Something 4 The Weekend # 181

Mulsimgauze: United States Of Islam: "United States Of Islam (Part One)" [mp3]

The first amendment secures our right to assemble and burn Korans. In other words, the first amendment insures Pastor Terry Jones the right to act as un-Christian as he wants, whether he sees this act as a relevant and appropriate response to the attacks of 9-11-01, or more specifically, the proposed opening of an Islamic community center near "ground zero".

The old testament might teach us that equitable retribution is a righteous law ("an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth"), but that is certainly NOT a Christian idea. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had this to say...

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." ~Matthew 5:38-42~

In my opinion, Pastor Terry Jones is not a Christian, nor is anyone who agrees with his worldviews and/or his Koran-burning plan, whether he follows through with it or not. The typical fundamentalist mindset is incorrect, whether it's Christian fundamentalism, or Islamic fundamentalism. Salvation cannot be found through violence and hatred, and once again I say that belief alone in God and Jesus/Mohammad is simply not enough for one to find his/her place at the right hand of God in heaven.

I do not believe in God or heaven, but I cannot say that God does not exist, or that there is no heaven. What I do believe is that if God and heaven actually do exist, we will find our place at his right hand through compassion, understanding, and a willingness to forgive the trespasses of others, and all the other righteous behaviors we all should strive for as decent human beings.

In 2010, I believe America is lost. Far too many of us have absolutely no understanding of our own religion, and plenty of us have no understanding our rights as American citizens. The people who have become frenzied over Pastor Terry Jones plans to burn Korans and wish to stop him are completely ignoring the Pastor's first amendment rights. He has every right to burn those holy books, and to speak out against that proposed Islamic community center in NYC, just as his detractors have every right to call him foolish and short-sighted.

And I do believe he's a fool, and a remarkably un-Christian fool at that. But ultimately he's free to be who he wants to be, and to do what he wants to do within the limits of the law.

I'll shut up now.

Hotcha! Hank