Koran burning would be 'outrageous': Vatican
The planned mass burning of copies of the Koran in the US state of Florida would be "an outrageous and grave gesture," the Vatican said today.
The Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue said in a statement it had "received with great concern the news of the proposed 'Koran Burning Day,'" scheduled for the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
"Each religion, with its respective sacred books, places of worship and symbols, has the right to respect and protection," the council said.
A small church, the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, has vowed to mark Saturday's ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks by burning Korans as they remember the almost 3,000 people killed by Al-Qaeda hijackers.
The council said "deplorable acts of violence" like the September 11 attacks by Al-Qaeda could not be counteracted by such acts.
"Each religious leader and believer is also called to renew the firm condemnation of all forms of violence, in particular those committed in the name of religion," the council said.
The planned stunt was condemned by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the White House said it could trigger outrage around the Islamic world and endanger the lives of US soldiers.
Both NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the commander of US and coalition troops in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus had already said the protest would endanger allied troops in Afghanistan.
The leader of a tiny US church Rev Terry Jones said he was determined to go ahead.
He said he had received more than 100 death threats and had started wearing a pistol since announcing his plan to burn the book Muslims consider the word of God and insist be treated with the utmost respect.
Supporters have been mailing copies of the Koran for him to put on a bonfire.
Angelina Jolie condemned the plan during a trip to Pakistan to raise awareness about the floods that have devastated the largely Muslim country.
"I have hardly the words that somebody would do that to somebody's religious book," she said.
Meeting with religious leaders to discuss recent attacks on Muslims and mosques around the US, Attorney General Eric Holder called the planned burning both idiotic and dangerous.
David Axelrod, senior adviser to President Barack Obama said today: "The reverend may have the right to do what he's doing but it's not right. It's not consistent with our values. ... I hope that his conscience and his good sense will take hold."
The Rev Jones said he was concerned about worldwide reaction but was "wondering, 'When do we stop?"' He refused to cancel the protest at his Dove World Outreach Centre.
"How much do we back down? How many times do we back down?" he said. "Instead of us backing down, maybe it's time to stand up. Maybe it's time to send a message to radical Islam that we will not tolerate their behaviour."
In Afghanistan, Jones' planned burning continued to provoke outrage.
"It is the duty of Muslims to react," said Mohammad Mukhtar, a cleric and candidate for the Afghan parliament in the September 18 election. "When their holy book Koran gets burned in public, then there is nothing left. If this happens, I think the first and most important reaction will be that wherever Americans are seen, they will be killed. No matter where they will be in the world they will be killed."
Kabul resident, Rajab Ali said, "If this (burning of the Koran) happens there will be chaos in Afghanistan and being a Muslim, if we don't defend the Koran then what else we can do?"
The Koran, according to Jones, is "evil" because it espouses something other than biblical truth and incites radical, violent behaviour among Muslims.
Muslims consider the Koran along with any printed material containing its verses or the name of Allah or the Prophet Mohammed to be sacred. Any intentional damage or show of disrespect to it is deeply offensive.
Jones' Dove Outreach Centre is independent of any denomination. It follows the Pentecostal tradition, which teaches that the Holy Spirit can manifest itself in the modern day. Pentecostals often view themselves as engaged in spiritual warfare against satanic forces.
The world's leading Sunni Muslim institution of learning, Al-Azhar University in Egypt, accused the church of stirring up hate and discrimination, and called on other American churches speak out against it.
68 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
p.grima
Sep 18th 2010, 01:21
2
“Partially quoting and or quoting out of context would lead to misunderstanding and the whole point of the argument in question is totally lost and misunderstood. This is the case on the whole quotes you provided I am afraid!”
It seems like you did the same here, for if you kept reading on you could have understood that God wanted to teach them a lesson.
1 Samuel 15.21-23.
“But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice unto Jahweh thy God in Gilgal”. And Samuel said, “Hath Jahweh as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim.”
This was a test of obedience which they failed. But another reason why God wanted them to destroy evetything is that if they kept anything from the spoils (especially any idols) they could have easily been influenced and fallen back to idolatry and paganism as I already said in my earlier post (Exodus. 32.4. and Exodus. 32.7.).
p.grima
Sep 18th 2010, 00:17
1.
“How, then would you explain the changes of God’s attitude….” Allow me to correct you, God cannot change his attitude, He does not need to, for He is perfect: James1.17. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.”
Man, on the other hand, does: Matthew 19.7-8. “They say unto him, why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so.” The same goes today, go tell them you will illegalize divorce and abortion in some states. It is because of the stubbornness or ignorance: Exodus 2.12. “and he (Moses) saw an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.” Here Moses thought that he was doing a fine job.
albert muscat
Sep 17th 2010, 04:01
@ p.grima. Thank you for keeping the interesting debate up. Quote: ‘May I ask why you seem to be so hostile towards Christianity; could it be because you were hurt by Christians or their clergy? ‘ Rest assured, none of the above. Did I show any sort of hostile towards Christianity? Please keep sensitivity aside (smile). The point is that, I am seeking the truth and nothing but the absolute truth. My brain [by default] discard unsatisfactory answers and never buy claptrap and this is applicable on every thing including religious issues. Back to the ‘weird’ questions: The God mentioned in OT is same God mentioned in NW (your words)…How, then would you explain the changes of God’s attitude from ‘1 Samuel 15:3 that says ‘Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'’ And all other quotes you provided please? -In the Bible I read about a God but not a Creator (debatable should you wish). I sincerely hope you grasp the crux difference between a God and a Creator!
p.grima
Sep 17th 2010, 00:12
You seem to know a lot about Islam and very little about Christianity. Is all you know about Christianity based on Google searches only? You did not answer my question: If “Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (9.5) why does he not just forgive and have mercy of all infidels, thieves, adulterers, apostates, etc, instead of demanding punishment? Does Allah not forgive? Can’t he not let “the wheat grow with the tares” until he makes the final judgement? How can any infidel (or apostate) (re)convert to Islam if he is killed? If he is left to live his life in peace there is a chance he could freely choose to (re)embrace Islam. I believe someone once said “There is no compulsion in religion.”, unless he was lying, of course (see Sira, p367, and 368). About Christian forgiveness, I already mentioned Ezekiel 18.23, and Ezekiel 33.11. Isaiah 1.18: Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jahweh: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Also: Psalm 34.8. Oh taste and see that Jahweh is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him.
albert muscat
Sep 16th 2010, 02:31
@@ p.grima. As regards the Soni-Sheltie war you were referring to (which is actually out of our main point of discussion) here please find what the Quran says: (49:9) if two parties of the believers happen to fight make peace between them. But then, if one of them transgresses against the other, fight the one that transgresses until it reverts to Allah’s command. And if it does revert, make peace between them with justice, and be equitable for Allah loves the equitable. Instead of saying:"When two parties of the believers fight mutually", it has been said: If two parties of the believers fall to mutual fighting." From these words it by itself follows that mutual fighting is not the character of the Muslims, nor should it be. It is not expected that being the believers they would fight mutually. However, if such a thing ever happens, the procedure that follows should be adopted (please refer to rules of wars according Quran in my comment down here). This also shows that wars among Muslims is indeed a highly offensive state in the sight of Allah in which large groups of the Muslims cannot be expected to be involved.
p.grima
Sep 15th 2010, 21:41
By the way, I almost forgot to tell you that (the Christian) God hate SIN , but loves SINNERS. Do you get it? In fact, that is why: John 3.16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him. He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved. But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God. And by the way, violence can never be justified, and again, I think I know what you will write next.
p.grima
Sep 15th 2010, 21:19
“1-Is God and Creator the same? What's mentioned in the Bible a God or a Creator? 2-Is God mentioned in the OT is the same God mentioned in the NT? 3-Who called it the Bible?” Answer 1: God is The Creator. 2: Yes 3: Bible comes from the greek word biblion meanin book. Somehow I think I know what you will be asking next, and I recommend to you too: “Should you like any consultancy in religious issue please refer the matter to peoples of the knowledge (a Priest or an Imam…etc). Never refer the matter to internet search engine, take my word for this please.” I am not a google fan. My religious knowledge comes from other sources. May I ask why you seem to be so hostile towards Christianity; could it be because you were hurt by Christians or their clergy? Well, so was I, but that is not God’s fault, it was due to human sinfulness and/or errors. If that is what happened one should not generaliseand throw the fault of the few on to the many, just as not all muslims are automatically extremists, or terrorists.
p.grima
Sep 15th 2010, 21:02
Some more: Matthew 13.24. “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.”
p.grima
Sep 15th 2010, 21:00
If “Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (9.5) why does he not just forgive and have mercy of all infidels, thieves, adulterers, apostates, etc, instead of demanding punishment? The following are also from the OT: Eze 18:23 - Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? Eze 33:11 - Say to them, As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel? And from the NT: 1John 4:8 "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for GOD IS LOVE." 1John 4:16 "And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. GOD IS LOVE; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him." That is so contrasting.
albert muscat
Sep 15th 2010, 15:58
@ p.grima
I must first of all thank you for your answer. Highly appreciated in deed.
Reading history is one thing while Google and comment is misleading. I suggest you read some reliable books to get a clearer picture on this topic please.
Again, to Google and comment is not the right way to understand religions. Should you like any consultancy in religious issue please refer the matter to peoples of the knowledge (a Priest or an Imam…etc). Never refer the matter to internet search engine, take my word for this please.
Am I getting you correct-Are you justifying conquering lands and murdering civilians when it was done in the name of Jesus during the crusades? If this was the case then what’s the difference between the Crusaders and Jihadists?
Before I get into Bible texts interpretations (always if you wish to) would we first set a base of the debate by answering the following questions:
1-Is God and Creator the same? What's mentioned in the Bible a God or a Creator?
2-Is God mentioned in the OT is the same God mentioned in the NT?
3-Who called it the Bible?
Thank you.
albert muscat
Sep 14th 2010, 00:20
@ p.grima
Thank you for the nice Biblical quotes.
However the past two wars [inside Christian Europe] go in sharp contrast to Bible teachings as far as love your neighbors is concerned. Equally the too many crusades contradict what the Bible teach as far as love your enemies is concerned.
I reiterate, when the principles of any religion are violated by any of its members it is wrong to attack that religion because of the actions that specifically violate its principles.
From the same Bible I also read:
1 Samuel 15:3 that says ‘Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'’.
If the Bible is God’s word that one must follow for guidance (always if one chooses to follow God) then we have many serious questions here, I would however restrict myself to three questions:
1-Is God and Creator the same? What's there in the Bible a God or a Creator?
2-Is God mentioned in the OD is the same God mentioned in the NT?
3-How called it the Bible?
Thank you. Bless.
p.grima
Sep 14th 2010, 23:33
I was expecting you to come up with something like that out of the Old Testament, but in the New Testament Jesus says: Matthew 5.17 “Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.” And Jesus is indeed the fulfillment of the law and the prophecies. This shows that YOU TOO are misunderstanding, or misinterpreting the Holy Bible, or you really do not know anything about the Holy Bible and its history and the evolution of God’s plan.
You quoted Samuel, but then again, wasn’t Medina conquered by the sword, and in Sira, p463-4: (the tribe of Quraiza which had surrendered),which I mentioned in my earlier post, and also Jerusalem, (and that is why the crusades were done, to win back what the Muslims had conquered by the sword). This is also a misinterpretation or distortion of history, that Muslims talk about the crusades only, and not why the crusades were done in the first place, because Christians and Jews had been living harmoniously together in The Holy lands for centuries before the arrival of Islam. I am surprised you named the crusades yourself.
p.grima
Sep 15th 2010, 00:01
“However the past two wars [inside Christian Europe] go in sharp contrast to Bible teachings as far as love your neighbors is concerned.”
By the way, what about the wars between the Shiites and the Sunni, the Iraq Iran war, the assassination of the first caliphs, and the fitna? (all Muslims),
albert muscat
Sep 10th 2010, 19:27
@ Jesmond Micallef Do I need to remind you that Jesus was not born in Paris but actually in this Dusty area you are referring too?
Dr Joe Brincat
Sep 10th 2010, 07:25
@ Jesmond Micallef. Little did I know that in Malta we have people who are better Catholics than the Pope. The article concentrates on the concern of the Catholic Church in Rome about a threat to the Holy Books of another religion. This illustrates the common saying that "We are more British than the Queen, and more Catholic than the Pope". Telling people of a different religion to take their holy books and go back to their dusty countries is offensive, and may I say it does not tally with the teaching of Christ..."Love your neighbour". Or did Christ mean "Love only those who agree with you " ? Fundamentalists in any religion are equally despicable. They create problems not only for other human beings, but are also a shame on their own religion. What about sending Muslims to their "dusty" countries ? Should we Christians be all sent back to Palestine and Israel ? It is a right to believe fervently in one's religion. But there's no right to offend that of others.
Bill Khan
Sep 9th 2010, 21:18
Daily babies are burnt in the wombs of their mothers across the world and by the millions in the country of Rev. Terry Jones. And its all legal.
Burning a copy of the Quran becomes therefore quite meaningless.
albert muscat
Sep 9th 2010, 20:58
Part 2 - East Coast of Africa. Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. Same apply on both Indonesia and Malaysia. One may again ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, "Which Muslim army went to the East? - More than 80% non-Muslims in India. The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the sword. Or that the four countries with the largest Muslim populations - Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh - are all cultures with millennia-old histories of coexisting with other religions and cultures. May Allah bless you all
p.grima
Sep 11th 2010, 01:46
He also wrote the following:
9:29. Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.
9:5 "fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war) "
9:5, "slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush."
9:29, Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture (Christians) as believe not in Allah.
8:12 “I will terrorize the unbelievers. Therefore smite them on their necks and every joint and incapacitate them. Strike off their heads and cut off each of their fingers and toes.”
8:59 “The infidels should not think that they can get away from us. Prepare against them whatever arms and weaponry you can muster so that you may terrorize them.”
5:51 “Believers, take not Jews and Christians for your friends.”
p.grima
Sep 11th 2010, 01:57
He wrote:
Tabari VIII:130 “The Messenger said, ‘Two religions cannot coexist in the Arabian Peninsula.’ Umar investigated the matter, then sent to the Jews, saying: ‘Allah has given permission for you to be expelled.”
albert muscat
Sep 11th 2010, 20:44
@ p.grima
Partially quoting and or quoting out of context would lead to misunderstanding and the whole point of the argument in question is totally lost and misunderstood. This is the case on the whole quotes you provided I am afraid!
Your Quran’s quotes give [misleading interpretation] and mistakenly give the impression that the Quran is urging Muslims to randomly kill peoples (including peoples of the Book) and this is inaccurate!
Islam gives first, second priority to maintain peace for all mankind (this of course including unbelievers). Equally Islam gives clear instructions to Muslims NOT to imitate wars. However, if wars are inevitable then war rules must be observed as it’s mentioned in the Quran (please refer to my comment).
Here I reiterate, no single verse in the whole Quran is asking for murdering any body unless it’s for self defense cases. What’s wrong if the Quran teaches self defense after all?
Ccould you please refer me to some Biblical texts as far as wars are concerned?I mean. What the Bible says about wars? this would only serve a fair comparison if you know what I mean.
p,grima
Sep 13th 2010, 19:15
"misunderstood"? Oh come on, pull the other leg now. (not litterally) Go and tell that to those suicide bombers targeting innocent people, maybe they also "misunderstood" the koran tell that to the people in Beslan, (innocent Christians who never hurt anyone) or the 9/11 victims' families just to name a few. Bible comparison: Matthew 5.44 "but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you" Luke 6.27 "But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you" And I suggest instead you read: Matthew 7:15 "Beware of FALSE PROPHETs, who come to you in sheep`s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." Matthew 24:11 "And many FALSE PROPHETs shall arise, and shall lead many astray." Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and FALSE PROPHETs, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." Mark 13:22 "for there shall arise false Christs and FALSE PROPHETs, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect."
albert muscat
Sep 9th 2010, 20:42
History discredit myths surrounding Islam.
How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?
It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of force. The following points make it clear, that far from being spread by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid spread of Islam.
Despite the ugly terror act of 9/11, Islam is the fastest growing religion growing among native Americans and Europeans (not immigrants). The fastest growing religion in Europe in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam?
14 Million Arabs are Coptic Christians in Egypt.
Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For few years the British ruled, and for few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians i.e.Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.
p.grima
Sep 11th 2010, 01:48
Do you call this peaceful?
Sira, p463-4: Then they {the tribe of Quraiza} surrendered, and the apostle confined them in Medina in the quarter of d. al-Harith, a woman of Bani al-Najjar. Then the apostle went out to the market of Medina and dug trenches in it. Then he sent for them and struck off their heads in those trenches as they were brought out to him in batches. Among them was the enemy of Allah Huyayy bin Akhtab and Kab bin Asad their chief. There were 600 or 700 in all, though some put the figure as high as 800 or 900. As they were being taken out in batches to the Apostle they asked Kab what he thought would be done with them. He replied, "Will you never understand? Don't you see that the summoner never stops and those who are taken away do not return? By Allah it is death!" This went on until the Apostle made an end of them.
albert muscat
Sep 9th 2010, 16:25
@p.grima.
9/11 , The ‘Barbaric’ Islam, and USA wars for Oil.
{The Quran clearly says…God doesn’t permit killing civilians and condemn those who initiate wars. If a war is a must (self-defense) ... do not burn a plant, nor cut a tree, nor kill an older man, a young child, or a woman... nor monastery dwellers...}
Islam thus prohibits the killing of civilians even during war (even though ‘modern’ governments allow it to themselves). Needless to say, if armies at war are so prohibited, the killing of innocent civilians by other parties (such as the Twin Towers tragedy) is a much greater crime.
When the principles of a religion are violated by any of its members (such as by Hitler or the Twin Towers terrorists, etc...), it is wrong to attack that religion because of the actions that specifically violate its principles.
Any body interested to read about Islam, please read Quran and modern science-compatible or incompatible? By Dr. Zakir Naik
http://www.islamhouse.com/p/51902
J Theuma
Sep 9th 2010, 10:53
@Sarah baldacchino : "Females are treated as queens..... !!!????
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100906/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_stoning
Adrian Borg
Sep 9th 2010, 10:33
Dear all please read between the lines this is just plain and simple provocation to warrant a reaction. It has nothing to do with religion or its interpretation.
If the Muslim community falls for this provocation, they will just be doing what the so called reverend wants.
And above all the media is having a field day.
Bill Khan
Sep 9th 2010, 21:28
In agreement with you one hundred percent. And the interesting thing is that the emotions of the muslims across the globe would be whipped up by the media to encourage violent reaction.
Mark Aquilina
Sep 9th 2010, 10:20
Mr Williams and here we go again YUHU its religions!
Imagine a world without them! no crusades, no suicide bombers, less aids in Africa, no child abusers running around free, no family quarrels just because a priest convinced a peasant 100 years ago to leave their property to the church after their death or they go to hell (which by the way doesn't exist), no marriage barriers, no Palestine and Israel war, no great Siege, and the list goes on and on! I am not going to touch other subjects since we don’t have freedom of speech.
The list goes on and on! And all because of religions!
BTW where is GOD for all those millions or people suffering and all those who get rich the bad and dishonest way! OH yeah they say he left us free to decide!! Come on!
There is a positive and negative spirit in each and every one of us! And if you are going to tell me who created us…. Well we need another two days writing……..
Be real, open your mind and move on………
Reuben Spiteri
Sep 9th 2010, 18:27
mmm.....
you got your logic wrong here....
wars are mostly political, many of which are launched for an abused religious doctrine. the removal of religion would simply mean the political wars would need to find a new excuse.
things are always more complex than one thinks
Jesmond Mifsud
Sep 9th 2010, 10:04
Muslims have taken advantage of America's freedom of religion to build a Mosque near ground zero. It's outrageous that a place for worshiping the religion that killed 3000 people will be built right next to said site.
I don't see why muslims are taking offense at what's going to happen in Florida. This is exactly what freedom of religion is about and it's the way things are done in western countries. If they don't like it, they can go back to their dusty countries and take their barbaric ideologies with them. We're done bending over backwards to accommodate another set of irrational beliefs. We already have Roman Catholicism to deal with.
Roderick Theuma
Sep 9th 2010, 10:00
@Sarah baldacchino : "Females are treated as queens in islam" ------- Are you serious????
Women in Saudi Arabia gets persecuted for not being covered from head to toe ....
http://www.themodernreligion.com/ugly/ugly_women.htm
1990, Iraq issued a decree effectively allowing men to kill their wives, daughters or sisters for adultery
..."Women who claim to have been raped are often imprisoned for sex outside marriage. "
and to the guy that said that the Quran (islam) preaches peace .. here is a direct quote from the Quran for you ..
"when you meet the unbelievers, strike them in the neck" ..... This was the line that Osama used to justify the attacks of 9/11 by the way ...
renald williams
Sep 9th 2010, 09:00
Old Testament Moses killed humans; told followers to kill Hebrews:
and other religions, destroying their symbols, meeting places.
Some Christians from Emperor Constantine till Second World War:
killed millions of Christians; and non Christians, destroying their symbols,
meeting places, in name of Crusades, Holy Inquisition, One Church Only Salvation.
Some Christians: from Saint Thomas Moore; till 1960’s,
burned Christian New Testaments.
Koran Muhammad killed humans: told followers to kill Muslims;
and other religions, destroying their symbols, meeting places, like Buddha statues.
Some Muslims; continue to kill Muslims and non Muslims, in North America,
Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, like 9/11 burnings, where some now want a mosque.
Some Muslims; want others to turn to Islam,
but kill Muslims who turn to another religion.
Some Muslims want freedom to preach Islam,
but kill those who preach different religion.
AFTER-MUHAMMAD’S-DEATH-MUSLIMS-THEMSELVES-BURNT-COPIES-OF-KORAN.
Some Hindus, clash with Muslims and Christians.
Some Bible beleivers, kill infants in the name of undeveloped humanity.
Some Muslims kill infants in the name of soul less beings.
Some Hindu and Buddha beleivers, kill infants in the name of re incarnation.
In the Gospels: Jesus instead of killing others; was killed by others, and Jesus forgave.
Free Gospel offer always available.
G. Borg
Sep 9th 2010, 08:58
Muslims will grab any opportunity to protest about something, now they will send people to blow up themselves and it will be the same old story, more of the same................burning or no burning they will never learn !!!
Mark Aquilina
Sep 9th 2010, 08:56
RELIGIONS ARE FOR LOSERS! except for those who are spiritual religions like Tao, Buddhism. We need Respect, manners, education and knowledge before we act or say something!
SOME North Americans are blinded by their own media and they don't realise that their own government lead by Bush orchestrated 9/11. Just find some time and go through the many you tube clips and websites about the subject! + the many other things that we simple people do not know about!
The world needs to get rid of religions, that are simply an obstacle for a simple life but then stupid people need something to hold on to because they are weak!. i mean just think how the world was before religions (the 2 main ones) came around!
THINK and QUESTION EVERYTHING! don't let them fool YOU.
J. Pace
Sep 9th 2010, 01:37
Burn all religion books. Religion was and will always be an instrument for wars. And accept the fact that most wars in the past and also at present where mostly religion related.
They are all pure fantasy stories, dangerously brainwashing people at the same time.
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 9th 2010, 00:46
(Rev) Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida should reconsider this really well. He will hurt other people's feelings by doing so. A Mosque is going to be built next to ground zero in New York and what he is going to do does not really tie up with this at all, to say the very least.
Robert Calafato
Sep 8th 2010, 23:18
" I think the first and most important reaction will be that wherever Americans are seen, they will be killed. No matter where they will be in the world they will be killed."
Islam, the Religion of peace!
I can still clearly recall the mass celebrations all across the Muslim world following the 9/11 attacks!
p.grima
Sep 8th 2010, 22:09
It seems like Jones does not even realize that many Christians around the world may have to pay the price of his insolence.
p.grima
Sep 8th 2010, 22:06
There are many muslims out there ready to kill and torture Christians, and burn churches and homes if a koran is burned. It seems like Jones does not even realize this.
Chris Xuereb
Sep 8th 2010, 22:00
Why don't other religious groups join the melee and burn each other's holy books. It'll be interesting to see if God smites any particular group as that might give us an indication of which of the books approximates the truth. Then again, I suspect that no group will feel the effects of any divine wrath which would suggest that God either doesn't exist or really couldn't be bothered to get involved in all this pettifogging
Mario Skinder
Sep 8th 2010, 21:22
Burning the Koran book is wrong. If the muslims said to Rev. Jones. If you stop burning the Koran we will stop the suicide bombings. I think it is a fair and proper thing to do.
albert muscat
Sep 8th 2010, 20:31
@malcolm seychell
@ sarah baldacchino. so sharia law is part of the religion of peace???
start reading yourself.
As a female you will be a second class citizen under islam. Simply because you are a female.
In the Bible I read: "The birth of a daughter is a loss" (Ecclesiasticus 22:3). Could you pleas quote one single verse of the Quran where it says that a female is a second class citizen? Failure to do that would automatically discredit what you say one the whole matter I am afraid!
A. Vassallo
Sep 8th 2010, 19:22
@ AMMAR ELSADI
I cannot agree with you when you say that the American President and his government are to be held responsable for this action since both the American President and Government have already condemned this gesture. But remember that Rev. Jones happens to live in a free democratic country and not in a country that is governed by the terror of the Sha'aria.
Any harm done to Rev. Jones, his followers, Americans, Christians and to any one else in the world should never be justified as it seems you are doing. We of the democratic world do not believe in the "eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth" philosophy.
On the other hand I cannot but agree with you that Malta and its Government are an example of religious tolerance.
Romeo Busuttil
Sep 8th 2010, 19:10
What a wonderful world it would be if no religion existed.
Alton Costa
Sep 8th 2010, 21:25
Mr. Busuttil, man made religion will always create barriers between people. That is why God planned that salvation will only be through a relationship with Jesus Christ. If we really follow God Word the Bible and apply Jesus's teaching in our daily living, there would be love, blessings, willingness to see others better than ourselves and most of all an assurance for eternal life!
Charles Sammut
Sep 8th 2010, 18:55
There is no business for western troops in muslim countries. And there is no business for muslims in the West. The fire of multiculturalism fanned by political correctness is destroying Europe and the US.
I have no problem with muslims flogging and stoning their own people in their own countries. Nobody should interfere. But likewise muslims should not interfere in how we run our countries. It's nobody's business if Terry Jones wants to burn the Koran just like flags and other symbols are burnt and denigrated in Muslim countries. To be quite honest, I don't mind if Terry Jones burns a few bibles as well because it is the turn the other cheek , love your enemy mentality of Christianity that got us in this unholy mess. It is anti-nature.
A search for "Muslims in Europe" on youtube is an eyeopener.
Edward Muscat
Sep 8th 2010, 20:44
You have no problem with muslims flogging and stoning their own people in their own countries? So let's say some day Sha'aria is introduced in Malta, you would still have no problem about that? I mean, wouldn't you care about your wife or any other female relative of yours in that case? That was a very arrogant statement IMHO.
Tommy Lee
Sep 9th 2010, 10:04
@Edward Muscat.
Please read the whole post before commenting to save embarrassment.
Maryrose Frendo
Sep 8th 2010, 18:42
Are the US authorities powerless in stopping this maniac? I think they have a moral responsibility to do so before its too late. This mad act will achieve nothing but further conflict. It will have repercussions world wide. The act itself will not bring the peace the Rev. is saying is missing in the Koran. If the US authorities do nothing about this they are as mad as the Rev. and his followers.
AMMAR ELSADI
Sep 8th 2010, 18:03
WELL DONE REV JONES! . WHILE THE WHOLE WORLD IS DOING ITS ATMOST TO KEEP THINGS CALM BETWEEN TRUE MUSLIMS AND OTHER RELIGIONS ESPECIALLY CHRISTIANS THIS MAN IS DETERMINED TO GO ON WITH THIS PROVOCATIVE AND DANGEROUS PLAN. MUSLIMS ARE TO HOLD THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT AND HIS GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ACTION , OTHERWISE ANY HARM DONE TO THIS GUY AND HIS FOLLOWERS MUST BE CONSIDERED AS A HOLY DEED. ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF PEACE WHEN PRACTICED AS IT SHOULD . THE 20 MUSLIMS TO SAY WHO CARRIED OUT THE 9/11 ATTACKS DO NOT REPRESENT ISLAM AT ALL. AND WHO EVER CLAIMS THEY DO WILL BE USING RELIGION AS A LOOSING CARD TO PROVE THAT ISLAM IS TERRORISM ETC. ALL MUSLIMS CONDEMNED THE ATTACKS SO WHAT IS ALL THIS ABOUT ? FOR HOW LONG SHALL WE KEEP OUR MOUTHS SHUT ? WE HOPE THAT THE AMERICAN AUTHORITIES STOP THIS ACTION SO WE CONTINUE TO LIVE IN PEACE ALL OF US NO MATTER WHAT BELIEFES ONE FOLLOWS. MALTA IS AN EXAMPLE OF RELIGION TOLERANCE AND HOPE THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD FOLLOWS THIS EXAMPLE.
Mark Vella
Sep 8th 2010, 20:02
So the Muslins condemned the 9/11 Muslim Terrorists attacks?....... yeah right, watch below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-9JpRytCx0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmo64fcvKs0&feature=related
Additionally, I agree with anyone saying that a world without any Religion would be a perfect world. All we need is moral values not religions!
J. Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 20:06
sir,
I do not consider myself a christian, less even a catholic....
however i understand that jesus was quoted as having said that if someone slaps you turn the other cheek for the potential second slap (mind you not that the church or most christians have practised this).
if i burn i bible in public i will be called names, and our over zealous police will take me to court and most probably i will pay a fine...so long for free expression and freedom of own property!
now, i would be grateful if you could explain (in small caps please), why you state that if jones burns the koran, any subsequent harm (physical I presume) they will suffer is a "holy" deed? Do you sincerely believe this? Does the koran really encourage this?
i trust you are not a fundamentalist - thus your views will be appreciated...
malcolm seychell
Sep 8th 2010, 17:57
@ sarah baldacchino. so sharia law is part of the religion of peace???
start reading yourself.
As a female you will be a second class citizen under islam. Simply because you are a female.
Sarah Baldacchino
Sep 9th 2010, 06:43
Females are treated as queens in Islam, and if you see them treated as second class citizens I think that would answer the question why thousands of caucasian white european female women convert to Islam every year.
Brian Camilleri
Sep 9th 2010, 10:46
Hellooo ...... does BURKA means any thing to you??!!
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.7164/pub_detail.asp
l borg
Sep 8th 2010, 17:37
the religion free country?
the american mask is starting to be removed
Kenneth Cassar
Sep 9th 2010, 11:36
What a silly comment. What mask is being removed? Every country has its weirdos. Malta is no exception.
J. Borg
Sep 8th 2010, 17:16
Jones is a short-sighted chap....
however Mohammad Mukhtar, a cleric and candidate for the Afghan parliament, is sickening and a criminal to propose such reaction.
Frans Sammut
Sep 8th 2010, 17:08
Is this Jones character nuts? I have never heard anything crazier than this. I hope somebody knocks some sense into his hollow head before it is too late.
JOe VELLa
Sep 8th 2010, 21:59
Frans,
According to CNN his community /church is made of 50 followers!
As they say it only happen in American HA
malcolm seychell
Sep 8th 2010, 16:54
It is worse to burn people and explode buses, trains towers etc than burning the koran.
This is an extreme measure, but Islam is not a religion of peace.
This should be clear to all.
sarah baldacchino
Sep 8th 2010, 17:35
what do you know about Islam to say that it is not a relegion of peace? have you ever read the coran to conclude that? You need to get more informed about it before you start accusing. How can you burn a holy book were the name of Jesus was mentioned 25 times! and in which there is a whole Surat carrying the name of Mary the Virgin! Please, stop watching tv and read books.
JOe VELLa
Sep 8th 2010, 21:10
@Sarah Baldacchino
It is good to tell others to read the Koran. Interestingly your reference that Jesus is mentioned in the Koran you left out that no where do you find Jesus is the Son of God; the true way to salvation; He died for our sins on the cross, but referred as a prophet like Moses who lived and died like him, it also says that Mohamed is the greatest and last of all prophets.
I wish I write thing that will surprise the read, yet I close by writing after one reads the Koran he will realize that it teaches peace. The question is, is it really the way of life this peace written in the Koran in Islamic countries of today?
Chris Vidal
Sep 9th 2010, 02:04
and do you think that the bible is a book that promotes peace.?? read it through and you will find out how many mass murders were done in the name of god including the killing of Egyptians, new born infants etc. people like this so called rev who came with this idea are also fundamentalists. if there is something that should be abolished....this is religion and any religion. couple of generations and people will start looking at these stories as myths in the same way that we look at Greek mythology and Roman gods
bryan sullivan
Sep 9th 2010, 10:36
@sarah
i admire your efforts to champion the Islamic religion as a religion which promotes peace . The pity is that most Islamic States do not adhere to these same tenets of peaceful coexistence . Perhaps , as a woman, you could let readers have your views on what is happening to Sakineh in Iran where this lady has been given 99 lashings for allegedly showing her face without a veil and now is still under the spectre of death by stoning for adultery. Your efforts to promote peace should perhaps be better directed towards the Islamic States which do not practice what you believe.
Yvonne Oruamen
Sep 8th 2010, 16:23
The Koran Burning exercise will be counter productive to US. Whatever the people behind this act intends to achieve will be counter productive to all the US have achieved from the wars in Iraq and Afganistan. They should stop and think of this "On Whos behalf are they carrying out this burning exercise". You do not fight terror with abuse of something a person hold sacred. The repercussion from this koran burning cannot be imagined. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. The Obama administration cannot fold her arms because of freedom of expression or freedom of speech.
This group of people who do not love America must be stopped before they cause more harm.
Edward Camilleri
Sep 8th 2010, 15:57
Why don't they burn an equal number of Koran's & Bibles at the same time? Isn't there more important things that we should care about like climate change to name just one?
joseph galea
Sep 8th 2010, 15:06
This is not only outrageous but highly provocative.
Some north Americans cannot stoop lower.
Pure shame to the faith practised in this church.
The man in charge should be divested of his habit (it is a bad one anyway)
No more words............sheer shock
joe the plumber