U.S. pastor reconsiders cancelling Koran burning after 'lied to' by N.Y. imam
Florida's Rev. Terry Jones says clerics linked to Ground Zero mosque promised they would relocate the mosque in exchange for him cancelling his planned burning of the Muslim holy book.
By The Associated Press Tags: Israel news New YorkAn anti-Islamic preacher backed off and then threatened to reconsider burning the Quran on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, angrily accusing a Muslim leader of lying to him Thursday with a promise to move an Islamic center and mosque away from New York's ground zero. The imam planning the center denied there was ever such a deal.
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Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf addresses guests at an iftar dinner at the U.S. ambassador's residence near Bahrain's capital Manama August 22, 2010. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
The Rev. Terry Jones generated an international firestorm with his plan to burn the Quran on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and he has been under intense pressure to give it up. President Barack Obama urged him to listen to those better angels and give up his stunt, saying it would endanger U.S. troops and give Islamic terrorists a recruiting tool. Defense Secretary Robert Gates took the extraordinary step of calling Jones personally.
Standing outside his 50-member Pentecostal church, the Dove Outreach Center, alongside Imam Muhammad Musri, the president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, Jones said he relented when Musri assured him that the New York mosque will be moved.
Hours later, after Musri and the leader of the New York mosque denied such an agreement, Jones said Musri "clearly, clearly lied to us."
"Given what we are now hearing, we are forced to rethink our decision," Jones said. "So as of right now, we are not canceling the event, but we are suspending it."
Jones did not say whether the Quran burning could still be held Saturday, but he said he expected Musri to keep his word and expected the imam in New York to back up one of his own men.
Jones had never invoked the mosque controversy as a reason for his planned protest. He cited his belief that the Quran is evil because it espouses something other than biblical truth and incites radical, violent behavior among Muslims.
But he said Thursday afternoon that he prayed about the decision and concluded that if the mosque was moved, it would be a sign from God to call off the Quran burning.
"We are, of course, now against any other group burning Qurans," Jones said. "We would right now ask no one to burn Qurans. We are absolutely strong on that. It is not the time to do it."
Musri thanked Jones and his church members for making the "decision today to defuse the situation and bring to a positive end what has become the world over a spectacle that no one would benefit from except extremists and terrorists who would use it to recruit future radicals."
After Jones accused him of lying, Musri said the pastor "stretched my words at the news conference."
"I think there was no confusion to begin with. When we stepped out of the church, we had an agreement to meet in New York," Musri said. He added that Jones said his main reason for stopping the event was that it would endanger the troops overseas, Americans traveling abroad and others around the world.
Musri said he told the pastor that "I personally believe the mosque should not be there, and I will do everything in my power to make sure it is moved, Musri said. But there is not any offer from there [New York] that it will be moved. All we have agreed to is a meeting, and I think we would all like to see a peaceful resolution."
Musri said Thursday night that he still plans to go ahead with the meeting Saturday.
In New York, the leader of the Islamic center project, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, issued a statement saying he was glad Jones had decided not to burn the Quran but that he had spoken to neither the pastor nor Musri.
"We are not going to toy with our religion or any other. Nor are we going to barter," Rauf said. "We are here to extend our hands to build peace and harmony."
Jones' decision to call off the Quran burning was made after a firestorm of criticism from leaders around the world. The pope and several other Christian leaders were among those urging him to reconsider his plans, which generated a wave of anger among Muslims. In Afghanistan, hundreds of Afghans burned an American flag and chanted Death to the Christians to protest the planned Quran burning.
Obama told ABC's Good Morning America in an interview aired Thursday that Jones' plan "is completely contrary to our values as Americans."
"And as a very practical matter, I just want him to understand that this stunt that he is talking about pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women who are in uniform," Obama said.
Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell confirmed that Gates called Jones about 4 P.M. EST Thursday - shortly before the pastor's announcement. During the very brief call, Gates expressed his grave concern that going forward with this Quran burning would put the lives of our forces at risk, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, Morrell said.
Morrell said earlier that the decision to issue a personal appeal was "not easy because it could provoke other extremists who, all they want, is a call from so-and-so." After Gates' call to Jones, Morrell said the secretary's fundamental baseline attitude about this is that if that phone call could save the life of one man or woman in uniform it was a call worth placing.
Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's ambassador to the U.S., thanked Obama, Gates and other administration officials for their efforts. "This is definitely a positive moment in showing America's tolerance and pluralism and should not go unappreciated in the Muslim world," Haqqani said.
The cancellation also was welcomed by Jones' neighbors in Gainesville, a city of 125,000 anchored by the sprawling University of Florida campus. At least two dozen Christian churches, Jewish temples and Muslim organizations in the city had mobilized to plan inclusive events, including Quran readings at services, as a counterpoint to Jones' protest.
Jones' Dove Outreach Center 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 pastor was not the only person to inject confusion into the debate over the New York mosque, which is planned to go up two blocks north of the trade center site. Donald Trump, who made a fortune in real estate, offered Thursday to buy out a major investor in the real estate partnership that controls the site where the 13-story Islamic center would be built.
Opponents argue it is insensitive to families and memories of Sept. 11 victims to build a mosque so close to where Islamic extremists flew planes into the World Trade Center and killed nearly 2,800 people. Proponents support the project as a reflection of religious freedom and diversity and say hatred of Muslims is fueling the opposition.
In a letter released Thursday by Trump's publicist, Trump told Hisham Elzanaty that he would buy his stake in one of the two lower Manhattan buildings involved in the project for 25 percent more than whatever he paid - if the mosque is moved at least five blocks farther away from the trade center site.
"I am making this offer as a resident of New York and citizen of the United States, not because I think the location is a spectacular one [because it is not], but because it will end a very serious, inflammatory, and highly divisive situation that is destined, in my opinion, to only get worse," the letter said.
Elzanaty's response: No sale.
"This is just a cheap attempt to get publicity and get in the limelight," said his lawyer, Wolodymyr Starosolsky.
He added that the offer's lack of seriousness is evident in the price.
The group collectively paid $4.8 million for the building Trump offered to buy. The other is being leased.
Starosolsky said the real estate partnership had already received two offers in the ballpark of $20 million.
"He knows what the value of the building is. If he were really interested in buying the building, he would have come forward with at least $20 million," Starosolsky said.
Starosolsky added that Elzanaty remains committed to the idea of having a mosque built on at least part of the property.
It's unclear how much control Elzanaty has over the property, which is owned by an eight-member investment group led by El-Gamal's real estate company, Soho Properties.
El-Gamal said Soho Properties controls the site, but didn't elaborate. His spokesman said he couldn't answer questions about the investment team or ownership issues.
In a pair of interviews with the AP this week, Elzanaty said he had invested in the site with an intention of making a profit and was willing to half the land for private development, and maybe all of it if a Muslim group doesn't come forward with enough money to build the mosque.
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i) No matter if the burning of the Koran/s goes ahead or not,the seeds of strife & confrontation have already been sown........ 2) A religious war will break out. The consequences: Everyone's guess.................. 3) The strong Christian Belt in the South,will not stand for Muslim provocation n the USA..At the end there might be no place for Mosques or their Madrasas of hate.in America. This movement which began in the USA will spread to Europe & the rest of the world. It won't happen in one day,but the seeds of hatred & strife have already been sown by the Mullah regime with its money & institutions spread all over the world. Their Master Plan is to divert the focus in their efforts of producing Nuclear Bomb/s World conflagration will suit their purpose just fine. Wait for developments !
thank the media for providing al qaeda and the taliban precisely the fodder they needed to portray Americans as villains by inflating the ignorance of an absolute nobody into a focal point of international attention.
At What Point Do Terry Jones' Demands Become Blackmail?
Is he a supporter of the Tea Party. He seems to have the same values as the Tea Party. Haven't heard any condemnation from any of the prominent Tea Party members. Maybe people should remember Pastor Martin Niemöller's famous poem
the Pastor and an Imam standing side by side and having agreed with having reached a deal: to relocate the mosque and the Islamist culture center elsewhere. Just roll the clip! The Pastor was lied to: the news-clip PROVES this!
Bad news is what sells. At any moment in time there are always hate groups. This time the usually responsible big players in journalism gave this guy a stage and a microphone that could be heard all over the world. What was a small group of hate mongers and misfits now enjoys center page on just about every newspaper. It isn't illegal. And in a democracy is shouldn't be. But, in the days of Walter Cronkite there was more responsibility that came with ones power.
no explanation need be given.
It now appears that this whole episode is simply an attempt to drive up the price of the property and make Rauf a wealthy iman.
This idiot Terry Jones wants to hide his cowardice - he must have been given an ultimatum by the Feds - if you burn the Koran - we will burn you. He talked to the local Florida Imam and than made the announcement that he is flying to NY to see that Guy Abdul Rauf. Faisal Abdul Rauf says that he had never ever spoken to this liar pastor - how can a florida imam can say without the NY imam knowing about it. Terry Jones is not only a thief ( he cleaned the till of the church in Germany and was kicked out) he is a liar and a coward. Cheap publicity and was trying to make some money out of it . Mark my words he will cash this out by writing a book or going on a lecture tour. Third rate bast-*** is Terry Jones - I won't even spit on him as my spit will be contaminated.
Muslims have the legal and constitutional right to build the mosq, but they do not have the moral vision to see that they are shoving it down our throats with no thought or regard to our feelings or sensitivities regarding 9/11...........Having said that, A holy Book burning puts Christians at same level of barbarism as the Muslims they are punishing....
Jews in Israel are doing just that. It is immoral period...
He has not learned how one should honour other religion.he only can make VIOLANCE.
Anyone who has read the koran knows that it states that lying to one's enemies is considered an admirable and approved practice as a way to win the advantage. Why are we surprised that Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf has lied?
Stop building a Mosque, or I will burn your holy books and set off riots. Sounds like textbook extortion to me.
Terry Jones is a known loser and should be ignored. He is not significant and should not be given coverage. He does not represent Americans and in fact his actions just promote Islam in America. Muslims have deep respect for Jesus and the Bible. The hate exhibited by the likes of Jones is totally contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Hi ! Didn't you know they are Liars !?
THIS "NO TURN THE OTHER CHEEK" HYPOCRITE NEEDS TO BURN IN HELL... BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO PUNCH HIM IN THE NOSE FIRST TO TEACH HIM MANNERS.
Just send a squad team and arrest all these idiots. for "hate crime" " threat to US security" No big deal.
Not to be insulting, it is a just a description. The Rev. Jones was given an "off ramp" which he HAD to take. Hopefully he disappears in the media but I get the feeling this stunt will be revisited in the near future. It's very sad but I can see the same kind of stunt happening to garner attention again. The over-reaction is, however, a phenomenon.
A BUNCH OF DHIMMY KOOKS ALL .APPEASEMENT ??/ FOR WHAT? AIN'T THE TRUTH THAT ISLAMOFASCISTS ARE THE THUGS WHO MURDERED THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS? WHETHER THIS PASTOR IS OUT OF LINE OR NOT, FACT REMAINS ISLAMISTS ARE TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE WHOLE WORLD.AND IF NO ONE STOPS IT SOME F YOU WISHY,WASHY LIBERALS WILL RUE THE DAY.SORRY BUT IT IS THE TRUTH.
Whatever happens with Jones and the burning, I expect that the publicity he garnered will appear irresistable to every fanatical religious extremist the world over, and many will soon be burning Qurans, Bibles, Talmud's etc.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/orthodox-jewish-youths-burn-new-testaments-in-or-yehuda-1.246153
Burning of the New Testaments is very bad taste and it's wrong. However according to the Israeli law, missionary activity is banned in Israel. It has lots of churches, mosques and t's the centre of Bahai religion (in Haifa). However missionary activity is not allowed. Whoever did it, did it against the law.
no freedom of speach allowed....i dont get to say 'my gawd is better than your gawd and heres why:...' and you are proud of that? institutional biggotry and though control...freedom of speach for jews only who preach torah and talmud? no freedom of religion....you have very sick society
islam=lies, decite, incitement, provocation and MURDER. This is what islam is and will always be.
The devils book from Gabriel to Mohammid.States infadels to be killed.This is a devil worship and should be burned.Any cult that states any kind of violence should be dealt with.As for this event being a cause for killing Americans its been going on for years and still is we need to stop this once and for all now...
I guess you have never read the Bible then ?
Kuran teaches us about peace, justice, what is right what is wrong and other many goods things. Before blaming Kuran we should read it. I just quote some verses of Kuran : 004.135 O ye who believe! Be ye staunch in justice, witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or (your) parents or (your) kindred, whether (the case be of) a rich man or a poor man, for Allah is nearer unto both (them ye are). So follow not passion lest ye lapse (from truth) and if ye lapse or fall away, then lo! Allah is ever informed of what ye do. 005.008 O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do. 002.277 Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. 005.032 .. if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. 005.100 Say: "Not equal are things that are bad and things that are good, even though the abundance of the bad may dazzle thee; so fear Allah, O ye that understand; that (so) ye may prosper." 2:190 Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you , but begin not hostilities . Lo! Allah loveth not , aggressors . 49:13 O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware. 4:1 O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom ye claim ( your rights ) of one another, and toward the wombs (that bore you ). Lo! Allah hath been a Watcher over you. 103.001-4 By (the Token of) Time (through the ages), Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy. 6:161 Say: Lo! As for me, my Lord hath guided me unto a straight path, a right religion, the community of Abraham, the upright, who was no idolater. 002.021 O ye people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and those who came before you, that ye may have the chance to learn righteousness; 002.280 If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time Till it is easy for him to repay. But if ye remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if ye only knew. 005.042 ….surely Allah loves those who judge equitably.
Blame the Imam for 'lying' to him. . . He has to hang on to the few dozen members of his cult or he has to find a new scam.
It is a terrible atrocity that someone would stoop this low as to show such disrespect and desecration to individuals religious beliefs. However, I am a born and raised catholic who will burn a bible and torah for every quran burned. If ignorance begets ignorance, let the begetting begin. And together we will all prove nothing more than we can pollute the air not only with the smoke from our fires, but with the ideologies that pollute society by individuals who believe only their way is the right way. We will find out that I can pollute as well as anyone else.
I was planning to attend the event. I was going to join in and burn some Bibles, Torahs and Talmuds, too. How many *millions* of people have died in the name of some invisible sky fairy?
More endorphins please: Religion erodes democracy. Religion enflames ethnic tensions. Religion is triumphalistic. Religion encourages war. Religion is a symptom of a brain dysfunction caused by a high degree of survival anxiety. Religion is pathological. A symbolic attempt by the brain to regulate it’s own chemistry (more endorphins please?) but it tolerates all kinds of delusional behavior and rewards the most extreme acting out. This kind of nitpicking nonsense has no place in the contemporary world.
When will the world understand, that searching for / politicizing / creating biological links, identities, relationships, and therefore hierarchies (yes, Zionism for instance, but also other ideologies in the past), is shameful? Nationalism and its racial/ethnic claims are dangerous and utterly nonsensical. Widen your horizon instead of reproducing malicious patterns of the past!
It might be of some interest to note one of the items on Albert Einstein’s desk, found after his death and prior to a planned speech to the israeli Knesset, was the following introduction: " I am not an American, I am not a jew, I am a human being". it was, therefore, not a surprise that jewish leaders of that day were shaking in their boots, and much relieved when he turned down the presidency of israel which would then go to chain Weitzman. for a definitive work on his life, works and trials, go to "Einstein" by Walter Isaacson.
Im just wondering why many of you encourage the building in New York when there is NO WAY! we would ever be allowed to build a Church or any other religious building in a muslim country.I just see many,many deceived people. G-d help you all.
Because I want to live in a better society, where people treat each other with tolerance. I want to practice my faith in peace, that's why I allow others to paractice their faith in peace. I believe that is the Christian and the American way. It is not deception; it is a concious choice that the founding fathers of the US also made.
Thats because US law is different from those countries laws. US has a separation between state and church and all religions are equal, while i.e. Saudi arabia there is a state religion and non-state religions are to be kept personal and within special areas.
beautiful, isn't it? Unfortunately what you consider as letting others practice what they want in peace seen as a weakness from those others. No? if not, please tell me why death threats promiced by Muslim world as a result of just announcements of Koran burning by church of 50 people will be carried against all Americans? Obama said many times that Americans do not fight with Islam but with AlQueda, and AlQueda is much more influential n Islam then 50 unarmed nuts from FL in America.
Islam is not a religion but an ideology of conquest. It comes with specific laws that limits your .."I want to practice my faith in peace" There is no peace in islam. Look around and see what islam does to conquered lands. Today it does it with demographic ... methods.
To be a hate crime, the act must first be a "crime". It is a Constitutionally protected form of "free speech" to burn a book or even the American flag.
unlike all other countries, we have the right to free speech to protect minority views-not the status quo. There are limitations, however, screaming "fire" in a theatre is not free speech, advocating others to murder-is not free speech, etc. If you think that's "bad", we also have the right to bear arms (we have about 8 billion weapons in private hands). If we feel our government is too oppressive, or if ANY government ever restricts our free speech, we have the right to dissolve that government by force if neccesary. That's what makes the US such a great country-not our wealth or military power.
What mad world do we live in? The burning is idiotic. A piece of idiocy orchestrated by an attention-seeking cult leader. What follows? A media orgy. Death threats. Warnings of impending violence. But since when must the West bow to extremist threats of violence? Do we have free speech or not? I condemn the man and his acts, but he is free to do it without Western interests being attacked anywhere in the world. Is it asking too much that people examine this man and his past and see him for what he is?? And what is any Muslim group doing even discussing concessions with him? What is the message, offend us and we'll give you something? Madness, all of it.
Well, some parts in the world this is not considered free speech, and western interests will be attacked in those jurisdictions, it would be against US law if they were attacked inside US jurisdiction that has such a wide free speech. Or do you feel that US laws should be universally applied everywhere an US citizen or US interests are? I.e. US laws do not apply in Israel, nor Sweden and I doubt they apply in any US occupied countries as that is forbidden according to GC.
Well, just like the Armenian genocide, the building of the community center at ground zero has become a political football. The politicians just don't really care about the survivors. They are more interested in getting elected and using the issue to get votes. None of these issues, Armenian genocide or building community centers should become political issues. The survivors would be better off it you did not use them for your own purpose or for political gain. They will survive; and hopefully, the first amendment and Constitution will survive. Freedom, Freedom of speech and religion. Hypocrites don't believe.
What did he expect? a kiss on the cheek and the cancelation of the Mosque. Islam is like communism,you cannot do a damn thing in their countries,but they expect freedom in ours.
who would have imagined this dead ringer for "Yosemite Sam" would garner so much publicity by threatening to burn the koran which Salman Rushdie described as the "Satanic Verses'? Absolutely fabulous theatre in lieu of any better alternative. I wonder how many Synagogues and Churches have been burned or 'changed' into mosques? This subject hit a raw nerve, one huge Washington D.C. publicity nightmare nerve.
The Koran is fiction, tell its fictional development, the fictionality of the character who never existed Mohammed, all its lie and hatreds, the fact that it has 2000 aramaic word, that every story within is derivative.
yesss and the big fish story really did happen, so has the sea being split into 2....everything in religion is fictional and based solely on faith...
Got a light? Turnabout's a bitch.
I believe it is not a Mosque per say. It is a prayer room within an Islamic cultural centre. So what's wrong with that? Time for the rest of us to take the opportunity to learn that Islam stands for peace as much as Judaism. I don't think either are are as truly peaceful as the Christian faith of course!
You mean Crusades+ ww1+ ww2?
Ah 'Peaceful Christians' Who said this, 'Pal Brit', Most probably as mockery..
Does Christianity support the Crusades + ww1 + ww2. Absolutely not! There is a huge difference between what a religion teaches and what people claiming belonging to that religion do!
17 I believe you need to learn sarcasm...
this dude got more publicity than Osama bin Laden on El Jazeera Brilliant in simplicity and a monument to the power of free speech that counters Islam on a supposed 'religious' basis. The fireworks have begun. Remember the bible being used as toilet paper when the Islamists took over the church in Bethlehem? This isn't the end of the matter, it is just the beginning. The media seized on this small congregation as he struck a nerve and began a debate that isn't ended. The reason for the furor is that this only scratches the surface. As for blaming him for more terror, acts of recruitment, etc. we shouldn't be there, to begin with. Who could make this stuff up? stay tuned.
Muslims ( Afgans) are already burning American flags. The fate of our soldiers and travellors no way becomes easier, if the burning of Koran is cancelled.
Gee---ho quickly that outrage dissipated. Double standards.
Bucket anyone?
Just stealing from previously published texts
Must be a soap opera fan---eh 17.
...exactly like the story of chris being born on the 25th of december...same scenario happened at least 4 times before christ was born..mmm one wonders is anything true in religion...
then burn all those so called holy books and not only the Koran.
BUt 50idiots in floridia act like fools and the entire muslim world is collectively blaming americans burning flags and threatening violence against ALL americans
Where do you get your news from? I guess that CNN, Fox, Haaretz, BBC have just forgotten to publish this "fact"?
This tradition is being nominated. If you do this do we still have a love of Christ
Heinrich Heine 13 December 1797 – 17 February 1856 GERMAN
this pastor is the spritual descendent of the KKK, and they did burn people
It is just as insulting to Americans to build a tower in view of the trade centers.
How can this great country, America allows an ignorant and evil guy like this to gain 1.5 billion of muslims hate across the world, its obvious he dont belong to Jesus Christ teachings, but to evil teaching, he is Satana in person,
Indeed, "muslims" are very capable - hate is their forte
The Imam beleived we had it coming in NEw York. If all muslims aren't terrorists, then all Americans aren't responsible for the perceived crimes of America. Jesus SOuth Park made an episode where Muhammed nevr appears to make the point that Muslims are free from criticism or they get violent. And muslims threatened to get violent over it.
and blame repeated acts of terror and our media being swamped with messages from those who want US and our allies, especially Israel, dead. It's not that hard to figure out.
there was no Islamic terrorism before 1947!
I can see the point why the loved ones of victims oppose a mosque near (two blocks away) Ground Zero. I can understand it emotionally, and if I were one of them, I'd probably react the same way. Yet a mosque is a place of prayer, study, assembly of Muslim people, and this one, as i understand it, would be more than that, an institution open to show Islam is not terrorism, violence, bigotry and hatred, but a noble civilization. And that the latter is older and larger than the former. Dispassionately -and I hope I am not being naïve- I don't see the problem, except the feelings of the victims, which should be respected.
israeli agents know this fact.
You must be really a silly person,saying,"there was no Islamic terrorism before 1947" In India alone the Muslims started provocations by slaughtering a cow & throwing it into a Hindu Temple. The cow is considered holy for the Hindus,And as a reciprocation, The Hindus killed a pig & threw it into a Mosque. The outcome was; Millions,dead. Both sides suffered.
In India alone the Muslims started provocations?
Surely not Islam. How about Christianity? The first amendment? Aha I got it the Media. May be. Think of it, how about the bastion that represents the West in the Middle East. That cannot be they need to assimilate in the bad neighborhood, or may be change the neighborhood.
I noticed that some 5 or more vans with satelite dishes, some 20 or so journalists and a few onlookers were staked out at the "Church"! The true media attention is not in the USA, rather more for the International audience. Have a nice day.
Glenn Beck, Sarah Pailin, Newt Gingrich, the republican party, the folks who decided to turn the Cordova Center into a campaign issue and inflame anti-Islamic fervor in the United States. Jones just joined the provocateurs and succeeded beyond their wildest desires.
We are free to do what we want as long as it does not physically hurt someone. America is beautiful. Muslims should bow to its superior Legal system.
Results of PC(orrectness)?
Its itself a satanic action to burn the Holy Script of other religion. He has gone out of his mind and should be taken care of his physicians or he should see counselor immediately. Whats fun in burning a Holy Book.
Who appointed this nutter to be a Rev? His 50 or so followers who are equally depraved>
Both decided New York having a Mosque could be politically exploited. Then Gingrich made a video about the US being at war with a billion Muslims. Then they and their political allies all gave tacit endorsement by refusing comment when asked even by the US military. They have also done the same with the burning of construction equipment for a Mosque in Tennessee. In that environment, nobody can be sure if he's not just carrying out Party Policy.
This was the best coment on the story .I think .
with the same basis ingredient : Christianity any error ? please correct
Unlike the pregnant woman shot by Palestinians last week IN COLD BLOOD , no one has been hurt by this jerk. So stop being ignorant.
the most moral army?
None, nada, zero, nil.
Faisal Rauf is not building at Ground Zero. Shame on Haaretz for adopting Pam Geller's inflamatory description.
http://www.godhatesfags.com/letters/20100909_Open-Letter-WBC-to-Burn-the-Koran-and-American-Flag.pdf I bet they burn the Talmud next.
More endorphins please: Religion erodes democracy. Religion enflames ethnic tensions. Religion is triumphalistic. Religion encourages war. Religion is a symptom of a brain dysfunction caused by a high degree of survival anxiety. Religion is pathological. A symbolic attempt by the brain to regulate it’s own chemistry (more endorphins please?) but it tolerates all kinds of delusional behavior and rewards the most extreme acting out. This kind of nitpicking nonsense has no place in the contemporary world.
From: Book-burners Flag-burners Fervent preachers of Atheism Global Jihadists Looney left supporters of Global Jihad Too much to ask??
they won't burn it because they steel need to get inspired
The hyped publicity has helped Islam in a big way without spending a single penny. CAIR of America announced a Quran reading day and is distributing 200,000 copies of the Quran in the US alone. Other Muslims in Europe and other countries are set to do the same. In fact, Muslims are now taking advantage of this event in a positive way.
They do not have to make any excuses for violence any more. Even with the event being cancelled, the world will be punished just for intentions to go against Islam. Hey, educated and civilized peacemakers of the world, can you tell me that's type of peace you want? Who is in charge, you or people who scare the world away any time they even suspect things not going their way?
exercise their constitutional rights. American democracy is endangered by those who solemnly swore to uphold the Constitution.
At least somebody knows the truth!
Why did President Obama not declare that to forbid an individual from burning the Koran is a destruction of our constitutional rights as well as to forbid the building of a mosque near ground zero? And why, because some nut job that has a following of 50 people do groups of Muslims all over the world start burning American flags as if we Americans are all in favor of burning the Koran.
president obama does not see an equivalency between burning a koran to intentional inflame muslims and the building of a muslim community center.
"...to forbid an individual from burning the Koran is a destruction of our constitutional rights" Uh huh.
Your comparisons mentioned have nothing to do with the offence by the Pastor to prove double-standards and bias by Obama. In fact there is more bias towards Israel than any other country in the world with full american support for decades to do whatever it wants and enjoy impunity in the name of self defence and anti-semitism.
He doesn't care right or wrong, he is pushing for his reputation as a peacemaker, pressuring the side who'd likely to respond to pressure. He knows he is a very temporary player, wants to squeeze every single drop out of the opportunity to "rule". The price for this peace is not for him to pay, but American taxpayers and other countries.
I am not saying it is right to burn the Koran. I personally am against it. I am saying that it is a persons constitutional right to burn the Koran as well as to build a Mosque anywhere the real estate is available. It is against the law to burn a Muslim or Jew or Christian, thank god.....
This Pastor only represents his 50 parishioners. Yet, Muslims all over the world start burning the American flag. I think that these Muslims are oversensitive America and Israel haters......
No one from New York talked to this extremist Pastor. How can this article have a title that reads "U.S. pastor reconsiders cancelling Koran burning after 'lied to' by N.Y. imam"
Ha'Aretz made a point to put this pastor's claim in quotation marks: "lied to." The title therefore does not make any statement that the pastor's comments have any truth to them. Your criticism is misplaced.
The title is not right maybe correct.
Rev. Terry Jones should be arrested by NSA for posing national security risk to the US and its allies... He is seeks nothing less than free publicity and has complete and utter disregard to the consequence of his planned actions.
But, he doesn't stand against the deliberate murder of Israelis. I guess a holy book you can buy at any number of stores is worth more than Israeli lives to Boob.
the life of a defendant in any military violence worth many times more over the life of the attacker: keep in mind Israel didn't initiate any wars, just responded and defended herself. The "stone throwers" know they'd provoke guided missles, but that was the original intentions of former, even (or should I say, especially) if they know their own women and children will be affected. The more the merrier, more stink they can raise around the world.
The lives of innocent Palestinians are just as valuable. A shame the terrorists among them use them as human shields.
Deleted. In Respect to Bradley, I deleted what I wanted to say. Let me say this though. If things go badly, I am squarely on Israel and the Christian side. Not the crazy ones though. I hope nobody gets hurt. Y'all just do what our USA Government says. Don't break any laws. Any of you.
We didn't not hear any US voices claiming the respect of US constitution during the Bush era violating even Human rights in many parts of the World,is forbidding the burning of the Koran a US people major priority ? deconcerting anyway ! World but your scruples in this very context (not forbidding the burning of the Koran) is very symbolic toto determine
This is a Train Wreak in slow motion or it may be nothing at all. But anybody who dares say Bring It On right now, is a complete fool.
I am not opposed to the Koran or Mosque Building. I, in fact, love Muslims and Muslim Culture. I am envious that you have two wives. If I had two wives, they'd both be working and I would become the biggest couch potato on this planet. By the way, many Muslims served under President Bush and destroyed Saddam and wasted the Taliban. So the US voices that you are protesting were also Muslim. Not just Jewish or Christian. Don't you think that the young Afghani Girl on the cover of Time Magazine proved that the Taliban are absolutely crazy? Don't you think it was Hitlerian of Saddam to have gassed the Kurds? Don't lump me together with the Muslimphobes. I've been in your countries and had a good time. I like your people. I like the food. You know this is a free country over here. Don't bother our Muslims or stir them up. Leave them alone. We have the best Muslims.
the entire country's spoken out against him, from the idiots on the right (sarah palin, glenn beck) to the extreme left (maddow, olbermann) to the president himself to the mayor of the city. he has no place among us and that has been made evident. the city has refused to give him a permit, so if he does go through with it, it'll be illegal anyway. we've done our part. ignore the man, all he's trying to do is get attention at this point. no cameras, no news crews. let him fade back into irrelevance for his stupidity and ignorance.
exercise their constitutional rights. American democracy is endangered by those who solemnly swore to uphold the Constitution.
Both for their Lives and those of American civilians abroad. Parents and kids of Americans abroad have 2nd Amendment Rights, just like Nevada Tea-Party-ers. This guy may have the luck of the Bozo in Kansas that pickets GI funerals to denounce gay people or he may not.
so do witch hunts
and if it comes to critisize jews,you will call it anti-semite. and it is forbidden to say this.
So you, of course, support the Imam's right to build the mosque near ground zero, right? Its the constitution after all.
What is the difference between convincing and forcing? Get an English dictionary, and USE it.
Just like the same Saudis who partially owns FOX news and is building the ground zero mosque perhaps the Saudi is also paying this Pastor to threaten to burn the Koran? Anything to distract us from the large oil spill in the gulf and the mega oil profits serves the Saudi Empire.
Speaking of burning holy books--try this. "Orthodox Jews burn New testament books/Haaretz" Go on---show some guts---Google it.
Oh, let him burn them. And the Muslims should retaliate by printing at least ten times more of them, hahaha! Perhaps they could make a fortune even after some carbon tax – by some secret cartel agreement, raising prices and shutting out unfair competitors who would then be selling „non-genuine“ Koran copies. And then use the funds to increase the printing of Koran. It may thus even become a bestseller, hahaha. Sorry, if this offends anyone, but it has become somewhat of a farce! And I think that the Muslims feed the whole thing, so this atttention-seeking lunatic will go ahead with the burning in the end. How ridiculous! Obviously, they have the right to burn their own books; and the Muslims have the right to build a mosque wherever they have a valid building permit. And Barrack Hussein Obama is absolutely right about this: it is their private lot, and if it does not unreasonably encroach upon other people's rights or interests (shade, noise, smell,...), then they should be free to build whatever they wish.
Look, I don't like this Jones but Imam Faisal is a cunning man and can not be trusted. He is the instigator of all these problems because he has been agitating the extreme right and getting money from the Saudi Wahabis who like to laugh when they make a mockery of Christians.
you still stuck on the old testament? because that teaches to kill kill kill, thats why there is a new testament fool, and read the torah and koran before opening your mouth, you'de be surprised at how peaceful they are compared to the old testament.
koran is the gross copyright infringement -secondary book adapted for simpler beings
The New Testament is only part of Christianity and is not of Jewish or Muslim beliefs. Both the Torah and the Quran are versions of the Old Testament, so perhaps you need study up before opening thy mouth.
who is talking about Holy Books. We are talking about people lying.
full of hate.Time to leave "scriptures" that doing harm to us.
The Torah IS the Old Testament and Old Testament is the Torah...Just for your information.
According to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), "war is deceit", and Imam Rauf must follow his Prophet's teachings to the tee. Terry Jones, on the other hand, must be woefully unaware of the Muslim ways; if he did, he wouldn't be so gullible. By the way, the Jews were taught the same lesson when they signed the peace treaty of Hudaiybia. Of course, when the Jewish Arabs found out they had been had, it was too late for them. Let's see what the Pastor Jones is going to do.
Unfortunately, the US Constitution prevents the government from preventing the burning, a terrible outrage which the Jews are only too familiar with (burning of the Talmud). Before Terry Jones get to declare the Talmud too as from the devil, which his theology also calls for, I assume he will be gone. Some Muslim fanatic will arrange a meeting between him and the Devil. We will get rid of two fanatics (at least) for the price of one, and the world will be a better place.
Cut off two, dozens more spring up. We need to laugh these idiots off the stage and deny them their 15 minutes of fame. If we let them make martyrs of each other the air will eventually be black with the smoke of burning books--and people.
Could have fooled me.
i think you're misunderstanding him. he's one of those evangelicals... in fact he has spoken many times about how we must "protect israel" (so the apocalypse can come, of course). he's not as on-the-fringe as you suggest. the "burn a koran day" page on facebook has thousands of like-minded fans. this guy is a case study in a wide-spread islamophobia trend that seems to be setting in here in america. it's very interesting how there seems to be more hatred against muslims NOW than there was eight or nine years ago. i'd guess that the economy has something to do with it. everyone's looking for scapegoats.
i'd guess that islam hast something to do with it. if they are screaming islamophobia, then somebody did something right
When 9/11 came, the US media, barring a few honorable exceptions, started painting Islam as a source of all evil. Ten years on, Islamophobia is fairly well-entrenched in the minds of men like the Pastor who want to burn a book, regarded by a billion people as holy, without even reading it. With the declining reading habits, the media is the only opinion-maker for a large majority of people in US and elsewhere. Can the media-monster realise its power in time before this Islamophobia degenerates into phobias against other religions and races?
Jones changed his tune after the FBI asked him questions about his past and his 'church'.
If killing a person is the same with burning a book,maybe.Why not stoning those who steal instead of cuting their hand?
Isn't holy Book burning forbidden by law is Israel. Did I miss to notice national outcry when Christian Bibles -Holy Books to many a goy Books- are being burned in eretz israel? Could it be that religious zealots, from every religion are -to say the least- insensitive to Holy Books of the 'others'?
We bow to no one. Books do not matter more than people. Muslims seem to disagree with this but that is why they have so many lunatics in their ranks.
There is plenty of reason for islamophobia; just ask the Nation of Israel.
a decade after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the new bogeyman came in handy
You are confusing the two notions. Eretz Israel is a geographic name, applied to the location where the biblical 12 tribes of Israel dwelled. This includes Israel, Palestine, and Western Jordan. The State of Israel is a political entity with laws, etc. I don't know if there is a law against burning books there. Of course, religious zealots tend to be insensitive to holy books of other religions. They ultimately have to bear the consequences of their insensitivity.
Pressuring Terry Jones to cancel constitutionally protected deed is a prime example of submitting to terrorists threats.