Muslims, the First Amendment, and another bad idea
Just because an act is constitutionally protected doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. I made that argument a few weeks ago in the case of the mosque planned for a site near Ground Zero, and I’ll make it again today in the case of a small Florida church whose members plan to burn copies of the Quran this coming Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Yes, the pastor and members of Gainesville’s Dove World Outreach Center — a most unfitting name, it would seem — have the right to burn books, even religious ones. But it’s a particularly stupid idea on several levels, not the least of which is that it could further endanger the lives of American soliders in Afghanistan, as Gen. David Petraeus warns.
It represents a real hostility toward Muslims, unlike the specific and very narrow debate over whether a mosque should be located so close to that still-fresh national wound (no matter how the mosque’s supporters have tried to depict its opponents). A single, small church cannot on its own violate the Constitution’s guarantee of religious freedom, but its planned Quran-burning truly is a departure from the general attitude of religious tolerance that the First Amendment was meant to foster. These people can claim neither offense nor imposition, palpable or otherwise, from the mere existence of Islamic holy books. They don’t seek compromise, only intimidation.
And speaking as a Christian, I think the church’s plans betray a misunderstanding of the faith they profess to hold.
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345 comments Add your comment
It's a shame what he did to that dog
September 7th, 2010
12:42 pm
“But it’s a particularly stupid idea on several levels, not the least of which is that it could further endanger the lives of American soliders in Afghanistan, as Gen. David Petraeus warns.”
So……burning the Koran is going to get our soldiers killed? Huh, I thought muslims were already killing our soldiers…
By the way Kyle, do yourself a favor and have a proof reader check your columns. Between you, Tucker and Bookman, all three of you need check for typos.
“American soliders in Afghanistan”
It’s “soldiers, not soliders.”
Thanks
Steve
September 7th, 2010
12:45 pm
Agreed, hopefully they will realize the error of their potential actions before Saturday.
Thurston B. Howell III
September 7th, 2010
12:51 pm
No problem burning books, especially, if don’t know how to read in the first place.
Mimi
September 7th, 2010
12:54 pm
Enter your comments here
Jefferson
September 7th, 2010
12:55 pm
I agree with you Kyle. If a group got together and burned Bibles it would piss off a lot of folks here. These folks in FL must have rocks in their head.
Mimi
September 7th, 2010
12:56 pm
This preacher sounds no better than Jeromy Wright. They are both crazy and radical, and are definately in the wrong profession.
Sick&Tired
September 7th, 2010
12:56 pm
“And speaking as a Christian, I think the church’s plans betray a misunderstanding of the faith they profess to hold.” AMEN to that!
Roy Barns
September 7th, 2010
1:01 pm
I think it’s a great idea! Where’s the talk when the American Flag is burned and there is no outrage!! Muslims are not a peace loving people!
Linda
September 7th, 2010
1:03 pm
They must have missed that part about “do unto others…” There will be Bibles burned in retaliation. If they are itching to burn something, burqas would be more helpful. They will probably be fined if Fla. has the same burn ban as GA does.
dymaxion
September 7th, 2010
1:04 pm
This makes us no better then the Taliban who destroyed the giant Buddha’s in Afghanistan. We need to stand above this.
rant and roll
September 7th, 2010
1:04 pm
First Amendment gives the “church” the right to burn books. It doesn’t guarantee there will not be repercussions for their actions.
mike
September 7th, 2010
1:04 pm
Hey Mimi I would not worry too much about Rev. Wright. He is a vet of the Marine Corps and Navy and for that alone has earned the right to say whatever he wants. Seems funny how most of the morons who have a problem with him do not posses a DD214. If you don’t know what that is then you have no reason to complain.
Freedom Gator
September 7th, 2010
1:05 pm
We only burn books,they cut off heads.Big difference.
rant and roll
September 7th, 2010
1:09 pm
why is there always a need to act like 4 year olds when discussing politics or social issues?
“But they do this” as justification always appears in the first 15 responses.
JPB
September 7th, 2010
1:13 pm
it seems that those who feel the need to destroy another religion’s holy book may not be sure of the truth of their own. Jesus Christ was sure of God and His ability to defend His truth. he went to the cross because He knew that God would defend His own truth.
One wonders how far “Christianity” has strayed from the Spirit of Christ.
jarvis
September 7th, 2010
1:14 pm
Great point of view. They have the right to do it…that doesn’t make it a good idea.
jarvis
September 7th, 2010
1:18 pm
And Roy….there’s no outrage when the American flag is burned? I think it pi$$es most-everyone off…..it’s just not illegal…..neither is burning Korans.
It's a shame what he did to that dog
September 7th, 2010
1:19 pm
“I think it pi$$es most-everyone off”
It doesn’t piss liberals nor muslims off.
jarvis
September 7th, 2010
1:24 pm
So liberals hate America? Is that right?
And there’s the lowest-common denominator. Logic just went out the window….argument over.
barking frog
September 7th, 2010
1:27 pm
The Constitution does not limit the rights of Churches.
The Limitation in the Constitution is on government.
This Limitation on Government is violated,or mighty
close to it by an active duty General of the Army
attempting to limit the speech and religious expression
of any religion by any means. The book burning is
a statement by the church against Islam which it
considers wrong. We do not have to agree but
we must live with our law until we change it.
Jose Garcia
September 7th, 2010
1:27 pm
this is crazy and selfish….. It’s very disrespectful….. it makes no sense!!! If this occurs on Saturday, the world is going to be in chaos……. its stupid because its something that people have control over, yet they decide to stay ignorant….. pretty upsetting.
jarvis
September 7th, 2010
1:28 pm
Barking frog he didn’t suggest that it be made illegal. Petreus just said it was going to make his job harder….and it probably will.
Dan
September 7th, 2010
1:28 pm
A more apt headline for this article would be “Christians, the First Amendment, and another bad idea”. A simple oversight on the author’s part, I’m sure. (sarcasm)
Another finger being stuck into the festering wound that is American-Muslim relations that will almost certainly lead to the deaths of more American citizens or American Soldiers. Terry Jones can carry that on his conscience.
When the less intelligent among us can not find a better way to deal with issues, they take the low road and kick as much sand as they can. I guess this has become the American way.
DS
September 7th, 2010
1:29 pm
This church who is stupidly promoting the burning of the Korans are being not more Christ-like than that Kansas church protesting homosexuality at the funerals of American soldiers. For some reason, I do not think on this point they will hear from Jesus, “Well done my good and faithful servant” at judgment on these particular points.
Emay
September 7th, 2010
1:32 pm
Only the radical Islamic groups were burning the american flag. Burning the Quran is another step too far. America shouldn’t even be in Afghanistan anymore. At this point they’re wasting their time. Especially since they’ve captured many of the culprits involved with 9/11. Burning the Quran is insulting the entire religion, as opposed to trying to insult the 9/11 culprits.
barking frog
September 7th, 2010
1:34 pm
Jarvis 1:28 Then Petraeus should concentrate on doing his job.
Linda
September 7th, 2010
1:36 pm
They must be liberals.
Jeff Hughes
September 7th, 2010
1:40 pm
Better to burn Mohammed in effigy – a FALSE PROPHET — who the Christian Bible has warned the world of — Adn the Quran is three seperate works for those of you among the unwashed masses — Islam before Mohammed hijacked it WAS a PEACEFUL religion — NOT SO today
So a small Christ-ian gathering is going to burn a book of the Quran — yawn – its what the news media of chickens do – peck at sores.
Sick&Tired
September 7th, 2010
1:45 pm
No, definitely conservative un-christians.
jconservative
September 7th, 2010
1:46 pm
What this group plans, burning Qurans, is putting American troops in harms way per the commanding general. In short, it borders on giving “aid” to the enemy in Afghanistan. They will be supplying the enemy with all the ammo they need to recruit additional members of their organizations.
Osama bin Laden is gonna love this preacher.
just_another_muslims
September 7th, 2010
1:47 pm
its always amazing how some people “generalize” muslims into this barbaric, blood hungry terrorists…i am just amazed which schools did these noobs went to.
However, i still respect christianity and christrians…i wish they could see the layer of separation between extremists and the general muslim population the same way…otherway the u.s is a hopeless nation digging its own hole…..
Terry Battiste
September 7th, 2010
1:47 pm
As an American Muslim woman who lived in a Muslim country for over 4 yrs I can tell you that the Christians here should take a chapter from the Christians there and be friends, neither side insulting the others book. A Muslim would never burn a bible, we are not allowed. We are commanded to respect people of the book. Sometimes I think we respect Jesus’, peace be upon him, teachings more than most Christians. Ask yourselves in this situation ..what would Jesus do? Burn a book or have and give respect. I believe he would have and give respect. Jesus argued with the rabbis in the temple did he burn the torah ?????? Did he call for the burning of it???Did he call for the hatred of Jews, NO he was one but he was creating a new religion….. I think alot of these “christians need to go read their own book and leave ours alone..we read ours and understand it and holds its truths.
George King
September 7th, 2010
1:49 pm
Have you people actually READ the Koran? Do you know there are actually hundreds of vile, barbaric verses promoting killing and dying to spreading Islam globally? Do you know the biography of Muhammad? Did you know he started as a gang leader and by murdering and robbing, his gang grew into an army that raped, pillaged and slaughtered unbelievers across Arabia? Did you know Allah revealed that Muhammad’s conduct was the perfect example to all mankind?
Instead of burning the Koran, how about a public reading of the many vile verses dealing with intolerance, murder, misogyny, and more? It would be so ironic to see Muslims protesting the reading of their most revered book.
Sick of Ignorance
September 7th, 2010
1:52 pm
Extremist Christians and extremist Muslims are no different – they do not represent the faith they claim to follow.
And the comment that Muslims are not peace loving people? Do you even know anything about Muslims? Would you say the same thing about Christians based on those that bomb abortion clinics or murder in the name of God? Does anyone remember the Crusades – Christianity’s holy wars? More people have died in the name of Christianity throughout history than in the name of Islam. Remember the Inquisition? Remember the “spreading of Christianity” when the new world was discovered? Most explorers to the new world came to bring Christianity to the natives by brute force – convert or die. You simply cannot define a religion based on the actions of human beings that twist its meaning in order to justfiy horrific acts.
As a Christian, I cannot allow myself to judge or define what I believe based on the actions of a small minority of people. Anyone that understands what Islam is about knows that the views and actions of fundamentalist Muslims are not in line with the teachings of the Koran. Judgment based on ignorance is not Christian, in my opinion.
Will
September 7th, 2010
1:53 pm
A day will come in our not so distant future that people will look back at the madness and hysteria being stirred up by republicans and will ask how did a free and loving republic sit back and allow this happen.
You go ahead and put our brave patriots in harm’s way with your vicous attacks staged for political gain – I will stand with our patriots and pray your staged political theatrics do not cost our patriots their lives. I pray your raw political theatrics do not give aide and comfort to those who wish to destroy our republic.
You go ahead with your talk of secession for raw political gain – I will forever stand with the United States of America.
You go ahead and demonize our immigrant population – I will forever stand with the diversity and richness brought to our republic by those yearning to be free and to participate in the greatest country in the world.
Big D
September 7th, 2010
1:56 pm
I personally don’t care if they burned all of them or used them for toilet paper, but I agree with you in the sense we are giving the rotten bunch of cowards one more reason to be.
Tiffani
September 7th, 2010
1:56 pm
Terry, I completely agree w/ you. These so-called Christians only live their life according to the Word when its convienient for them. Granted we all fall short of the glory of God because we’re human, but my goodness, there is nothing Christ-like about burning the Quran.
Hootinanny Yum Yum
September 7th, 2010
2:00 pm
If the Westboro Baptist Church can protest at the funerals of military members, and that be ruled by courts as protected speech, then fire ‘em up.
The Muslims ask for tolerance, let them show some. I’m sick of seeing THOUSANDS of Muslims around the world burning the US flag and holding up hate filled signs against America.
In any case, I prefer to burn the Koran in the privacy of my own home. Use it to start the grill when I’m grilling pork chops.
HDB
September 7th, 2010
2:00 pm
Burning of the Quran, Bible….or any religious book by any segment of American society portrays another episode in the theatre of the absurd!! This does nothing more than further entrench the “Ugly American” personna worldwide!!
Those who express outrage, I hope, are not demonized by those who persistently wish to demonize Islam. We have to be BETTER than this!!
Fernando
September 7th, 2010
2:01 pm
People are so stupid with these arguments: “Muslims are terrorists!”… “Muslims are killing our soldiers!”… “Muslims cut heads off!”.
These people want to protest against the 10,000 Muslim terrorists in the world and to do that they don’t mind offending the other 999,990,000 non-violent Muslims. These people think that as most terrorists in the Middle East are Muslims, all Muslims are guilty of terrorism.
Under these idiot’s point of view, all Christians are guilty of Nazism, given that Hitler and the other Nazis were Christians.
The depths of intolerance and stupidity, oh my God!
Big D
September 7th, 2010
2:05 pm
Terry..I too grew up in a Muslim country as a Christian and had no problems at all and very much loved the people from Libya then. The problem is now your religion/political affiliation is out of synchronization with what you and other “good” Muslims ” aspire to be. If I were in your position at this point in time I would do as Jesus did and start a new religion before the old one destroys you.
paleo-neo-Carlinst
September 7th, 2010
2:06 pm
let me guess; some Muslim said “we’re bigger than Jesus”?
Big D
September 7th, 2010
2:10 pm
Fernando…I would say it is the responsibility of the 999,990,000 to weed these rotten cowards that skulk around like roach bugs from their ranks lest they be judged as the same.
David
September 7th, 2010
2:10 pm
The muslims and their “outrage” is just them playing the victim as always. This and draw mohammed day should both be done yearly until the “moderate” muslims grow a pair. Screw you christian hypocrites and your the turn the other cheek mentality. Open your eyes and see what evil is being protested and stop coddling and appeasing your mortal enemies. Islam is incompatible with modern society and denying it is not going to make it go away. These scabs need to be peeled off or amputated before they infect the whole world. Unless you like honor killings, stoning and oppression of women and NON muslims, shut up with your whining.
Dr. Pangloss
September 7th, 2010
2:13 pm
It’s a shame what he did to that dog
September 7th, 2010
12:42 pm
“But it’s a particularly stupid idea on several levels, not the least of which is that it could further endanger the lives of American soliders in Afghanistan, as Gen. David Petraeus warns.”
So……burning the Koran is going to get our soldiers killed? Huh, I thought muslims were already killing our soldiers…
By the way Kyle, do yourself a favor and have a proof reader check your columns. Between you, Tucker and Bookman, all three of you need check for typos.
“American soliders in Afghanistan”
It’s “soldiers, not soliders.”
Thanks
—————
It’s Muslims not muslims. In English we capitalize names of churches and religious groups.
barking frog
September 7th, 2010
2:21 pm
Terry Battiste 1:47 Although you live in the US, It is
clear you do not understand it. You are not ‘commanded’
here, except by the law, created by democratically elected
representatives for which you may vote. Many of us are not
Christians or Muslims and may even be free of all religion.
That is our right and yours. You, an individual, may not be
abused or misused by anyone. If you are ,we, as a nation if
necessary, will defend those rights.
JF McNamara
September 7th, 2010
2:22 pm
It’s a free country. If they want to burn them, then burn them. Just like in the Mosque case, we need to judge people as individuals and not as a stereotypical blob. I’m sure that Muslims will see them as some Christian crazies that don’t represent America as a whole just like we should view the 911 assaulters at Muslim crazies who don’t represent Islam (or the middle east) as a whole.
I just wish the national media wouldn’t carry these stories. A few nuts in Florida burning books now constitutes a national story. Really? This story is about as important as an episode of Cheaters only less exciting.
No More Progressives!
September 7th, 2010
2:23 pm
Big D
September 7th, 2010
1:56 pm
I personally don’t care if they burned all of them or used them for toilet paper, but I agree with you in the sense we are giving the rotten bunch of cowards one more reason to be.
A most excellent point. I think these barbarians would be more annoyed if we completely ignored them; nothing to stir the passions like a good book burning, legal in the US but no less tasteless.
It's a shame what he did to that dog
September 7th, 2010
2:27 pm
“It’s Muslims not muslims. In English we capitalize names of churches and religious groups.”
I don’t use capital letters when writing about a cult.
No Deal!
September 7th, 2010
2:28 pm
Kyle: “It represents a real hostility toward Muslims, unlike the specific and very narrow debate over whether a mosque should be located so close to that still-fresh national wound (no matter how the mosque’s supporters have tried to depict its opponents).”
One would think, after two wars, the deaths of tens, if not hundreds of thousands of Muslims, and trillions of dollars spent, that America’s blood-lust for things Muslim might have been sated and the
wounds would be less raw. But not when there’s political points to score.