As a Christian, I follow a basic commandment: Love one another as you love yourself. This does not mean love your Christian neighbors, and bully all others. It definitely does not mean that it is acceptable, in the name of Christ, to persecute those of another faith. On Sept. 11, The Dove World Outreach Center is planning an “International Burn a Quran Day.” They describe Islam as “a religion of the devil” and have been mobilizing using Facebook and YouTube to persuade others to their cause.
Terry and Sylvia Jones are the senior pastors of The Dove World Outreach Center. Their website, www.doveworld.org shares the history and mission of their church. Among the messages of hate against Muslims, are also messages of hate for homosexual partnerships. To Terry and Sylvia Jones: I am ashamed to call you a brother and sister. Your message of hate and bigotry is another twisting of a faith based on love and compassion for all people. You fashion my faith into a sword, and I will not stay silent.
I am a Christian woman, and I am saying enough. Not in the name of my Christ., not in the name of my God and not in my name will such an act ever be acceptable. I am asking members of Dove World Outreach Center to search their consciences and reconsider this act of hate. This is not in keeping with the teachings of Christ.
Christian men and women: We have a voice, and we are powerful only when we use it. Search your heart and find a way to support healing for our world. Peace comes at a cost of reaching across the border to someone who may look different from you, who may worship differently from you and finding a common ground from which to build a friendship. No more shall we allow acts of hatred in the name of our savior, Jesus Christ. To my inter-faith sisters and brothers, I am sorry. I dream of a time when it will no longer be a world torn by war, but, rather, a world gathered together to learn from and cherish the precious gifts each of us has to offer.
