It is often hard to accomplish “good” things, to generate “good will” and to advance “humanity.” But it is so easy for even one ill-advised person to promote strife and ill will – and invite possible great danger.
By now, you probably have heard how a preacher in Gainesville, Fla. – with a congregation of about 50 members – has reacted to the unwise plan of some Muslims who want to build an Islamic center and mosque just a few blocks from the site of the 9/11 attack in New York City. The previously obscure Rev. Terry Jones said he planned to burn a copy of the Muslim holy book, the Quran, today, on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The Quran-burning story quickly spread throughout the world, arousing much animosity and outrage among millions of Muslims, who previously had never heard of Jones.
Well, fortunately, enough Americans have expressed their criticism of Jones’ plan to cause him, as of this writing, to “suspend” the Quran-burning. But much serious, unnecessary ill will already has been created.
There is plenty of evil in our world. But we should not stoop to the evils that others do by joining them in their bad judgment.
What good would it do to burn the Quran? Better, we should seek to live according to our Bible’s Golden Rule: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”