Dove World Outreach Center is going to host an “International Burn A Quran Day” on 9/11. According to the pastor, this protest will give Muslims an opportunity to convert. Conveniently this year the Muslim feast day of Eid-al-Fitr falls on 9/11, so their gospel message of “up yours” will really be maximized. Evidently their church mission is to give the Phelpsians a run for their money.
Pastor Terry Jones said members of the church plan to be at the Gainesville City Hall on Aug. 2 to protest the election of the city’s openly gay mayor. Church-state groups had previously accused the church of illegal politicking for its “No Homo Mayor” signs.
It’s difficult to state how strenuously I oppose Islam. It’s an oppressive, misogynistic theo-political construct and I’d like nothing better than to see it join Nazi philosophies in the dustbin of history. I believe that its adherents – like all who reject Jesus Christ as their savior – will be separated from God for eternity.
I’m not opposed to burning Qurans. I participated in Everybody Draw Mohammed Day. Muslims need to understand that free speech necessarily means that you will sometimes hear or see things you find offensive, and that in a free society you counter that with more speech, not with threats and violence. Do I think Christopher Hitchens and Pat Condell are absolutely wrong in their views about faith? Yes, indeed. But I support their freedom to tell me I’m wrong. The Phelpsians ongoing blasphemy offends me far more than anything atheists say; it’s more offensive even than Islam. Yet even those miserable, hate-filled thugs have the right to spew their bile. So if anyone out there wants to wrap up a Quran in bacon and throw it on the grill, hey, more power to you. If we do not exercise our right to free speech, we will surely lose it.
Burning Qurans may teach an important free speech lesson, but I do not see how it does anything to show Muslims the love of Christ. I think the right mindset for evangelism is particularly well expressed in 1 Peter 3:
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
If Dove World Outreach is really interested in reaching out, they should reconsider their plans.
