Pastor weighing plans to burn Qurans amid U.S. warnings

[trc123]

I personally believe they are using an OT remedy during a NT dispensation.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/07/florida.quran.burning/index.html?hpt=T2

Your thoughts?

[HappyChristian]

I think they are very misguided if they truly think this is a good idea. If they go ahead with this,

1. Our troops around the world will be in more danger than they already are
2. Americans anywhere around the world could become retaliatory targets
3. How in the world will anyone who is involved in burning of the Koran going to be able to effectively witness to Moslems? It won't happen!
4. We are not called to destroy other religions - we are called to show the love and mercy of Christ. The way to reach Moslems is not to destroy their holy book but to present the true Holy One to them.

They need to heed the advice of the military. Just one soldier killed as a result of what they would do to these books is too many - and there will be no moslems reached by it either. Bad idea!

[Miss Linda]

I really hope I don't get attacked for this, I'm a little hesitant to even voice my opinion, but here goes . . . .

I just read this story on CNN, and I think they are going about this the wrong way. Interestingly, the name of their church incorporates "world outreach". This disrespectful show seems to belie their core purpose of reaching the world.

When Paul visited Athens, he didn't storm into their pagan temples and start burning their sacred scrolls and pulling down their idols (see Acts 17:16-34). He spoke the message of truth in an uncompromising way, but he did not, as it were, spit on their beliefs. Some people derided him and turned away from the message, but others invited him to tell them more about the Gospel.

It seems to me that this Florida church is being unnecessarily hostile and aggressive in their approach. I would be deeply offended if a mosque planned to burn Bibles. I'm afraid if this church goes forward with this, that just may happen (if not worse). I cannot imagine that a single Muslim is going to be attracted to the Gospel message by this book burning.

[John81]

From my perspective they seem to be going about this in the wrong manner. However, it's their decision.

Muslims around the world are burning Bibles and other Christian material, persecuting Christians to the point of beatings and murder. Where is the outcry about this? Why is the media so silent about Muslim offenses against Christianity and Christians yet they are so intent upon giving massiave coverage of this story?

[Standing Firm In Christ]

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. (Ac 19:19 KJV)

Here, we see that books contrary to God were burned. People brought their own books to burn.

Now, while this pastor is burning a book that he must have purchased, thereby making it a book he owned, he bought it for the specific purpose of burning it. Those in the early New Testament Church brought the books they owned to burn because God convicted their hearts and brought them out of their false religions. Their books were bought for the purpose of learning ungodly principles and acts.

Big difference.

And yes, I do believe the Koran is full of ungodly principles from the first page to the last... on every page. It could even tell the Muslims to live peacefully with all men, (which we know it doesn't; it commands them to kill those they deem to be infidels) but their peace is not a godly peace... it cannot be. Jesus is the only one who can give godly morals and godly principles, all our righteousness is as filthy rags before the Lord.

Do I think this pastor should go on with the burning of the Koran? If God told him to do it, then yes. If God did not tell him to do it, then no.

[CPR]

I really hope I don't get attacked for this, I'm a little hesitant to even voice my opinion, but here goes . . . .

I just read this story on CNN, and I think they are going about this the wrong way. Interestingly, the name of their church incorporates "world outreach". This disrespectful show seems to belie their core purpose of reaching the world.

When Paul visited Athens, he didn't storm into their pagan temples and start burning their sacred scrolls and pulling down their idols (see Acts 17:16-34). He spoke the message of truth in an uncompromising way, but he did not, as it were, spit on their beliefs. Some people derided him and turned away from the message, but others invited him to tell them more about the Gospel.

It seems to me that this Florida church is being unnecessarily hostile and aggressive in their approach. I would be deeply offended if a mosque planned to burn Bibles. I'm afraid if this church goes forward with this, that just may happen (if not worse). I cannot imagine that a single Muslim is going to be attracted to the Gospel message by this book burning.

[John81]

One aspect the media is failing to expose is the hypocricy of the Muslims. Muslims demand 100% respect for Islam yet refuse to give the same to Christianity. Muslims decry the idea of a Koran being burned and threaten violence if even one Koran is burned yet they have no prOBlem confiscating Bibles from Christians and burning them.

I can agree with this statement from Standing Firm In Christ:

"Do I think this pastor should go on with the burning of the Koran? If God told him to do it, then yes. If God did not tell him to do it, then no."

[CPR]

I would regard the pastor with even more suspicion if he claims that God told him to do this. I highly doubt that God told him to do something that will put troops in danger, make people regard the US and Christianity with hatred and contempt and will not serve to bring people to God or to peace in any foreseeable way.

But what do I know? Just when I think I've heard everything... Guess some people can make anything seem reasonable to themselves.

[trc123]

One aspect the media is failing to expose is the hypocricy of the Muslims. Muslims demand 100% respect for Islam yet refuse to give the same to Christianity. Muslims decry the idea of a Koran being burned and threaten violence if even one Koran is burned yet they have no prOBlem confiscating Bibles from Christians and burning them.

While this is true, I don't see that the Pastor and his Church getting ready to burn the Qurans is doing right. A few thoughts come to mind in this situation:

1. It is never right to do wrong to do right!

2. Even when your enemy does wrong, it doesn't give you the right to do wrong back!

3. My God is big enough to take care of Himself and will meet out justice in his time!

[CPR]

While this is true, I don't see that the Pastor and his Church getting ready to burn the Qurans is doing right. A few thoughts come to mind in this situation:

1. It is never right to do wrong to do right!

2. Even when your enemy does wrong, it doesn't give you the right to do wrong back!

3. My God is big enough to take care of Himself and will meet out justice in his time!

Good point, two wrongs don't make a right.

Jus because one group does something doesn't mean we should too just to show them.

[John81]

Talk about taking leaps! NOBody said a word about anyone doing anything wrong because someone else did. What was put forth was a matter of comparison and contrast.

Now, when we get down to whether the burning of the Koran is wrong or right the question must be asked as to what is wrong with burning a book of wickedness which promotes a violent false relgion that leads folks away from Christ to a burning hell?

One might raise the issue of whether such should be done in public or private. From what I've seen of this from news clips, this Koran burning was specifically put forth publically to send a message that Christians and Americans are not afraid of "radical Muslims" or their false god. The pastor says they have been praying about this and believe they are following the Lords leading. I'm not in a position to know.

It's interesting that so many want to proclaim the "right" of Muslims to build a Mosque near ground zero in NY yet they want to deny this church their "right" to burn books they own on their own property.

Also interesting how many lift up libertarianism as wonderful, a view which says what this church plans to do is no one elses business, yet they want to tell this church they can't hold their event because of this, that or the other.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

In the book of Acts, the early church had a burning of books of 'curious arts.' They burned what would be regarded today as thousands of dollars worth of books.

These were books that taught contrary to God and the ways of God. But the books... were books they they had used prior to converting to Christianity. If all these Qurans are property of former Muslims, I thank God that they see the Quran does not lead them into truth. But, as radical as many Churches get today, I highly doubt they are the property of former Muslims.

More than likely, these people are buying the books for the sole reason to burn them. Burning the Qurans they purchase will not stop the Islamic religion. There is ony one thing that can do that... God Almighty. And one day He will.

True, the burning means one less book, but how many more will be printede? Pastor Jones may mean well, but I do not believe God would have told him to put the entirety of Gainseville, FL in danger and many other Christians throughout the United States.

[CPR]

Talk about taking leaps! NOBody said a word about anyone doing anything wrong because someone else did. What was put forth was a matter of comparison and contrast.

Now, when we get down to whether the burning of the Koran is wrong or right the question must be asked as to what is wrong with burning a book of wickedness which promotes a violent false relgion that leads folks away from Christ to a burning hell?

One might raise the issue of whether such should be done in public or private. From what I've seen of this from news clips, this Koran burning was specifically put forth publically to send a message that Christians and Americans are not afraid of "radical Muslims" or their false god. The pastor says they have been praying about this and believe they are following the Lords leading. I'm not in a position to know.

It's interesting that so many want to proclaim the "right" of Muslims to build a Mosque near ground zero in NY yet they want to deny this church their "right" to burn books they own on their own property.

Also interesting how many lift up libertarianism as wonderful, a view which says what this church plans to do is no one elses business, yet they want to tell this church they can't hold their event because of this, that or the other.

No one wants to take away the right to do this. Even people who disagree passionately (myself included) support their right to burn whatever they want. Among those are Mayor Bloomberg and the ACLU. However, just because you technically have the right to do something doesn't mean you should. The government shouldn't tell this church that they can't have their planned event, but common sense, the safety of our troops and public outcry certainly should.

[Brother Rick]

I would regard the pastor with even more suspicion if he claims that God told him to do this. I highly doubt that God told him to do something that will put troops in danger,

It won't do this. The troops are ALREADY in danger. What, do you thinks the Islamic terrorists just "kinda-sorta" hate us and want us "kinda-sorta" dead? Kinda like they only "kinda-sorta" hated us before 9/11?

A fundamentalist Christian believes his book and gets out there and looks like a nut preaching on a street corner somewhere, handing out tracts, and boldly standing for what is right. He wouldn't hurt a fly.

A fundamentalist Muslim believes his book and does everything he can to force anyone and everyone else to submit to Islam. He'll slit your throat, your wife's throat, and your children's throat without batting an eye. He is a fundamentalist; he believes what his book says and tells him to do.

You think being nice to him will change that? You think burning his book will make him want to kill us even more?

Please.

make people regard the US and Christianity with hatred and contempt

The actions of one pastor are not going to make the rest of the world hate us anymore then they already do. They hate us for our worldliness, our prosperity, our freedom, and the fact that we're not Islamic or Communistic. Ironically, the European and Australian people who can't stand us would find themselves in a "tight spot" if we weren't here to stand up to China and Russia.

and will not serve to bring people to God

It may drive a few Muslims away. You know, they're just getting saved by the droves and all.

Overall, it will do nothing to effect evangelism one way or another. If anything, red blooded Americans that are sick of the pandering that our country is giving a murderous religion will appreciate someone taking an aggressive stand.

or to peace in any foreseeable way.

Peace?

Did you say PEACE?

Are you kidding me?

You've got to be joking!

I'm going to fall off my chair!

Why you can't seriously think that you can have peace with fundamentalist Muslims, can you? They are heartless barbarians that have attacked our innocent citizens over and over and over again, whether we go to war with them or not!

The only peace you're are going to get with these people is when the Prince of Peace returns, and He's going to be much more "radical" in His method of dealing with them then just burning books.



The question is, is it right or wrong, BIBLICALLY, to do this. If you rely on human reasoning, then by all means, take a stand and burn the books! The Bible may say something differently though.

[irishman]

It won't do this. The troops are ALREADY in danger. What, do you thinks the Islamic terrorists just "kinda-sorta" hate us and want us "kinda-sorta" dead? Kinda like they only "kinda-sorta" hated us before 9/11?

A fundamentalist Christian believes his book and gets out there and looks like a nut preaching on a street corner somewhere, handing out tracts, and boldly standing for what is right. He wouldn't hurt a fly.

A fundamentalist Muslim believes his book and does everything he can to force anyone and everyone else to submit to Islam. He'll slit your throat, your wife's throat, and your children's throat without batting an eye. He is a fundamentalist; he believes what his book says and tells him to do.

You think being nice to him will change that? You think burning his book will make him want to kill us even more?

Please.



The actions of one pastor are not going to make the rest of the world hate us anymore then they already do. They hate us for our worldliness, our prosperity, our freedom, and the fact that we're not Islamic or Communistic. Ironically, the European and Australian people who can't stand us would find themselves in a "tight spot" if we weren't here to stand up to China and Russia.



It may drive a few Muslims away. You know, they're just getting saved by the droves and all.

Overall, it will do nothing to effect evangelism one way or another. If anything, red blooded Americans that are sick of the pandering that our country is giving a murderous religion will appreciate someone taking an aggressive stand.



Peace?

Did you say PEACE?

Are you kidding me?

You've got to be joking!

I'm going to fall off my chair!

Why you can't seriously think that you can have peace with fundamentalist Muslims, can you? They are heartless barbarians that have attacked our innocent citizens over and over and over again, whether we go to war with them or not!

The only peace you're are going to get with these people is when the Prince of Peace returns, and He's going to be much more "radical" in His method of dealing with them then just burning books.



The question is, is it right or wrong, BIBLICALLY, to do this. If you rely on human reasoning, then by all means, take a stand and burn the books! The Bible may say something differently though.

Praise the Lord, it's good to someone with some guts!
I tip my hat to you sir.