Petraeus Speaks Against FL Church

[MacUser]

Petraeus Condemns U.S. Church's Plan to Burn Qurans

Gen. David Petraeus said the Taliban would exploit the demonstration for propaganda purposes, drumming up anger toward the U.S. and making it harder for allied troops to carry out their mission of protecting Afghan civilians.

"It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort," Gen. Petraeus said in an interview. "It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here, but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community."


And the Pastors Rebuttal..
Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., said in a statement that "We understand the General's concerns. We are sure that his concerns are legitimate." Nonetheless, he added, "We must send a clear message to the radical element of Islam. We will no longer be controlled and dominated by their fears and threats."

Mr. Jones has been denied a permit for the demonstration, but has said he plans to go forward with the protest.

*******

Does this not seam SURREAL?

The entire islamic community could explode over one Quran burning? All of our entire relations built on years of goodwill, lives, capital, help protecting... all be ended in one single individuals actions?

Seriously?

[dolfan]

Well, this is interesting in about 20 different ways. Perplexing, even.

1. What suddenly happened to the separation of church and state?
2. What does this sudden disappearance of that concern tell us about the power of the federal government, including the military?
3. Should Christians be more attentive to the "danger" posed by the government and military (at this point, a rhetorical danger only, I'll say -- for now), or to the mustachioed goofball pastor who thinks that burning a Koran is actually going to accomplish something for the kingdom of God?
4. Is it now the duty of Christians in America to subject honest convictions to military or diplomatic strategies? Set aside the obvious (to me, at least) idiocy of the whole Koran-burning deal; ask the bigger and more important question whether honestly held, sincere and genuine religious faith and action should be tempered under the shadow of governmental "needs".
5. Shouldn't Christians begin to seriously question our whole notion of "nationhood"? To what nation do we really belong? Is there any room within the faith to identify ourselves with our earthly nation? Are we not really citizens of another country altogether; by the same token, isn't that citizenship the one with exclusive claims on us? If that's not the case, what claims does any other nation have on us that we can rightly say are outside of God's claims on us?
6. How much of this is ginned-up by the federal government, with the complicity of Petraeus, et.al., to divide the so-called "Tea Party" power-bloc, forcing people to choose Obama and the military over what the press will surely identify as a typical fundamentalist, evangelical Christian?
7. What is the duty of Christians with common sense to speak up against this pastor's spotlight grabbing stunt? Or, even if it is a stunt, is there something Christians can take away from this that counsels us about the reality that Islam is the most anti-Christian and potent, growing phenomenon on the planet today? To what extent is the political and cultural gain of Islam a spiritual war against Christianity? (I'd say all of it is, personally, IMO). And, if Islam is aiming at Christianity through politics and culture, doesn't it tell us SOMETHING that the enemy's choice of battlegrounds must be one that give it an advantage, and furthermore, that if politics and culture are the battleground choices of the enemy, doesn't it tell us that those are not the choices of God to wage spiritual warfare? What exactly DOES this tell Christians about going forward in the face of the Islamic spirit in this world?? (A lot, I'm afraid, that none of us really wants to hear.)


That's just for starters.....

[MacUser]

That's just for starters.....

Well? Let us know what you really think


Pastor Says Church Not Deterred by Petraeus Warning on Koran Burning
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09 ... n-burning/

[Full Quiver]

If this pastor's actions do indeed incite Muslims to violence against Americans then it is proof of who Muslims really are, non tolerant, hateful, religious zealots that are hell bent on violence and murder.

[Phil Hoover]

any of our people in harm's way unnecessarily? This pastor is BONEHEADED, and the "spirit" that is leading him doesn't have a first name of HOLY...

Maybe he should read the New Testament again....particularly Matthew 5-7.

[paul]

First let me say that Very few and I mean very few in america truly understand the barbarity of radical Islam. I have had very close personal friends who's entire family save one was murdered, burned to death by radicals. I have know students that were beaten because someone said they insulted the Koran. Last month in Pakistan two pastors were gunned down after being aquitted for blasphemy against Mommhad. I work in an area where thousands of Christians have died at the hand of Islamist.

Having said that, I do not believe that this pastor has the slighest understanding as to the persecution, violence and death that will come upon the believers in areas of the Middle East. Especially in the Pakistan, Afgan, Northern Africa areas.

I have personally emailed the pastor and requested that he fine another method of protest and shared what I am totally convinced of, that the blood of many innocent believers around the world will be on his hands.
(doubt that he read the email.)

[Phil Hoover]

First let me say that Very few and I mean very few in america truly understand the barbarity of radical Islam. I have had very close personal friends who's entire family save one was murdered, burned to death by radicals. I have know students that were beaten because someone said they insulted the Koran. Last month in Pakistan two pastors were gunned down after being aquitted for blasphemy against Mommhad. I work in an area where thousands of Christians have died at the hand of Islamist.

Having said that, I do not believe that this pastor has the slighest understanding as to the persecution, violence and death that will come upon the believers in areas of the Middle East. Especially in the Pakistan, Afgan, Northern Africa areas.

I have personally emailed the pastor and requested that he fine another method of protest and shared what I am totally convinced of, that the blood of many innocent believers around the world will be on his hands.
(doubt that he read the email.)

This DISILLUSIONED man is so overcome by his own hatred that he probably won't listen to you or anyone else..including God.

And yes, the blood of many believers will be on his hands. I pray that GOD stops this act of insanity...

[MacUser]

I find the insanity in the fact that one man can cause such an emplosion when so many are visible doing amazing good in their communities.

Let me be clear.. I don't think it's smart in the slightest for what he is doing...(vote to stop it) but would not blame this man for any deaths caused by murderers. The blood is on them and them only.

[dolfan]

He's more than irresponsible now that he knows (or should know) the things that Paul has pointed out to him. Is he culpable in the deaths of believers murdered by jihadists abroad? Boy, y'all, I'm not quite there on that. Paul, do you really think it is demonstrable that more Christians will die than would've died without this foolish man's foolish actions? Is it common for Muslims to find anti-Muslim actions in far reaches of the globe and then exact revenge for them locally against Christians?? If so -- and I won't argue the point; I'll take your word for it categorically -- but, if so, will that cost cause Christians to NOT take bold actions that really are proper in the right circumstance? In other words, will there be a double tragedy of a chilling effect on Christians from doing courageous acts against Islam (i.e., you going in and witnessing)?

[TW]

dolfan,
Just think back a short period of time about the riots that occurred because of a cartoon, and then ask your question again?


TW

[rough_rider]

This church reminds me of the church in Ephesus...

[Pastor Bill]

protesting violence with an act that will intentionally be taken as a personal assault is not wise, nor is it consistent with the cause of Christ.

Honestly this is a bound up stack of paper, nothing more nothing less, it along with all of our bibles will one day burn up with the rest of this world. Don't fight fire with fire, preach the living Word of God, and the Truth will stand against anything that book holds.

How about instead of destroying their books you give out the Truth? I believe that is the only thing that will stand, we don't wrestle with flesh and blood or paper and ink, but against power and principalities. HIS WORD will stand regardless of the actions on either side that are not led by HIS WORD and HIS WILL.

[paul]

protesting violence with an act that will intentionally be taken as a personal assault is not wise, nor is it consistent with the cause of Christ.

Honestly this is a bound up stack of paper, nothing more nothing less, it along with all of our bibles will one day burn up with the rest of this world. Don't fight fire with fire, preach the living Word of God, and the Truth will stand against anything that book holds.

How about instead of destroying their books you give out the Truth? I believe that is the only thing that will stand, we don't wrestle with flesh and blood or paper and ink, but against power and principalities. HIS WORD will stand regardless of the actions on either side that are not led by HIS WORD and HIS WILL.

Bill, good response

I have ministered hundreds of times in predominatly muslim areas of the world. I have had the Sharia Police monitor my meetings. I never speak of the ills of Islam, nor their prophet (note: I say their's). What I do share is the power, joy, love and compassion of a living Savior called Jesus. They see his love and compassion demonstrated through miracles and healings, and deliverances. This has resulted in mass conversions. Several of those conversion have led to some going to our bible college and now are pastoring Christian churches.

If the Pasotr in Florida really wanted to make a difference, he could smply annouce a sermon series as to Why he believes Christianity to be the One True way to God and eternal life. Then point out the discrepencies of the Islamic faith void of the theatrics.

[Full Quiver]

I got news for all of you guys. Except the Lord come back quickly we ALL will face certain persecution and death by the hand of Muslims. Either we condemn this false god and despicable way of life now and preach the Gospel to these folks or they will end our way of worship. God has already condemned them and they are in absolute violation of the 10 commandments. They are not afraid of Jehovah and they could care less about what any of us think.

This pastor is in this for the publicity I think and more or less has the right idea, I think all Korans should be burnt, but the only statement that can come of this is IF violence erupts then it absolutely proves that Muslims are horrible people that worship a false god and that believe that violence and murder are ok.

Yes I said they are horrible people BUT through Jesus Christ they can become new people.

By the way, why was there no violence last year when the military burnt a slew of Holy Bibles that were printed in Afghan languages and deemed illegal to distribute?

[Pastor Bill]

I guess my question is this, who does the publicity help?

does it reach people for Christ? No, it is just a "our God is better than your god" childish act, and it will do more to push people away from the truth (either toward the apathy of "tolerance" or a more burning hatred steeped in the false religion of Islam, but Christ told us to love them, and I just don't see that in this act.

I agree that Islam is a problem, and is not a "peaceful religion" as some want to tout it, but this will only help to polarize the issue and will not draw anyone to Christ, which is to be our goal.

Will we suffer more persecution as time goes on, yes the Bible is very clear about that. Is it to be our goal to avoid this or fight it? no, it's our goal to reach a lost and dying world, whether they are lost to plain old sin and rejection of Christ, or the deception of the false religions of Islam, Tolerance or any other flavor cooked up, it doesn't matter, we are to show love, and to preach the Good News.