I've never read the Koran.
I don't know what's in it. But I do know that burning a book holy to millions of Americans and more than a billion people worldwide is a stupid, narrow-minded thing to do.
There is no value more American than tolerance. Declaring "Burn a Koran Day" doesn't just insult Muslims -- it insults all Americans. It puts our troops overseas in danger.
Worst of all, it helps terrorists recruit new members and spread the message that their war is a holy one between Islam and the West.
So instead of burning a Qur'an on September 11, join me in reading one instead. Let's learn about other cultures -- instead of insulting them.
You can add your name to the list of people who pledge to read a Qur'an and send a message to the fools behind the International Burn a Koran Day at the Read a Qur'an Day website.
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http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145498728818520&index=1
Over 7,500 people already signed up!
Respond to ignorance with knowledge; intolerance with patience; fear with compassion; hatred with love.
Thousands of people from all over the world have responded to this event. Terry Jones' group is 50 people, as reported in the media. We have here many, many times that number of people looking to counter the dishonorable way he distracts from the memory of terror victims, and take back this day in the name of tolerance, remembr...ance, dignity, and respect for victims of prejudice and hate. Tell us: what new insight have you learned from reading, not burning, holy books on this day? We want to know.
On this day of remembrance of victims of terror, we do not want to take away from the solemn dignity that all people deserve who were affected by the horrific violence of terrorists that day, but I urge you to take at least a moment to read from Qur'an and learn something new about a world tradition that has given us all so much, and to counter the awful sentiments of hatred and ignorance that can drag any of us down if we aren't careful.
P.S
A great website to read the Qur'an and multiple translations is QuranExplorer.com
"Hold to forgiveness, command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant." Sura 7, Verse 199 of the Holy Qur'an (198-206 seems pertinent to this subject)
So why are you recommending that we read it? If it was a book on killing people who don't agree with your opinions, would you recommend it? Here's the synopsis as provided by Talossa "fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them."
http://prophetofdoom.net/Islamic_Quotes_Fighting.Islam
Every religion ever created has one thing in common: The vast majority of the followers never quite live up to the example of the founder. In some cases this is a good thing.
Why such a different take with the Koran and Islam? Well, I know the answer to that, ... because we're AFRAID of Islam ... why should we act or not act based on Fear?? In the Muslim world they are gravely intolerant of any other religion. I say let the book burn and let's see how the "religion of peace" reacts. Jones will end up like Van Gogh.
All these radicalized religions over the eons have wrought nothing but dead people. Currently Islam is taking the lead in that role. Religion isn't all bad, just the people who run it.
As the American poet Don Marquis put it, "An idea is not responsible for the people who believe in it."
That being said, some ideas are clearly better than others. "Love thy neighbor as thyself" is better than "fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them."