No Smoke – No Fire
I am very glad that no one burnt any religious books this weekend. Although that did not stop others from overreacting and people getting killed.
It is very sad that these threats, counter threats and overreactions had to take place at all. As Imtiaz Suliman, of the Islamic relief organisation Gift of the Givers was quoted in the media:
“Leave him to God”
Personally, what I find insulting about someone threatening to burn Bibles (or actually burning them) is that they want to insult me. What is insulting is their intent to insult. Honestly, if you want to burn a Bible, go ahead.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of the Bible as I am of God who breathed it’s contents. But that is exactly it, by burning this book, you don’t destroy the content, the ideas, lessons or God behind it. By reacting strongly to this you are putting a physical object in a position of reverence, and that is practically idolatry.
Think about it this way, if your house burnt to the ground and everything in it was reduced to ashes (your family made it out safe don’t worry). What would you be most bummed to have lost? Your photo albums? Your Bible? Your Passport? Clothes? A musical instrument?
And would you be insulted, or feel that God would be offended if your Bible burned up as your house burned down?
You get what I mean? The act of burning a bible is not insulting or offensive, it is the intent that is insulting, but only because I choose to let it insult me.
So I have to side with Imtiaz Suliman on this one. Leave it to God.
Would our world not be a better place if everyone had that attitude when faced with religious insult or blasphemy?
Ja, but if you burn a bible – smoke it if you like – offend me it will, but I’m not going to kill you or your family, or threaten or plot to do so. That is where the difference lies.