News-Record.com

Statement by Sheikh Badi Ali
Muslims for a Better North Carolina

On behalf of Muslims for a Better North Carolina and all persons of the Islamic faith, I strongly protest and condemn the flagrantly hateful and provocative sign in front of the Baptist Church in Forest City on a well-travelled highway that says that the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book, “should be flushed.” None of us would say that the New Testament should be flushed because we respect what others believe as well as the spirit that aspires brotherly love among human beings. It is an ugly disgrace that the offending church’s pastor intends to continue to foster his church’s most inflammatory message. We recognize religious freedom and freedom of speech, but not to inflame our fellow North Carolinians to stir up ancient biases and political animosities.

The freedoms for speech and religion are dearly-held values in America. It's just a shame when those freedoms are abused. No one will try to force these people to remove their message, but it would help greatly if folks could try and get these people to see the error of their thinking.

As shown in the dialogue below about Bishop Spong, scripture can be used to justify many types of behavior and injustice. The core of Christianity is the message of Peace and Love. If compassion and love are not central to one's actions and behavior then one is not following a Christian path. I think it is obvious that such an anti-Muslim statement is not involved with seeing our fellow Muslims with love and compassion.

Of course, there is a more practical aspect to this news item. A sign like this is hardly something that will attract non-Christians to the religion. I wonder how this pastor would react to that thought?

Today, there's news of 3 cross burnings in Durham. I never could figure out what the deal was with burning a cross. The KKK seemed to think an awful lot of it, but the symbology (if there ever was any) is lost on me.