thoughts on burning books
A Florida church plans to burn copies of the Qur’an on the anniversary of 9/11 – to “raise awareness and warn” of the dangers of Islam. If it were not for our global society, prevelance of media, and basically, the internet, nobody would know about what this tiny little congregation was doing. Sadly, they’ve made international news with their plans and videos and blog – and the backlash may be just beginning. If the anniversary of 9/11 weren’t enough, the date falls during the end of Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah - two very big religious observances.
Burning books is nothing new. World War II and the Nazi party immortalized the concept for us as did Ray Bradbury in Fahrenheit 451. But it’s all about the intent. Burning a book is not generally, inherently bad. Most sacred texts and symbols, when they have become unreadable or are no longer fit for use, are burned as prescripted by sacred law. Some cultures prefer for sacred texts and objects to be buried or immersed in water over burning. The Qur’an is one of those exceptions. The only time the Qur’an can be burned, is if the names of Allah, his angels, and messengers have all been erased from the text. Whether or not Rev. Jones knows that particular fact begs the question of whether or not they realize just how offensive the act will be to the entire Muslim population…
The protestors in Kabul responded to this threat by burning an effigy of Jones and an American flag. Which, coincidently, is also properly disposed of, by burning.
