9/11 started as a unifying moment for collective grief and emerging pride, but has devolved into a contentious, divisive scar on our country's psyche. Even still, we have typically pulled together on 9/11 anniversaries with grace, gratitude, and love. This 9/11, on the 9 year anniversary, a group of 50 atypical divisive christians (I call anyone a Christian who calls them self a Christian) in Florida, are setting Korans on fire as a way to "bring attention to the danger of Islam". Ironically, in principle this group is employing the same tactic that Islamic Extremists use...hijacking a decent religion to make an extreme political statement. (It should be noted strongly that while this is an ironic philosophical point, it is an imperfect comparison to say the least. As deplorable as Koran burning is, it is no comparison to the infinitely more deplorable action of murdering in the name of religion to make political statements. The God of all religions surely values life more than a book, even a "holy" book.)
Since news broke of this planned book burning, as would be expected, I have heard many people on all sides of the political spectrum, and from all religious groups, condemn the action of this church without equivocation. What I'm still trying to understand is why this tiny group of 50 has received, in my opinion, so much undue attention. This reminds me of the Westboro "church" of 20 family members who say and do the most insidious and evil things, mostly for attention, which they always are awarded with. I wonder if the attention given to these statistically insignificant groups does anything more than provoke the wrong people and encourage more groups to do similar things for attention. I am a big believer in First Amendment rights, so I would never advocate silencing their (crazy) voices, but I do think collective ignoring of their pleas for attention would do more good than any condemnations they may receive. In these situations, condemnations bring them even more attention, and are really more about benefiting the condemner than the condemned.
September 11th 2011, the proposed Islamic Center plans a ground breaking ceremony a couple of blocks from Ground Zero on the 10 year anniversary of the day that men distorting their faith brought so much pain to so many. If this happens, I can only imagine the reactions people will have, and what kind of vitriolic demonstrations will take place on a day when the decade starts over for us. If I wasn't already opposed to the center being built there, the thought of the 10th Anniversary being desecrated with protests and disunity, would be enough to convince me it is a bad idea.
That being said, in joining these two news items together, I am presented with a question that I have not heard anyone address, so I'll pose it to you and to myself: What is really more insulting to 9/11...what is happening in florida on the 9th anniversary, or what is planned to happen on the 1oth anniversary in lower manhattan?
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity."
~ Colossians 4:5
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
~ Romans 12:17-21
