Koran burning day on 9/11

[917893678251]

9/11 Koran-burning: armed congregation vow ceremony will go ahead

Wayne and Stephanie Sapp, pistols on their hips, are adamant this Saturday's Koran-burning ceremony at their evangelical church in Florida will go ahead as planned.

"We believe strongly this is something God has called us to do," Mr Sapp said, associate pastor at the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, where a large police presence is powerless to stop the event.

The Sapps have heard warnings from, among others, the US military commander in Afghanistan General David Petraeus, that their actions could have global repercussions and endanger US military personnel serving abroad.

But they say the ceremony, organised to mark the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks by Islamic extremists from Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, is a necessary warning to radical Muslims.

"We feel lives are in danger whether we do it or we don't do it," Mr Sapp said. "If we do not stand up now to try to expose this for what this is, in 10 years, will we even have the opportunity?"

The protestant clergyman acknowledged he and the event organiser, church pastor Terry Jones, have received death threats.

"With the amount of threats we have received, we are taking precautions," he said, adding as he tapped his pistol: "We hope it turns out to be just a paperweight."

His equally well-armed wife Stephanie echoed those concerns, adding: "There's lots of threats on those You Tubes."

Although the fire department has turned down a request from Jones to hold an open-air burning, Gainesville police cannot intervene until they actually light the 200 Korans – many of which have been donated – and even then all they can do is issue a citation.

A spokeswoman for the Gainesville police department and Alachua County sheriffs office voiced concerns for safety as tensions mounted ahead of the planned weekend burning.

"We are expecting an increased amount of people at the church this Saturday so we will have a heightened presence there as well," said Corporal Charon Senn.

"Anytime someone is carrying a firearm, even though it is permitted, it is a concern to us."

Since announcing plans for the Koran burning two months ago, the church has created a firestorm of controversy, not only among Muslims but also many local Christians, who view the event as incendiary, bigoted and malevolent and fear that the US will be seen as Islamaphobic.

Until recently, the Dove World Outreach Center was just like the many other nondescript evangelical churches that fill the US landscape.

For the past 25 years, it has quietly ministered to its flock while teaching a strict interpretation of the Bible and offering free food, clothes and furniture to those in need.

But in 2001, Jones, a former hotel manager, took the helm and started preaching against what he call the evils of Islam because, in his words, "Its sacred book is full of lies."

Reverend Larry Reimer of The United Church of Gainesville said it was important to know that Jones and his followers represent virtually no one.

"I believe they had 30 people at their service last week," he said.

Reimer said he has gathered 25 clergy from Gainesville, including Jews, Christians and Muslims, who will be reading Jewish, Muslim and Christian texts this Sunday in a show of interfaith solidarity.

"The issue is not between religions but between people who are fundamental fanatics on either side," he said. "We are finding that the Jewish, Christian and Muslims are more than ready to reach out to one another."

Reimer says 2,000 people have signed a petition asking Jones not to burn the Korans that will be delivered to Jones on Friday at 11:00am

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11238062

This crazy dude is trying to get himself killed

[Guest Francis]

"stupid douche"

People have opinions and you must respect them. I knew I would have to moderate on a post like that.

[917893678251]

"stupid douche"

People have opinions and you must respect them. I knew I would have to moderate on a post like that.

Well, this guy is crazy, he has people protesting all around the world, and the white house telling him not to do it. BTW, he was arrested for child pornography last month, he had 100000 pictures of nude children

[Ami89E1234]

*Sigh* Do you honestly believe everything you read on internet? If you do, then you need to stop lol. Seriously.

I personally don't care; we're better than any terrorists and besides that, they're all stupid and waste their lives by killing themselves. They wanna run head-first into a minigun, they can be my guest.

Frankly, I view Islam as attempting to take over the world. Europe will be totally Muslim by 2050, and America is on the verge of a downfall.

[erfd]

I gotta agree with Ami, I really don't care what the guy does. When Islam becomes the dominate religion in the us, I'll probaly move to Mexico or central america, there mainly christian down there right?

[Reece.c]

I hate how some people generalise that the whole islamic religion is a bunch of terrorists. Even though im not islamic, i dont believe in anything, its wrong to burn their religious bible just because a minority of their group are extremist's.

[Voodoo_Operator]

I hate how some people generalise that the whole islamic religion is a bunch of terrorists. Even though im not islamic, i dont believe in anything, its wrong to burn their religious bible just because a minority of their group are extremist's.

Exactly. And especially when this kind of stupid act is the best way to get the extremist minority pissed off, which in turn causes more attacks, which in turn causes more hate towards Islam as a whole. It's what we call a vicious circle.

They wanna run head-first into a minigun, they can be my guest.

Tell that to all the soldiers who have been killed or injured by IEDs. There's not much that a minigun could have done to save them.

Besides, you're forgetting about civilian targets abroad and even in the United States. Remember the failed Times Square bombing a few months ago? The guy who almost blew up a plane on Christmas? Forget about large-scale operations like 9/11, that you can see coming from a mile away provided that you keep your head out of your ass. The future of terrorism is lone wolves like those guys. Doesn't it scare you that both of these plans were foiled at the very last minute because of mere technical failures? The more lone terrorists attempt to plan attacks, the more likely it is that one day, one or more of them will be successful.

Whatever your beliefs are, and whatever you think of other people's beliefs, this is clearly a very provocative act that has the sole purpose of fueling hate on both sides. You can be sure that the next time an American tourist gets kidnapped and beheaded somewhere, or that a successful terrorist attack happens on US soil, this guy's name will be in the "Thank you" notes when a terrorist organization claims responsibility.

[Newfoundking]

I'm going to keep watching this topic for people's sense. I have no problem letting this go on, but if people start taking one complete side, start making racist generalizations, etc. I'll just close it and you all lose the privilege to talk about it.

[wasim12]

I hate how some people generalise that the whole islamic religion is a bunch of terrorists. Even though im not islamic, i dont believe in anything, its wrong to burn their religious bible just because a minority of their group are extremist's.

If only more people could follow what you just said, it would make the world a lot more peaceful. I AM MUSLIM, and it kinda hurts to know that all this is happening because someone doesn't understand how this religion is. Yes I understand that there are some extremist weirdos out there, but people cant say "Oh, he's extremist and he's muslim therefore all muslims are like that".

FYI, It is NOT koran, its "Qu'ran" (without the quotes

It also sorta sucks aside from this that our annual religious holiday happens to be on 9/11 this year because of a moon pattern.

BTW: I hope I didn't go crazy or do something against the rules lol, I was having a moment. Please excuse if i did

[Shadylasse]

FYI, It is NOT koran, its "Qu'ran" (without the quotes

Depends which language you use.

An example would be the holy bible. In english; Holy Bible. In Danish; Biblen

Some nations say Quoran, some say Quran, and some say another thing yet again. You cannot decide "It is named that!" due to the language policies world wide.

[em4fun]

I wonder if it was also everday on the news in every country when an Iman somewere in arabia was going to burn a bible.

I dont understand why this is so special? Even the goverment is dealing with it? Just by burning a book(for some people a verry special one). But if the media gave no attention to this then there was no problem at all.

[jab16]

I wonder if it was also everday on the news in every country when an Iman somewere in arabia was going to burn a bible.

I dont understand why this is so special? Even the goverment is dealing with it? Just by burning a book(for some people a verry special one). But if the media gave no attention to this then there was no problem at all.

Exactly, I honestly think that the guy was never going to do it. It seems to be just for publicity. As for terrorism, People need to realize that most terrorists are home grown, as stated before. Terror is not forged from one place but multiple places and events. Also everyone talks about how the terrorists read the Qu'ran, but what about the good Muslims were trying to help, who also read the Qu'ran this will impact them also.

[Reece.c]

I think what this pastor does not understand is that not all terrorism stems from the middle east but form the 4 corners of the globe. In practically in every country there are home grown terrorists and eco-terrorists too, ignorance like this is what angers people and may cause and attack.

[nick the greek]

A civilized person has to respect every religion on Earth(except Satanism).

By burning the Koran they wouldn't achieve anything besides causing huge riots and maybe a real terrorist attack plus that this would so be so freaking fascist...

On the other hand we all know that Muslims don't respect other religions(especially Christians) and they never did in the past. We shouldn't respect them but by doing it we prove that we are more civilized than them.

[em4fun]

On the other hand we all know that Muslims don't respect other religions(especially Christians) and they never did in the past. We shouldn't respect them but by doing it we prove that we are more civilized than them.

not true there are muslims who respect other religions

you are talking about the extremists, every religion has extremists also the christians: think about the KKK

[swatlord]

the christians: think about the KKK

Jim Jones

David Koresh

The Westboro Baptist Church

Just three off the top of my head

[em4fun]

that guy reminded me of someone:

[KR1SU]

Bibles should also be thrown to the same bonfire.

[nick the greek]

not true there are muslims who respect other religions

you are talking about the extremists, every religion has extremists also the christians: think about the KKK

true. sorry but I think that in the Koran it says that Muslims have to "recruit"( dunno the proper word) others with all the needed ways. in a violent or a peaceful way. yeah KKK same dumbf*cks as extremists

Bibles should also be thrown to the same bonfire.

May I ask why?

I'm not a rasict but I think that some Muslim people just can't get on well with the Western way of life. I mean that they have different cultures and sometimes they tend to do some really odd things like executing people by throwing them rocks.

[em4fun]

Bibles should also be thrown to the same bonfire.

what about the Thora? (jewish)

just dont burn any holy book, that would prevent a lot of trouble.

[em4fun]

true. sorry but I think that in the Koran it says that Muslims have to "recruit"( dunno the proper word) others with all the needed ways. in a violent or a peaceful way. yeah KKK same dumbf*cks as extremists.

I work in a kebab shop, my boss(the owner) is muslim and also some others who work there are muslim, they respect everyone aslong the other people will respect them too, no matter of religion color (except homosexuals)

sorry for double post

[nick the greek]

just dont burn any holy book, that would prevent a lot of trouble.

+1000

I work in a kebab shop, my boss(the owner) is muslim and also some others who work there are muslim, they respect everyone aslong the other people will respect them too, no matter of religion color (except homosexuals)

Good people. Where are they from? I'm guessing Turkey they got some really good people there. Respecting homosexuals is something that only a few do

[em4fun]

+1000

Good people. Where are they from? I'm guessing Turkey they got some really good people there. Respecting homosexuals is something that only a few do

yes their turkish

[917893678251]

Ok he's not going to burn the koran now

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/09/florida.quran.burning/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

[jab16]

As I said, just for publicity, without media this wouldn't be news.