Dear Tyro--
Now you are putting words in my mouth--to name a few, I am not saying that just because people get upset that we must assuage hurt feelings. I am saying that it is certainly within the free speech rights of people to respond to bigotry and hatred by speaking out against it. You are right that burning a religious text is not the same as barring another religion, even though that is Mr. Jones' goal. I strongly defend free speech rights of people including the right to say unpopular things that may offend some, which is why I have not suggested that there be any attempt by the government to restrain Mr. Jones in his speech or lawful conduct but have instead urged others to speak in favor of religious tolerance and against the kind of bigotry Jones has expressed in numerous settings.
Lisa
<i>And, I never said burning a book is the same as killing a person; they are plainly different acts, morally and legally</i>
That's the clear impression you leave by saying that you condemn burning the Quaran and then immediately talking about 9/11 and the sacrifices of soldiers.
<i>I think that it is not just right but essential for people of conscience to speak out against such intolerance and bigotry, even when the proponent attempts to wrap his warped mind and actions in the Bible or other religious claims.</i>
Let's be clear. Which is the problem here: the burning of a book or the violent retribution some fanatics use to silence critics?
I think the answer is obvious, the violence is the problem. When I read pieces like yours (and this is very common) I'd never imagine that a violent riot or assassinations would be anything other than a reasonable response.
You're giving the classic "she wore a short skirt" rape defence.
<i>What I do find ironic is a person claiming he is exercising his religious freedom by trying to prevent other people from exercising their religious freedom.</i>
Burning a book he bought legally isn't preventing anyone from worshipping, that's ridiculous.
It's when one religious group tries to force others to obey their religious beliefs that we hit problems. That can be when fundamentalist Christians try to force their views of relationships onto others by outlawing sodomy or interracial marriage or merely blocking gay marriage. It can be when Muslims demand that their hyperactive sensitivity to insults to their bible, prophet or faith must be followed by everyone.
And here you are, saying that just because one group gets irrationally upset when someone disagrees with them, that we should try to assuage their hurt feelings. I think that's blackmail and I'm not buying it. We've learned that the right reaction to burning Harry Potter books or publishing caricatures of the Pope is to call them bigots and idiots, not to try to prevent other "insults". Muslims already have plenty of countries which prohibit religious insults and it doesn't take a political genius to see that they aren't bastions of these liberties you claim to support.
You value freedom of speech & freedom of religion? Then the price is living in a society where everyone can be insulted and have their sacred books disrespected and I think an educated person like you should know that.
Dear Tyro:
With all due respect, I don't find it ironic at all to urge people to stand up for religious freedom while condemning religious bigotry. The claim that Jones is exercising his freedom to practice his faith by burning the Koran seems far-fetched and just a rationale. Such a claim would allow almost any act of bigotry to be rationalized and excused.
I don't buy it. I was raised Christian and I know it's not a tenet of faith that the books of other faiths be destroyed by fire. And, if Mr. Jones had bothered to read the Koran he would see many of the stories written in the Old Testament, but he's an opportunist who has decided to make money attacking the faith of millions of fellow Americans, https://www.prwatch.org/node/9421.
What I do find ironic is a person claiming he is exercising his religious freedom by trying to prevent other people from exercising their religious freedom.
Lisa
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