Pastor Terry Jones: A Homophobic Used Furniture Salesman with a Love of Controversy
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pastor Terry Jones is a homophobic used furniture salesman who has become famous solely through the use of controversy.

The 59-year-old runs the Dove World Outreach Centre in Gainsville, Florida, whose congregation numbers just a few dozen.

The church is based in a 20-acre compound where Jones lives with his wife, Sylvia, and is said to regularly patrol the grounds with a pistol strapped to his hip.

He took over the church in 1996 on the death of its founder, Dr Don Northrup, after spending 20 years as a missionary in Europe, including Germany.

His chief enemies are homosexuals and Muslims, although he insists it is only radical Islam which he opposes.

In the most recent incident, which sparked the slaughter in Afghanistan, Pastor Jones was preaching at a service at his church on March 20 when his colleage, Pastor Wayne Sapp, set a copy of the Koran alight.

However, Pastor Jones denied any responsibility for the riot in Mazar-e Sharif, in which around 20 people died, including two who were reportedly beheaded, in what is the worst incident of its kind in recent years.

He said he was "absolutely not responsible" for the atrocities, and tried to move the conversation to Muslims, saying: "We must take a serious, serious look at Islam. It's a violent religion that promotes acts of violence. I believe we need to bring this before the UN." » | Andy Bloxham | Saturday, April 02, 2011

Quran Burning Sparks Deadly Protest
Seven UN workers were among the dead after a protest over the burning of a Quran in Florida descended into mob violence.
Hundreds of people marched on a UN compound in Mazar-e-Sharif and attempted to seize guards' weapons.
Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra reports from Kabul on the increased tensions which have followed the publication of photos showing US soldiers posing with the bodies of dead Afghans

Reaction to Quran Burning
US pastor Terry Jones' supervision of the burning of a Quran has drawn international condemnation, while, in Afghanistan, protests against the act led to the deaths of seven UN workers.
Al Jazeera's Kimberley Halkett reports on the small-time preacher known for stirring up big-time hate

Pastor Who Threatened to Burn Korans Told to Pay Police Bill
THE TELEGRAPH: US pastor Terry Jones, who threatened to burn copies of the Koran, has been told he must pay $180,000 (£115,000) for security costs triggered by the controversy.

Pastor Terry Jones arrived in New York the night before the anniversary after cancelling his scheduled burning of the Koran. Photo: The Telegraph
The city of Gainesville, Florida said that local police agencies spent more than a month working on security plans to ensure the community close to the planned site of the burning was safe.

Mr Jones sparked outrage when he announced his plan to burn the Muslim holy text on the anniversary of the September, 11, 2001, attacks. He eventually agreed to abandon the idea after pressure from Barack Obama and other world leaders.

Gainesville police spokeswoman Cpl. Tscharna Senn told CNN that the threat led to a large police operation. >>> | Monday, September 20, 2010

Why should he pay the police bill? Has the police bill been paid by al-Qaeda? – Mark

Australian lawyer Alex Stewart. Photograph: Mail Online
Australian Lawyer Fans the Flames by 'Smoking' the Koran and the Bible on YouTube
MAIL ONLINE: An Australian lawyer has inflamed the row over a U.S. pastor's plan to burn the Koran by allegedly smoking holy books and posting the videos on YouTube.

Brisbane-based lawyer Alex Stewart, a self-professed atheist, is seen smoking what appear to be marijuana joints made up of pages from the Koran and the Bible.

A US pastor's plan to burn the Koran caused outrage among Muslims around the world and led to deadly riots in Afghanistan before he backed down.

But the controversy has flared up again with Stewart, who works for the Queensland University of Technology, lighting up his religious 'joints' under the YouTube title: Bible or Koran - Which Burns Best?

He gave the Bible a seven out of 10 for its burning qualities, and said it was better than the Koran which left him feeling sick.

Stewart says burning religious books is no big deal and that people need to 'get over it'.

But since his video attracted approbation from around the world, Stewart - who appeared in the video wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words 'I'm an atheist, Thank God' - has gone into hiding.

The president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Ikebal Patel, said: 'I think it's highly offensive that he has done this to two of the holiest books in the world. Read on and comment >>> Richard Shears | Monday, September 13, 2010

Bible or Koran - Which Burns Best? Alex Stewart Smokes Pages from the Koran and Bible!

Revenge Fears for British Troops Serving in Afghanistan after Anti-Muslim Protester Burns Koran on 9/11 Anniversary
MAIL ONLINE: Protesters ignore international pleas and stage Koran burnings / Tensions mount in Afghanistan where two demonstrators are shot dead

Fears were growing last night that British troops could suffer revenge attacks after U.S. protesters burned the Koran.

On a third day of riots in Afghanistan, Muslims said they would attack 'foreign bases' in their thousands in response to the desecration of their holy book.

Despite Florida preacher Terry Jones' U-turn over burning the Koran, hopes of calm were shattered on the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on New York when others elsewhere in the U.S. adopted his plan to burn Islam's holy book.

A lone protester at the Ground Zero site set several pages on fire, while in Springfield, Tennessee, two religious leaders held a private Koran-burning ceremony.

The unnamed male protester at Ground Zero said: 'If they can burn American flags, I can burn the Koran. Americans should never be afraid to give their opinion.' Read on and comment >>> Daniel Bates | Monday, September 13, 2010

L'autodafé du Coran «aurait causé un désastre dans le monde musulman»
«Cela aurait renforcé les extrémistes», a dit l'imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, l'imam à l'origine du projet de «la mosquée de Ground Zero» dans un entretien à la chaîne de télévision américaine ABC. Photo : Cyberpresse.ca
CYBERPRESSE: L'autodafé du Coran, un temps planifié par un pasteur intégriste, américain aurait constitué un mauvais message et causé un désastre dans le monde musulman, a estimé dimanche l'imam à l'origine du projet controversé de mosquée près du site des attentats du 11-Septembre à New York.

«Cela aurait renforcé les extrémistes», a dit l'imam Feisal Abdul Rauf dans un entretien à la chaîne de télévision américaine ABC. «Cela aurait augmenté les possibilités d'attaques terroristes contre les États-Unis et les intérêts américains. Cela aurait provoqué un désastre dans le monde musulman», a-t-il ajouté.

Le chef d'un groupuscule d'extrémistes chrétiens de la Floride avait prévu de brûler samedi, jour anniversaire des attentats du 11 septembre 2001, 200 exemplaires du Coran pour protester notamment contre la construction d'un centre culturel islamique, comportant une mosquée près de Ground Zero.

«Ma plus grande inquiétude (à propos d'un déplacement du projet de mosquée à New York) serait que les grands titres, dans le monde musulman, serait que l'islam est attaqué aux États-Unis», a-t-il par ailleurs expliqué. >>> Agence France-Presse | Dimanche 12 Septembre 2010

BS from The Observer >>>

Pastor's Call an Act of Terrorism: Makkah Imam
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah arrives in Jeddah on Friday after spending the last 10 days of Ramadan in the vicinity of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Photograph: Arab News
ARAB NEWS: MAKKAH – The imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday said that a US pastor’s threat to burn copies of the Holy Qur’an was an act of terrorism and an incitement to terrorism.

Delivering his Eid sermon to the nearly 2.5 million faithful who thronged the mosque, Sheikh Saleh Bin-Humaid also called the move an act of aggression against Islam, its followers and its sanctity.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, senior princes and Cabinet members attended the congregation.

Bin-Humaid, who is chairman of the Supreme Judiciary Council, urged Muslims to establish better relations with other communities and cultures.

“We call for more solid relations, greater understanding, mutual respect and cooperation between peoples,” the imam said, stressing the importance of interfaith dialogue.

“It’s from this holy city, the capital of Islam and Muslims, the interfaith dialogue conference set off in order to build bridges of dialogue and understanding and peaceful coexistence and reject all forms of terrorism and fanaticism,” Bin-Humaid said.

The imam described Islam as a religion of truth, moderation and tolerance. >>> Badea Abu Al-Naja, Arab News | Saturday, September 11, 2010

British, American Islamists Use Koran Burning to Promote Sharia Law, War Against The “Crusaders”…
WEASEL ZIPPERS: Via the NYC-based Islamist website, RevolutionMuslim (home of Joooey Cohen) who are co-organizers of “Burn The American Flag Day”…

In response to pastor Terry Jones’s threat to burn the Quran on Saturday 11th of September 2010, Muslims around the world will be burning the greatest symbol of disbelief today the American flag.

9/11 has come to symbolise the struggle between truth and falsehood, the Shari’ah and man-made law and submission to God and liberal democracy. This war is manifested on all levels, militarily, ideologically, socially and even economically.

On the anniversary of 9/11, we recall the crusader animosity towards Islam and Muslims epitomised by the burning of the Quran, which is intended to attack Islam and humiliate Muslims. We call upon Muslims around the world to rise up and defend Islam, the Muslims and the Quran. Let us call for the Shari’ah to be implemented wherever we are and the regimes such as those in the Muslim countries which never rise a finger to defend the Muslims to be removed. Let this anniversary be a wake-up call for all Muslims that there are two camps in the world today. The greatest symbol of the camp of truth is the Quran and the greatest symbol of the camp of falsehood is the American flag. Indeed one of the many names of the Quran is Al Furqan(the distinguisher).

It is the wish of the Americans and their allies to extinguish the light of Allah but Allah has promised victory to the Muslims and Islam will dominate.” [Source: Weasel Zippers] Posted by ZIP | Friday, September 10, 2010



HT: Weasel Zippers >>>

Obama: 'We Are Not at War Against Islam'
FOX NEWS: President defends right to build mosque



B. Hussein Obama, America’s first Muslim president, talks nonsense! – Mark

Koran Burning Protests Claim First Victim in Afghanistan
THE TELEGRAPH: A man was shot dead by German troops when Afghan protesters demonstrating against plans by an American pastor to burn copies of the Koran attacked a Nato base in the north of Afghanistan.

Dove World Outreach Center Pastor Terry Jones (R) speaks at a press conference with Imam Muhammad Musri. Photo: The Telegraph
A crowd, estimated at 10,000 by officials in the Badakhshan province, poured into the streets of Faizabad on Friday morning after special Eid prayers to mark the end of Muslim Ramadan.

The protests quickly turned violent and a man was shot when German troops inside the Nato base opened fire after they were attacked by a mob of stone throwing demonstrators.

"They numbered in their thousands, it is a big crowd," said Sayed Hassan Jafary, a police chief in Faizabad.

"People almost from all city mosques gathered."

Mr Jafary said that the crowd chanted "death to America" and threw rocks at the German-run military base in the city.

The protesters demanded the Afghan authorities give them an American flag "so they can burn it and end the demonstrations". "But we don't have an American flag," said Mr Jafary.

A spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force in Kabul said that officials were investigating the shooting in Faizabad, the capital of the Badakhshan province.

Hamid Karzai, the Afghan President, had earlier added his voice to those of other leaders from other Islamic countries who have said that the Koran burning would be an attack on all Muslims.

"The Koran is in the hearts and minds of all Muslims. The affront against the holy book is a humiliation to the people. We are hopeful that he gives up this affront and should not even think about it."

Brigadier General Hans-Werner Fritz, the commander of German troops in Afghanistan, had warned on Thursday that the book burning "would provide a trigger for violence towards all ISAF troops, including the Germans in northern Afghanistan."

Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, phoned Terry Jones, the Florida pastor on Thursday night and asked him to reconsider his plans to burn Korans on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, because it would have endanger the lives of American and Nato troops.

But the evangelist has refused to cancel the book burning unless plans to build a mosque near the site of the New York World Trade Centre that was destroyed in the September 11 terror attacks nine years ago are cancelled. >>> | Friday, September 10, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: 9/11 Koran burning: Pastor Terry Jones gives imam two-hour deadline: Terry Jones, a Florida pastor who has caused global outrage over a threat to burn the Koran, has given a New York imam a two-hour deadline to agree to hold talks on moving a planned mosque close to ground zero. >>> | Friday, September 10, 2010

9/11 Koran Burning 'Suspended But Not Cancelled' After Pastor Backtracks from Deal
THE TELEGRAPH: A US pastor has said he may press ahead with plans to burns copies of the Koran on September 11 – just hours after announcing that the stunt had been cancelled.



Pastor Terry Jones, from the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, last night said that he had abandoned the event after receiving assurance that the planned Islamic centre and mosque near Ground Zero, the site of the attacks, in New York, would be relocated.

His announcement followed worldwide condemnation and warnings of a deadly Islamic backlash.

But Mr Jones later indicated that the burning may go ahead as planned, after the Muslim group behind the New York mosque said they had not agreed to any deal.

The pastor said: "Given what we are now hearing, we are forced to rethink our decision. So as of right now, we are not cancelling the event, but we are suspending it."

Mr Jones claimed he was "lied to" * after Imam Muhammad Musri, the president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, and the leader of the New York mosque said that no agreement had been struck. >>> Alex Spillius in Washington and Toby Harnden in Gainesville | Friday, September 10, 2010

* Should we be surprised?

Pastor Cancels Plans to Burn the Koran on Anniversary of 9/11 'After Agreement to Move Ground Zero Mosque'
MAIL ONLINE: U.S. pastor Terry Jones has cancelled his plans to burn the Koran on the anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

In an announcement on Thursday, Rev Jones said he had cancelled the controversial event after reaching an agreement with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf to move a mosque set to built on the Ground Zero site in New York.

He declared he would be flying up to New York on Saturday to discuss the relocation of the Muslim Cultural Centre.

There has so far been no confirmation that a deal has indeed been reached to relocate the building with a number of sources rejecting the pastor's claims. >>> Mail Foreign Service | Thursday, September 09, 2010

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Quran Burning Issue: Terry Jones vs World


THE GUARDIAN: Qur'an burning would increase risk of terror attacks – Interpol >>> Matthew Weaver, Tim Hill and agencies | Thursday, September 09, 2010

Sarah Palin Slams U.S. Pastor's Plan to Burn the Koran on 9/11 as 'Provocative... Like Building a Mosque at Ground Zero'
MAIL ONLINE: Presidents of Indonesia and Pakistan condemn church / British Muslims to burn flags at U.S. embassy in protest / Downing Street 'strongly opposes' Koran-burning / Obama: Burnings a 'recruitment bonanza for Al Qaeda'

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has slammed the leader of a tiny U.S. church's plans to burn the Koran on September 11.

The conservative leader, who is the darling of the Right-wing Tea Party movement, slammed Reverend Terry Jones' plans as 'counter-productive'.

She added that the plan was 'insensitive and an unnecessary provocation - much like building a mosque at Ground Zero.'

Her comments came as the presidents of Pakistan and Indonesia - the world's largest Muslim nation - added their voices to world-wide condemnation of the event.

Downing Street also entered the row today, with a spokesman for the prime Minister saying he 'strongly opposed' any attempt to offend members of a religious group.

The spokesman said: 'Primarily this is an issue for the US, but clearly the government's view is that we would not condone the burning of any book.

'We would strongly oppose any attempt to offend any member of any religious or ethnic group. We are committed to religious tolerance.'

Addressing the pastor directly on her Facebook page last night, Sarah Palin said his plan would 'feed the fire of caustic rhetoric and appear as nothing more than mean-spirited religious intolerance.'

'Don't feed that fire,' she urged him.

'If your ultimate point is to prove that the Christian teachings of mercy, justice, freedom, and equality provide the foundation on which our country stands, then your tactic to prove this point is totally counter-productive.'

'Book burning is antithetical to American ideals,' she wrote. Read on and comment >>> Mail Foreign Service | Thursday, September 09, 2010

Obama Asks Florida Pastor to Call Off Qur'an-burning: "You Could Have Serious Violence in Places Like Pakistan and Afghanistan"
JIHAD WATCH: He could have said, and should have said, that while he disagrees with the idea of burning the Qur'an, he would defend the liberty of Americans and the principle of freedom of expression. He could have said that anyone who murders an innocent person in Pakistan or Afghanistan or anywhere else because of this is entirely responsible for the murder, and Terry Jones and the other Qur'an-burners bear no responsibility for the actions of others. He could have said that to threaten violence and to commit acts of violence because of this is irrational, it's madness -- and, for that matter, it confirms the image of Islam as a religion of violence that Obama himself is so anxious to refute.

Instead, he surrendered American principles and semaphored once again that violent intimidation works. Read on and comment >>> Robert Spencer | Thursday, September 09, 2010

9/11 Koran Burning: Barack Obama Says Plan Will Be 'Recruitment Bonanza for al-Qaeda'
THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama has condemned an American pastor’s plan to burn copies of the Koran on the ninth anniversary of September 11 as a “recruitment bonanza for al-Qaeda”, as outrage has built across the Islam world.



The US President warned that the “destructive” act would inflame violence, endanger US troops and lead to an increased threat of terrorism against Western civilian targets.

"You could have serious violence in places like Pakistan or Afghanistan. This could increase the recruitment of individuals who would be willing to blow themselves up in American cities or European cities," he said.

"This is a recruitment bonanza for al-Qaeda."

"If he's listening, I hope he understands that what he's proposing to do is completely contrary to our values as Americans. That this country has been built on the notion of freedom and religious tolerance."

"And as a very practical matter, I just want him to understand that this stunt that he is talking about pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women who are in uniform." >>> | Thursday, September 09, 2010

Pastor Ignores Pleas Not To Burn Koran
SKY NEWS: A pastor in the US has vowed to go ahead with plans to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks - despite warnings it could spark worldwide violence. Sky's US correspondent Greg Milam has more.



SKY NEWS: US Pastor Defiant Over Koran Burning Plans >>> Adam Arnold, Sky News Online | Wednesday, September 08, 2010

'We Are Still Determined': U.S. Pastor Vows to Carry Out Burn-a-Koran day on Sept 11 Despite Death Threats
MAIL ONLINE: Hillary Clinton – Act is 'disrespectful and disgraceful' / Gen Petraeus: 'It will spark war against all Christians'

The leader of a tiny U.S. church has today reiterated his determination to proceed with plans to burn copies of the Koran on September 11 despite pleas from senior military and political figures.

The Rev Terry Jones has been advised by the senior U.S. leader in Afghanistan, General David Petaeus, that the stunt would put American soldiers lives at greater risk and provide propaganda for the Taliban.

But Rev Jones, who says he has recently received more than 100 death threats and begun carrying a pistol for his own protection, today held a press conference to announce that he will not back down in the face of military, political or moral pressure.

He said: 'As you can imagine we have come under very much pressure in the direction of cancelling the event.

'But as of this time we have no intention of cancelling.

'We have also, which is something the news media has missed, received quite a lot of support.

'We understand the General Petraeus's concern and we are still considering it.

'But as of now we are not convinced that backing down is the right thing to do.

'So we will continue with our planned event[.]' >>> Mail Foreign Service | Wednesday, September 08, 2010

9/11 Koran Burning 'Disrespectful' and 'Disgraceful', Hillary Clinton Says
THE TELEGRAPH: A Florida church's threat to burn copies of the Koran to mark the September 11 attacks has been condemned by Hillary Clinton as "disrespectful" and "disgraceful".



The American Secretary of State is the highest ranking US official to criticise the plans by the evangelical Dove World Outreach Centre to destroy the Muslim holy book on its grounds on Saturday.

"I am heartened by the clear, unequivocal condemnation of this disrespectful, disgraceful act that has come from American religious leaders of all faiths, from evangelical Christians to Jewish rabbis, as well as secular US leaders and opinion-makers," she said.

"Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation."

The diplomatic chief's comments came as she hosted an Iftar meal at the State Department to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Earlier, military leaders warned the decision could trigger outrage around the Islamic world. and put the lives of US soldiers at risk.

Gen David Petraeus, the top US commander in Afghanistan, urged the plans be dropped.

"Images of the burning of a Koran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan – and around the world – to inflame public opinion and incite violence," said Gen Petraeus.

"It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community," he said in a statement.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Nato Secretary General, also expressed concerns about the risk to troops' security and said that "such actions are in strong contradiction with all the values that we stand for and fight for". Continue reading and comment >>> Andrew Hough, and Alex Spillius in Washington | Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Church Plans Quran-burning Event


CNN: Church plans Quran-burning event: In protest of what it calls a religion "of the devil," a nondenominational church in Gainesville, Florida, plans to host an "International Burn a Quran Day" on the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks. >>> Lauren Russell, CNN | Saturday, July 31, 2010

Rick Sanchez seems to be totally oblivious of the fact that Muslims trash Bibles all the time. Go, Sir, to Saudi Arabia for a trip, and take a Bible with you. Then see what happens to your Bible! – © Mark

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