The Burning Holy Books Saga

[Hyena Dandy]

The thing about the hair-trigger rioters getting upset over burning books is that, in Islam, the Quran is not a holy book the same way the Bible is in Christianity. While many Christians treat the Bible as the literal word of God, nothing in the Bible claims to be a word-for-word transcription from the heavens. Whereas in Islam, the Koran is what Mohammed wrote, basically by dictation. Which is why you're not supposed to translate the Koran either. Desecrating the Koran is not like desecating the Bible. Its more like desecating a holy relic. If you're a Christian sect that has a holy relic. Every Koran, essentially, is the original, which explains why they're so prized.

I do agree with the confusion over anyone representing the prophet Muhammed, since the proscription against images is to prevent people worshipping the images of prophets instead of the God they were a prophet for.

Also, they don't seem to care about Jesus, or Noah being represented, even though the Koran says they are prophets too. But I may be a little confused on that matter. Does anyone here speak Arabic and have one?

[Hobbs]

<snip>

"What does the diary tell you that it doesn't tell us?"

"It tells me, that goose-stepping morons like yourself should try reading books instead of burning them!" -Dr. Henry Jones Sr.

[HYHYBT]

ere in the US, we have a number of rights and freedoms. One of those is the freedom of speech, which allows people to publicly burn books that they disagree with. One of those is NOT the right to never be offended.

You say that as if I had implied otherwise.

[IDrinkaRum]

Muslims in Great Britian burn the American Flag to protest Terry Jones' "Burn a Koran Day"

At one point, they chant "Burn, Burn Freedom" and "Democracy Go To Hell"

[Hyena Dandy]

Did someone tell them he called it off? 'Cause I think he called it off.

[Talon]

Muslims in Great Britian burn the American Flag to protest Terry Jones' "Burn a Koran Day"

At one point, they chant "Burn, Burn Freedom" and "Democracy Go To Hell"

Oh for crying out load. Do spiders have palms? I think I need to facepalm myself with all 8 of their legs.

I take it back, I know exactly who the biggest douchbags are in this whole circus.

[crashhelmet]

Ghel, the problem here is he's not burning a book to simply burn a book. He's not doing it so that he can roast marshmallows or keep his house warm. He's doing it to make a political and theological statement. He is doing it with the sole purpose of pissing off as many Muslims as he can.

Correction... He was planning to do it all for those reasons.

CH

[Ginger Tea]

Intent is as good as the execution of the plan, it worked just implying he would do it

[fireheart17]

I might also be able to shed a little bit of light as well on why there's such a huge stink over the Koran but not so much on the Bible.

Bible-there are many different variations on the Bible, as well as Christian sects. So which Bible would you burn? The Roman Catholic Bible? The Anglican One? The Greek Orthodox Bible? And to further add to that, there are different practices within each religious sect-Seventh Day Adventists view Saturday as their Sabbath, instead of Sunday. Mormons wear certain undergarments after a certain point. Amish dress really conservatively and live a different lifestyle. Roman Catholics go through Communion. The list goes on.

Koran-there is only one version of the Koran. While there are three sects of Islam (I think?), all of them follow the exact same book. While there may be some slight differences, all in all, they practice the same beliefs. Shia and Sunnis will both dress up in the hijab. Shia and Sunnis will both celebrate Ramadan and so on.

As for my own thoughts towards both books in general? Pretty simple: I don't practice a religion, however I do respect the right of others to do so as long as it does not interfere with my day-to-day life.

[jedimaster91]

Mormons wear certain undergarments after a certain point.

And for a bit of irony, you know what some of us do with old, worn-out garments? We burn 'em.

[KnitShoni]

There are people all over the world who are constantly burning or defacing anything that represents America, and then others get their panties in a bind when someone in America wants to burn another religion's holy book?

Because there are no Muslims in America, right? Only Christians represent America?

[protege]

There are people all over the world who are constantly burning or defacing anything that represents America, and then others get their panties in a bind when someone in America wants to burn another religion's holy book?

Hypocritical, much?

That's exactly how I see it too. They're pissed because someone would dare roast their "sacred cow." Yet, they have no problem with attacking *other* people for *their* beliefs.

Think about it--I'm sure everyone remembers when a Danish newspaper had printed a depiction of Mohammad, or when the creators of South Park received death threats for a similar reason. Anyone want to guess what types of cartoons show up in various Middle Eastern newspapers? Usually they're bashing Western religions, or Israel, always with unflattering images. Also not helping, are the photos of various flags being burnt during protests--usually the American flag is burnt. Why is all of that OK, but the minute something of *theirs* is desecrated (or the threat made to do so), they feel the need to get upset? What makes their religion or their ideas so damn special? These twits need to get off their "high camels" and get back to reality. They are no better or worse than the rest of us.

Back to South Park for a minute--Isaac Hayes, for years, had been a part of that show. The creators went after every social group you can think of--Jews, Christians, Arabs, rich people, poor people, etc. to name a few. He had no problem with that. But, as soon as Scientology took its turn on the spit, he got pissed, and left the show. Again, hypocritical much?

[Hobbs]

I think this image is appropriate

[guywithashovel]

Back to South Park for a minute--Isaac Hayes, for years, had been a part of that show. The creators went after every social group you can think of--Jews, Christians, Arabs, rich people, poor people, etc. to name a few. He had no problem with that. But, as soon as Scientology took its turn on the spit, he got pissed, and left the show. Again, hypocritical much?

I remember that. I guess then when it comes to religion bashing, it's all fun and games until someone attacks your religion.

[Hyena Dandy]

I remember that. I guess then when it comes to religion bashing, it's all fun and games until someone attacks your religion.

Although, it seems in some ways like it was less that he got pissed and left, and more that the scientology organizationers get pissed and told him to leave.