Christians Oppose Koran Burning: An Open Letter to Our Muslim Friends

This is a response to the blog article Florida Burning by Muqtedar Khan on altmuslim.com. The article is worth reading in whole, but the overall idea is that the idea of burning Korans (as planned in a small church in Florida) is torture to Muslims. Khan says,

I am amazed at how millions of Americans who are decent and honorable can watch this happen. No matter how ugly the act the constitution permits this, is not an acceptable excuse. The constitution does not permit this. The constitution forbids cruel and unusual punishment. For Muslims this is worse than torture.

I am a Christian, active in my faith, and can assure you that the vast majority of Christians, including the more religious and conservative ones, are completely opposed to burning Korans and to any other actions that are insulting or provocative to our Muslim friends. We recognize that this would not only be imprudent, but contrary to our faith.

Many Christian individuals and leaders have spoken out already, as you will see if you just Google “Christian leaders oppose Koran burning,” check out blogs and Christian sites or even Facebook.

For example, Chuck Colson, certainly a prominent Christian leader and spokesperson, has said, “I find Jones’s plan to burn the Koran foolish and contemptible.” Dr. John Rankin, president of the Theological Education Institute, has not only spoken out against the planned burning but has called on the President to oppose it, and is organizing a counter-demonstration. See revjohnrankin.blogspot.com. The Vatican called the plan “an outrageous and grave gesture against a book considered sacred by a religious community.” Time magazine features an article “Gainesville Turns Against a Book-Burning Pastor.” There are many, many more such statements easily found.

Therefore, I think it is important for our Muslim friends to look at this incident in context, as the plan of one pastor in one small church in a country of 300 million people, who is vigorously opposed by almost the entire Christian church and most of the nation.

I very much appreciate the introduction to your piece, where you say,

If Muslims react with anger and indiscriminate violence to a proposed Qur'an burning, then one of promoter Terry Jones’ goals will be fulfilled. Be patient, encourage everyone to be patient, let Terry Jones enjoy the monopoly on barbarity for a while.

It is also quite insightful that you reflect on the fact that this dreadful plan is in part a response to past behavior of some Muslims:

In the past few years alone so many churches have been desecrated in the Muslim world, many missionaries were murdered, nuns stabbed to death and the worst of all, the 1500 year old Buddhas of Bamiyan were intentionally dynamited.

Extreme and hateful behavior on either side makes it difficult for those who would live in peace and share our beliefs in true dialog rather than with swords, book burnings, and bombs. Thank you for your sensible advice and counsel, “Recognize this provocation for what it is and ignore it. And remember do not let this become a source for anger and hatred towards Christians.”

You, our Muslim friends and neighbors, may have the impression that not enough is being done. However, do not believe or say that Christians or Americans in general are just standing by and watching this happen. That belief plays into the hands of those who would incite hatred and violence between us. We understand and agree with the sentiments of “Do not insult their Gods, lest out of ignorance they insult Allah.” Please, as Muqtedar Khan says, do not be manipulated by those who want to use the incident for their own ends.