Church leaders in India will condemn the burning of Quran by some "fanatic" Christian groups in US.
Catholic and Protestants leader will come together in Mumbai on Wednesday to stress on Christianity's message of peace and condemn those acting contrary to it.
The meeting will be attended by the Catholic archbishop of Mumbai, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, along with bishops of the Protestant Church of North India and other Christian groups.
"We will speak out against a few Christian fanatics in USA. The tirade against Islam by some extremist Christians groups, particularly a little known preacher, pastor Terry Jones in Florida, is giving rise to misunderstandings,” spokesperson for the Catholic archbishop, Fr Savio Fernandes, told a local media.
"Jones has threatened to burn the Quran to commemorate 9/11. We will send out the message that preaching hatred goes against the tenets of Christianity," he said.
Jones heads the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida. He is planning to host an "International Burn a Quran Day" on September 11. The nondenominational church has also accepted the support of Right Wing Extreme, an armed civilian militia group that has agreed to protect the church.
Says Gul Kripalani, former president of the Indian Merchants' Chamber and an activist for Christian groups, "It is time we told the world that Christians do not believe in violence and hatred. We have to come out openly and stop the extremists from abroad who are spreading hate."
He urged Christians in India to take a stand against this issue.
Church
Christians to condemn planned Quran burning in US
By: Babu Thomas
Wednesday, 1 September 2010, 15:42 (IST)
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Added: Wednesday, 1 September 2010, 21:47 (IST)
it is only madness and sinfulness to burn other people religion book, even if you do not like them. Shall mortal man be more just than God ? Shall a man be more pure than his maker ? Those idiots have nothing to do with Christianity and their schemes are full of evil and wickedness because it does not glorify God nor the Lord Jesus Christ who sends the rain on the just and the unjust, and the sun shines on the righteous and the unrighteous. Big shame on those people from the Florida church.
christian d, boise idaho usa
Added: Tuesday, 7 September 2010, 5:44 (IST)
Before criticizing proposed action by church in the USA, one shall look deeper and find the reason for such an extreme action. Is the responsible behavior, tolerance and acceptance of other religions and viewpoints sole responsibility of Christians and western world? Have we found liberal Indians coming out in numbers to criticize the taking away of a vital limb of a Christian Professor in Kerala? Let us hear, what do Muslims, especially from Saudi Arabia say - there is not a single place of worship other than mosques everywhere in whole of Saudi Arabia, while they are funding ground zero mosque, exporting 7th century way of life in the name of religion. There has to be balance- tolerance by both sides and acceptance of others way of life as well. Christianity spreads tolerance and word of God. Token burning of Quran might enrage many and much bloodshed in Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria and many other countries, but is it worth? Solution is let Imams issue fatwa to allow free discussion of Islam, free conversion from Islam to any religion of choice, free practice of any religion in any muslim dominated country. They have issued many fatwas unnecessarily but now is the time to issue fatwa against fundamentalism.
Anthony, Chicago
Added: Wednesday, 8 September 2010, 10:57 (IST)
I'm going to pray for all of you so called christians. Real christians would not be condemning this church. They would pray for and support what this church is doing. This church is getting rid of a false doctrine. You all would know this, if you read your bible and kept God's commandments. For thou shall have no other god's before me. The people who have a problem with this are those who want to be politically correct, that is why the church today is powerless. Jesus help us all.
Philip, nanticoke usa
Added: Thursday, 9 September 2010, 20:03 (IST)
We need to co exist on this earth it is not meant for certain people only. Two wrongs do not make right ..... Ben laden or any other extremist does not mirror Islam and Pastor Terry Jones if he goes ahead with his plan then he also does not mirror Christianity. Saudi Arabia have oil and the west need the oil and this make them whiter than white . The rulers of that country are installed by western countries and this is real issue. Believe me if there was democracy in that country you will definitely see churches being built . The middle east is a complex place as it is the birth place of all heavenly religions and the people are being made more fanatic by the western approved undemocratic governments and the end results is Ben laden and his Friends . The issue here is about sanity and what Pastor Jones is about to do is insane just like Ben laden . There is no difference between a good Christian or good Muslim or good Jewish...etc person, but there is a difference between fanatic people who interpret their believes they way they like it to be. We need to think of the future generations and try to forget the past and to think for solutions to problem and not indulge into the blame game . Pastor Jones should wise up and see the light before it is too late for more problems.
ali, uk
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