Book Burners for Christ

The recent controversy over Pastor Terry Jones's plan to burn a Qur'an (Koran) prompted this series of postings on Facebook:

In a bold move, Obama actually comes out against something:

Obama:  Koran Burning 'Stunt' Could 'Greatly Endanger' Troops

And:

We Didn't Start the Fire

You aren't responsible for Quran burners. Don't hold Muslims responsible for 9/11.

By William Saletan"He represents only 30 people in this town," the pastor tells the New York Times. "It needs to get out somehow to the rest of the world that this isn't the face of Christianity."

It will, Reverend. Right after it gets out to the rest of the world that we don't think the 9/11 hijackers are the face of Islam.And:This is how it feels to be judged by the sins of others who destroy in the name of your faith. You're no more responsible for 30 Christian extremists in Florida than Muslims are for the 19 hijackers of 9/11. Yet most of us, when polled, say that no Muslim house of worship should be built near the site of the 9/11 attacks. In saying this, we implicitly hold all Muslims accountable for the crime of those 19 people.

Now you know how it feels to be judged that way. It's inaccurate, and it's wrong.

Let the snark begin!

Book-burner Terry Jones is the Ayatollah Khomeini of pastors. Rock 'n' rolla with America's ayatollah!

Ayatollah Jones:  "Islam is the religion of hate and Christianity is the religion of love, so I'm gonna destroy the very thing Muslims hold most dear. That'll show 'em."

Obama comes out against book burning. In a surprising twist, 10,000 conservatives now say they favor book burning. "Since Obama is a Muslim terrorist," they said, "Pastor Jones must be doing something right."

‎"Book burning is the new tea party," said professional windbag Rush Limbaugh. "America has a long tradition of book burning," proclaimed professional adulterer Newt Gingrich. Professional crybaby Glenn Beck announced he would hold a rally entitled "Book Burners for Christ." "Refudiate whichever side Obama is 4," professional quitter Sarah Palin tweeted to her cult members.

Book Burners for Christ recently announced their first targets: Biology textbooks that promote sex and evolution, President Obama's alleged "birth certificate," and several sections of the US Constitution.

The controversy ends (?)

Alas, Ayatollah Jones chickened out and crawled back under his rock. I guess his faith wasn't quite as strong as that of his foes. "Follow my way," I think Jesus said in the Bible, "unless it causes too much negative publicity."

Florida pastor calls off Quran burning

"Yay for quitters!" Sarah Palin tweeted to her followers. "If I ever finished a book, I'd burn it too!"

Glenn Beck immediately announced that he would retitle his "Book Burners for Christ" rally. Now he's calling it "Restoring Courage for Christian Cowards."



In related news, the Ku Klux Klan is threatening to sue Ayatollah Jones, Glenn Beck, and Book Burners for Christ. "Burning things in the name of Christ is our thing, not theirs," said the Grand Dragon, who added that he supports neo-Nazis, Christian militias, and the Tea Party movement.

Meanwhile, having failed to ignite a worldwide conflagration, the "pastor" is seeking to trademark the name "Ayatollah Jones" and shop it to Hollywood. Jones's agent says Jones envisions a whole series of Christian-themed movies starring him as a globe-trotting adventurer. Unlike archaeologist Indiana Jones, however, Ayatollah Jones will burn the holy texts and destroy the holy sites of each Satanic culture he visits.

"First we'll take out the Muslims," said Jones in a prepared statement. "Then the Jews and other heathens." Studio executives say Ayatollah Jones has the potential to rival The Passion of the Christ as a hit among conservative Christians. Jones's agent is already touting Mel Gibson to play the book-burning barnstormer.

On a serious note

It would be interesting to analyze what role social media played in this controversy. I mean, think of the negative publicity this stunt received.

In the old media, a dozen major media outlets might've covered it. In the new media, a dozen major media outlets covered it...and millions of people shared the news with each other. I wouldn't be surprised if social media was the dominant force in causing the groundswell of opposition.

For more on the subject, see Conservative Bigotry Against Islam and Conservative Rallies = White Self-Pity.

Below:  Mel Gibson as Ayatollah Jones.