
In the latest hate-spewing against Muslims and the mosque that isn’t even a mosque located near Ground Zero—though not close enough to see, nor enough to the real mosque that does, in fact, exist nearby—news, a church with a really deceptive name (“The Dove World Outreach Center,” which is obviously not nearly as peaceful or worldly as it sounds) has planned a Koran book burning party a la 3rd century libricide.
The Rabid Pigeon World Hatred Indoctrination Institution—or whatever name you think they should be going by instead—has posted a nifty little list of 10 reasons why you should burn a Koran. Hailing September 11 as “International Burn a Koran Day,” something I’m sure the terrorists who died on 9/11 would be gleeful about, considering it only fuels hatred for our country, they declare that Islam “is of the devil.” If this incredibly insightful, witty, and oh-so-modern statement weren’t enough, the group is planning on burning copies of the Koran for several hours “in remembrance of the fallen victims of 9/11 and to stand against the evils of Islam.” Their Facebook page, which should be banned due to hate speech (including words such as “Burn the muzzies with the Koran”)—please flag it here if you wish to do so—features grotesque depictions of Muslims, inaccurate information, and enough violent insinuations to make you almost start thinking like them, only in terms of how violent Christians must be.
You know, aside from the fact that many of the victims in that attack were Muslims and the fact that I could make the exact same case to burn copies of the Bible (but never would, of course), do these people honestly think that implementing such unadulterated hatred in a violent form will really honor those who died? If anything, it’s a disservice to their memory.
Human Rights First, one of my favorite organizations, is sponsoring a campaign called “10 Reasons Not to Burn a Koran.” You can click here to participate and send in a reason of your own. The best ten reasons will be highlighted on their website, among other places.
It’s a great campaign and you can get involved here, but I really wish that it didn’t have to exist in the first place. I am so tired of the hate in this world—have we really evolved enough to use talking clothes and iPads and touch-screen computers without evolving our own minds enough to accept, let alone tolerate, one another? We don’t deserve the brains we’ve been gifted with if we’re going to use them in this fashion. We might as well still be reptiles. And reptiles probably wouldn’t kill and threaten out of hate.
