Under God

Dove World Christian Center's Koran burning endangers troops, says Gen Petraeus

By Elizabeth Tenety

It's easy to dismiss Florida Dove World Outreach Center pastor Terry Jones' planned "International Burn a Koran Day" as the agitprop of an inconsequential pastor, one whose relevance to mainstream Christianity is akin to that of Westboro Baptist Church.

Americans largely may ignore Jones, who chose September 11th as the date to hold the burning, but on Monday Gen. Petraeus gave a glimpse of just how serious of a problem the planned event is for America's image around the world.

"It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort in Afghanistan," Gen. David Petraeus said in a statement issued Monday.
Petraus' deputy, Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, elaborated on CNN, saying "We very much feel that this [the burning] can jeopardize the safety of our men and women that are serving over here in the country," said Caldwell, the head of NATO efforts to train Afghan security forces.

Do Americans share Petraeus' concern about how America is perceived abroad?

Last August, another military leader expressed profound worry over America's image in the Muslim world. Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs wrote critically in Joint Forces Quarterly about America's "strategic communication" policy. The essay was published at a time when, as the N.Y. Times reported, "The United States [was] widely believed to be losing ground in the war of ideas against extremist Islamist ideology."

"To put it simply, we need to worry a lot less about how to communicate our actions and much more about what our actions communicate," Mullen wrote.
"I would argue that most strategic communication problems are not communication problems at all," he wrote. "They are policy and execution problems. Each time we fail to live up to our values or don't follow up on a promise, we look more and more like the arrogant Americans the enemy claims we are."

Terry Jones may have a right to burn Korans on September 11th. (Then again, he might not.) But what should Americans do to counter the deleterious impact of the lone pastor's event? What do you think actions like this one convey to Muslims in the US and abroad? How do you want America to be perceived around the world?

More On Faith:

Guest Voices: Christians must reject "Burn a Quran Day"
Modern Muslim: Bigoted protests show ignorance and intolerance

By

Elizabeth Tenety

 |  September 7, 2010; 8:07 AM ET Save & Share:  Send E-mail   Facebook   Twitter   Digg   Yahoo Buzz   Del.icio.us   StumbleUpon   Technorati  
Previous: Obama, Beck: Who is Christian? Who decides? | Next: Church welcomes new neighbor, a mosque

Comments

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Dear students of Gainesville,

As a former resident of Gainesville, I have to say I'm displeased with the reaction to the Dove World Outreach Center's planned burn-the-Qur'an day. Students need to use their liberal arts education, a supposed understanding of the world, and make sure these people know they do not represent Gainesville. Not only is this a slap in the face to those working for understanding in this country, but to all residents of Gainesville who do not share the same sentiments as these people. Gainesville is a small town and I guarantee folks will be reconsidering their "#1 College Town" rankings as a result of this.

This is exactly the type of situation that warrants a gigantic protest and perhaps huge bottles of water and dozens of fire extinguishers. This story is awful but imagine how empowering it would be to show up to their burn fest and stop it dead in it's tracks? Students need to reassume their rightful place in the world, as mediators of idiocy. This is happening in YOUR backyard. Would you let some ignoramus just defecate all over your property? I wouldn't.

I wish I still lived in Gainesville because I'd be there in a heartbeat with all the signs, noise and fire prevention technology I could get my hands on. Students need to take back their town from these dumb hicks. 70k+ students definitely beat out a few dozen people who need to crawl back under the rock from which they came. If students can protest the UF police for using a tazer on a kid, they can certainly protest a group of dummies who WILL bring physical harm to our countrymen serving overseas and even potentially themselves.

Let's demonstrate to the world that there are still some people in this country who give a crap about free exercise of religion, not just using purchasing power to shut down their couch-selling business they apparently have going on the side. This country will never regain it's reputation for standing up for religious and social freedoms in the world (as superficial as it may have been) unless the world can see this is only a small part of what makes us up.

Inaction is the same as participating in this atrocity. Just going about your day and not making a stand against ignorance is a waste of time and money. What good is an education if you keep it to yourself?

Ben Marcus
Gainesville resident and student 2005-2007

Posted by: bmarcus220 | September 7, 2010 8:26 AM
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Wake up Ben,

The Muslim culture is one of the most oppressive cultures in history. Women are considered property of men and these men abuse them over and over. They call it a religion, but it is just used as an excuse to give power to abusive men. Take a look at the shah of Iran, he has a group of goons that go around and break arms and legs if families don’t show up for prayers each time the call to prayer is given. We have friends that live in constant fear that they will be seen doing something that someone disapproves of and these goons will show up to harm them. If you want to take a stand for something, say something about these innocent people that have to live in constant fear living in these cultures.

Our biggest mistake is the miscommunication of our values. We stand for those that cannot protect themselves. America was blessed by God and given very much, and to whom much is given, much is required.

We are losing a war of propaganda, General Petraeus and the American Government need to communicate to the Muslim People our true values and what the majority of Americans stand for…. Things like Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Posted by: RockSolid1 | September 7, 2010 9:00 AM
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Muslims of America and the world need to know that the tiny group of idiots who want to burn Korans does NOT represent the beliefs of America or the beliefs of Christians. Jesus said "love your neighbor" NOT "Do everything you can to offend your neighbor." It is nothing but a cheap publicity stunt by a washed-out pastor who wants to sell his little hate-filled book. General Petraeus says it will endanger US troops--he would know. So this Florida group is not only bigoted, they are traitors to their country. Burning books does NOT "communicate our values" at all. Personally, I'll be praying for a rainstorm so heavy that their plans will be ruined, or at least. postponed. But I wouldn't complain if God decided to hit this Florida gathering by lightening for abusing his name so terribly.

Posted by: sam38 | September 7, 2010 9:10 AM
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@RockSolid1
Iran hasn't had a Shah since the 70's and people opposed him for being too westernize, not for being too Muslim. Iran is a country run by thugs in turbans. They use religion as an excuse but it is more of a military/mafia-like government than anything else. The fact that there is widespread opposition to the government by devout Muslims disproves your premise.
@Ben Yes! I hope they do as you say. I would go if I lived there.

Posted by: sam38 | September 7, 2010 9:16 AM
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ROCKsolid,

You are a poor representation of America, though your idea may be classed as uneducated you have the freedom and liberty to express them. We are a country that extends that liberty to speech and religion.

I am very proud to be an American, surely you are as well. You must realize along with other educated citizens that NOT all Muslims are extremists. You claim that their faith is riddled with strong arming clergy men. Surely by this same thought then all Catholics are pedaphiles from those clergymen who have molested children and all Christian preachers are theifs who extort from their parishes... NO this is not the case, they are the exception rather than the rule. As an American who has traveled for the last 8 years and resided out of my country, I miss it and hope the world sees us as leaders to peace rather than ignorant book burners. Theyre are so many good Muslims and all we are doing is offending them and turning them against us. Hopefully they will see that this is 50 ppl from a radical church who are ignorant. I hope Afghanistan can look past the face of these articles and this singular church to see the true ppl of America that hope for better tomorrow for Afghanistan.

Safe return for our troops and safe transition in Iraq to its people.

Posted by: getagrip2010 | September 7, 2010 9:23 AM
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To Ben Marcus,
Collectivism anyone? How exactly is it your duty to be intolerant of their intolerance? How is it your right to prevent their free expression? Protest of their protest is acceptable and legal, but to disrupt their church activities by force is neither the moral high ground nor legal. Do you know there are both civil AND CRIMINAL sharia courts in England now? Do you know that sharia law for the whole earth is the stated goal of Islam? Will you protest and disrupt Islamic calls of death to its adversaries or sharia law in the United States. As a practical matter I must agree with Gen. Petraeus. This is not the right time to be doing this kind of thing, but I cant condone or accept the censorship of it either. When religion has ruled in the "western world" it was a hideous violation of personal freedoms by current Western standards. That kind of rule still exists for much of the world. If we allow it it could very well come back to grace the West for another thousand years or more. Great civilizations have fallen before to barbarism. Greece, Rome, Minoa, Mycenae Bharata(Vedic empire). All of them at one point valued peaceable discourse and fell to cultural infiltration and eventual outright invasion by morally inferior peoples. If anything the problem is Semitic religion for non-Semitic peoples in general. Lets get one thing strait as well. This church wont be bringing physical harm to soldiers. They will be inciting a violent culture to respond with physical force to achieve its moral end. The same type of response you are condoning.

Posted by: getjiggly | September 7, 2010 9:29 AM
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What America should do? Well, try to be just, not Hippocrates. Keep its promise. If democracy in Iraq and Iran is important, why not in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt and Jordan? People in these countries are much more oppressed than other countries.
Action like this will no doubt will have bad impression of America in the Muslim world. Question is, does it matter? I think it does. How do we want America to be perceived? well answer is FAIR and JUST

Posted by: gneurology | September 7, 2010 9:32 AM
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I'm sorry - in all due respect, General Patreus should shut the BLEEP up and this is coming from a family with a long line of military service on both sides of the family. In now way should we cow-tow to these muslims anymore. Burn a Torah or a Bible in Kandahar? Nobody is going to start a Jihad. HERE u burn a koran for once and they want a jihad? Screw them! Enough is enough with these nutjobs. We're Americans and if they don't like it too bad. We're not under sharia law here and the sooner our "leaders" like General Patreus and President Osama realize it the better!

Posted by: avrumy9999 | September 7, 2010 9:35 AM
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bmarcus220

You wrote, "Let's demonstrate to the world that there are still some people in this country who give a crap about free exercise of religion,"

Seems to be that you are not one of them.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Posted by: ThomasBaum | September 7, 2010 12:10 PM
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"Burn a Torah or a Bible in Kandahar? Nobody is going to start a Jihad. HERE u burn a koran for once and they want a jihad?"

***********************************

You dumba$$! There's already a Christian Jihad going on in Kandahar. George Bush called it a Crusade. First you occupy their country, then rain down hellfire missiles on their wedding parties, then you kill them at checkpoints in their own country through your blackwater and now you want to burn their book. And yet you ask why they hate us? Your the epitome of the uneducated gringo that's becoming face of America

Posted by: yasseryousufi | September 7, 2010 12:16 PM
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Radical religious extremists calling other religions 'against God'? The leader of US forces warning of a danger to US troops and our National security? Burning books?? Calling for the expulsion of infidels?

Bush said that we should track down those that provide financial support for dangerous radical religious extremists that are a danger to our troops. Find these anti-American groups and send them to Guantanamo for "enhanced interrogation" until they confess.

Is Christianity un-American?

Posted by: thebobbob | September 7, 2010 1:08 PM
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It is always proper to start any discussion of American religious hate groups by pointing out that the U.S.A. had a religious war in the 1850s.

The USA prosecuted a war against southern religious extremists who used their faith to justify slavery, rape and murder. After reconstruction the hate found fertile ground in the Ku Klux Klan, and in the 1960s Republicans discovered that hate and greed made a great partnership.

Today, fueled by the propaganda broadcasts and outright sponsorship of Fox News and the Koch Brothers, the hate religions in concert with the Republican party has found new power. These people are no different than the Taliban and the book burning is an excellent example of this.

Posted by: colonelpanic | September 7, 2010 1:48 PM
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Glenn Beck Christians who adored and defended Petraus against Moveon.org, now castigate him for asking them to help him protect the troops.

Apparently their Rovian wedge issues of hating Muslims, Mexicans and gays are more important than the troops Elder Beck and Soap Opera Sarah so eloquently "honored" on the Mall.

Posted by: areyousaying | September 7, 2010 2:25 PM
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Proof that George the Dumber was outright lying that the Christian Oil Crusades are not about religion or a war on Islam.

I thought he was supposed to be a Christian.
Do they cherry pick their commandments like they do their scriptures and Constitutional rights for others?

Posted by: areyousaying | September 7, 2010 2:28 PM
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I wonder how American's in general would respond to other countries burning the "Bible."

Regardless of how corrupt a relgion may be in others eyes, it makes me sad to think that people would actually go forward with a 'burning' of someones sacred literature.

Posted by: VickytoriaB | September 7, 2010 2:33 PM
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How do you suggest that the US micromanage every group of fifty people that might happen to come together to get a spotlight put on them to make a little money from other nut jobs because the US media might decide to blow them up out of proportion to all reality and broad cast their activities to the world?

How? Just how?
When the US media is this corrupt how?

And it does not even have to be fifty. They can take a single crazy and turn it into a world wide media event if they think it will help them with their agenda.

Posted by: Elisa2 | September 7, 2010 3:08 PM
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Has anyone investigated whether this church is in league with Osama bin Laden? He wants the world to believe it's a war between the US and the Muslim world, and this pastor is clearly helping bin Laden make that case.

Posted by: bpai_99 | September 7, 2010 3:10 PM
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Has anyone noticed that as America sends fewer and fewer kids to college, there are more and more "evangelicals" taking up psuedo science like creationism, believing in the end times and now willing to burn someone else's holy book?

Just because some Muslims abroad are jerks, doesn't mean we have to play to that or encourage it. We should be engaged with those Muslims who are willing to work with us and not alienate them with empty theatre.

Posted by: tony_in_Durham_NC | September 7, 2010 3:11 PM
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People, before you start telling other Americans what they can and can't do, remember, that Generals have no business telling civilians what they can or can not do. Generals are not politicians remember the last one who got political Obama fired him.
If someone wants to burn the American flag or our bible overseas, we don't riot and threaten them with harm; but some of you here want to limit the freedom of Americans to burn whatever they want to burn because you are afraid to offend Muslims; but at the same time seem right at home bashing American Christians.
The Muslims will never play nice because they hate Christians and Jews. Until they become more tolerant they'll get what they promote, a hatred for their religion.

Posted by: whineridentifier | September 7, 2010 3:52 PM
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While I am against burning of any religious books, I remember, quite clearly the Taliban destroying some of the oldest statues of Buddha in Afghanistan. Was there an outcry ?

Posted by: shovandas | September 7, 2010 4:05 PM
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American's are getting tired of muslims attacking us and then asking to be respected...
some say we have a reputation for destruction...
maybe we should show them...
leave the middle east uninhabiltable...

Posted by: DwightCollins | September 7, 2010 4:10 PM
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But, Fred Phelps' family cult Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas really just preaches one doctrine and that is "God hates (Homosexuals)."

They were basically being ignored when they protested at churches, schools, Gay Pride events and the funerals of those who died from an HIV/AIDS symptomatic disease.

So, they decided to try a new tactic and hold protests at the funerals of US Military personnel who had died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I have discovered that many of the so-called "Freedom Riders" who show up at Military funerals where the Phelps gang demonstrates are just as homophobic as the Phelps terrorist are.

Posted by: joe_allen_doty | September 7, 2010 5:21 PM
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The Muslim religion is anti-American, to say the least. Their backward beliefs about women as well as their disrespectful attitudes toward Christians and Jews do not belong here in America.

Burning their book is appropriate first and foremost because it stands against our American values. Most immigrants come here because they are tired of being oppressed and want freedom - the Muslims are here to KEEP being oppressive in a free society and force US to tolerate their beliefs.

Are we seriously preaching equality and tolerance toward this group to one another in the name of being American? Why do you think they want Shariah courts?! Because our values are just simply not the same!

Just as some 'religions' are cults and are damaging to the mental and physical well-being of their members, so is Islam. There is a ton of ex-Islamists who aren't ashamed to educate dumb Americans against allowing this horrid religion to gain a foothold here in our society...go ahead and educate yourselves, these people have put their lives in danger and many have Fatwas against them, so before you start screaming "right to religion", at least educate yourself so you know what you're advocating.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Taslima Nasrin,Magdi Allam, Nonie Darwish, Nyamko Sabuni, Zachariah Anani, Khalid Duran, Ehsan Jami, Maryam Namazie, Anwar Shaikh, Ali Sina, Walid Shoebat, Ibn Warraq, Wafa Sultan,
Mosab Hassan Yousef.

Posted by: spaded_glory4 | September 7, 2010 5:26 PM
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Well the Islamic s battle cry is "death to the American homosexuals". No one seems to be upset about that. Lame Stream media is biased and won't report that unless it slips by their sensors somehow which it has. It's just a fact they hate us period. Hate is a bad thing. The Bible mentions God and describes him with all types of attributes. One of them is he is a God of Love. In the Koran nowhere will you find a mention that God is love. The Jews and the Moslems both believe in an eye for an eye. Christians are commanded to love thy enemies. This is why in a free society the Gospel of Jesus Christ thrives because it's the right message and it is better to love and forgive than to hate and seek vengeance. Hate will destroy a person and evidently the Arab societies are an example of that with their failed states. We are forgiven by God and because we are forgive we should forgive others. Pretty simple and common sense. They just don't get it and missed the Love train somehow. They missed out and are suffering because of it. Burn a Bible who cares it's just paper. Destroy this temple and Jesus will build it up and we will have eternal life with him and have his kind of eternal body to live in with him. His is at the right hand of the Father and he is human just like we are.

Posted by: gospelvenice | September 7, 2010 5:55 PM
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I am sick of a religion that treats women as second class citizens. This religion also wants it's tenets to be the law of the land. This religion feels free to denigrate other religions while daring anyone else to reciprocate. This religion has sponsored terrorists and terrorism in the United States. Guess which religion? Christianity, get your own house in order before casting aspersions on any other faith.

Posted by: gaga19832002 | September 7, 2010 5:56 PM
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Someone asks:
“I wonder how American's in general would respond to other countries burning the "Bible."’
This same Quran teaches the faithful that the Book of the Christians and Jews is a distorted and corrupted copy of the original which is worse than burning it. Furthermore it is a capital crime to carry the Bible in many parts of countries dominated by Muslims. In Saudi Arabia they burn the Bible along with its owner. This same country is flooding the West with free copies of their Quran. How are Americans responding to that? You tell me. Below is my concise description of what is in that book.
A book with no chronology of events or a sustained theme other than a supremacist diatribe, divination of Islam’s founder and incitement against the other. It is riddled with inconsistencies and outright contradictions. It lists legends from Arab and Persian pagans as the literal words of the Creator along with embellished stories from the Old and New Testaments. It is full of scientific heresies, geographical myths, historical blunders, mathematical mistakes, grammatical errors and logical fallacies. The book talks of flying horses, speaking ants and arguing birds. It describes an afterlife gardens with rivers of wine and honey and brimming with young black eyed receptive beauties placed there simply to service the followers of Mohammed.

Posted by: abrahamhab1 | September 7, 2010 6:06 PM
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All kinds of people are Muslims, good, bad and the in-betweens. That shouldn't mean that Islam cannot be criticized. I personally hate it. It is the most intolerant of religions, the most threatening, and the most violent. If that's the image I have of it - well blame it on 9/11. Blame it on the hoopla over some cartoons, and the freaking -out over a teddy-bear named Muhammed, and the screaming hoards on TV reacting to the plan to burn a Koran. Why don't they settle down? It's not the end of the world.
I hope they go ahead and burn the silly old book. Eventually we may all have to say to Muslims = get over yourselves. Maybe there is no Allah. Maybe there never were any Gods. When you really think about it - it all sounds most unliksly. It defies common-sense.

Posted by: Rongoklunk | September 7, 2010 8:38 PM
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they also supposedly attack us because of gitmo - yet obama seems to be in no hurry to close gitmo. burning the koran seems a tad much. on the other hand, im not going to whipped into a tizzy by the media, who manage to not report dozens of anti-Semitic hates crimes as well as honor killings of muslims daughters by their fathers and other isolated atrocities within american and canadian muslim communities. until the media feels it necessary to report on those stories i will find it hard to muster much outrage over this. the media does not control the narrative anymore. we know all that they ignore in pursuant of their political agenda. its sad that obama and pelosi have brought their own party to the point where the media needs to drag this election down into the mud by whipping up anti-majority paranoia.

Posted by: dummypants | September 7, 2010 8:46 PM
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and why doesnt the media report that there are sharia courts in jolly old england that apply muslim law to muslims, instead of british law?

Posted by: dummypants | September 7, 2010 8:49 PM
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Downright evil - deliberately burning the Koran KNOWING that it will result in increased problems in our ill-begotten wars, and put our troops in greater danger!

Sigh! Wouldn't it be WONDERFUL if ALL organized religions just disappeared. Now that would be a worthwhile replacement for the dark ages crap of any "Second Coming".

Religion is ABSOLUTELY the most corrosive and destructive force in human civilization! Period. Even more so than it's closely associated twin, Politics.

Posted by: lufrank1 | September 7, 2010 9:44 PM
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WOW!

Look at them Three Blind (and Lame) Multi-Millionaire Musketeers whom think they can relate to the folks who lost their homes etc.. because of what they {Word Merchants or Politicians as low life's} did; yet boldly, actually Audaciously, think We (the People) already Forgot what they Sowed or Sold US back yonder.

The Christian Catholics and the Christian Mormon's and the Christian Evangelicals have United to "CHRISTiANIZE" America;

under Pretexts of "Islamophobia"

(a Great Distraction: and CON job which they peddle/push via MEDIA that they now have Controlled for Next Election and via Unlimited Political Spending, as snake oils)

and as if threat of Islamicization of America and other none Islamic Nations.

Note: 1/3 of Islamics live in none islamic nations. Now that is the real Wake-up Call.

"Terrorism" is Not the Threat; it's "Chrianterism" that's a threat. So Fellow American's enjoy your Secular Freedoms while Yo Can!

Shame on "WAPO" and "News Corp" (a British owned Media powerhouse) for Causing this Mess [Endorsing Omama and CO.] and now having nerve to think We (the People, not Millionaires like them all) are soo forgetfull or unaware.

It is time for "Operation Boy O' Boy" and "Girl O' Girl"!

You or most of you and families will be cursed. You will see. Remember; Some Sins are Unforgivable. No "Repentance" No "Salvation" No Mr. Jesus and Co. will or can help you Satanic VersUS [Christian Nations], includes Islam and Co..

Posted by: derrida1 | September 7, 2010 11:11 PM
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Zionists are destroying the US for the benefit of apartheid israel. The zionists control american media and have huge wealth, they finance web sites that pit america against muslims like jihad watch and many others. Most of the leaders of the organisations that pit the US against muslims are citizens of apartheid israel.

Posted by: MumboJumboo | September 7, 2010 11:53 PM
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Yasser,

For your consideration:

Zionists are destroying the US for the benefit of apartheid israel. The zionists control american media and have huge wealth, they finance web sites that pit america against muslims like jihad watch and many others. Most of the leaders of the organisations that pit the US against muslims are citizens of apartheid israel.

Posted by: MumboJumboo
==========================
Btw., this person blogs much the same thing all over. He is Muslim, and not alone. Only the US allows Wahabi centers, and Wahabi funded mosques (Saudi Arabia), which teach the crap Mumbo has learned. Also, "the Jews" [sic] caused World War I, control the banks, etc.

Meanwhile, Jews defend the rights of all peoples to freedom of religion because they believe (it is a tenet of the religion) that the Lord (Hashem) has a covenant with all peoples. What is wrong with this picture?

Joe Allen Doty, another blogger, without whom I could live nicely (past posts available upon request) also messes up the view.

Ahmad Rashid wrote an article for WaPo the other day. Did you see it? If so, what did you think? (Am raising relief funds for Pakistan where I work. So far, amazingly good, in just a few days.)

Posted by: farnaz_mansouri2 | September 8, 2010 1:15 AM
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Posted by: farnaz_mansouri2 | September 8, 2010 1:46 AM
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Americans asking the Muslim world to not generalize the acts of a few upon all Americans. As the Summer of Muslim Hate has proven, Americans cannot tell the difference between 19 hijackers and 1.5 billion Muslims and now you expect discretion? Good one.

Posted by: rhf123 | September 8, 2010 1:59 AM
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Remember everyone, you can't pick and choose when it's "OK" to have free speech. It's all the time, or never.
Thank GOD in this country it is all the time.

BUT... is this a good idea for our image abroad? Probably not, but those who are small minded enough to judge all Americans by this one act, are those who are looking for more ways to hate us anyway.

Posted by: Timo17 | September 8, 2010 3:43 AM
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Farnaz,

Thanks for the post. Pakistanis are indebted to all the people who have come to their help in their moment of distress. I read Ahmed Rashid's Article and sadly its the stark reality of Pakistan of today. Corruption has seeped into our very foundations with the current government being the most corrupt I have seen in my lifetime. Democracy doesn't work for us. It strengthens the feudal lords. Actually, I don't even wanna talk about it. Pakistanis are now hoping for some divine intervention. Maybe this flood will be a catalyst for some bloody rising against the corrupt politicians/feudals or maybe we Pakistanis will just lay down and consume more of this like we have been doing with terrorism, inflation and corruption. My sad prediction would be the latter.

Regarding the post you cited, I don't know the person enough to comment on him but I will say this that two people who have shown remarkable courage in defending Muslims against the anti-islamic hysteria with regards to the New York Mosque have been Jewish (If Olbermann is Jewish too, it makes three). Even Barack Obama didn't have the balls to say the right thing, so vicious was vitriol being spewed. Two people who stood up for Muslims were the Jewish Mayor of NYC Michael Bloomberg and the talk show host John Stewart. Both these people are opinion makers in American Society and they brought some sanity to this debate with their stance. I think they were instrumental more than anyone else in making Americans understand whats at stake in that debate. So just as we muslims don't like to be painted with a broad brush its the same with all other religions.

Posted by: yasseryousufi2 | September 8, 2010 3:56 AM
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What Muslims think of America?

Surely people living in Muslim countries should be more concerned about what Americans think of them.

If Americans get angry, they can actually do something about it.

Posted by: corco02az | September 8, 2010 8:04 AM
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just how serious of a problem the planned event is for America's image around the world.
--------------------------
You mean among Muslims and liberals. Most other people have more common sense and realize that it is the total lack of tact and intelligence shown by mayor Bloomberg and Imam Rauf which has caused this problem.

And America is a very legalistic country which is unable to exercise its common sense. In India, for instance, things would not have got to this pass because the mosque would simply have been blocked by the authorities. And India is not anti-Muslim. India banned Rushdie's book Satanic Verses for a similar reason. They did not want Indian Muslims to be offended. Common sense needs to triumph over legalisms.

There always have been people in America who do not like those who are different.

But the opponents of the mosque include MANY OTHERS whose feelings are more moderate and who merely feel that this location is not suitable for any Islam related building.

What liberals have been blind to is the existence of the moderate opposition (moderate in feeling but not in numbers) to the mosque/center.

It is an old liberal trick - "Everyone who does not agree with us is a right wing maniac."

But this is not an occasion to play that "you are a bigot" game. More serious things are at stake.

Many people realize that Jones and Rauf both have the legal right to do what they are planning to do.

If Rauf won't compromise, and liberals support him in his stubborn stance, then why should Jones compromise?

Rauf needs to ask himself, "Do I want peace and understanding? Or do I want THIS building at THIS site?"

Surely he is aware by now that the two wishes are incompatible. And most of us can see which wish he is choosing.

Posted by: rohit57 | September 8, 2010 8:19 AM
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American's are getting tired of muslims attacking us and then asking to be respected...
some say we have a reputation for destruction...
maybe we should show them...
leave the middle east uninhabiltable...

Posted by: DwightCollins

...and who would you annihilate after that, Dwight?

gays?
Mexicans?
blacks?
victims of your church's pervert priests who Donohue calls gold diggers?
union bosses?
school teachers?
liberals?
Democrats?

Who else is on your list?

Posted by: areyousaying | September 8, 2010 9:05 AM
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Islam is not a religion. It is a cultic political movement pledged to taking over, violently if necessary, any country in which they live. Violent oppression, intolerance and brutal enforcement of their mores and customs are the norms.
The politically correct in the USA would have us all suckered into accepting this murderous cult and allowing them to establish themselves. Look around the world and see the result. They should be treated just as the Communists and Nazi's were.

Posted by: wdalton1us | September 8, 2010 9:07 AM
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We all learned from the media in Ground Zero Mosque controversy that if they have right to do it, then we can't criticize it.

Or did that rule change in two weeks?

Posted by: Delongl | September 8, 2010 9:18 AM
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America is a nation under GOD but of no religions what so ever.

Posted by: usapdx | September 8, 2010 9:19 AM
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We all learned from Glenn Beck Christians the New York Islam Community Center is insensitive action that should be blocked even if they have right to do it, but we can't criticize Koran burning.

Or did that rule change in two weeks?

Posted by: areyousaying | September 8, 2010 10:25 AM
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Yasser,

Thanks for your post. More money is coming in every day from the college at which I teach. It has been suggested that we begin to do outreach to the community, and that will probably occur.

Equally important re Rashid, we have found a way to make sure the money goes to people who will use it to provide direct relief to the displaced.

On Jewish support for Rauf, Khan, and Park51. The overwhelming majority of American Jews have been outspoken in their support of the community center. This is unsurprising. The overwhelming majority of Jews are Democrats. They do not render unto Caesar. Judaism holds that the Lord (Hashem) has a covenant with all people's. It is the "mission" of Jews to heal, or perfect the world (Tikkun Olam) by ending poverty, war, racism, etc.

This is from Susan Thistlewaite's OnFath column.

Preaching and teaching should be related to action, or, as the great Jewish peace activist and educator, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, said to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as they were marching side-by-side in Selma, Alabama, "When I march in Selma, my feet are praying." Hebrew Union Seminarians have already rallied on August 31 in support of religious freedom and pluralism and walked with great ceremony to Park 51(proposed Islamic Center site in lower Manhattan).

http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/susan_brooks_thistlethwaite/2010/09/can_i_get_an_amen_what_to_preach_about_911_this_year.html

Posted by: farnaz_mansouri2 | September 8, 2010 11:35 AM
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All hell will break lose if this happens.
All u people can say what u want to but the bottom line is if they go ahead with it,it will 25% of the world population vs USA.It is such a sensitive issue.For the sake of peace and security i beg u people no to go ahead with it.If americans go ahead with it even afghan and pakistan army will start disobeying their leaders and will start giving unequivocal supports to taliban.For your own sake people, for your own survival,for your troops break the constitution and stop this because muslims will go crazy

Posted by: wajeeh_rehman92 | September 8, 2010 12:09 PM
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This isn't a "church", it's a cult of the Devil. His previous congregation expelled him for his demonic hatred.

Posted by: thomasmc1957 | September 8, 2010 12:51 PM
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I say burn it, stab it, kick it, and shoot it. They are going to do their mosque ground breaking on the anniversary of 911 and where is the out cry? Screw them all.
They have zero concerns about America’s feelings. Burn the un-holy quran/koran in protest.
Too bad America has lost it’s greatness through “political correctness”.
Pastor Terry should also burn an effigy of their godless prophet.
Power to the infidels.
Wake up America or you will end up like Europe and England with Sharia law right at your door step.
I, at least, read their un-holy book twice.
If you read it you, too, will see that the prophet made it all up as he went along in life. There is so much info on the web about that nut job Mohamed's life that no-one wants to talk about.
Their "religion" isn't a religion at all but a government policy.
The goal is to turn everyone into a Jihadist, and if you don't..........
Read the book.
Political correctness is rabid and disgusting.

Posted by: plzwakeupamerica | September 8, 2010 11:42 PM
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