September 11 and the aftermath

September 11---a day that will go down in infamy. Our country's security and peace was shattered by a group of Islamic radicals. True, this was a horrific event. Husbands and fathers, sisters and daughters were lost, and the pain resulting from this will never be forgotten.

This, however does not  warrant bigoted prejudice against all Muslims. Pastor Terry Jones of Florida is obviously unaware of this. This man decided it would be a great idea to create “Burn a Qur’an day” to commemorate 9/11. Pastor Terry, along with his fifty person congregation, planned to burn hundreds of Qur'an's on Saturday evening. Thankfully for America, he changed his mind.

This was not without a fight. From the moment he announced his plan, he was condemned by Christians and non-Christians alike. Everyone knew how disrespectful of an act it was and how dangerous it would be for our troops and country as a whole. Even his previous church (of which he was expelled) spoke out against him.

It is true that in America we have freedom of speech and right to protest peaceably. But as House minority leader, John Boehner said, “Just because you have the right to do something in America, doesn't mean it's the right thing to do." From a purely Christian standpoint, Pastor Terry is not helping the cause in any way. How are Christians to appear loving and welcoming if they have to overcome obstacles like this man? Rather than “making a stand” against them, Christians should reach out a hand to befriend them and shed some light into their lives. If people did this, rather then shaking their fists while parading around a fire in protest, America wouldn't have to deal with devastations the likes of which happened Sunday morning. Because of this ordeal, two people were killed in Afghanistan. Even though Pastor Terry repealed his threats of burning the Qur'an, the damage was done. Protestors gathered in the streets, and when they got rowdy, the security opened fire to disperse the crowd. Two people died and three more were wounded. So this begs the question, are people willing to put the security of their country at danger, just to voice their own opinion?

By Sarah McIntire