Editorial: Burn Baby Burn....

As many gather around the world to remember September 11, one story that has been circulating of late is that of Pastor Terry Jones and his crusade to burn the Quran. As symbolism to remember the horrible events of 9/11,  Pastor Jones planned on setting many of the Islamic's faith holy books ablaze today as a protest of  the event. As word of this traveled across the country, news media picked up this story and made it a world wide subject broadcasting it in almost every segment. This prompted many politicians, including the President, social activist, and religious leaders across the globe, even people from other countries to speak out  against Pastor Jones, calling his act, disrespectful, insensitive, and intollerant towards the muslim religion. Although we can agree that all muslims are not like those that committed this horrendous act on 9/11, we have to ask ourselves if this one act of protest against them is worth all the hype? In my opinion when you look at this story you see that there are actually two maybe three sides of this story that can be brought out to state the case of all sides involved. Lets start first with the Pastor. As a Christian I fully believe that we are in spiritual warfare and we need to do everyhing we can to combat aginst our enemy whether he is from another religion that sets itself up against Jesus Christ or it is one man that does the same. Islam and many other religions, though they say they have direct paths to God in many ways will never compare or come close to being as accurate to bringing us closer to God than that of Christianity. And in many countries radical islam has set itself up as enemies against Christians. So this Pastor can be just setting himself up as saying he is just at war with our enemies.... Now if we take up the case of the Muslims, we can say as I stated before that all Muslims are not like those that committed the attacks on 9/11. Many of them are peace loving people who are just looking to worship their God as they see fit. They are looking to be pillars in the American Society and do all they can through their faith and patriotism to make their country a better place. So to compare their views to those of these violent offenders would be like comparing a cat to a lion. Be it though they both come from the feline species, their level of aggresiveness is far different by comparison. Now the Politicians, that's a different  story, it may be true that this act may put our troops in harms way, but arent they already there just by being in the war zone. Also, it can be said that with these Politicians there just may be an alterior motive behind there coming out against this Pastor. Whatever the side you decide you are on I believe all these perspectives are valid. But after all the hype about this story and all the arguing and grand standing, it has been reported on yesterday by Pastor Jones in a press conference that the Quran Burning has been postponed  barring negotiations with the Iman of the Mosque to be built on the site of the 9/11 attacks. Makes you ask the question, was the fuss really worth it all.... By the way, wasn't it not to long ago that muslims were in th streets of their country burnin bibles and american flags.  Makes you wonder who's side our government is on huh?

News: To Mosque or Not to Mosque....

Recently there has been some controversy over the building of a Muslim Mosque at the site of Ground Zero. Many proponents feel that it is a wonderful idea because it brings forth a sense of unity and a sense of solidarity between U.S. and Muslim relations. Then, on the other hand you have those that believe that this is a slap in the face to all the 9/11 victims who have lost their lives to this horrific event. (By the way, the picture at the top is a picture of the proposed site of the Mosque) This Debate has gained so much heat that opponents of this plan along with many other Americans have now brought into question the President's Religion affiliation because of his support of the Mosque being built. Although this has been a question of debate since his bid for office, but now even more so. Muslims also feel that the building of this Mosque will give them a chance to show that not all muslims are killers like those associated with the events of 9/11. They agree to open their doors to any and all who would like to come and fellowship with them during their services and they feel as though this is their way of paying their respects to the tragedy of 2001. My take on the whole deal is this. Although I feel that all Muslims are not evil and notorius like those responsible for 9/11, I do believe that having this Mosque built at the proposed site is a little to soon. Yes it has been 10 years since, but the memories and the hurt still lingers in the hearts of not only the families, but in the hearts of those who witnessed this personally and in the hearts of all Americans and people around the world. And to add insult to injury in my mind, the planned construction of whatever is to be built on Ground Zero hasn't even been built yet. Listen, whether for or against the proposed Mosque, a show of solidarity will never heal the pain of those who have lost so much during 9/11. We can erect buildings, we can lay flowers, we can hold candle light momorials from now till eternity, but that will never bring back the lives lost that day. I know time heals all wounds, but do we add more pressure to that wound by adding a reminder of the Religion of those who caused the wound  in the first place where it was inacted. Even if these people were not the "Monsters" that caused this event, I belive that having them there and building before our Momorial can be built raises the question of who and what our country cares for the most, their image with others or the hurt and pain of those who call this country Home... To Mosque or not To Mosque, to me it's a little to soon....