Pastor: Burning Quran a "Perversion of Christian Faith"

This story was first published on September 8, 2010: Re.: Florida group plans "International Burn-a-Quran" day for ninth anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

NBC Video

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: NBC Chicago | Archives
By Natalie Martinez | September 8, 2010

A Chicago pastor is calling another church's plan to burn the Quran a "perversion of Christian faith."

First Methodist Church Rev. Phil Blackwell said Wednesday that he's alarmed by the actions of the 50-member Gainsville, Fla., congregation, which plans to set fire to the Muslim holy book this weekend.

"It's appalling and it would have been pathetic if it wouldn't have so much potential for not only misrepresenting the faith, but  misrepresenting America," said Blackwell. "There's no way in which It's tethered to anything that is significant in the [Christian] faith. So not only is it an insult to Muslims around the world, it's also an insult to Christians."

Many in Chicago's Muslim community seemed to agree.

"In the first place, it's wrong for any other religion to attack another religion," said Abdul Karim of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.


He said he believes the message isn't personal, but is ignorant. And he said he believes people of all religions need more dialogue so they can better understand one another.

Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center said Wednesday that he was not backing down from plans of staging "International Burn-a-Quran Day" on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attack on America.

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Gen. David Patraeus have all been vocal critics of Jones' plan.


First Published: Sep 8, 2010 5:58 PM CDT




Read original post here: Pastor: Burning Quran a "Perversion of Christian Faith"