A Statement about the burning of the Koran

A Statement about the burning of the Koran

I would like to state how offensive we as Jews find the plan of Rev. Terry Jones, leader of a small evangelical church in Gainesville, Florida, to burn copies of the Koran. The following is from the statement of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. “At this season of renewal and hope in the Jewish calendar, and coinciding with a day of reflection and remembrance prompted by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, this strikes us an another act of terrorism that has too-oft been repeated in history. From Antiochus IV in 168 BCE to the painful years of the Spanish Inquisition, we Jews have watched our holy books burn - torched by hatred and intolerance, with flames stoked by ignorance. The burning of Muslim sacred scriptures recalls the acts of the 15th - 16th century villain Tomas Torquemada, who hoped to lead a holy crusade, which caused nothing but death and violence.”

Prior to the Holocaust, the German Jewish philosopher Heinrich Heine wrote that as people who will burn books will eventually burn people. Sadly the truth of this statement was all too apparent during the Nazi Holocaust wherein six million of our brothers and sisters were murdered.

We join our voices with all who are calling for Terry Jones to call off this attack on religious freedom in a land of liberty.

We are also holding in our thoughts tonight our son and congregant Troy Wallace who is serving with the Marines in Afghanistan. We ask God’s blessings upon him and upon all of the American soldiers serving our country.

As General Petraus has stated, the burning of the Koran will increase the danger faced by Troy and American Forces throughout the world. Thus there are an additional two Jewish values that come into play here. The first is Pikuach Nefesh, which means that all must be done to save a life. The second is the concept of a Rodef, the pursuer. Clearly, the actions of Rev Jones are actions which make him nothing less than a pursuer of our men and women serving our country.

This book burning is an affront to all decent people. It is an affront to all good Christians who try to live according to the golden rule taught by Jesus himself. There, I call upon all my Christian colleagues in the clergy, especially those of right wing evangelical churches, to issue strong statements so condemnation

In light of the recent rally in Washington DC during which great admiration was expressed for our citizens in uniform, I call upon Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin to issue strong statements of condemnation and if necessary to go to Gainesville to urge Rev Jones and his followers not to undertake this heinous act.

Finally, as we begin the New Year, let it be our prayer that the forces of intolerance and bigotry will be replaced by those of open mindessness, compassion, justice and peace.