Ten Reasons Not to Burn the Qur'an in response to Dove World Outreach Center's plan to burn copies of the Qur'an on the 9th anniversary of 9/11. We hope our Ten Reasons will help bring about greater awareness, understanding and healing on this sad anniversary. Ten Reasons Not to Burn the Qur'an ONE Dove World Outreach Center: The Koran* teaches that Jesus Christ, the Crucified, Risen Son of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords was NOT the Son of God, nor was he crucified (a well documented historical fact that ONLY Islam denies). This teaching removes the possibility of salvation and eternal life in heaven for all Islam's believers. They face eternal damnation in hell if they do not repent. * Islam is not a new religion, but traces its roots to Abrahamic monotheism, which teaches that God is one. God is one means that God has no parents, spouse, son or daughter. Therefore, God is considered indivisible and incomparable in any way, shape or form to any other living creature. * This idea can also be found in the Hebrew Scriptures in the form of the first of the Ten Commandments and elsewhere in the Bible. * The belief that Jesus was not crucified also predates Islam. For example, the Docetans were among Jesus' early followers, who also claimed he was never crucified and that another was crucified in his stead. * The Qur'an also teaches that Jesus, peace be upon him, is a prophet and a messenger of God, equal to Mohammad himself. TWO Dove World Outreach Center: The Koran does not have an eternal origin. It is not recorded in heaven. The Almighty God, Creator of the World, is NOT its source. It is not holy. Its writings are human in origin, a concoction of old and new teachings. This has been stated and restated for centuries by scholars since Islam's beginnings, both Moslem and non-Moslem. * The Qur'an is considered to be God's word, delivered to Mohammad via Gabriel, and recited by Mohammad to his followers. Scholars tend to diverge greatly in their opinions on this subject. * The Qur'an is among one of the only holy books that attests that the Bible is of divine origin, and the first to ever do so. That is a second good reason not to burn the Qur'an. THREE Dove World Outreach Center: The Koran's teaching includes Arabian idolatry, paganism, rites and rituals. These are demonic, an ongoing satanic stronghold under which Moslems and the world suffer. * The Qur'an is unequivocally against idolatry and satanic worship. Anyone who makes these claims cannot possibly have read and understood the Qur'an and should at least thoroughly read what he/she is attempting to disparage. FOUR Dove World Outreach Center: The earliest writings that are known to exist about the Prophet Mohammad were recorded 120 years after his death. All of the Islamic writings are contradictory and inconsistent. Maybe Mohammad never existed. We have no conclusive account about what he said or did. Yet Moslems follow the destructive teachings of Islam without question. * The Qur'an is an independent text and is very different from the Hadith, histories and biographical literature which should not be confused with the former. * The Qur'an is one of few prophetic books that have been so well preserved and that give an accurate rendition of the prophet's communication. It is thereby one of the world's greatest treasures. That is a fourth good reason not to burn the Qur'an. FIVE Dove World Outreach Center: Mohammad's life and message cannot be respected. The first Meccan period of his leadership seems to have been religiously motivated and a search for the truth. But in the second Medina period he was “corrupted by power and worldly ambitions.” This led to political assassinations and massacres which continue to be carried out on a regular basis by his followers today. * Mohammad lifestyle was exemplary and he lived very simply, preferring to give his money to the poor. Few can match his kindness towards his enemies. For example, when he and his followers conquered Mecca, he did so peacefully and did not punish its pagan inhabitants, even though they had tortured and oppressed them. There is no evidence that he ever ordered a political assassination or a massacre. * The Qur'an teaches forgiveness of Jews, Christians and people of other religions, even when they harm Muslims. SIX Dove World Outreach Center: Islamic Law is totalitarian in nature. There is no separation of church and state. It is irrational. It is supposedly immutable and cannot be changed. It must be accepted without criticism. * Islamic law is a pre-modern system of law and changes all the time. It should not be confused with the Qur'an, which is unchanging, even though its interpretation can vary. * The Qur'an is the one scripture that teaches not to take up rabbis, priests and other clergy and give them the authority to delineate religious law. Following the Qur'an, all human beings equal before God. SEVEN Dove World Outreach Center: Islam is not compatible with democracy and human rights. The notion of a moral individual capable of making decisions and taking responsibility for them does not exist in Islam. The attitude towards women in Islam as inferior possessions of men has led to countless cases of mistreatment and abuse for which Moslem men receive little or no punishment, and in many cases are encouraged to commit such acts, and are even praised for them. * The Qur'an does not delineate a particular political system for Muslim to follow. * The Qur'an is known for giving rights to minorities and other vulnerable peoples. For example, it has given women the right to life, independent ownership of property, wages, divorce, marriage, inheritance, maintenance, good treatment, etc. EIGHT Dove World Outreach Center: A Muslim does not have the right to change his religion. Apostasy is punishable by death. * A Muslim has a God-given right to change his/her religion, if they should so choose-the Qur'an clearly states “Let there be no compulsion in religion” (2:256). NINE Dove World Outreach Center: Deep in the Islamic teaching and culture is the irrational fear and loathing of the West. * The Qur'an does not endorse hatred of anyone and does not privilege any human being over another on the basis of race, origins or country. “O Humankind, we have created you from a male and a female and have made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another.” (49:13). TEN Dove World Outreach Center: Islam is a weapon of Arab imperialism and Islamic colonialism. Wherever Islam has or gains political power, Christians, Jews and all non-Moslems receive persecution, discrimination, are forced to convert. * These claims are not supported by historical fact–if non-Muslims were forced to convert, there would be no Christian and Jewish minorities in Muslim-majority countries today. * As for “Arab imperialism”, Mohammad's last sermon states: “An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.” * Islam literally means “peace-making”–it is the causative Form IV of the root “salam,” which means wholeness, peace, well-being and safety. * Muslims have never embarked on a campaign to burn the Bible in any of its forms. It is the Qur'an insists on freedom of worship-“Let there be no compulsion in religion.” * The correct reference is “Qur'an”, not “Koran” http://www.codepink.org/article.php?id=5545 http://barenakedislam.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/book-burning.jpg?w=460&h=3… added by: pinkpanther
