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Reverend Terry Jones’ quran burning is a religious injustice

By Calli Perez
Spartan Daily
September 14, 2010

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Calli Perez, staff writer


I was happy to hear that Reverend Terry Jones of a Florida church called off his congregation’s plan to burn Qurans as a protest to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

It must be said that Jones’ plan would have been legal.

Protected under the First Amendment, Jones has the constitutional right to protest and express his ideas, even if the government found it unpatriotic and potentially dangerous.

Some may claim the act would have incited clear and present danger as well as endangered troops oversea, however it probably would have remained protected under the First Amendment.

With that being said, not everything that is legal is necessarily just. Like Jones, I would like to exercise my right to share my disgust towards the congregation’s intended actions.

I am afraid that although the protest was called off, a lot of the damage has already been done by Jones and his congregation announced intentions alone.

The hatred that has been spread on such an emotional day had caused emotional and physical harm to many.

At an anti-Quran burning protest, 11 Afghans were injured.

I tried to find one just reason as to why Jones would risk disrespecting so many people in the name of his beliefs, but I simply could not.

It is entirely possible for Jones to stand up for what he believes in, even if it is something as crazy as the idea that Islam is the devil, without being so evil to others.

If Jones does not believe in the Quran, than to him this book should be nothing more than words on paper.

What would be the point in burning a large quantity?

I suppose Jones could have at least recycled the Qurans to have at least one attempt of goodwill.

The real problem is that these Qurans are symbolic of people’s beliefs as well as their identity, which shows some hypocrisy in the rhetoric that the congregation puts forth.

According to the New Testament, particularly looking at Matthew 19:16-19, Jesus repeats some of the ten commandments (that can be found in the old testament) including to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

I would be safe to assume that Jones would be none too pleased to see the printed manuscript of his faith crucified in the form of a bonfire.

My advice to Jones would be to put all of his energy towards something proactive.

I have little patience for people who spend their time protesting against things that they hate, rather than working toward promoting their beliefs or creating solutions to things that they find problematic.

With Jones’ mindset, our country will become more hostile and divided than ever within and in relation to other countries.

According to CNN, the planned burning has caused alarm in the Muslim world, which already feels under attack by the United States.

No one should have to live in a country where they feel that their religious beliefs are being persecuted, not American Muslims, not even Jones.

Although it would be a far jump for Jones to learn the belief that we should, “Live and let live,” he should at the very least realize and be accountable for the extensive harm that his words have put on his fellow citizens and the rest of the world.







One Response to “Reverend Terry Jones’ quran burning is a religious injustice”


Ted Rudow III,MA says:
September 21, 2010
TONY BLAIR’S memoirs will read like a ‘love letter’ to George W Bush. The autobiography will praise the former U.S. president, with whom Mr Blair launched the controversial invasion of Iraq in 2003, as ‘highly intelligent’ and ‘visionary’.
In Blair’s case, I would have asked him that question, and I’d have pressed him on it. I’d have asked him whether God had ever restrained him. I find it very strange that we elect a politician who then claims to serve a higher deity who guides him: “I did what I believe is right.” Well, will you tell us, please, how that relates to the Christian ethic? Do you believe in war first and negotiation afterwards? Exactly how does this work? ” David Cornwell, the legendary British novelist who writes under the name John le Carré,
Well, it shows you what the people want! They want war. They’re mad. They’re fed up. They want him to do something. They’re also smart enough to know by this time that war brings prosperity, & they somehow still think maybe they might escape the bombs. “To hell with the bombs” as far as they’re concerned, “I want my prosperity now. I want my job and my money now!"
Ted Rudow III,MA
class of 1996