Burning a Koran: Right or Wrong?

[theGinsue]

I dont advocate it, I will say that persecuting a Moderate or mild Muslim for the actions of the extremists is about as wrong as persecuting all of the Christians for the Crusades or for the crimes at Salem.

I take issue with this line of reasoning which I hear used all of the time to "justify" the violence of the Muslim faith as little more than retribution for Christian aggression over the years.

Yes, the Salem Witch Trials occured in what would later become the U.S. within the last 325 years (Witchcraft trials started more than 450 years ago; documented evidence of this practice dates back to ~1560). In fact, the practice of putting people on trial for witchcraft actually started in Europe and was carried over into the various European colonies. But, this practice in the American colonies wasn't limited to JUST Christians (actually Puritans).

Now, the Christian Crusades are said to have occured somwhere around 1080 A.D. - 1300 A.D. Are we to believe that Muslims ar ejustified for seeking retirbution for actions that started ~930 years ago and ended ~710 years ago? Talk about holding a grudge.

Historical facts indicate that Muslims, including Muhammad himself, began their own Crusades against Christianity long before the European Christian Crusades. The reality is that you almost NEVER hear that the Christian Crusades were in fact a direct reaction to the ongoing Muslim Crusades which had been going on since around 630 A.D. (during this period - somewhere in the mid-700's A.D. is when the Muslims desecrated the most holy Jewish site - the site of Solomans Temple to install their most holy "Dome Of The Rock which still stands today, on the EXACT location of Solomans Temple).

[ChunkyMonkey]

- the site of Solomans Temple to install their most holy "Dome Of The Rock which still stands today, on the EXACT location of Solomans Temple).

I wonder if back then they called it a Community Center.

[lebru]

America is about religious tolerance, that was what we were founded on. He had every right to express his beliefs, but I don't think it was right because all it did was piss muslim's off even more.

I could honestly care less about religion. But I think this guy is kind of a wack job to begin with. Same guy from last september right?

[CMP_5.56]

Thanks for bringing that up Ginsue, glad to see a history buff on the forum. The two religions have been at odds for thousands of years, and this fight has cost the lives of more people than can be understood.

As far as I see it, fhe burning of the book was nothing more than someone speaking out in their own way. Whether I agree or disagree doesn't matter, he had the right to do it.

[streetglideok]

Yep...agreed. Which makes it harder for me to be "tolerant" of their religion.

Muslims will take any excuse to end a life they disagree with. Generally speaking all Muslims support these murders through their silence.

+1 on this too. How many muslims were aware of the 9/11 plans or recruitment, and turned a blind eye to this? You know they were working the mosques hard to find rejects to do their dirty work.

I strongly believe this pastor is well within his right to burn a koran. I dont think it was the smartest move, as it was going to cause trouble, but he had every right to do so. How often are those, umm, cloth headgear wearing individuals burning our flag over there? You dont see anyone in this country burning down mosques or lynching muslims here over it. Heck, with only a few exceptions, there wasnt widespread violence against muslims here after 9/11. If the shoe had been on the other foot, every one of them would be flying planes into our buildings, or loading their taxis with bombs here.

[CMP_5.56]

America is about religious tolerance, that was what we were founded on.

This is true to a point, but the puritains that first settled here also outlawed any religion but theirs as well. They came here to escape persecution over their religion, doesn't mean they were tolerant of others beliefs.

[lebru]

This is true to a point, but the puritains that first settled here also outlawed any religion but theirs as well. They came here to escape persecution over their religion, doesn't mean they were tolerant of others beliefs.

but the founding fathers set it up so that you could worship your religion without persecution from the government. since it had happened to them, they didn't want it happen to others here. they saw how religion only caused problems. was it john adams who said that they would not involve themselves with foreign matters regarding religion?

[spyder]

+1 on this too. How many muslims were aware of the 9/11 plans or recruitment, and turned a blind eye to this? You know they were working the mosques hard to find rejects to do their dirty work.

I strongly believe this pastor is well within his right to burn a koran. I dont think it was the smartest move, as it was going to cause trouble, but he had every right to do so. How often are those, umm, cloth headgear wearing individuals burning our flag over there? You dont see anyone in this country burning down mosques or lynching muslims here over it. Heck, with only a few exceptions, there wasnt widespread violence against muslims here after 9/11. If the shoe had been on the other foot, every one of them would be flying planes into our buildings, or loading their taxis with bombs here.

Burn a book, burn a flag, does it hurt anyone? Nope. Is it disrespectful? To some, personally, if someone decides that is the way they want to lash out, I don't really give a shit, doesn't affect me. Some people take shit way too seriously, make a big deal out of it, and then the problems start. It is the people that retaliate or do something stupid to "get even" with the people burn the book, flag or whatever that are the problem. People just need to grow up and pull their heads out.

For the comment of "if the shoe had been on the other foot", if someone invaded America somehow and tried to do anything here for any reason, they would pay dearly. The ammount of bombings, killings, and other ruthless acts that americans would do to whatever country would be stupid enough to try such a thing, would be undescribable. We had a fleet destroyed I believe some time ago, and we went and did what? The shoe will never be on the other foot because all of the other nations know what we would do to them, not only by our military, but our citizens as well.

[bobbyfairbanks]

It is pretty clear under the first amendment. Burn what ever book you want. The shit fingers over there will never be understood by you till you have lived there and dealt with them. They truly are about a half century behind the western world. Take a vacation sometime to Kabul if you dont believe me.

[SA Friday]

Personally, I've found the Koran to be amazing kindling. Besides I can't read arabic.