Burning the Koran

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway

The mosque at ground zero and the Koran burning are linked by the same freedom of speech arguments.

It's amazing to me to see the hypocrisy from those who think one is right and the other is wrong! BOTH are inflammatory acts protected by freedom of speech, and I hope officials find a way to prevent both from happening.

Amen. For the sake of those innocents who might suffer or die over these foolish actions, I entirely agree.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Goadie, I'm personally rather conservative. This isn't about conservative or liberal. Like I said, to you, it's just a "debate". I was in the military and have friends currently in the danger zone. I don't want hightened tensions. I know their wives and kids. People might die over what this pastor is doing. And you'd rather score political points and the pastor just wants publicity. Pathetic.

IMO, this is the single aspect that makes this situation unique. I have a nephew in Iraq, and our family would be devastated if something happened to him because an overzealous pastor wanted to make a political point. There can reasonably be some circumstantial limitations during wartime. Too bad the media hasn't paid attention to the circumstances. They have no problem reporting things that put our troops in harms way.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I agree with you. I'm just saying that those who have been supportive of the mosque are hypocritical to turn around and malign the pastor. It's conservatives who have been largely opposing the mosque (but there are some libs who oppose it, too.), and those same conservatives have spoken out against the pastor's actions. Conversely, liberals who have supported the mosque are now speaking out against the pastor. So who's being inconsistent here?

The liberals. Great point.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Now maybe the true colors of the nice nicey Muslims are showing ?
Would there be an uproar if Muslims were burning bibles ?

I don't think it would be a vast uproar. But the two aren't equal given that Christians and Western society would most likely not react as violently on such a large scale. Sadly, regardless of who becomes violent the two extremists aren't going to kill each other. The only ones who will suffer or die in the inflamation will be innocents.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

I don't advocate what the pastor is doing,and I think we should find better ways to take a stand,but it's high time for Christians to awaken out of our slumber.

... and repent of sin and pray. Then go forth with the Gospel. That's our mission.

[whoami]

Originally Posted by Esther

Islam is upset that one group wants to burn their koran while they have used our Bibles for toliet paper!

What does that have to do with anything? As Christians, shouldn't we be the better person? So they use Bible's for toilet paper. I have the Word hidden in my heart and couldn't care less about the printed paper. Jesus was murdered and prayed "Father forgive them." as he was dying instead of retaliating with the same action.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

In my opinion, the only valid reason for taking legal action would be for endangering our troops in some way. It bothers me, though, that a terrorist response to one of our freedoms being exercised by one of our citizens would cause us to limit that freedom. That's really handing them another victory.

Maybe if the man was burning a Koran while drinking and driving someone would advocate using political action to stop him. The fact is... he's endangering innocent lives by inflaming a radical enemy. I'd stop it in the name public safety to protect both soldiers and civilians.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Twisp

Hold on, you say both are protected by freedom of speech, and yet in the next breath you hope officials stop them? Those two things don't go hand in hand.

Imam Rauf has a right to build a cultural center wherever he legally can, and Terry Jones has a right to burn whatever he legally can.[/QUOTE]

I see it differently. No one has a "right" to build a church or mosque. Zoning laws can prevent their establishment and construction. Also, no one has the right to say "anything" they like. You can't yell "FIRE" in a crowded building. It endangers life. Therefore if one one says truly might endanger life... you can legally stop them from saying it. One cannot "tell" the enemy information that will aid them in their cause. It's "treason", though it's a form of speech. Why is it illegal? Because it will endanger lives.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by whoami

I agree that they both probably have the legal right, but IMO its highly UNlikely that anyone will die due to Christian outrage over the mosque if its built. Also IMO, it's highly LIKELY that more people, mainly our troops, will die due to Muslim outrage over the Koran burning. To me, this makes all the difference in the world.

I see your logic.

But I want to remind the posters here. One doesn't have the "right" to build anything anywhere. Zoning laws are on the books and can even be written to prevent the contruction of any house of worship. While the law can't tell you what to believe... no one is entitled to build anything anywhere. There is no "right" to build a church or mosque.

Also, while we have freedom of speech we cannot yell "FIRE" in a crowded building. It endangers lives. If what one is about to express endangers lives, they don't have a "right" to it. Our rights are overridden by the government's duty to protect life, liberty, and property. If what you're about to say or express will cause loss of life, unlawful bondage, or the unlawful damage of property... you can be stopped and/or even held liable for damages.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Twisp

How is that different that what Americans are doing? One group of extremist Muslims attacked us, and now we are trying to deny an entirely separate, American group of Muslims their right to legally build a cultural center. The extremism is happening on both sides.

Again, the act of building a mosque where over 3,000 Americans died upsets the public peace and endangers life in that it might incite violent reprisals wherein innocent people could be killed or injured. No one has the right to build a mosque or church anywhere they want. Pastors face this all the time with zoning laws. There isn't a "right" to build anything. It's a ficticious idea in the minds of people who are not informed. An American has the "right" to believe what they want. But you can't just build a church or mosque anywhere you want because you have the "right" to believe anything you like.

Those against the mosque feel that zoning laws should make Ground Zero more like a memorial allowing no contruction of any house of worship on it's grounds.