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As a Christian, what are your thoughts concerning a Florida Pastor's intentions to burn the Muslim's most Holy Book, the Quran? Does this act further Christianity or the American cause? Does this Pastor represent your views?

I agree that it seems to be a publicity stunt. But since it has reached the mass media, are this man's actions endangering our men and women in combat? Are these senitiments (if not actions) representative of the Christian community as a whole? Are we Christians (as a collective group) being harmed or helped in a world view by these actions?

Edmund Burke was quoted as saying "All it takes for evil to prevail is for a few good men to do nothing."

Is this our call as Christians to do something, say something or take a stand?

That, I can't comment on; unless someone posting here is actually living in the Middle East, where they can observe people's reactions firsthand (rather than believing what we're told by biased politicians and the biased media), I don't believe anyone could answer this accurately.

I do believe that this can increase the "hatred of America", yes, but exactly how much ... I couldn't say.

I don't know. Granted, I haven't researched this story in-depth, but I'm not immediately aware of too many people (outside of Gaia) who actually care about it (and most of those inside Gaia have taken a blatantly pro-Islam stance).

That would depend on how you define those words. I'm making up numbers for effect here, but ... probably 80% of people won't care, or will only look down on this preacher. They'll just go on with their lives.

Another 10% will use it as fodder to talk about how backwards and messed up Christians are ... but these are the same folks who hate us already. Unfortunately, they're the loudest.

Maybe 7% will call themselves Christians -- might actually be Christians -- but will respond with things like public Koran-readings, trying to "foster peace between the faiths" and other such nonsense. Sounds to me like sucking up to the Muslims, and using pretty words to cover it up.

A final 3% will respect him and/or us for taking a visible stand against our enemies, rather than kowtowing to them the way we've been doing for years. These are the ones we might actually be able to reach.

This might make Christianity unpopular ... I correct myself. This might add to the unpopularity Christianity already suffers ... but personally, I'd rather be right than popular.

"Doing nothing" is precisely what we (as Americans, and as Christians) have been doing for pretty much my entire life -- probably all of yours, too. In the last few years, a few people have finally realized that ignoring the problem has only made it worse -- and frankly, what this guy is doing (or, rather, was threatening to do) is among the mildest (and most reasonable) of possible responses. It kills no-one, harms no-one, but gets everyone's attention, and lets certain flag- and Bible-burning folks in the Middle East "know how it feels". Nicely played.

Hmm ... doesn't the Bible say something about being involved in useless or foolish arguments?

No, no, I'm not calling this thread useless or foolish, don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled to have any sort of discussion here. But in my opinion, this entire stunt is one giant "foolish argument".

I know he's not doing anything wrong legally, but I'm very disappointed with the whole church. Jesus pretty much said not to react with hate. Turn the other cheek, and whatnot.

I have to agree with Xiterrose, though. I can't wait until we develop alternative fuel so we don't have to bow and scrape to Islamic countries with oil anymore.

eh...no..

true, legally he's not doing anything wrong but i still think it's condemnation..and i also agree with the publicity stunt..muslims, though not all of them, already hates Christians..so the act will actually stir up even more hatred...

and besides, how can we show the world that Christians are God's people and are people of love if such an act is commenced..

Pretty sure some guy burned a few pages of it right in front of the mosque, which is grounds for arrest since it was on their property. He messed up. :p

Dragonbait, I think that's what separates us from Islamic countries. We don't resort to violent demonstrations when someone doesn't agree with us.

Slightly off-topic, I think the army should allow soldiers in Iraq to wear crosses and stars of David. Weren't we trying to set them up with a government that WOULDN'T enforce religious laws like that?

In my Dad's day (WWII) they issued the soldiers Bibles.

Military personel are allowed to wear religious symbols, but like 'Bait said, they have to stay beneath our uniforms, and that has to do with uniformity, the military definition of profesionalism, and unit cohesion. I have seen first hand how bringing your religious preferences into the open while in uniform has nearly destroyed careers and gotten people into really stupid places they should never have been. It's ridiculous that people do things like that, but that doesn't change the fact that they do. We have enough enemies, we don't need to fight amongst ourselves also.


What I was taught was that when you are in the army (and on duty) you are green first, and everything else comes second - your profession, your religion, your politics, even your gender (that's a long story, but feel free to ask if you want to know how that works). I have heard senior officers express opinions that would have been extraordinarily inflamitory and even frightening to some of my buddies in training. It's unfortunate, but it makes me glad that the military is so strict about keeping these things to yourself while on duty - we might have lost an experienced officer, and/or a very promising, dedicated soldier if my buddy or someone from the media had heard what the officer had said. (Don't get me wrong - God comes first in my life, as He should for all christians. I believe He put me where I am and I believe one day He will call me out of here in one way or another. Some people just don't know how to control themselves.) There are other ways to show and share our faith - we don't need visible symbols and objects.

As for the original topic - I am generally inclined to agree with 'Bait and Xi' although I am disapointed in the whole event as well. I don't think it is a super mature or appropriate type of thing for christians to be doing (Yes I know it didn't actually end up happening, but it may as well have). It's not worth all the attention it got anyway. I think the best policy with things like this is to not fan the flames. The more attention something like this gets, the more the behaviors are being reinforced.