The burning of the Quran-

I often laugh about living in hillbillyville in the small central Florida town I call home-Ocala. It is important to note that the article I’ve attached comes from my local paper but the national headlining event takes place in the swamp, Gator country –Gainesville which is 30 miles away.

http://www.ocala.com/article/20100907/ARTICLES/100909829/1402/NEWS?tc=ar

First-let me rant from the religious aspect of this demonic act-Stay with me I’m all over the place

I have had just about enough of folk waking up quoting scripture and committing acts that are despicable, in the name of Jesus. I don’t know about you but it seems that folks in this 21^st century are waking up these days claiming to be Bishops, Apostles, Overseers and claiming they doctorates in Divinity and Philosophy.  In my hometown alone- there are a couple of them that have no idea what dangling participle is –let alone if you said that you need to conjugate verbs-they would think it was some sinful and start (faking) speaking in tongues. Let me be clear I am not insulting the intelligence of anyone-but it don’t take a rocket scientist to figure out folks are playing with God.

I don’t know about you, but for me when I do ANYTHING in the name of Jesus, I do it in honor of my stewardship as a member of Gods divine plan for “us’-thinking beyond the realm of a moment of instant gratification of perpetrated philosophy that ultimately becomes rhetorical hypocrisy.  After all, God did not ask for anyone’s help when he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah; meaning if HE thinks something ain’t right- he is more than capable of taking care of business. Think about this- this story happens only 17 chapters after “God created the heavens and the Earth”-

Secondly- This man!! This so called Preacher- uh…about to commit an act that we find deplorable on any continent within any race of people. Defiling a Holy Book, even if it is not Holy to you it is to someone else. See- these are the kind of folk I really fear standing next to in the checkout lane at Wal-Mart- after all if a bolt of lightning came the front door I would like to think this guy would be the target. (slight exaggeration to make my point) While I approach this matter with some sense of humor- I have to, short of crying to the point of hyperventilation.

There is one thing I do know-prayer changes things and so I ask that we pray for a better tomorrow in this world we live in. We pray that the earth will stay still and the natural disasters (Gods hint of get it right yall) will ease killing thousands and leaving thousands of others destitute. My friends, North Korea has a bomb- we need to pray that they remove the hostility and power hunger from their souls and not push that button.

But if you want to get mad- get angry and really pissed off- get mad about hungry children who will not have enough to eat tonight. Get mad about the so-called faith based religions that consent to girls marrying and age 8 and becoming the wife of a man 3 times her age and then consummating the marriage at age 11. Let’s get mad and get in the voting booth and keep ‘change’ in its place. Hey that’s just me-tell me how you really feel

Wow, now that was full throated....and a strong horse  stands..... It is not just todays...but throughout history that people have been using religion to kill, murder, fight, take, inprision, forbid, denie, and so on and so on....more people was kill in the name of their religion then all the wars put together. Religion, faith, belief system, moral or up-bring, what ever you want to call it have been at the rout of all devastation in the world...so I feel you sista to a degree...but you can have integrity and devine spirit in you with out knowing how to read or spell...I can not spell out all but have deep conviction and compassion and empathy and love and faith in mankind and in the human spirit and will to do good. A person rights to their on opinion rather it agrees with once belief is their right....they can burn and do what they please to my bible, it do not affect my inner peace and faith...my compass is true and I stand square on my path and walk undisturbed by the unrational behaviors of other...yes it is disrespectful and shallow minded but I try not to rationalize unrational behavior...I do not stand in their muck in which they try to drag you into. Evil exist in the world and alway will until the end of time. Sista your eyes are wonderfully open, that is a blessing, you can see the evil and your heart respond to the fistas of the world and that is great, it moves you to speak out and try to envolk a positive change but don't get surrounded and engulft by it. I told you I can't spell...lol and don't proof read...I just let it flow..wink

Wink back at cha- and this is my stallion today- Engulfed? Just current events that make ya go mmmmm- catch me next time when I’m riding a filly …LOL

And… Ahh you make a wonderful point- that I purposefully left out…

First- the spelling reference specifically was directed at those who feel it necessary to, for whatever reason, feel the need to include “Dr.” along with “Rev” and know darn well they do not have a PhD- and are the fraudulent individuals I speak of.

My purposefully omitted point was that of divine calling- “anointed” if you will -has no formality and does not have include a 4-year degree in Theology,  a 2-year degree in Philosophy and 5 year doctorial degree in both..

It simply is a calling of spiritual reasoning that has nothing to do with titles, sir names or acronyms. So please understand the comment was not to offend but to drive my point home.

Here is my thoughts on the issue... This is a free country... we are guaranteed the right to religious freedom by our Constitution... but somewhere there is a major contradiction in this story...

The so called "man of God" who is also a Flag waving citizen of the great ole U. S. of A.... wants to burn a holy book... this man is probably one of the ones condemning the building of the Mosque at ground zero.... hmmmm....

and Sylvester, while I agree with you that religion has been the source of wars from the beginning of time... the parody in this is that a so called "man of God" would use "God" as a basis to inflame another religion. While it does not impact your inner peace... idiots like him, do stir up other "weak minded" individuals who will grab onto the idiotic coat tail and let the fun begin... 

Anyone that calls themselves a Christian, should be following the example of Christ... People have used the Bible time and time again to fuel their evil deeds... The Devil knows the Bible well... and whom is weak enough to work for him under the guise of being Godly.... 

Ridiculous....

Let the chruch say -Amen!

I've said it before and I will continue to say that the same freedoms that our so called founding fathers wrote, the constitution, and this country governs and lives by, are the same freedoms that will someday destroy it. As for the titles these people place before their name, it is more for their pride than from the God I serve. Look at me, I'm a Bishop, no look at me I'm a Doctor, no look at me I'm a Reverend, no yall look at me I'm an Apostle. While this man threatening to burn the Koran, who calls himself a reverend (rev. Terry Jones), goes around lying on God, he is not the first to do it and certainly won't be the last, remember Jim Jones (might be kin).  In my opinion there are not many true Christians in America. A true Christian will give his life for God. Jesus gave his life.  Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son. Daniel was thrown in the lions den. MLK was jailed, beaten and later killed. How many times have we heard of the millions of men and women who gave their life for country, but how many have we heard who gave their life for God? It makes you wonder if some think that our country is above God? It reminds me of the story I heard of a guy who walked into a church and said he wanted to kill all the christians. The pastor nervously got up and said, sir aint no christians in here we are all nondenominational, you want to go around the corner to that baptist church, its full of christians. The guy apologized and left.

I once has a pastor that said it would be interesting to see how many people would stay and say they were Christians if a gun was in their face and their choice of life and/or death depended on their answer...

I've said it before and I will continue to say that the same freedoms that our so called founding fathers wrote, the constitution, and this country governs and lives by, are the same freedoms that will someday destroy it. As for the titles these people place before their name, it is more for their pride than from the God I serve. Look at me, I'm a Bishop, no look at me I'm a Doctor, no look at me I'm a Reverend, no yall look at me I'm an Apostle. While this man threatening to burn the Koran, who calls himself a reverend (rev. Terry Jones), goes around lying on God, he is not the first to do it and certainly won't be the last, remember Jim Jones (might be kin).  In my opinion there are not many true Christians in America. A true Christian will give his life for God. Jesus gave his life.  Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son. Daniel was thrown in the lions den. MLK was jailed, beaten and later killed. How many times have we heard of the millions of men and women who gave their life for country, but how many have we heard who gave their life for God? It makes you wonder if some think that our country is above God? It reminds me of the story I heard of a guy who walked into a church and said he wanted to kill all the christians. The pastor nervously got up and said, sir aint no christians in here we are all nondenominational, you want to go around the corner to that baptist church, its full of christians. The guy apologized and left.

-pt109rickusa

Well...

There are many dynamics to this thing. I will try my dear best to speak to each of them.

1. The burning of the quran.
now this in and of itself is offensive only to those who hold the quran as holy. This is problematic due to what the Apostle Paul teaches in Galatians 1:8 "but even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed". The quran is a book that denies Christ as being the messiah. It esteems him as a prophet but not messiah. So that is a major issue in itself. However, if you want to impress someone, go to an Islamic nation and burn the book. You just talking trash in a safe place.

The trouble with burning the quran is the fact that it does not bring about attention to the gospel. Which is the biggest trouble with preachers in this day and time. Instead the focus would be on the act and the events of 9/11 which truthfully had nothing to do with the fact the those who carried out that horrible crime against humanity were muslims. You cant throw the baby out with the bathwater. Solomon said it best, "all is vanity and vexation of spirit". Folks would have been vexed and the deed would have been just vain.

2. Where was the preacher going to get qurans from?

Now you can go get bibles at the dollar store for a buck but not qurans. So this church would have used church funds to pull this nonsense off. Waste of money regarding the kingdom.

3. What surah called for the 9/11 attacks?
not one. The trouble with false prophets is the fact they are in every segment of religion and belief system. These so called fundamentalist muslims transgress the very book they claim they hold dear. Lord knows Christians in this country are very guilty of this themselves.

4. It is his perogative.

The preacher can burn books if he wants. Its his constitutional right to do so. However, i wonder how he feels about flag burners in America.

5 Gasoline on fire

Many muslims are zealous about their faith. Remember Rushdie who wrote the Satanic Verses... Well that been almost 30 years i think and dude is still under a death order. Dude still is hiding out. Why throw gasoline on a fire that is already burning too bright as is.

6. Copycats

One thing about white folks. They copy cat themselves to a tee. He wont be the only backward country knuckehead that will do something similar. Problematic for all Americans at best.

7. Christian enablers.

While people will condemn dude for what he wanted to do, there will not a be shortage of people who will endorse and attempt to use the bible to justify his actions. The trouble with that is, why now. He could have burned qurans last year, the year before, and the year before that or even when it happened. Its sounds like to me, he just wants to bring attention to himself.

*******************************************************************************************************************************
I dont support such a cowardly act. I am a Christian and I do know that the quran is not the gospel. Instead dude should preach to his congregation how to burn or purge the world out of their heart and minds and take on the mind of Christ. Like Solomon said, "all is vanity"

Thanks for your thoughts and with all do respect- you say " I am a Christian and I do know that the quran is not the gospel." How do YOU know? I mena really? How?

Fact it is not the gospel according to the Christian Bible, however, it is to those who choose to believe that it is in fact their Holy Book.

Why must we as Christian look down and denounce others whose belief are different than our own. God gave man great power- but he didn't give us a faith -o- meter to determine whose holier thant he next. I am a Christian too and take loving my neighbor seriously. Even if I know nothing about what it is you may believe in I am in no place to condem you for not believing what I believe. I'm just saying...

I couldn't help but notice that it is the relatively recent religions [Christianity, Islam, Judaism] --- those which consider Old Testament books to be the Word of God --- which are fueling most of the wars in these the End Times. The  adherents of these religions --- most of them --- have no idea who/what God is. But, they think they do, which is a big problem.

Thousands of years before the "God" they think they know commanded his "Chosen People" to kill men, women, children, and even animals in Numbers chapter 13, sages in the Harappa Valley figured out that Brahman [God] and men [Atman] are One -- not "loved Jacobs" and "hated Esaus". Thou Art That.

Thousands of years before the "God" they think they know commanded Moses to wage war on the indigenous inhabitants of the "land of milk and honey" in the book of Exodus, sages in KMT figured out that RA [God] is AMUN [the Hidden] and that men are saved, not by another man paying for their sins, but by the balance of each man's life measured against the Feather of Ma'at.

But, alas, the modern day descendants of KMT and the Harrapa Valley, having been conquered, enslaved, and wickedly mind-warped by their former salve masters, now adhere to the religions of their former masters, not understanding that the aforementioned relatively recent religions are but corruptions of the One Truth.

'What became of the Black People of Sumer?" the traveler asked the old man, "for ancient records show that the people of Sumer were Black. What happened to them?" "Ah," the old man sighed. "They lost their history, so they died."

http://www.myspace.com/istlota101

I couldn't help but notice that it is the relatively recent religions [Christianity, Islam, Judaism] --- those which consider Old Testament books to be the Word of God --- which are fueling most of the wars in these the End Times. The  adherents of these religions --- most of them --- have no idea who/what God is. But, they think they do, which is a big problem.
Thousands of years before the "God" they think they know commanded his "Chosen People" to kill men, women, children, and even animals in Numbers chapter 13, sages in the Harappa Valley figured out that Brahman [God] and men [Atman] are One -- not "loved Jacobs" and "hated Esaus". Thou Art That.
Thousands of years before the "God" they think they know commanded Moses to wage war on the indigenous inhabitants of the "land of milk and honey" in the book of Exodus, sages in KMT figured out that RA [God] is AMUN [the Hidden] and that men are saved, not by another man paying for their sins, but by the balance of each man's life measured against the Feather of Ma'at.
But, alas, the modern day descendants of KMT and the Harrapa Valley, having been conquered, enslaved, and wickedly mind-warped by their former salve masters, now adhere to the religions of their former masters, not understanding that the aforementioned relatively recent religions are but corruptions of the One Truth.
'What became of the Black People of Sumer?" the traveler asked the old man, "for ancient records show that the people of Sumer were Black. What happened to them?" "Ah," the old man sighed. "They lost their history, so they died."

-istlota

Forgive me for being a little slow, but what exactly are you saying? That is could you explain this in a way that I could comprehend, without the cryptic details. Thank you so much!

Thanks for your thoughts and with all do respect- you say " I am a Christian and I do know that the quran is not the gospel." How do YOU know? I mena really? How?
Fact it is not the gospel according to the Christian Bible, however, it is to those who choose to believe that it is in fact their Holy Book.
Why must we as Christian look down and denounce others whose belief are different than our own. God gave man great power- but he didn't give us a faith -o- meter to determine whose holier thant he next. I am a Christian too and take loving my neighbor seriously. Even if I know nothing about what it is you may believe in I am in no place to condem you for not believing what I believe. I'm just saying...

-ksfordham

I am not condemning anyone but i do know the quran does not hold Jesus Christ as messiah. They await "the messiah" They call him the Mahdi in the quran. Jesus told us Himself in the bible that He was the only way. Period. The gospel simply put the death, burial and ressurrection of Jesus Christ.So as far the gospel goes that covers that. Now, muslims believe that the promise came through Ismael, not Issac. Remember in Genesis, Abraham sends Ismael away because he was not the seed in which the promise, Jesus Christ would come through. Quran is holy to Muslims. True Indeed. I just said it wasnt the gospel. As far as a faith meter goes, all men have a measure of faith. Hindus claim their scripts are holy too. Yet, what is the truth? Is truth subjective? relative? For the world it is. I am a Christian and as I stated earlier, Paul told us if anyone bring any other gospel, let him be accursed. So is Paul wrong? Is the bible incorrect in its statement of that? You can debate human conception of what is holy or not. I base my answers or thoughts on what the bible tells me. Not opinion. I dont condemn anyone. The word is clear. I humbly suggest that you read the quran, and study it. I condemn the act of the what the preacher was trying to do. I said it was cowardly and suggested that he teach his congregation the truth of the word so their minds can be renewed. I stand on the word. Not human feelings.

I am not condemning anyone but i do know the quran does not hold Jesus Christ as messiah. They await "the messiah" They call him the Mahdi in the quran. Jesus told us Himself in the bible that He was the only way. Period. The gospel simply put the death, burial and ressurrection of Jesus Christ.So as far the gospel goes that covers that. Now, muslims believe that the promise came through Ismael, not Issac. Remember in Genesis, Abraham sends Ismael away because he was not the seed in which the promise, Jesus Christ would come through. Quran is holy to Muslims. True Indeed. I just said it wasnt the gospel. As far as a faith meter goes, all men have a measure of faith. Hindus claim their scripts are holy too. Yet, what is the truth? Is truth subjective? relative? For the world it is. I am a Christian and as I stated earlier, Paul told us if anyone bring any other gospel, let him be accursed. So is Paul wrong? Is the bible incorrect in its statement of that? You can debate human conception of what is holy or not. I base my answers or thoughts on what the bible tells me. Not opinion. I dont condemn anyone. The word is clear. I humbly suggest that you read the quran, and study it. I condemn the act of the what the preacher was trying to do. I said it was cowardly and suggested that he teach his congregation the truth of the word so their minds can be renewed. I stand on the word. Not human feelings.

-asylum

I too know that Jesus Christ is not the messiah in the Islamic faith- However, it is not so much what they believe or what I believe- but let them. That's my point without condemnation, without persecution. While all men have a measure of faith no mortal is in position to determine how much or little, right or self righteous another person has. Yes, as far as the teachings of the Holy Bible used in Christianity it is my measure of living.

Forgive me for being a little slow, but what exactly are you saying? That is could you explain this in a way that I could comprehend, without the cryptic details. Thank you so much!

-ksfordham

Yeah, I get that a lot.

If you have specific questions about any specific point I made, I'll try to clarify. But, beyond that, I subscribe to something Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, something about the Word being "... mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ".

Yeah, I get that a lot.
If you have specific questions about any specific point I made, I'll try to clarify. But, beyond that, I subscribe to something Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, something about the Word being "... mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ".

-istlota

I think Paul meant Gods word in the Holy  Bible. Your entire post is cryptic and is there a point you were trying to make? If so, please use common language that allows others to understand what your point is. And since you get that a lot- perhaps this would be a great first attempt at having a two way dialog about something that you seem extremely passionate about. Just a suggestion-- nothing worng with being a great orator if people can understand you.

Everything I have written here can by summed up in one simple sentence --- There is a long established tradition confirming that the majority of religious adherents haven't a clue who God is or what the Word really says.
 
This is, paradoxically, by Divine Intent. Numerous sages have said as much --- that the Word, out of necessity, must remain a Mystery to those [the majority] who "have eyes but cannot see and ears but cannot hear".
 
In the case of most African-Americans, who think, in error, that Christianity is the Way taught by the Christ, they have inculturated the penultimate misperception of Hellenic Christianity, which is that something material -- the bible --- is something spiritual -- the Word of God.
 
Consider the 16th chapter of the gospel of John. In it, Jesus articulates what, even to this very day, has soared over the heads of the masses of Christians. Specifically, he explains what the Holy Trinity _really_ is. Not God, Jesus, and his mama Mary. Not God, Jesus, and the purely emotion-based false idol to which modern day Christians dance in the aisles, shake their booties, and babble incoherently. But, rather, the _true_ meaning of "I and my Father are one".
 
Not really a complicated idea -- except to those who have not yet become free of what they thought they already knew. Hence, even his own original 12 disciples, raised to presume true religion undefiled was what the Pharisees were smoking, ended up responding with confusion similar to yours:
 
"What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?"

 
There is a good reason Jesus [and I upon occasion] speak in parables. It is the same good reason that Zen Buddhists and Vedantists so often speak in literally incoherent, seemingly unrelated, koans.
 
In the Sermon On The Mount, it is written, not that those who think they are already full will be filled, but rather that it is those who hunger and thirst for righteous who will be filled.
 
Some confused Christian cleric from your and my state thinks the Holy Spirit wants him to burn the Quran. Some confused Muslim think Allah needs him to burn the American flag in protest. And, as back story to all this, an equally confused descendant of Africa, now sitting in the Oval Office, thinks his Christian God considers the wars he wages against Muslims worldwide as "Just".
 
It is all that which is cryptic.
 
Compared to the misperceptions of such adherents, I am speaking in crystal clear language which even an adolescent can understand -- unless, that is, that adolescent does not hunger and thirst for righteousness.
 
"Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word."

Wow, no need to insult me - really I am a 51 year old women who understands linguistics and comprehend the English language very well. But I appriciate and respect you being honest in your feelings and verbalizing how you feel about your writing, that you write in this manner and are comfortable with that and so I ask that you respect this.

This is the 21st century my friend and speaking in parables is how communication was done in Biblical times, ancient times.  While reading the Bible I am in awe of how beautiful the parables tansisition into understandable lessons for living, your writing comes across as arroungant and well it is an obvious attempt to place yourself on some knoweldgeable plateau.   And to tell the truth my Brother the results are just the opposite....you fail miserably!.

 While I thank you for making an effort, I got to "This is, paradoxically, by Divine Intent"... All I could say was never mind...While it appears you are well versed in quoting the Bible and using scripture to support your thoughts- your aggrogance in thinking that this places you in a position of some kind prophetic, theological, pastorial superiority is sad to say the least.

However, I can do exactly what I do when I watch television and something comes on I don't like- change the channel. In this case in this forum- I will just see your name and keep it moving. Freedom of expression is a beautiful thing- especially if it's shared with others.

It is not my intention to insult anyone.

It is not that I am smarter than anyone else but, rather, that, I _choose_ to know what others _choose_ not to know. Note the distinction. It is not that they are mentally incapable of seeing what I see. It is that they have _chosen_ not to see.

All are One. For me to consider anyone inferior would be to consider myself as inferior, for you and I and the Father are One --- One Universal Consciousness manifest, via the power of the Master's Maya, as multiple individual consciousnesses. Yet, "seeing" beyond the dependent reality of Maya, there are no individuals. There is only the One.

But, of course, saying this never convinces anyone of my true intentions. So, yes, you are not the first and will not be the last to choose not to hear what I am really saying.

Nevertheless, Go In Peace.

It’s not about choosing not to hear what you are really saying- what you are saying is incoherent. Point blank!

Knowledge is power-in this case, your writings are just the opposite- they make no sense not even to a theological scholar, who by the way I printed your initial post out and shared. While he made a desperate attempt to see what is was that you were trying to attempt to discuss, because your attempt was filled with puzzles and riddles as he called them, the result is and I quote a “jumbled mess”.

He stated that in his teachings he has come across many potentially profound theologically gifted minds that do this very thing-speak in riddles. This scholar has a PhD in philosophy and just so that I could perhaps understand what you were saying, I asked him to read your post.

All I am saying is this- keep it simple enough for people to understand you. Explain your thoughts clearly and share this wealth of knowledge you possess.

In my opinion, I would never write off, omit, or degrade what another has to say when it comes to their belief. I don't shut someone off or out because we can all learn something from each other. Each one of us has had our own experiences and have attained a certain amount of knowledge and wisdom. As a person who is well traveled, I have learned to accept the fact that some of us have different levels of understanding as it relates to our religious and spiritual beliefs. Now I think Istlota mentioned the Maya masters so I assume he has studied the Devine Feminine, Mayan and Hopi teachings along with the prophesy (end of time 12-21-2012). I would hope that we all understand that not even the greatest scholars who viewed the scrolls fully understood the teachings and parables that Jesus spoke and taught. Believe it or not Jesus Christ did not speak english and if He were to come today and speak in the Greek or Hebrew, many so-called christians would call him crazy and say he was talking in tongues or a bunch of gibberish. What we know is limited to what many of us have been taught here in America and been passed down from generation to generation. Very few of us have traveled to the lands of our origin or the lands that Jesus walked. Many of us rely on the teachings and understandings of others who have gone to schools, recieved degrees and expect many of us to believe they somehow know more about the Holy Scriptures than we. No Holy book is based on intellectual knowledge. It is ridiculous to think that because, the Holy Bible tells us that God is no respector of persons. Ask and it shall be given. Now having said all that, I can understand the communication factor in the way Istlota expresses himself. I dont think he is trying to prove he is any smarter than anyone else, I think his wisdom and knowledge is just on a different level. Now we may choose to see what he says as foolishness or we may choose to see what he says as his means of expressing himself, regardless of whether we fully understand it or not. As christians we are not to condemn, but be more accepting and compassionate. Well, that's what I thought.