Indonesian Muslims Protest Plans to Burn Quran

[teko]

Associated Press
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Thousands of Indonesian Muslims are rallying outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta to denounce a Florida church's plan to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11.

The Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., said it will burn the Islamic holy book on the ninth anniversary of the terror attacks. Local officials have denied a permit for the bonfire on the church's grounds. But the center, which made headlines last year by distributing T-shirts that said "Islam is of the Devil,'' insists it will go ahead with the plan.

About 3,000 members of a hard-line Islamic group marched Saturday to the U.S. Embassy in downtown Jakarta, waving banners and posters condemning the plan. The group organized similar rallies in five other cities across Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation.

[Barb135]

I would only hope that everyone, Americans and Muslims alike realize that there are radicals on all sides and those radicals don't represent the majority.  

[adgal]

I saw an interview with the so called Pastor of this "church".  He claims that if you are Muslim you cannot be a good citizen of the US.  He also claims that if they protest or their is any retaliation it will show them for who they really are...give me a break!  Incidents of violence against Muslims are increasing, a Mosque has now been burned down, and now this?  And he expects them to just sit back and say "oh well".  Would you?  I know I wouldn't...this is just going to get worse if it keeps up.  

I agree Brice, I think they must have a different Bible/God then I do.  Mine doesn't preach hate.  

[brice1967]

I understand why bible burning/quran burning would incite the masses.  But it's symbolism.  If any of these so called religious people were worth their salt, they'd forgive and move on.  Its not like this spun out preacher, hiding behind the cloth, went into Muslim homes, and personally stole their Qurans to burn.  If anything, its boosting the sale of the Quran, and some of that money is making it back into the church.  If you look at it that way, this preacher looks like an even bigger butthole, and the laugh is on him.

It's a well known fact that more people have died in the name of Christ.  It's too bad tht some of those were led to that from some wackos with their own twist of what any of the good books say.

It's simple, yet complex.  You cant educate the ignorant in an instant.  You cant expect the scared to not defend themselves, or run to what makes them comfortable.

This silly act of symbolism is nothing more than an act of ignorance.  Theres nothing you or I can do or say to either side in order to make them see the light.  It's their own religious beliefs, on both sides, that are driving them to this.  It's fear, its ignorance, and from what I understand about God's word, it all goes against that.  In the end, if God really is the true judge, what is he going to say to these dolts?

[brice1967]

Here we go again.  One hard line group pinned against another.  Dolts like this preacher, inciting violence.  I always assumed that a man of the cloth was held to higher standards.  Does this jack *** preach from a different bible that the one I heard of?  Conversely, why wont these Muslims relax a little bit and realize that this preacher is a jerk, hiding behind a religious title?

[teko]

Just like Al-Quaida killed all those people on 9/11 in the name of God was evil.
Burning these books in the name of God is evil
God says do not kill
God says judge not lest ye be judged.
God says love your neighbor as yourself
Fear is not of the Lord


All this hate going on in the name of God, is not of God but of his adversary. Wake Up America. How would you feel if it were your bible being burned? Or someone telling you you can not build a house of worship on ground you purchased legally? There was a time when Catholics were treated as outcasts too, remember?


All of this stirred up as a result of unsubstantiated, baseless fear.

[adgal]

This "church" is no better then the 911 terrorists.  Perhaps what they are doing is not as violent, at least not immediately, but it has the same long term impact.  Continues to perpetuate hate while hiding behind religion.  This is absolutely a horrific thing to do.  I sure hope that Muslims do not do what we are doing to them...paint all of us Christians with the same paintbrush.  I know for certain I do not want to be associated with them in any way, shape or form.  This makes me ill.

[ILADVOCATE]

When people engage in that kind of hateful protest against extremism that is the kind of reaction they inspire. Burning the Quran may be constitutional but its still an act of hatred and it would encourage more of the same. If people are concerned about America's security or the political direction America is heading there are far more constructive ways to address it or protest it.