Posted on 04/03/2011 9:02:11 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Terry Jones burned a Koran, and an Afghan mob killed at least seven UN personnel. Connected? Surely, but that hardly makes Jones responsible for murder, he told ABC News in a Nightline interview last night:
CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO OF TERRY JONES' STATEMENT
Terry Jones, the Florida pastor who oversaw the burning of a Koran last month, said he did not feel responsible for the violent protest at a United Nations compound in Afghanistan today that left at least 11 dead. Instead, he said the violence proved his point.
“We wanted to raise awareness of this dangerous religion and dangerous element,” Jones said. “I think [today's attack] proves that there is a radical element of Islam.”
As for the 11 dead, which included seven U.N. staffers and guards, Jones told “Nightline” anchor Bill Weir, “We do not feel responsible, no.”
Interestingly, I had a conversation about this with a family member yesterday. While I agreed that Jones was a publicity hound looking for attention, that doesn’t make him responsible for murder. The only people responsible for murders are those who commit them, and those who specifically incite them to kill. Any other position eventually wipes out free speech, free religious practice, and freedom altogether. If we held others responsible for the acts of every nutcase whose violent reactions may or may not have connections to something they did or said, we would have no speech at all — a point we made repeatedly during the Left’s Loughner frenzy, which they conveniently forgot during the Madison protests.
James Joyner warns today about acknowledging the “murderer’s veto”:
Should Jones have burned the Koran? No. But not because doing so might incite some evil people halfway around the world to commit atrocities against innocents. Rather, he shouldnt have done it was needlessly hurtful without adding any value to the debate. Indeed, aside from generating publicity for himself, hes likely generated sympathy for Islam and disdain for churches of his ilk.
But Jones is not the slightest bit culpable for the actions of others. Yes, he was warned that violence might ensue. But were not responsible for the evil, illegal actions others might take in response to our freely expressing our thoughts. Even if theyre ill-informed, half baked, bigoted thoughts. If we allow the possible reaction of the most dogmatic, evil people who might hear the message to govern our expression, we dont have freedom at all. Its worse than a hecklers veto; its a murderers veto.
The responsibility for these murders lie with the people who committed them, just as with the murders and violence following the publication of the editorial cartoons in Denmark a few years ago.
CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO OF TERRY JONES' STATEMENT
Think you are wrong about Russia. Also think they will stand with Israel if push comes to shove. There is more to Russia than meets the eye.
I’m not really sure what makes this concept so difficult for some to grasp.
Pastor Jones is taking credit for standing up to Islam. Yet, it’s people in other parts of the world who have to actually pay the price for his actions. How is that the least bit brave or honorable? He’s not the one dealing with the consequences.
So if Jones really is serious about standing up to Islam, let him do something of substance, or, as the president and only member of my fan club graciously explained to me...shut up!
Wasn’t really that gracious. LOL
If youd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Of course it's not his fault. Can't help but note burning (and banning) books is rather, well, Islamic.
Yes, but we are dealing with a religion that still uses rules/lives in the Middle Ages, we should understand that the humans involved have not advanced to the 21st Century and treat them accordingly. It’s like the Romans dealing with Neanderthals. There just wouldn’t be much understanding between the two. Why fall down to their level?
BTW, Burning another religion’s holy book is what THEY do,it certainly is NOT what Jesus would have done.
I’m reading now that Lindsey Graham is stating that such activities as burning the Koran, though it be free speech, should be limited or outlawed.
The idea that I share the same side in this battle as Mr Graham, gives me a peculiar sensation in my gut. I am following my heart, but it seems I may well be inexcusably wrong in my stance.
Did I miss the apologies for these Islamists and their murderous attacks on Christians, and only counting the multitude for the past few week. . . And the Fogel Family - did their 'breathing' give offense to these depraved excuses for 'humanity; these cockroaches who walk upright, among us?
Who is 'sorry' for the deaths of a thousand or so; just in past few days, on the Ivory Coast. . .
These folks burn a Koran or what? (Of course, not.)
Wrong frame of mind.
There is only one perspective to properly hold on the situation, and that is through faith in Christ.
Insofar as what those who fail to believe in Christ think, they are free within the legitimate authority of national governance to behave within those systems, but that will not bring them any closer to God, nor to righteousness.
With respect to the pastor who burnt the Koran, he has a spiritual gift given him by God and his reported role as a pastor also implies both a responsibility to properly lead his flock and to God for performing as a Pastor-Teacher to his flock through faith in Christ. With respect to our national governance, he is living and acting within the bounds of his authority.
If it is the case that he was not acting though faith in Christ, not to teach his flock through faith in Christ, but as many allege was simply seeking publicity or sought to influence others outside his flock, then there is consideration for the argument that he shouldn’t inflame those who seek God when He knows how better to avoid manmade conflict. I’ll leave that for God to judge, as I do not know his heart when he performed this act.
The Koran is not a sacred script. It fails to recognize Christ for the work He performed on the Cross and has a fundamental problem when dealing with Divine Justice.
The only people insulted by the pastors actions are those who already insult God. An argument to higher authority reveals they lack a righteous ground to claim offense. Their actions of violence are simply envy and hatred of those who fail to think as they believe they should, rather than how God has provided a solution for how they should think.
Until they can come to God on God’s terms and not theirs, they lack righteousness.
How crazy is this. . .why are not we defending at least the rights of those who 'go here' instead of groveling; making 'sorry' and nice; to these people, whom we KNOW are milking this; because we are letting them. And in so doing; we know, too; they are insatiable and will be back for more, of course.
And while we offer milk; they draw blood, life and limb and leave horror in their wake. . .
We are supposed to be worried about consequences, well, why always be on defense? I wonder what would happen if there was an informal mass koran burning.
Not necessarily an organized event, but just a day when like minded Americans all across the country chose to freely express themselves and followed the Pastor's example but on a mass scale.
Maybe one koran or two for every American they've killed or Christian they've killed or every Bible they've burned or for every threat they've made against the West.
Here's the deal, "Stopped killing people or the koran gets it."
I believe many muslims could be decent people if freed from the demands of spreading the system by any means ,fair or foul.
Are we really fighting a war?or just yet another police action that will drag on forever because we neither declared WAR nor have the simple goal of unconditional surrender of our enemies?
I'll grant you that the book burning is like teasing a rabid dog;not the best way of dealing with the problem.But the teasing didn't cause the rabid behavior.What did those people in the towers do to incite their murders?
Maybe we oughtta start?
It seems as if that is the norm in Islam, so if you aren’t killing their innocents... they probably think you approve whatever they do (and all the talk is smoke and mirror, like their ‘taqqiya’).
That doesn’t make it right; it probably does make it an effective form of communication, though.
If I poked a stick in a killer bees nest and they attacked my neighbors instead of me,it wouldn’t be my fault?Ok.Makes sense.
Then might I suggest the good General consider other choices from the menu known as the U.S. Arsenal:
a) more lethal ammo
b) B1b's
c) B2's
d) MOAB's
I would use them publicly, and rather consistently in anticipation of more books being burned in the near future. After all, Mr. Patraeus has an angry public here as well. We pay for the items listed above, along with his salary.
As far as I'm concerned, that book should be used to start every Real American's grill on July 4th .
Yes, it is.
It does seem a language they understand.
*sigh*
As long as they don't blow up the senate, we'll be OK.
You have no idea how "safe" this guy is. At least our soldiers have guns in their hands! Ever heard of Theo Van Gogh?
He is living in a militantly liberal university town with a high muslim population, and has already been threatened with crippling punitive action from his own elected officials.
Speculation is fine, such as it is, but if you've never lived in Gainesville, you're talking out your a$$!
RE: If I poked a stick in a killer bees nest and they attacked my neighbors instead of me
The problem with the above analogy is you are comparing PEOPLE with INSECTS. Are you telling us that Afghani Muslims are akin to unthinking insects who cannot reason or moralize?
Are you saying that a preacher in Florida is responsible for murders occuring half way around the world by moslims? You can't be serious! Please tell me that you are not serious.
By that logic the Danish cartoonist was responsible for his own murder. I can't believe that I am reading this on Free Republic. Excuse me while I go throw up!
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