American. The Constitution of this country protects freedom of religion; something Pastor Jones apparently ignores.

Afghans awoke on Monday in Kabul to about 500 protesters who chanted “long live Islam” and “death to America” as they set fire to an effigy of Mr Jones. Even with the protests and the comments from high ranking military men Jones says that ”We must send a clear message to the radical element of Islam. We will no longer be controlled and dominated by their fears and threats.” Since when were all Muslims who practice Islam radicals? Burning the book of an entire religion because some take it to radical extremes is incredibly ignorant and stupid. How many radical Christian groups are in this country alone who also engage in terrorism by bombing abortion clinics etc?

Some can argue that Mr. Jones’ 50 member church is a radical group itself. This “church” says on their website that Islam is “violent and oppressive” yet his church partakes in activity’s which induce violence. His “church”, which was largely unknown, has supported and created protests elsewhere which certainly drew criticism. He has now stooped to levels that could very well endanger troops in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Every time it has been publicized that Americans are desecrating the “holy book” of Islam; Americans die. Events in 2005 and 2008 have showed us that Muslims certainly take their book seriously and when foreigners rip it up; problems arise.

This radical church that Terry Jones runs deserves anything that happens to them and their members. It is hypocritical to call Islam “oppressive” when they’re going to burn their books because in their minds Christianity is better. Other nations may not have the religious freedoms we do so that should make us the most accepting of all yet we are the most critical. I really do hope that American soldiers do not lose their lives because some radical nut job here at home puts his ideology before American principal.

Original Story: BBC

Photo: AP