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Speaking Point: So-called Florida pastor, Terry Jones, plans, publicizes and follows through on threat to burning a holy book, the Quran, held sacred by millions of faith-filled Muslims. This has fueled a rage resulting in death, destruction and divisiveness. Speaking Point: Jones was warned by high-ranking government/military officials that in doing so there would likely be a tremendous backlash resulting in injury and death of innocent people Speaking Point: In spite of such warnings, Jones moved forward with his plans resulting in the death of at least 11 innocent people (storming UN headquarters) Speaking Point: Is this something that Jesus would have encouraged? Of course not. The Christ Doctrine was all about love. This includes loving friends/family as well as enemies. It goes against the Golden Rule itself: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and every other law and word of God in the Bible itself. Speaking Point: The action taken by Jones was nothing more than a publicity stunt performed by a misguided attention seeker looking to bolster his flagging so-called “church.” Speaking Point: In fact, his soul burns with hatred and he alone bears ultimate responsibility. How would he explain his actions to the victim’s loved ones? How will he explain this to Jesus when he ultimately meets Him? Speaking Point: He blames those who actually carried out the murderous revenge and claims he is innocent. It's time for all decent, reasonable people to speak out against evil and hatred regardless of religious or political affiliation. Speaking Point: This is an example of how one man’s ignorance and hatred can enflame the same in those he’s opposing. Our evil actions breed the same in others, just as good actions are contagious as well. Speaking Point: The Afghans cannot see the difference between the one man and his “church” in Florida and the US soldiers who are on the ground to defeat the Taliban. In the hearts of the Afghans, all Americans are anti-Muslim. Speaking Point: Since before the Crusades, wars have been fought in the name of God. Each side believes that God is fighting on their side - that Allah will shut down their opposition. What happened to the loving and peaceful God that is in our basis of our faiths?
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