Church warned against prepared Koran burning

The Dove World Outreach Center Church, of Gainesville, Fla., made news by stating the intention of the members and Pastor Terry Jones, to set copies of the Koran alight in a protest over many issues, including Muslim extremism. It has been subject of lots of coverage. There has been response from the U.S. government, and warned the church never to do this. The prepared demonstration has led to protests worldwide and strong warnings. The church has been requested to stop the planned burning of the Koran by General David Petraeus, who said it will only put Americans in greater danger. Article source – U.S. officials warn of danger in Koran burning by Personal Money Store.

Dove World Outreach Center asked to stop

The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, according to the Christian Science Monitor, has requested the church to never partake in any Koran burning. The Taliban and Al Qaeda will be the sole beneficiaries, according to General Petraeus, as burning the Koran will only be a propaganda victory for the,. He also cautioned that as a result, it would make winning over Afghans and others worldwide that much more difficult and put American soldiers in greater danger. The Ground Zero Mosque controversy has currently been enough of a strain, and American-Islamic tensions are currently high as it is.

Church to think about the repercussions

The Dove World Outreach Center Church has decided to temporarily weigh the decision to burn copies of the Koran. According to CNN, Pastor Terry Jones and the members are thinking it over for now. The church and its members are concerned about potential ramifications. Some pause was given to the members by the warning from Gen. David Petraeus, as the members intended to hold an “International Burn the Koran Day” on Sept. 11 of this year. The church has maintained all along that the protest was aimed more at the more radical segments of Islam.

What benefit will come out of this?

The pastor and his congregation can believe anything they wish, and protest whatever they wish as it is their right. However, Gen. Petraeus is right. If the idea is to demonstration violent extremism, you shouldn’t do anything that will only fuel the fire of extremism, which this protest will do.

Discover more data on this subject

CS Monitor

csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2010/0907/Petraeus-Dove-World-Outreach-Center-s-Burn-a-Koran-Day-endangers-troops

CNN

cnn.com/2010/US/09/07/florida.quran.burning/?hpt=Sbin