I suppose that on the one hand, some one had to do something, yet, on the other hand I can’t help but think, “Couldn’t you have done something besides that?”
Like a small rock striking another in a bone-dry forest, the “threat” of burning the Quran has ignited a global firestorm, which no amount of religious or political rhetoric will be able to extinguish. Like it or not, I personally agree with those who say this will “make a bad situation even worse,” or something like that.
Other than the outwardly visible and audible, what I find especially sad is the pastor’s obvious inability to “hear from the Lord” on this issue. Saying, as he has, that maybe the concession to not build a mosque near “ground zero” in New York is, as he said, “a sign from God.” A sign?
Jesus said, and said clearly, “…my sheep hear my voice.”
I’d ask how it could be that a man, any man, can be the pastor/leader of any church and not hear the voice of the Lord, but the days in which we live answer the question long before it can be asked.
Sadly, religious people rely on “signs,” while disciples wait to hear His voice and hear it clearly. The ever-expanding gulf between those steeped in religion contrasted to those who have actually been graced to have a relationship with the Creator would be troubling were it not for just so many prophecies; the Father telling us these days would come. Well, they’re here. Not that this needs to be pointed out.
Parenthetically, I have a hard time with the question, “What would Jesus do?” and then try to picture the Lamb of God with a pistol strapped to his hip. Of course, one of the disciples did say, “here are two swords,” but Jesus’ reply of “it is enough,” was a reference to both the Old and the New Testament as being weapon enough.
“The weapons of our warfare are NOT carnal, but spiritual” and for any man to justify the use of physical weapons belies his ignorance of scripture. Not to mention the crystal clear fact that that man knows nothing of the heart of the Lord. But, this is only parenthetical.
What troubles me more is that there have been other books, other publications, around for years, which “espouse” an evil, every bit as destructive as the one he threatens to burn on 9/11.
Why hasn’t this man been burning those magazines which degrade/exploit women? How come he hasn’t taken the time to light a bonfire and toss in the video games that glorify mass murder? Why has the sorcerer of Potter fame gone unscathed in this mans religious cleansings of the evils of our world?
It’s not the actual burning of a “religious” book that this man is seeking to obtain; it’s the attention he’s received from the threat of doing it, but, that’s just my opinion, on the other hand.
Perhaps it’s time to do something, but really, couldn’t you have done something else?
He’ll have to not just burn every copy of this book in order to thwart the advance of Islam; he’ll have to rid the world of sin, change the heart of man and defeat the devil.
But, on the other hand; Didn’t Someone already do that?
Read more articles by Don Beers or search for articles on the same topic or others.
