Book burning is wrong. Period. I am an Atheist, but whether during my Christian years, or my Pagan ones, or now, one opinion has never changed. I don't care at all whether it is a religious manual, or a porn magazine, a science fiction book, or a text book. The written word is perhaps the crowning achievement of humankind.
Being able to write down our thoughts and ideas has enabled others to expand on them, and yes, abuse them. It has led to advances in science, in medicine, in philosophy. Yes, it has led to nuclear weapons, and demagoguery. It has led to ideological ideas that rip our world apart, or unite us in common cause. In my mind, the benefits of them outweigh the shortcomings.
I am not voicing opinions on Islam or Christianity, or on any other religion, or political structure, just on books in general. They've all been abused, and are still being. Religion (or the misuse of it, by those that might be misled by the more manipulative extremists on any issue) is once again tearing the world apart, as are divisive political ideologies. Did he have the "right" to burn the book, had he decided to do so? Yes. Do "they" have the right to burn our flag in protest? In my opinion, yes.
Does that make either of those actions "right"? Not so much in my eyes. I have known many persons of many faiths over the years. Fortunately, most of them profess it, and don't really practice it, if this is what "practicing your faith" means in these troubled days.
There have been atrocities committed on all sides. Neither is more guilty, nor are any innocent. Sorry, but THIS time, MY "Sacred Cow" was attacked -- my raison d'etre -- the written record, right or wrong, honest or not, whether I agree with the opinion or view point or not --of our species, one of the few things that I DO hold "sacred". Nuff said by me.
*Peace, reading and thought*
Tel
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