Terry Jones and Quran Burning
The fire has been lit once again and the burning question is one about burning the representative word of any religious belief.
We, not Christians, not followers of Islam, but human beings that inhabit this orb rotating through space are a collective family. We have nowhere else to go and must learn to coexist if we are to exist at all.
Within this collective our relations are based on loosely held family responsibilities where the good of the family unit is more important than the pursuits or agenda of any one individual or selective group.
The roles of leaders and followers must be understood and respected if ( we ) are to be progressive in the living experience. Leaders must provide strong principles, values and demonstrate soundness of ideals.
Members of our global family must foster virtues of faithfulness, loyalty and obedience and not strike out in self-aggrandizing efforts that undermine the authority of the leaders or the foundation of the family structure.
Yet, many especially the younger developing generations have lost grasp of those concepts.
We are facing a crisis. Not some dark cold rock lurking in space waiting to wreak havoc, but from within. It is a cancer of sorts, a mutation of human principles that creates a vicious polarity within the family unit.
It has existed for centuries and continues to eat away at the fabric of our understanding and interaction between people and nations.
Belief is held by fact ( Atheistic or Agnostic ) or faith ( Religious ) and the existence of those beliefs, even when they are contradictory actually bond us as a species. I support belief as a concept and our country holds to the rights of belief.
To directly attack belief, religious or otherwise is to damage the very substance that defines us as a higher life form capable of higher structured thought.
I don’t condemn people; they are our brothers and sisters on this planet. I condemn bitter misguided thoughts and efforts that are destined to provide hatred and insult.
I embrace people, even those I have strongly disagreed with in the past in their moment of insight.
Especially insight that initiates true change in the individual and group leading to a better life for all.
Is the Quran Being Burned Right Now
Shocking news. Is the Rev. Terry Jones burning copies of the Quran right now as you read this?
Who knows? Chances are you are not in Florida right now and would have no way of knowing without turning on the news and watching the reports.
If there is no exposure it becomes a non-issue. Today I was asked what I felt would be the best solution for the matter of the threat to burn copies of the Quran in Florida.
Should Rev. Jones simply cease and desist or should the Islamic leaders in New York come to agreement to move their planned mosque in a trade of reasoning.
My answer, neither.
Simply pull the plug. Stop all media coverage of Rev. Jones and his followers. No television, radio, YouTube or other exposure of any kind even and especially if he decides to follow through on his threat to burn copies of the Quran.
Neutralize the event. The event and Rev. Jones views would have no global impact if the rest of the world isn’t given a front row seat at this drive-in display of poor taste and judgment.
Allow him to exercise his freedom and rights if he so desires, but turn it into an isolated moment of media censored uselessness. Focus all of the local and regional efforts on shutting down any mention or broadcast of the action in any form on any medium.
Basically no more global in scope or impact than someone walking in their backyard.
Rev. Jones and his “church” are only effective in as much as we as a media driven society allow him to be. So, in the name of national security have a judge issue a legal court order specifically forbidding any recording, reproduction or broadcast of such an act and have the local authorities enforce the court order.
The media outlets cannot cover it, share it, show it or allow it to be uploaded online in any form.
Don’t babysit the individual and humor his concepts and intentions.
Eliminate the source of effect.
Losing a Friend Gaining Perspective
This week has been an exercise in emotional restraint and fervent patience.
Several days ago my long-time friend and spirited advisor John Kluge passed away. I am left with fond memories of years past and the fun I had playing golf at his home.
John was always a fair and generous man around me and he did much to improve the local area including the University of Virginia and related health care facilities. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
Layered over that emotional burden has been the issue of Dr. Terry Jones and his plans to burn the Quran in Florida.
Like many, I was appalled to hear of this. With several others in a coalition my communication with Dr. Jones was centered on the recognition of the importance of the Quran to the global Islamic community and not as a sacrificial pawn to a small radical element.
As of this writing Dr. Jones has blown out the fuse on the scheduled burning, but time will only tell what the final outcome of this concern will be.
With a positive attitude and faith in my fellow man we, I, move forward seeking a more integrated and empathic way of living.
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