Fearful

Recently I read an article entitled, “Can the Quran Burning Be Stopped Before it Begins?” published by AOL news. This article explains how a Florida Pastor plans to set fire to the Muslim holy book (the Quran) in order to mark the nine-year anniversary of the terrorist attack that took place on September 11, 2001 (9/11). Although the act of burning holy books is protected by the first amendment (freedom of speech and religious expression), many people would view this act as being insensitive to other religious viewpoints. In addition, such inconsiderate act could ultimately result in increased violence against Americans. As an example, the United States Defense Department has been monitoring very recent threats from extremist Islamic groups that indicate they will carry out an act of retribution against the Pastor and others if he follows through with his plan. Further, according to Mohammad Mukhtar (a cleric running for a seat in the Afghan parliament) who is quoted in the article, “If this happens, I think the first and most important reaction will be that wherever Americans are seen, they will be killed. No matter where they are in the world, they will be killed.”




This quote really worries me because I realize that the Pastor’s actions could put many American lives at stake, just so he can protest in his own way. In my opinion the Pastor does have the legal right to follow through with this act, but he does not have the right to endanger the lives of other Americans. I think that he feels he is somehow causing as much suffering to the terrorists who were involved in 9/11 as they caused us. However, I don’t think he is really seeing the bigger picture. Does he realize how many lives could be at stake as a result of his actions? I can only hope that he will come to his senses and not follow through with this act.



UPDATE: According to the USA Today article, “Pastor says he won’t burn Qurans” by Larry Copeland, the Pastor is quoted saying, “"We have agreed to cancel our event on Saturday and on Saturday I have agreed to meet with the Imam."