Is burning holy books a legitimate form of expression?
|
Tuesday, 9 Sept. 2010
|17:54 - 19:00 GMT
Pastor Terry Jones has put Gainesville on the map. His Florida-based church has launched the 'burn a Koran' campaign that has got thousands protesting.
The Miami Herald call it the 'bonfire of hatred' and a mere publicity stunt.
But it's no longer about one church with anti-Muslim sentiment.
The U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General Petraeus, has said that the move could endanger the lives of troops in Afghanistan and protests have already kicked off in Jakarta and Kabul.
According to the Miami Herald the church is also planning on burning the Talmud, a Jewish holy text
There are a few issues here:
- Is is ever okay to burn a book considered holy by any religion?
There have been plenty of other examples of burning or desecrating bibles. This Baptist church in North Carolina cut up bibles last year, because they believe any version other than the King James is the 'work of the devil'. (The church had originally planned on burning the bibles, but it rained -- their explanation is here)
Is this simply an expression of freedom of speech? Or is there a difference between saying you diagree with or dislike a relgion, and actually burning their holy book?
- Secondly (and I would argue more interestingly) there is the issue of General Petraeus's comments. He may well be right in arguing that the Qu'ran burning could endanger his troops through risk of reprisal attacks. But is he right to caution against what some people consider an act of free expression because of its potential consequences?
Can the two acts be related? After all, the Dove World Outreach Centre is not breaking any laws. Does his warning infringe on the very rights that make America a country where people of all religions can practice freely? That's what this blogger is thinking about.
And The Political Jungle wonders why General Petraeus is getting involved at all.
'Why is the US Military getting involved in a civil issue? It's not a hate crime, it's freedom of speech. Petraeus may be right, but this is unusual at best.'
But some bloggers agree with General Petraeus speaking out.
'If this God forbid this could happen, the reaction of Muslims around the world will effect all of us. I think the officials should keep their eyes on the aspects of this.'
Vicki Crawford from the Naples Daily Blog is more concerned about citizen safety than troops in Afghanistan.
'It's possible that this book burning could create a firestorm that could hit us here at home as well. While there is some concern about possible repercussions against our troops, I'm not too worried about them because they got their Kevlar and their weapons. From their training they know to be prepared, but there's a whole lot of civilians that aren't...Mr. Jones wants to burn a few Qurans. Perhaps someone will want to burn down a church in return. Or something worse.'
Chicago Ray writes,
'Readers and certainly my friends amongst that group know I'm a pretty hard right conservative but I don't advocate violence, and burning Korans, as good of an idea it might have seemed after a couple drinks, is simply provocative and will cause them to act out, and many already are.As much as I hate to say this, burning them is something they would do. It just IS.'
But the Stratton Post worries about double standards,
'...even though this pastor is lacking some serious moral judgement, it is no excuse for the 500 plus Muslim's who crowded downtown Kabul and chanted "Long live Islam" and "Long live the Quran" while burning an effigy of Terry Jones who is the senior pastor of Dove World Outreach Center in Florida who is planning the event. I know, the irony, the last way you reach out to someone is by burning something they hold dear. However that is beside the point. If Islam is supposed to be peaceful, should we allow others who disagree with us to be as long as they do not infringe on our personal rights?'
According to this tweet from Savo_heleta in Africa:
'So far, over 8,300 people on Facebook "Like" International Burn A Koran Day... '
Are you worried about the consequences if the burning goes ahead?
Your comments
Comment sent via SMS
18:54
114295081
The extremists is going 2 have a field day. The Koran burning is a massive recruiting agent. Stupidity creates more problems with the already unstable world. Anna
Comment sent via Facebook
18:55
113631290
Justin posts on Facebook - Freedom of speech stops when what you're saying incites violence. Something like this will ultimately make a bad situation worse.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:45
113631290
Steve writes on Facebook - Any act that endangers American troops is sedition. This group should simply be stopped before they act out their craziness and cost American lives.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:40
114717566
re: book burning. what about 'fighting words' clause? Could this be seen as hateful, inciting speech?
Comment sent via SMS
18:26
114717503
I don鈥檛 agree with the burning of the Quran. However,is it any different than Saudi Arabia consficating and destroying Bibles from people who visit there?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:35
113631290
John in the US emails - I don't agree that it would put our troops at increased risk. The fundamentalists who would take the most offence at this are already trying to kill us, and the vast majority of Muslims are intelligent enough to see Rev. Jones for the clown that he is.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:27
114717507
@主播大秀_whys it's pathetic to beleive that burning holy books is wrong, and then reciprocate the action. Freedm ends when u strt hurting ppl
Comment sent via Facebook
18:31
113631290
Cat posts on Facebook - this book burning is disgusting. It is a right, perhaps, but it is inflammatory when this preacher preaches about the hatred. He is influencing hatred, such as the children wearing the hate shirts in their schools. What would this guy do if people counter protested with burning their Bible?
Comment sent via Facebook
18:26
113631290
Tina posts on Facebook - It is sad to know that this is how some people decide to exercise their free speech.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:24
113631290
Jace posts on Facebook - This shows the ignorance of religion. To create such a passion for such hatred.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:23
114717433
@主播大秀_WHYS Free speech is fibe, but honestly! Burning the Koran is equivalent to burning the US flag. Let's just
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:21
113631290
Ray in Colorado emails - Burning the holy book of any religion is unAmerican and unChristian. Freedom of speech does not allow people to shout "fire!" in a crowded auditorium - over. Doing so is criminal in America. This would be exactly the same.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:19
113631290
Faith in the US - Our activist community is split on the an appropriate response. Half are holding multi faith services, the other half organizing a rally at the sight, or rather across the street.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:15
113631290
Marsha in the US emails - I deplore the Koran-burning. It is a demonstration of actions that are unthinking. I also support the construction of the Muslim community center in NY. We have to heal.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:14
113631290
Charles emails - Obviously the guy is a crackpot. But COVERAGE of this local crackpot's action is the problem. The media - including the 主播大秀 - also carry reponsibility for extremist revenge actions. Why is this person - in Florida - so important???
Comment sent via Facebook
18:12
113631290
Mohammed posts on Facebook - those guys can burn as many Qurans as they can. it is not gonna change anything. religions these days are inflaming conflicts and chaos instead of finding solutions to conflicts.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:10
114717433
@主播大秀_WHYS Free speech is fine, but it also comes with responsibility--something many fringe lunatics do not seem to grasp.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:07
113631290
Eric in the US posts on Facebook - Bible/Quran are just books. The message is on the inside and what is considered holy. When you subscribe holiness to an item like a book, doesn't that mean your making an Idol out of that object?
Comment sent via host
18:06
113631290
On air now. Post your comments here.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:06
113631290
Emika writes on Facebook - This is absolute madness! To go burning a Holy book is no legitimate expression of freedom, rather it's absolute hatred for Islam as a religion. I'm a christian but firm advocate of religious tolerance.
Is burning holy books a legitimate form of expression?
| Tuesday, 9 Sept. 2010 | 17:54 - 19:00 GMT
Pastor Terry Jones has put Gainesville on the map. His Florida-based church has launched the 'burn a Koran' campaign that has got thousands protesting.
The Miami Herald call it the 'bonfire of hatred' and a mere publicity stunt.
But it's no longer about one church with anti-Muslim sentiment.
The U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General Petraeus, has said that the move could endanger the lives of troops in Afghanistan and protests have already kicked off in Jakarta and Kabul.
According to the Miami Herald the church is also planning on burning the Talmud, a Jewish holy text
There are a few issues here:
- Is is ever okay to burn a book considered holy by any religion?
There have been plenty of other examples of burning or desecrating bibles. This Baptist church in North Carolina cut up bibles last year, because they believe any version other than the King James is the 'work of the devil'. (The church had originally planned on burning the bibles, but it rained -- their explanation is here)
Is this simply an expression of freedom of speech? Or is there a difference between saying you diagree with or dislike a relgion, and actually burning their holy book?
- Secondly (and I would argue more interestingly) there is the issue of General Petraeus's comments. He may well be right in arguing that the Qu'ran burning could endanger his troops through risk of reprisal attacks. But is he right to caution against what some people consider an act of free expression because of its potential consequences?
Can the two acts be related? After all, the Dove World Outreach Centre is not breaking any laws. Does his warning infringe on the very rights that make America a country where people of all religions can practice freely? That's what this blogger is thinking about.
And The Political Jungle wonders why General Petraeus is getting involved at all.
'Why is the US Military getting involved in a civil issue? It's not a hate crime, it's freedom of speech. Petraeus may be right, but this is unusual at best.'
But some bloggers agree with General Petraeus speaking out.
'If this God forbid this could happen, the reaction of Muslims around the world will effect all of us. I think the officials should keep their eyes on the aspects of this.'
Vicki Crawford from the Naples Daily Blog is more concerned about citizen safety than troops in Afghanistan.
'It's possible that this book burning could create a firestorm that could hit us here at home as well. While there is some concern about possible repercussions against our troops, I'm not too worried about them because they got their Kevlar and their weapons. From their training they know to be prepared, but there's a whole lot of civilians that aren't...Mr. Jones wants to burn a few Qurans. Perhaps someone will want to burn down a church in return. Or something worse.'
Chicago Ray writes,
'Readers and certainly my friends amongst that group know I'm a pretty hard right conservative but I don't advocate violence, and burning Korans, as good of an idea it might have seemed after a couple drinks, is simply provocative and will cause them to act out, and many already are.As much as I hate to say this, burning them is something they would do. It just IS.'
But the Stratton Post worries about double standards,
'...even though this pastor is lacking some serious moral judgement, it is no excuse for the 500 plus Muslim's who crowded downtown Kabul and chanted "Long live Islam" and "Long live the Quran" while burning an effigy of Terry Jones who is the senior pastor of Dove World Outreach Center in Florida who is planning the event. I know, the irony, the last way you reach out to someone is by burning something they hold dear. However that is beside the point. If Islam is supposed to be peaceful, should we allow others who disagree with us to be as long as they do not infringe on our personal rights?'
According to this tweet from Savo_heleta in Africa:
'So far, over 8,300 people on Facebook "Like" International Burn A Koran Day... '
Are you worried about the consequences if the burning goes ahead?
Your comments
Comment sent via SMS
The extremists is going 2 have a field day. The Koran burning is a massive recruiting agent. Stupidity creates more problems with the already unstable world. Anna
Comment sent via Facebook
Justin posts on Facebook - Freedom of speech stops when what you're saying incites violence. Something like this will ultimately make a bad situation worse.
Comment sent via Facebook
Steve writes on Facebook - Any act that endangers American troops is sedition. This group should simply be stopped before they act out their craziness and cost American lives.
Comment sent via Twitter
re: book burning. what about 'fighting words' clause? Could this be seen as hateful, inciting speech?
Comment sent via SMS
I don鈥檛 agree with the burning of the Quran. However,is it any different than Saudi Arabia consficating and destroying Bibles from people who visit there?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
John in the US emails - I don't agree that it would put our troops at increased risk. The fundamentalists who would take the most offence at this are already trying to kill us, and the vast majority of Muslims are intelligent enough to see Rev. Jones for the clown that he is.
Comment sent via Twitter
@主播大秀_whys it's pathetic to beleive that burning holy books is wrong, and then reciprocate the action. Freedm ends when u strt hurting ppl
Comment sent via Facebook
Cat posts on Facebook - this book burning is disgusting. It is a right, perhaps, but it is inflammatory when this preacher preaches about the hatred. He is influencing hatred, such as the children wearing the hate shirts in their schools. What would this guy do if people counter protested with burning their Bible?
Comment sent via Facebook
Tina posts on Facebook - It is sad to know that this is how some people decide to exercise their free speech.
Comment sent via Facebook
Jace posts on Facebook - This shows the ignorance of religion. To create such a passion for such hatred.
Comment sent via Twitter
@主播大秀_WHYS Free speech is fibe, but honestly! Burning the Koran is equivalent to burning the US flag. Let's just
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Ray in Colorado emails - Burning the holy book of any religion is unAmerican and unChristian. Freedom of speech does not allow people to shout "fire!" in a crowded auditorium - over. Doing so is criminal in America. This would be exactly the same.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Faith in the US - Our activist community is split on the an appropriate response. Half are holding multi faith services, the other half organizing a rally at the sight, or rather across the street.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Marsha in the US emails - I deplore the Koran-burning. It is a demonstration of actions that are unthinking. I also support the construction of the Muslim community center in NY. We have to heal.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Charles emails - Obviously the guy is a crackpot. But COVERAGE of this local crackpot's action is the problem. The media - including the 主播大秀 - also carry reponsibility for extremist revenge actions. Why is this person - in Florida - so important???
Comment sent via Facebook
Mohammed posts on Facebook - those guys can burn as many Qurans as they can. it is not gonna change anything. religions these days are inflaming conflicts and chaos instead of finding solutions to conflicts.
Comment sent via Twitter
@主播大秀_WHYS Free speech is fine, but it also comes with responsibility--something many fringe lunatics do not seem to grasp.
Comment sent via Facebook
Eric in the US posts on Facebook - Bible/Quran are just books. The message is on the inside and what is considered holy. When you subscribe holiness to an item like a book, doesn't that mean your making an Idol out of that object?
Comment sent via host
On air now. Post your comments here.
Comment sent via Facebook
Emika writes on Facebook - This is absolute madness! To go burning a Holy book is no legitimate expression of freedom, rather it's absolute hatred for Islam as a religion. I'm a christian but firm advocate of religious tolerance.