Rev. Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida did indeed “reach out and touch someone” this week – but it sure wasn’t Peace that he offered.
Instead, as our nation commemorated the loss of so many of our citizens in the senseless attacks of 9/11, Jones took the opportunity to pour fuel on the fires (no pun intended) of resentment and hatred.
I totally disagree with the teachings of Islam, and believe that they threaten the entire world. But I don’t have to get in someone’s face and deliberately insult their religion in order to express my disagreement. All I have to do is refuse to adopt their beliefs as my own.
That’s the whole idea of the First Amendment: when it comes to spiritual matters, it’s between you and your Maker – and it’s no one else’s business. All others - including government – are supposed to butt out. In short, you practice yours… I practice mine… they practice theirs… and we all leave each other alone.
The biggest problem with Islam is that they DON’T leave everyone else alone. But then, the good reverend doesn’t either. For all of his high-flown rhetoric, Jones doesn’t seem to agree with the First Amendment any more than terrorists do.
So he made a major media splash with his threats to “burn the Quran” on the anniversary of 9/11. He stirred up a controversy, and got his face on television. He got publicity for his church, and probably one or two talk show gigs.
He also fired up the bloodlust of Muslims around the world for all things Christian and American. And, he brought out of the woodwork every extremist - Muslim AND non-Muslim - who hungers for the chance to capture his/her own fifteen minutes of Fame.
But when 9/11 rolled around, JONES was nowhere to be found. He lit the fuse, and then ran for cover, leaving others to deal with the aftermath. His explanation was classic: that “the publicity he received bolstered his mission to bring attention to Islam’s radical elements”.
Uh, in case you didn’t notice, Mr. Jones, the rest of us were around on 9/11, too. Do you really think we need you to endanger all of us, in order to “expose” something we already know?
After bailing on the “festivities” that HE set in motion, Jones explained, “We feel that we have accomplished our goal. We feel that God has told us to stop.”
Well, yippee-yahoo. How convenient. He deliberately pokes the bear in the eye, and then while the bear goes after OTHER victims, he hides behind a tree, using the handy excuse that God told HIM to stop.
I’m sorry, but as a Christian, I find something very UNchristian about the good reverend’s entire little performance, and I just cannot allow the public to go on thinking that this man represents sincere, Biblical Christianity.
So I researched Jones on the internet – and my, but the results were interesting! Wikipedia’s article about him can be found at: Dove World Outreach Center and it’s very enlightening.
Here are some highlights:
- Jones received no academic degree in theology but did acquire an “honorary” degree from the unaccredited California Graduate School of Theology - which now seeks to disassociate itself from him. (I’ll just bet they do! - author)
- He founded and led the Christliche Gemeinde Köln (CGK) in Cologne, Germany. A leader of that church said “He (Jones) didn't project the biblical values and Christianity, but always made himself the center of everything."
- Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported that church members said Jones ran the Cologne church like a sect leader, and used psychological pressure on members, “subordinating all activities to his will”.
- According to the German Evangelical Alliance, he was released from the leadership of the Cologne church due to untenable theological statements and craving for recognition.
- The Gainesville Sun reported that he left the church in Germany after being accused of fraud.
- Jones’ Dove World Outreach Center maintains an unaccredited boarding school, called the Dove World Outreach Academy. According to the Gainesville Sun, the academy has a boot camp-like atmosphere. Students are prohibited from outside and family contact, including attendance at family weddings and funerals - and work without compensation selling, packing, and shipping furniture for a business owned by Sylvia Jones. (Can anyone say “free slave labor”? - author)
The reverend Mr. Jones reminds me of another “Jones” from years ago: the late, and infamous, Jim Jones, who ran his own little Cult of Personality in Guiana. He, too, preached his own “personal” version of the Gospel – and eventually led several hundred of his followers to commit murder/suicide.
In their zealotry, Islamic radicals burn our Bibles and attack our citizens. This brings our military forces into their lands, and their people suffer deprivation, injury and death. However, the radicals don’t care, because their “goal” is all that matters to them.
In his zealotry, Mr. Jones incites the burning of Qurans. This brings the anger and outrage of Muslims around the world – and possibly injury and death to Americans. But Mr. Jones doesn’t care, because his “goal” is all that matters to him.
Now perhaps I’m missing something important here, but I fail to see the difference. Mr. Jones’ personal hatred seems to have twisted him into the very thing he hates. So I’ll pass on Islam – AND I think I’ll pass on Terry Jones’ version of Christianity, as well.
Do I believe that we Christians should bend our knee to a false god? No. Do I believe that Americans should accept the imposition of Islamic Shari’a Law upon our Constitutional Republic? No. Do I believe that we must resist – even with armed might – any attempt to force such a culture on our people? Absolutely!
But, I see nothing of the “peace-maker” in Terry Jones’ actions. I see nothing of “personal responsibility” in his behavior. I see nothing Christian in his mean-spirited provocations. And I see no "love" in his willingness to bring unnecessary violence upon his church and his homeland in order to gain attention for himself.
I see only a man using God for self-aggrandizement.
Shame on you, Terry Jones. You distort the teachings of the Bible you claim to believe. You created a storm to serve your own desires – a storm that may needlessly cost the lives of innocent people. And you didn’t even have the courage to stand in the maelstrom of your own making.
I may share your rejection of Islamic beliefs, but I want the world to know that you most certainly do not represent THIS Christian.
© 2010 Diana Clark
Diana Clark is a Christian, grandmother, conservative Constitutionalist, a Vet, from three generations of Vets - and would rather do a good CW two-step than eat. Diana can be reached at asnglvoice@centurylink.net
