Letter to Terry Jones

Hello Mr. Jones,

I recently read about your plans to burn Qur’ans on September 11 and I have to tell you that this plan is of severe concern to me, because I believe it shows great disrespect for the beliefs of other people. Islam is a faith and a culture that many Westerners do not even begin to understand and I find it very disturbing that even with so little knowledge, someone would do something like this that offends more than 20% of the world so deeply. I agree that it is your right to express your opinion, but I would like to remind you that abusing other people’s beliefs in such a way will not gain respect for that opinion.
I would also like to offer this point of view: in many ways, Muslims are comparable to the Samaritans of Jesus day. Just like some Christians often do not respect Muslims and believe they have a distorted view of God, Jews often felt that way toward the Samaritans. But Jesus chose to be different and as we call ourselves Christians, we are called to love everyone- even Muslims- in the same way that Jesus showed love to the Samaritan woman at the well. He knew she had had 5 husbands and was a Samaritan, but he talked to her and respected her as a person anyway. She was the first Gentile to whom he revealed his identity. I encourage you to look to Jesus to be your guide as you make this decision about Saturday.
Perhaps you don’t agree with me that Muslims are like Samaritans because the Samaritans never attacked the Jews. Whether that is true or not, I do not know, but not all Muslims are like Osama bin Laden and his accomplices any more than all Christians believe the same way Obama does. I am sure there are some people who call themselves Christian and you have a hard time believing that they can actually be Christian because of the way they act and the way they represent Christianity. That is true for Muslims as well. The vast majority of Muslims are peaceable people that just want a normal life like you and me. They are appalled at the way Osama bin Laden and the terrorists are representing their faith that they hold so dear. Furthermore, many Muslims have been victims of the terrorists just like Christians have. I can guarantee you that there were Muslims in the World Trade Center on the day that it was hit. I understand your frustration that innocent Christians have been killed, but I strongly urge you to consider the fact that burning Qur’ans will not bring those people back and in the long run it may even cost more innocent Christian lives.
I understand that you believe God has called you to this action, and I fully comprehend, as a fellow believer in Jesus the Messiah, your desire to serve and obey God. However, please compare the word you feel you have received from God to the Scriptures in which God reveals himself. Does it match up? The God I know is about love and bringing all people to himself, not about telling people they are wrong and pushing them away from his love.
I respectfully ask you to consider the possible fruits of your actions. Will this event bring people together in love and bring glory to God, or will it perpetuate the cycles of violence and hatred this world knows all too well? I challenge you reconsider your plan for the sake of respecting the beliefs of others and sharing love as Christ did. Remember that as a Christian, you represent Christ as well as the rest of the body of Christ.

Sincerely,

Jamila Witmer