You may have read that a "Christian pastor" in Florida plans to burn copies of the Muslim sacred text on 9/11 (this Saturday). I encourage a non-violent, non-confrontational response to this atrocity, perhaps you will join me in one of the following:
1) Pray, friends, deeply and ardently, that we may love our neighbors.
2) A pastor friend of mine suggests following his lead: "I don't (care) what some Florida bigot does. But I do care deeply when sacred texts are burned in acts of fearful hatred. My response: On 9/11 I'm going to READ the Q'uran, at least some of it."
3) Call or click on the Massachusetts Bible Society to offer to give two copies of the Qur'an to prisons and hospitals, for use by Muslim people needing their services, for every one that is burned. (information below)
4) Attend one of the local interfaith events being held to remember the lives lost on 9/11/01 (information below)
The Massachusetts Bible Society Announces the "They Burn One, We Give Two" Drive.
Rev. Terry Jones of the Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville, FL intends to burn the Qur'an on Sept. 11 in an act of hatred against Muslims and the Islamic Faith. We join with thousands of religious leaders across the country to renounce this act and affirm those like General Petraeus who warn that such an act could cost innocent lives.
As people of the Book, we are joined to Islam and Judaism in a special way and as an organization that has sought to put that Book into people's hands for 201 years, we cannot stand idly by while the sacred text of a sister religion is burned as our beloved Bibles once were.
Lest the culture believe that Rev. Jones' position represents that of all Christians, MassBible is prepared to take a counter action. For 201 years we have given the Bible to those without access. In response to Rev. Jones despicable act, we are prepared to give two Qur'ans for every one that Rev. Jones burns.
They will go to prisons, to hospitals, to shelters, or to any place where there are Muslims without access to their sacred text. This in no way diminishes our belief in the Bible as the Word of God. On the contrary, it is acting on the command within its pages to love our neighbors as ourselves (Lev. 19:18) and to do unto others as we would have done unto us. (Matt. 7:12).
We can supply two Qur'ans for $25. If you would support us in this, please send a check marked "Two for one" or click below to donate to the effort directly. You may also call us at 617-969-9404 to make a donation by credit card. http://www.massbible.org/burn-one-give-two
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STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE
The Brattleboro Area Interfaith Clergy Association encourages the community to remember the people of many faiths who died and all who were affected and are affected by the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in the fourth airplane which went down in Shanksville, Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. The death toll of the attacks was 2,996, including the 19 hijackers. The overwhelming majority of casualties were civilians, including nationals of over 70 countries.
The Baha'i Center, located at 148 Elliot Street and Jewish Congregation Shir Heharim, located at 151 Greenleaf Street will both hold prayer services at 10am . This year Shabbat Shuvah falls on Sept 11th so the special Jewish Shabbat morning service that day will focus on themes of repentance and remembrance. Every year the Sabbath that falls between Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) is called Shabbat Shuvah (the Sabbath of Repentance). For more information call (802) 257-1959. For information about the Baha'i service please call 254-2115.
The sanctuary of the Guilford Community Church, U.C.C. will also be open for prayer and silent meditation between 8:30 and 10:45am The open meditation will extend from 15 minutes before the time of the first attack at 8:46 to fifteen minutes after the time of the last attack at 10:28am and will be a time of silence in honor of the many faiths who will be remembering loved ones at this time. The public is invited to come and go at any point during this time. A bell will be rung at fifteen minute intervals and a simple book of prayers will be provided for those unfamiliar with meditation. Guilford Community Church is located 1 mile south of exit 1 on route five just in back of the Guilford Country Store. For more information call 257-2776 or check out the web-site at guilfordchurch.org.
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