“First they came for the communists, but I was not a communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unions, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And then they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the few brave Christian leaders to take a stand and speak out against Nazism during World War II. For that he gave his life. He was executed while in a concentration camp in 1945.
He was one of my heroes in college.
Today, I feel compelled to speak out. You’ve probably read in the news about the Pentecostal pastor in Gainesville, Florida who espouses anti-Islamic philosophy and plans to burn copies of the Quran on Saturday, September 11th.
Try as I might to understand what is planned, I cannot, yet I know I must. I was raised a Baptist – I’m the daughter of a Baptist minister and my religious and spiritual roots grow deep.
Just yesterday as I accompanied my elderly father, The Reverend John Buczynski to his doctor’s appointment, I thought we might talk about this protest, but he couldn’t. In sadness, he simply shook his head.
Have we lost our compassion for others who hold beliefs different from our own? Have we forgotten that the Holocaust was perpetrated by wrong-headed Christians?
Intolerance and prejudice, if repeated enough, can become “truth.” While the intentions of this Florida pastor seem to reflect “his truth,” such a protest can only stir up hatred and anger.
An incendiary event such as the one planned for this coming Saturday can easily lead to violence. And I fear this is only the beginning.
Gen Petraeus has indicated that such an event that associates Islam with the Devil is only going to create a backlash in Afghanistan and bring harm to our own troops.
We need to stand up for what is morally right. We need to ask Pastor Terry Jones not to hold this demonstration that can only incite more harm and intensify religious intolerance.
As health and mental health care practitioners, we need to be agents for understanding and compassion in our communities and to reach out globally.
We need to help defuse the hatred and the anger that fuels extremist talk and belief – it can only play into the hands of those who want to do us harm.
In closing, I can’t help but remember back to Dietrich Bonhoeffer and think: “They’re coming for the Muslims” and where will I be?
Let us not find ourselves standing alone.
This is an important issue. Please leave a comment and tell us what you think. Include your full name, profession, city and state and country.
While the reverand certainly has the right to burn such books if he chooses, as is his consitutional right, the more attention we pay him and his misguided philosophies, the more he is empowered and encouraged. I say- shun him, his church, and his “event”. If he is ignored in the media, making it a non-event, there would be very little for extremists to get upset about, except him. If the press covers the event, it will appear as if it is condoned by the US people.
Hello Commenters,
I really didn’t have time to read all the comments here. I just thought it was important to “speak out” as Ruth had asked me to.
First, thank you for asking, Ruth. I do not watch television, it causes me too much physical pain, so I was unaware of both the building of a Mosque NEAR ground zero, and the burning of a Holy book. (no need to specify which really, a Holy book, is a Holy book!)
When the first comment I read made my heart ache. I felt compelled to stand up to each hateful, intolerant, “holier than though” statement. I truly believe that if speaking us out makes us victims of the same hate, that it is our responsibility anyway.
So, let me just say that building a place of worship is not wrong ANYWHERE! Terrorism is NOT religion!
So I’m speaking out. Edward Glenn, Joan McGrath, and Amy are a very lonely 3 here on this thread. So to the rest of you, “Good on ya!”. As for you three, I pray for you, and I ask you to please stop your hateful arrogance. Please stop!
Jeanne, I love you! You are a beautiful person. Yes, that is the ONLY important question!
Love is the answer to any question and the only question we will be asked at the end of our life is “how well did you love?”
Love well y’all. It’s your job as human beings!
Many blessings,
Carrie
i have to agree with the idea that extreme actions only incite more extreme actions. please don’t burn anyones holy books. In the bible, God promises to re-unite the warring counties. the Jews the Arabs and the Christians. we cannot teach an anti Muslim practice with a clear conscience. the Muslims are our brothers. by burning the Quaran, we are burning our connection to someone Whom God has always supported and provided for. Re- read the story of Ishmael and Jacobb.
I am the daughter of a Methodist minister, an ordained pastor and a chaplain at my church and I cannot imagine that the public burning of the Quran is a healthy or wise thing to do. I do not believe that this is something Jesus would do or that He would support. Jesus loved those around Him, even when they did not believe as He did. He did not condemn any but those of His own faith who said one thing and did another.
It is time we remembered we serve a God of Love and not hate!
This man is a madman, narcissistic and taking advantage of media exposure to be “remembered” in history. He cannot expect to be alive at the end of this. How many of his 50 parishioners support this insanity? I am reminded of another “Jones”, who made his followers drink poison whether they wanted to or not.
Peace is the way; thoughts of hatred generate hatred; Symbolic acts hold very powerful statements; burning a sacred book, even if it sacred for a portion of the world population, is like bullying, or waging a war. Fostering a culture where blaming ‘the other’ for our problems has been proved over and over to lead to more pain and suffering. But we rarely study history and learn from it, nor our politicians and pundits want people to learn, otherwise, how can they manipulate the electorate? Freedom comes with responsibilities. In the USA, there is a strong culture that promotes righteousness and careless use of freedom. it’s time for our culture to mature into adulthood. Every choice generate consequences we are responsible for – we need to model it for our kids, too. We also could ‘train’ the media to bring us stories of love and constructive coexistence, like the Christian Heartsong Church welcoming the Muslim Cultural Center next door in Texas. Focusing on the divisive ideas and actions only perpetuates hatred, vengeful ideas and actions. Acceptance of diversity is what we need to practice, knowing we can all thrive in the interconectedness and interdependence of our lives
The 1st amendment of the American Bill of Rights preserves the following: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The key point that this misguided pastor is missing is peace. The pastor wrongly associates extremist points of view with a peaceful religion and its sacred text. That this man maintains the righteousness of his belief knowing that General Petraeus is seriously concerned about the immediate safety of his men & women as well as the long term success in the middle East confirms the pastor is out of touch with reality.
I pray for a healing for this man and that he comes to understand the truth, before Saturday.
Fear and love cannot coexist. Please choose love.
An American statesman was once asked to answer the following questions: What is a fascist? How many fascists have we? How dangerous are they? He answered with the following:
“The really dangerous American fascist is the man who wants to do in the United States in an American way what Hitler did in Germany in a Prussian way. The American fascist would prefer not to use violence. His method is to poison the channels of public information. With a fascist the problem is never how best to present the truth to the public but how best to use the news to deceive the public into giving the fascist and his group more money or more power. They claim to be superpatriots, but they would destroy every liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. They demand free enterprise but are the spokesmen for monopoly and vested interest. Their final objective toward which all their deceit is directed is to capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they may keep the common man in eternal subjugation.”
What he described is exactly the strategy that is being utilized by the right wing of the Republican Party and its extension the Tea Party today. In addition to operating under the cover of super patriotism this movement has also been taken over by the Christian Reconstructionist’s and Dominionist’s movements. Dr. James Luther Adams an ethics professor at Harvard Divinity School predicted that we would all be fighting “Christian fascists, whose stated goal was to use the United States to create a global Christian empire by hiding behind a mask for fascism in patriotism and the pages of the Bible. Dr. Adams sees in the Christian right, disturbing similarities with the German Christian Church, which was pro-Nazi, similarities, he said, that would, in the event of prolonged social instability, catastrophe or national crisis, see American fascists under the guise of Christianity rising to dismantle the open Society.
We can see the members of this movement using the psychological defense mechanism of projection to define their political enemies. Projection is the unconscious act of denial of a person’s own attributes, thoughts, and emotions, which are then ascribed to the outside world, such as to the government, or to other people. Thus, it involves imagining or projecting that others have those feelings and motives. The members of this radical movement expose their own intentions and goals by tarring their enemies with their own nefarious motives.
I recently have received an email claiming that the national day of prayer had been canceled by President Obama, that he then organized a day for Muslim prayer, and other inaccuracies. I researched it on snoops.com and sent it back to all the people that had received it with me. I do believe that it is important for the truth to be known and not someone’s lies that are meant to mislead and inflame.
No burning of anyone’s holy book!
Why aren’t we looking for similarities instead of differences?
Our country is in an era of deep economic and social change. Change is frightening. Fear often leads to irrational anger and intolerance as well as social “leaders” who take advantage of that fear and intolerance by leading people into hatred. Some of our current politicians and media personalities have toyed with intolerance for their own personal ends.
We need to condemn and work to stop things such as this anti-Islamic Koran burning intolerance. But we also need to voice our objections to those who inspire hatred and extreme divisiveness in the political world and in the media. The attempt to burn the Koran is a symptom. The disease starts much higher up in our society and has been tolerated for quite some time now as “leaders” seem to have learned the power of fear to help them come into control in this country. And they seem to value control for its own sake rather than for the good of the country and its multicultural people.
I was outraged by the 9-11 terrorist attacks; am am equally outraged by the plan this supposed minister has to burn the Quran. When did we close our eyes and become a nation of intolerance and hatred for those who are different than we? This harkens back to the mindset out of which the Third Reich, and the KKK were born. It elicits the oppression and panic of “mob mentality” that causes riots and war crimes in times of civil unrest. We are country without an identity right now…is intolerance what will eventually define this generation?
While we all have biases and prejudices (we can’t help that), we don’t have to become prisoners of hate. Jesus’ message was one of love and compassion. I don’t have to understand or agree with what others believe. I don’t have to accept it as my truth. Yet, Jesus commands me to love others as he did. He had compassion on Gentiles (who were considered equal with dogs in his generation), with women (who were little more than possessions), and with children (who were inconsequential until grown). He healed a centurion’s slave. He had compassion. So must I.
What I feel for this so-called minister is pity. It is pitiful that he is so filled with hate and selfish ambition (he calls himself the pastor of a small church; having lived in that area of the country, he is more likely the pastor of a dying church) in an effort to claim his “15-minutes of fame” before he retires from the ministry or dies. Pitiful indeed. May God have pity on him…though he has little for those of other faiths…
AND: Why is he not burning other “sacred” texts? Why only the Quran? There are many faiths who don’t recognize Jesus as the Son of God… Why this one only? A disillusioned desperate act of a pitiful hypocrite…
This plan does give all of us a chance to balance the rhetoric that surrounds the NYC mosque. Many are saying that though they have a right to build it, they shouldn’t. In the same way, the congregation has a right to burn the Koran, but they shouldn’t. Hopefully there will be seen some consistency
I am Christian, and I believe in the rights that other people have due to living in a country that has a constitution that gives them legal rights. However, this pastor is nothing but an intolerant, ignorant bigot with with an agenda that puts not only Christians, but our fellow Americans in grave danger world wide. There were some KKK members of the past who interpreted the bible to meet their standards. That didn’t make it right, or what God wanted. Unfortunately, there will be many weak minded people who follow along, and hate mongers who will revel in a skewed sense of superiority. I’m not for censorship, but I’m for common sense and what is best for our fellow man. He is a disgrace to Christians and Americans in general. The media should be cautious. Perhaps they shouldn’t help the guy get his world wide 15 minutes of fame.
Karen
Olympia, WA USA
What Jones intends to do is a completely anti-Christian act – an act of hatred, not of Christianity.
If Christians profess and love their “God” why are they so afraid of others? There is nothing to fear but our own judgements upon others. Burning a book will never burn the human spirit nor will it extinguish the holy spirits movement….silly silly people of the world.
Everyone, even nut jobs, have the right to free speech and expression. The publicity he’s getting is really the damaging part. Comparisons to Hitler are a stretch. Certainly, he is a man filled with hate and ignorance and to hear even a sound byte of his views makes my stomach turn. But he is not an elected official, has no politcal power, and to my knowledge has not killed anyone. He leads a 50 person self-standing church…50 people, that’s it. Why are we giving this man the time of day?! If he burns the Koran and people retaliate with violence, guess who is responsible for that violence? the ones who carry out the violence. Sometimes violence is committed against someone merely because they’re American. It doesn’t mean we should stop being American. For that matter you could replace “Amercian” in that last sentence with anything: “women”, “men”, “black”, “poor”, “loving”, “exercising free speech”. If we gave an international megaphone to every idiot we would be in a constant state of protest, anger, and condemnation. No thank you.
We must not spread fear and hatred with half truths and untruths. Pastor Terry Jones should not hold this demonstration. We each need to practice love, compassion and forgiveness….starting with ourselves. This hate mongering can only incite more harm and intensify religious intolerance. I am tired of people spreading slander and hate….Not any Christian or Jew or Buddhist, (or person of any belief or religion) is without human shortcomings. Many people go to church but are unkind and judgmental………Christians have taken just as many lives as anyone else using “the name of God” as justification……..look at the Crusades. Not every person of Muslim faith is a terrorist….. Lead by example with love and peace, Terry Jones.
Saddened by the hatred that seems to be growing in our world and our country. More and more I am equating what is happening in the US with what happened in Germany before Hitler took power. We need to speak up and stop the hatred now. I for one am at a loss as to how to truly make a difference. I imagine many Germans felt the same way.
Ruth – the quote has long been one of my favorites, although I have usually attributed it to Niemoller
I agree wholeheartedly! In my most recent book, Our Culture on the Couch – 7 Steps to Personal and Global Healing, I discussed the systemic nature of the fundamental problem of our time: the “othering” process, the polarization, that we attempt to use as a solution to our problems is actually the source of our problems. It is little more than a form of racism – something in which our country continues to excel (sexism, homophobia, ageism, are actually forms of racism). It is the reaction of the national/global amydala – an archaic reaction that creates the cultural equivalent of stress with the same vicious cycle of abuse and self abuse. Driving it all is the money being made by the media, arms dealers, security contractors, terror organizations, demagogues – all those who make $$$ from fear and bloodshed.
I have been through a lot of feelings about this, ranging briefly from disgusted judgment, through fear, and eventually to compassion. My fear is for the possible ramifications of such a misguided action in the world. I want him to change his mind, for my own safety and well-being. But I also realize that this may be one of those events in history that has to happen. Maybe it is here to teach us all something that we don’t seem to be learning otherwise. If not, I have to trust that God will speak to his heart and allow him to change his mind honorably. All I can do is to have compassion for the terribly woulded human being that he is. Oh yes, and for the Jones in myself that still hates and judges others.
Like your father, to be incredibly saddended by this behavior and the pastor should be reminded that Jesus not only preached love but not because humans love humans but the He (God) loved us first and from this command we should love others. His burning the Koran is wrong on any moral level but the impact on the war in Afganistan makes it more like giving “aid to the enemy” by interfering in the many efforts American troops are doing to gain the good will and confidence of the Afgan people.
This is an abhorrent action on the part of an irresponsible, immature man who preaches nothing but fear and hatred. Christianity has absolutely nothing to do with this kind of thinking, and these kinds of actions totally pervert Christ’s message. “Love they neighbor has thyself.” I guess this man doesn’t love himself either.
It is up to all of us to stand up to this man and defend what our country stands for, let alone what Christianity really stands for.
That being said, I must add that if the media hadn’t given this any attention nobody would even know about a so-called church with only 50 members.
As an anger specialist, I deal with the violent and abusive dark sides of individuals. Racism, sexism, religious intolerance as well as homophobia and/or xenophobia are always present with abuse and often with anger. Sadly, few abusive individuals think they need help and do not seek help unless they are mandated. It is truly frightening when these prejudices inhabit an individual who is also seeking notoriety. Yes, I am appalled. Surprised? Sadly, no.
I too have been stressed, concerned, fearful, and disgusted with such a threat of violence to another group of people by degrading their holy book. I am in complete support of doing what ever necessary to influence the man’s singular agenda of hate. Spreading hate only brings the same. Thank you Ruth for putting this out; your thoughts, feelings and stand.
K. Avila
To Nona Fletcher, your voice reminds me of the lone cry of “the emperor has no clothes!” Many thanks for the call to thinking instead of emotionalizing. I humbly stand corrected.
I recently attended a talk from one of the few surviving holocaust victims in the US who lives here in Portland, Oregon. His name is Alter Wiener, his book entitled From a Name to A Number is his autobiography; this powerful book chronicles his years in several concentration camps, his suffering, the loss of most of his family members, and the depth of his current compassion for any suffering of mankind. He has told his story with honesty, love, and tremendous sensitivity to over 300 audiences of school children and many adults in churches,temples, universities, community centers , and various other organizations. He has impacted many lives with his story and shares in his book several written responses, especially by young people whose lives were remarkably influenced by his story. I believe we must speak out against events like this burning of the Koran, the resistance to the Islamic mosque in NYC, and any other expression of prejudice if we are to have a healthy, democratic and moral society.
I fundamentally disagree with burning Korans and appreciate this opportunity to share my thoughts. Thank -you.
I totally agree with your comments. It is apparent that there is an overwhelming consensus around the world condemning this outrageously incendiary planned act. It is my hope that an appropriate action would arise to prevent this from happening – the matter is presumably serious enough to deserve Obama’s administration to do something about it.
Keep up your good work! 🙂
Roch Cheng [Toronto, Ontario, Canada]
Evil thrives when good men and women do nothing. All of you who live in the US, especially in Florida, need to stand up to this “Christian” minister and do something.
Lets be clear the minister is wrong in doing this. Similarly all the attention he gets is overdone. This is one misguided pastor in a very small church. If he does this and it results in increased American deaths it says more about those that would respond in that way to this type of event than it does about this misguided minister.
It seems that religion often is the source of war, not the peace that most say they stand for.
Thank you Ruth I admire you for speaking out and sharing your thoughts. It gives us all time, space and incentive to do some soul searching. This is a true blessing to me – giving me inspiration and words to use in my letter to editor (in the making). Here in the rural mountains of Maryland, I am privileged to often get my words printed. I have already spoken out for the strong imperative, now, to build the Mosque. Now I have another opportunity to speak out with conviction – and with your help. I don’t suppose you’ll mind my using what you have shared. Unfortunately, I do get angry comments back in the letters columns. But, I have to chuckle at something my husband used to say – “when will they come after the blue eyed Catholics”? And, now I have to think, “when will they come after little, old gray haired ladies who have strong opinions”? Bless you Ruth and all those who have shared – and looked deeper. Cynthia
Two wrongs don’t make a right!
When “Freedom of Speech” is used to endanger the lives of others and when it is used to spread hatred, intolerance, and promote dishonorable acts, it does not serve any purpose for the common good of this country or even for mankind. A place of worship–of any kind–used to be a place of safety or a harbor from the warring world. It was a place of peace and acceptance. Now it is becoming a birthplace for hatred, violence, ignorance, intolerance, and civil unrest and war. There is another small church in Kansas who does similar by protesting at funerals.
To look at another aspect of this issue, isn’t part of the problem too much publicity? If it wasn’t for the press, would the world even know that this was going to happen? No. It would be a local tragedy and display of stupidity and would not cost the US lives and progress paid for with our blood. The ones who spread this news world-wide are partially responsible for the consequences we will pay and also for the proliferation of similar stupidity.
The press also misuses the right to Freedom of Speech to publicize and glorify the savage acts of individuals and groups. They wash their hands of any responsibility afterwards. For what purpose are such events given worldwide news status? It appears to be for more readers and thus more money. But the end result I have seen is growing disillusionment, sadness, and depression in individuals and increasing insensitivity to cruelty and the taking of it to the next level by base people who no longer have any sensitivity to crimes against humanity.
Does everyone really need to know about the stupidity and depravity of a small group that soon comes to represent all of us in other countries? Can’t there be some common sense used in such matters? Can’t the press consider the newsworthiness of stories before advertising it all over the world? Those are rhetorical questions—not because there is no common sense and logical answer but because the answer will not occur. It won’t even be debated because it won’t even be publicized by those who have the power of injecting thoughts and images into the minds of others. It is a self-serving business without regard for others. It wasn’t always this way.
I could not agree with you more, Ruth. I can have compassion for the preacher and the protesters, but find it deeply troubling nonetheless. We are witnessing one example of the increasing level of our country’s intolerance against anyone perceived as “other,” and it is frighteningly reminiscent of Nazi Germany and of other fascist regimes past. I am heartened to hear of the national outcry against this upcoming protest, and I share your belief that, as healers, we must add our voices to those who reject hatred. I think we should take care to do so without showing “hatred of the haters.”
Mr. Glenn seems to have trouble with logic and fact. There is no proposal for a mosque to be constructed at the site that was destroyed by acolytes of Osama Bin Laden. In fact there is no connection, religious or philosophical between Mr. Bin Laden’s followers and those of the imam who is hoping to develop a few stories of a building 2 blocks from the site of the World Trade Center.
There is, however, a connection of deep intolerance between the beliefs and behavior of Mr. Bin Laden and his followers and the sorry “minister” in Gainesville, FL.
I strongly recommend to Mr. Glenn that he get informed by facts, not by buzz words and rumor.
As for burning Korans, it will be a miracle if Western European Christians ever actually follow what their namesake is said to have preached. Their history of burning disbelievers at the stake, invading foreign lands to convert those whose spiritual systems are different, proselytising throughout the world without respect or understanding of the religious and spiritual systems of other societies is approaching 2000 years old now, and the deep intolerance in it does them no credit.
Try to imagine what it must be like to have your societies invaded, bombed and disabled by the other guy.
That’s what the US has been doing in Afghanistan and Iraq for the last 9 years.
If that happened to you, who would you think was the terrorist?
An interviewer on TV did indeed ask Jones “What would Jesus do,” and he said he thought Jesus would do what he is doing. He just doesn’t have a clue. I wish someone would ask him if he’s even read the Koran. Or how about this–all of the Bible? His ilk picks and chooses only that which supports his agenda. Misusing the Bible in such as way is one of the biggest “sins!”
The truth is, the essence of Islam is consistent with that of Christianity and Judaism. As one writer points out, they all have the same roots–Abraham and the ancestors of Jesus and all Jews.
The majority of people insist on beliefs that are based on misinformation.
… Reminds me of Adolf Hitler burning books of Jewish authors, a big spectacle to build his power.
Listen to Gen. Petraeus- speech like this will harm us efforts and soldiers, to advance his own vanity. One is not free to shout ‘Fire’ in a crowded theater.
I pray Christians are not judged by the few misguided practicers of their faith, as this man is doing towards Islam.
Let him burm a Koran at his home if he must give vent to feelings of hatred, but wouldn’t a more Christian way to spend Sept 11 be doing something positive to help flood victims in Pakistan?
Love thy enemy… And don’t emulate Hitler.
If a Christian symbol is desecrated, it is often the work of those who profess to be Satanists.
I cannot in good conciousness equate a symbolic burning (memories of KKK) as an act that is Christlike in any fashion.
Palin reading the fashions of anger equates building a mosque to burning a book. To support her in her judgment does not equate to ending disharmony.
We need to remember who started the Crusades, and that it wasn’t holy, but political.
And we need to apologize for our arrogance, and hope others will be so moved.
Only in humility will peace be restored.
I believe the souls that act in anger are in the greatest need of help and healing. We should focus love towards those who are consumed by their bigotry, and hope that the insecurities that allow that way of thought be left behind. Love your enemies, bless those that persecute you.
Margo
I agree with your article. Living in New York and listening to the discussion regarding the proposed Islamic Center in Manhattan, I have found that anti-Islamic feelings are deep even in my Christian friends. Even though the works of Jesus were largely those of peace, love and forgiveness. I recently saw a bumper sticker that read “Freedom of religion is not just for Christians” . I think that the pastor in Florida is enjoying all the attention and our media is fanning the flames so-to-speak, by covering the story. Talk about narcism…
9-11 activities should be about healing, not about hatred in my opinion.
In undergrad, I wasin a sociology class. We had an assignment tobuild a bridge with an organization that was different from our norm. As a lesbian, I went to Colorado Springs and met with the head of Focus on the Family. I left sad and confused. I eventually came to understand what it means to unconditionally accept.
We are not going to change the Jones’ of the world.what he is doing is happening in many forms today. And yet I willnot add to the negativity. I will do a Buddhist practice,Tonglen, on saturday in an effort to release the negativity and replace it with love and peace.
I agree entirely with your comments, as those famous words elegantly remind us, “it needs only that a few good men do nothing for evil to prosper”.
Thankfully you are doing something in the form of your blog.
I shall endeavour to do likewise.
With every best wish.
Karen
What a deranged pastor. How little he understands about peace at every level, and about history. How dare he endanger the lives of millions by adding wood to a burning, flaming pyre? By the way, his “Congregation” has a total of 50 members.
My parents were Holocaust survivors, do I need to say more?
Ouraged in San Francisco, CA!!
I love the statement from Linda – “you have the right to feel however you feel, but you don’t have the right to act however you want”.
And Ruth, thank you for the quote from Dietrich Bonheoffer – we must not allow for the continued hatred and seek forgiveness instead.
Love is the answer to any question and the only question we will be asked at the end of our life is “how well did you love?”
I’m so sad knowing that in our intent to do our best we usually keep reconciliation from being possible. I would like to have and share whatever strength is needed to be aside whoever suffers, not taking his or her place.
Peace inside is where to begin. From there, peace outside to fight incomprehension. Those who burn are also excluded from and burned in our hearts, so… we must forvige also ourselves.
I could not agree more in the need for us to stand up against religious intolerance that is based on fear and ignorance. We must stand up against a strategy such as holy book burning that is flawed, and self-righteous, and anti-life, while struggling to have empathy for the fear, anger, and hurt that begs to be attended to in Rev. Jones proposed action.
I have told my children and clients for years, that “you have the right to feel however you feel, but you don’t have the right to act however you want!” There are strategies to care for our feelings that affirm life, and strategies that will destroy life. Asking Rev. Jones if he hopes his actions will affirm the value of ALL life is something I would want to engage him in a dialogue about.
There is a profound difference about building an Islamic conference center with an interfaith meeting room with the intent to foster mutual compassion, and burning the Koran out of anger and fear. I pray for the man in Florida who feels such fear that he wants to make such a violent gesture.
Is this man supposed to be a Christian? Is this what the Prince of Peace, who said “Judge not…” would do? Whatever the question, Love is the answer. And this ain’t love, baby. And I’m even more horrified that there are people who agree with him Send them all love and compassion, because they need it so badly