Burn a Quaran Day?

A group of Christians in Florida needs the corrective insight of other Christians. Immediately. Maybe you can help.

Dove World Outreach Center, a non-denominational church in Gainesville, Fla., currently plans an "International Burn A Quran Day" on September 11. Senior Pastor Dr. Terry Jones explained, "We only did it because we felt there needed to be an outcry against Islam, because Islam is presenting itself as a religion of peace."

I’m left scratching my head thinking, “How is this a biblical action rooted in Christian love?”
This action doesn’t exactly square with my reading of the First Letter of the Apostle Peter, (2:12) "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." Or when he says a few verses later in 2:17: "Show proper respect to everyone.”

Fortunately the President of the National Association of Evangelicals, Leith Anderson, has responded quickly. He said the book burning would "exacerbate tensions" between the religions. In a statement the NAE said, "It sounds like the proposed Quran burning is rooted in revenge. Yet the Bible says that Christians should 'make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else' (I Thessalonians 5:15)."

Muslims worldwide would be “profoundly” offended by the burning of Qurans, just as Christians would be deeply insulted if another faith group burned Bibles, the NAE stressed.

Orlando-based Pastor Joel Hunter of Northland, A Church Distributed, who is a member of the NAE Board of Directors, commented, “We have to recognize that fighting fire with fire only builds a bigger fire.”

“Love is the water that will eventually quench the destruction,” he said.

I have my own issues with Islam but the way to lead Muslims to the truth is not through vengeful acts, making incendiary pronouncements, or encouraging emotions of fear, distrust and violence on the part of fellow Christians. It’s through love and respect. At least, that was Jesus’ way. Since I’m a follower of Jesus, it’s my way too. By default.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, it’s your way too.

Our brothers and sisters at Dove—well-intentioned, I’m sure, but misguided nevertheless—need to hear from other Christians. Before they do something stupid, of which, all of us who follow Jesus, will bear the shame and grief. And it’s not like we (Christians) have a huge supply of goodwill in the eyes of the world in the first place.

More info at: The Christian Post. Send an email to Dove at: http://www.doveworld.org/contact. Make your voice heard.