Christian Fear/Hate Alert: ¨..religious fanaticism can not be redeemed by an act of intolerance and religious stupidity.¨

Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove Center in Gainesville

Episcopal News Service] How can anyone think that an act of hate and religious fanaticism -- the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 -- can somehow be redeemed by an act of intolerance and religious stupidity?

The Rt. Rev. Leo Frade is bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida

I have been trying to decide whether Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove Center in Gainesville, who is planning to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11, has any idea of how much harm and persecution his action will bring upon Christians living around the world -- and specifically those living in countries with a majority Muslim population. I have traveled extensively in the Middle East, and I am quite familiar with the precarious situation of Christians in that area.

I can only appeal to him to desist from an action that will hurt his Christian brothers and sisters around the world; they are the ones who will suffer the consequences of his fanatical act.
As an American, I also appeal to his patriotism and concern for our U.S. troops.

General David Petraeus, our commander in Afghanistan, has warned that this planned act of disrespect and destruction of the Muslim scriptures will both endanger our troops already in perilous situations and harm our relationship with those Muslim countries that are our sincere allies.

Every page of the Quran that burns will recruit to the ranks of Islamic extremists hundreds of irate Muslims, who will see in this action a confirmation of claims by Al Qaeda and the Taliban that Americans are engaged in our own jihad against the followers of Islam.

What would Jesus do? I am quite sure that burning the holy scriptures of another faith would never be his choice. Our Lord said from the cross where he died, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing." HERE

· Thanks to The Episcopal Church News Service, sidebar
· Thanks to Three Rivers, sidebar
· Thanks to The Rt. Reverend Leo Frade, Florida
· Thanks to General David Petraeus
· Thanks to INTV, Photo