A church in Florida is making headlines by promising to burn korans on 9/11. May people object.
While book burnings are generally regarded as a form of censorship or at least an attempt to destroy knowledge, I’m wondering if that’s really the case today. Information is now transmitted through more effective methods of communication, so I argue that book burnings are no longer about preventing knowledge but rather a symbolic protest against what those contents represent. In this case I fully support the burning of all korans.
Not that want to be a part of it, since burning dead trees is bad for the environment, but if you feel the need to take a stance you should be encouraged to peacefully protest anything you like. Book burnings of religious texts are an excellent form of peaceful protest because no one gets hurt and you quickly get your message across.
Gen. David Petraeus, top commander in Afghanistan, condemns the burnings, saying it will endanger the lives of soldiers. While he’s probably right, it’s a silly argument since we sent them there to fight against people who object to those sorts of things. (I also think you shouldn’t let the military tell you how to live your life.)
A koran is a stack of paper, nothing more. If Muslims get angry and violent it’s a good indication that we should burn more korans, and we should keep burning them until they grow up.
I’d take a trip south to toss a few bibles into the pile but it’s hurricane season down there.