The War of the Faiths
Perhaps the most infamous act of the 21st century happened today in the U.S., 9 years ago. Yes, it is easy to recall the destruction of the World Trade Centre but that is where the simplicity of it all ends. Approaching its 9th anniversary, the complications are revealed once again, the War against Terrorism trickled down into something more relatable to many… it trickled down to the oh-so-sensitive religion.
Take a look at this article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/world/10react.html
I am pretty sure that many of you have come across this piece of news, one that has caused uproar comparable to the many others on religion:
“In 2005, violent protests erupted in Afghanistan and Pakistan world after Newsweek published report — one it later retracted — saying that American interrogators at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, had flushed a Koran down the toilet. At least 17 deaths were blamed on the riots.
In 2006, a Danish newspaper set off an enduring battle over freedom of expression versus religious respect — and spawned another wave of violent protests around the world — when it published satirical cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The cartoons flouted the Islamic prohibition against making images of him and also insulted Muslim regard for his importance.”
Looking back at the article, you can see the anger towards the action of Terry Jones (the pastor who was to burn the Quran in a bid to stop an Islamic community from building a community centre 2 blocks away from the Ground Zero). Was his drastic action appropriate? A harmless act of building a community centre with no other hidden motives made him think of burning the Quran. But the agenda of Terry Jones was to stop it as he felt that Al Qaeda was responsible in the 9-11 attacks. How can they face another ‘insult’ by letting an Islamic community centre be built?
His action was fuelled by his hatred of the Al Qaeda over the 9-11 attacks. Yes, a skewed idea of Islamic act of glory was preached to the terrorists but by Terry Jones burning the Quran, does it make him any different? The Quran is the Holy Word of God to the Islamic community, burning it would only mean having no respect for the others’ faith and beliefs. The Quran is like the soul of the Islamic community, by burning it, metaphorically, you are burning the heart of the religion.
Based on Terry Jones’s position, it also subconsciously triggers another intention. He being a pastor means he is of a different religion. Is he trying to play God on his part? Saying that other people’s religion is in fact wrong? Based on another article, “We believe that Islam is of the devil, that it’s causing billions of people to go to hell, it is a deceptive religion, it is a violent religion and that is proven many, many times,” Pastor Terry Jones told CNN’s Rick Sanchez. (http://articles.cnn.com/2010-07-29/us/florida.burn.quran.day_1_american-muslims-religion-cair-spokesman-ibrahim-hooper?_s=PM:US)
This is a generalization of the Islamic community, yes though unfortunately the Al Qaeda terrorists are a part of it, it does not mean that the rest of the Islamic community can be condemned in such a way. In the public’s eyes, they may also see him trying to show that Christianity is superior to being Islamic. Is it not ironic that he is condemning another religion to prove his point, and spreading wrong information, a distorted one in fact, to back up his action?
With the World leaders and people of high ranking giving their takes and views, even pressurizing him to not carry out the ‘burning’, it only shows how much is at stake. With the media so accessible these days, it may lead to a war of not only between US Christians and Islamic but those all over the world.
Jeremy's Blog 
I would say I agree with your point of view on the pastor’s behavior. As a Christian myself, I strongly believe that a pastor should set a good example to the rest of the Christians. It is certainly not Terry Jone’s job to judge the Islamic community but of God’s. And he should known well that his words would trigger worldwide responses to his want of burning down the Muslims community center. We should always respect each and everyone’s decisions to everything, not only religion. God gives us choices too, did not He? So why are we acting according to our own will against others?
but on further analysis of this article,i was thinking..would reactions have been different if he was not a pastor but just some American that took things a bit extreme? would views have been different or just his methodology of conveying his message was harsh in others’ eyes?
I feel that him being a pastor allows him to command more ‘authority’, as religion is a very powerful thing. People who belong to the same church as him are most likely to subscirbe to the same beliefs, and it would hence influence so many!
As a pastor, he is kinda representing his faith and religion, and the act of burning a Quran would mean the utmost disrespec to the Islamic community. It is akin to declaring a war of the religions, as oppsed to him being just a ‘normal’ American. I feel that in that case, it probably would not have caused such a big uproar
I agree with you. Its like everyone is just focusing on the fact that he is the pastor and that is why this issue has been taken on as a religious war against two different religion. However, what if it was just he as himself voicing his unhappiness, not taking into account his status?
While Terry Jones’ act is highly reprehensible, the repercussions have been sensationalized. True, his act of burning the Quran, if carried out, would have incite an outraged feedback from the Muslim community. However, to say that it would be causing a conflict between Christianity and Islam would be hyperbolic.
As you mentioned, when news of Terry Jones’ intentions were printed, it triggered worldwide responses urging him not to proceed with the burning of the Quran. Undoubtedly, this showed how much was at stake but it also showed a general castigation of Terry Jones, even amongst Christians. Many of his faith were reviled by his antics and this is a testament to the maturity of the public.
No longer are they blind advocates. They have an active awareness of the global scene and they can differentiate between rationale and rigmarole. Christians and followers of other religions have been relatively united in their deriding of Terry Jones.
Terry Jones is not a representative of Christianity. He is merely a rabble rouser and that is the consensus of the public. Arguably, his act was more of a publicity stunt. To claim that his act of burning the Quran would trigger a potential war between Christianity and Islam is an affront to the sensibility of the public as well as followers of both religions.
On a side note, I could not help but notice the irony when Terry Jones condemned the actions of Islamic extremists when his own intention of burning the Quran could be rightfully described as an extremist act.
Precisely. Its like the ‘pot calling the kettle black’. Such an act of burning the Quran is just the metaphorical sense, equivalent of him sacrificing a treasured possession of the muslims.
I believe that in every religion, the top position like a pastor should not set a disadvantage to the people who trusted and believe in him. He is just abusing the authority and in any religious perspective, this is not acceptable even by anybody. Everyone should come together and share for being who they are.
I think religious leaders coming forth and criticising the others’ religion would inevitably bring about much debate. It is not so much about the beliefs but more on how the authoritative figure might influence in the followers’ judgement which may not be correct. Thus, one must know the consequences of his/her actions. Its just sad to see how a simple move of a building can cause someone to initiate a ‘rude’ declaration against the other party’s religion.
Its quite sad to see people of different religions at each other’s throat, especially when it a more common form of religious belief. Over some misunderstanding, the grave action of choosing to burn the ‘holy’ Quran equivalent of the bible in Muslims’ eyes would only aggravate more people.
What makes one more superior over the other? We as people cannot decide, and to make our own actions seem justifiable is worse. Being in a multicultural society, I guess we are more tolerable in that way.
I think that religion is too loudly played a piece of music over the radio. Don’t mind me saying this but, religion can perhaps be viewed as mankind’s desperate attempt in seeking hope in something other than himself or anything tangible. Which makes it all the more ridiculous that people are fighting over who’s religion is the true one. Why is it ridiculous? Basically because it’s intangible. It’s faith vs. faith. Mindset vs. mindset. So, I am definitely against what the pastor thought of doing. Silly guy. Christianity definitely does not preach malice or stupidity neither does Islam. So ultimately, it boils down to a mankind in desperation.
I guess the only time we can achieve religious harmony is when the world ends and when god reveals the answer.
Hi Jeremy,
I wrote a similar entry as well.
I feel that religion is a very sensitive issue. The very fact that one goes against the other so publicly is really disrespectful. Anyways, I want to point something out.
We should not generalize and assume the whole Islamic community is a community that supports terrorism just because a small group of Muslims (extremists) do.
Likewise, we should not assume that just because a small group of Christians from Florida, with its Pastor intend to burn the Koran, the whole Christian community condone such behaviour–> This is immediately clarified by US Senator Hilary Clinton in her address on the issue (you can catch the video on my blog entry one hahaha)
i have a huge dislike for overly religious (almost fanatical) believers.
I believe in everyone having their own perspective and faith when it comes to religion and being in a multi-cultural society like Singapore, we should learn to be more tolerable (or better yet, accepting) towards the melting pot of race and religion in our island.
I think that religion has and will always be a sensitive issue. In any issue that concerns 2 different religion, compromise and understanding are definitely needed if the issue us to be resolved. Severe consequences may result if differences are not tolerated. It is a simple concept that different religions have different teachings & ways of doing things but people tend to overlook it and become critical about these differences. Yes, I have to agree that the 9-11 incident was an inhuman act but similarly, the pastor’s actions were equally unacceptable! If either parties had gotten their way, such acts will keep coming and will never end. So, take a step back & look at the situation. One party has to put an end to the suffering before it’s too late.
Regardless of religion, it all comes down to the fact that we are all mere humans. And it is in human nature that we are selfish, and we try to protect our own kind under any circumstance. But as a leader, like the example of pastor terry jones, he should’ve contemplated and weighed of the snowball effect of his actions before doing anything so silly.
This is completely disrespectful to Islam. How is this going to help alleviate the underlying tensions? It is only to contribute to the already increasing tensions between various religions.
It’s downright stupid, childish, immature, and senseless. Jones (I’m not even going to call him a pastor) should be ashamed of himself for even coming up with such an idea.
Respect is what we need these days. It is one of the few things that can help resolve the problems. Burning religious texts is a serious no-go.
What difference is this to the act of terrorism? This is like using the idea of religion to cover up for it, the idea of invulnerability. However, people nowadays have more authority to voice out their opinions, especially when religion is an issue. As religion is such a personal issue, people would of course make a big hoo-ha out of it.
I think sometimes we as humans should take into consideration that we have our limitations and should not play the part of ‘god’. I think criticism should be kept to ourselves and not exaggerate it to a level where it might cause into international racial discort. Do we want to risk the peace that we have over some minor unhappiness with ‘racial meaning’?
Hi I agree with your point of view. I feel that the pastor’s move is just a desperate attempt to gain attention. His insensitivity to the Muslim community only serves to show that he is hardly deserving to be a pastor. Isn’t it terrible how his senseless remarks go against the basic Christian principles? Furthermore, isn’t it obvious that this will only anger the people of the Islamic faith and cause even more trouble with the terrorists?
I think this Pastor is not fit to preach man. No religion teaches you to show disrespect to another religion, the most one should do is just to let them pass. Maybe this Pastor need more followers. lols. In my opinion, this Pastor is probably more evil than what he think Islam is. Oh, like I mentioned in other blogs, I wouldn’t label Al-Qaeda as Muslims. I think any group that terrorises others under the name of their religion is not fit to be part of them.