HOUSTON -- He’s an obscure pastor of a Florida church with about 30 members. Yet, Terry Jones is commanding the world’s attention because of his unwillingness to back down from plans to burn 100 copies of the Quran on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
"We’re speaking to radical Islam, saying we don’t want them, their influence and their surreal laws," Jones said from his tiny office in Gainesville, Florida.
Jones, a man who promotes the message that Islam is of the devil, now keeps a gun at his side because of death threats. So much for love thy neighbor.
"I believe this approach is not the normal approach," said Jones.
It’s an approach that is igniting outrage in Afghanistan, prompting the U.S. commander there to publically condemn the plan.
"A general is saying he’s jeopardizing the safety of our soldiers there," says Aziz Siddiqi, president of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston. "We as Americans need to condemn this kind of act. We do not like this kind of aggression against any religion."
It’s a sentiment reflected among various denominations within Houston’s Christian community.
"The Jesus we follow is about sharing the gospel of love, and burning holy books doesn’t really demonstrate that," said Rev. Tom Pace.
Dr. Pace is pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston. He’s also actively involved with Interfaith Ministries.
"There’s no pretense that we all believe the same thing," said Pace, "But we work side by side to make an impact on our city. When these kinds of things come up that seek to divide us in significant ways, it grieves all of us."
