Florida Church Plans Koran-Burning Publicity Stunt

A church in Gainsville, Florida is planning to host “International Burn a Koran Day” on September 11, ostensibly “in remembrance of the fallen victims of 9/11 and to stand against the evil of Islam.”

The event has a Facebook page too, which the last time I checked had 1,375 people who “liked” it.  Many of these, however, were people protesting the plan (you have to “like” a page to be allowed to post a comment on it). A rival Facebook page – “In Protest of “International Burn a Koran Day”  had 2,137 “likers” at the time of writing this, and as with its competitor, has several infiltrators from the other side.

I came across this crude and offensive, media attention-seeking move by Dove World Outreach Center and its pastor, Terry Jones, several days ago, but hesitated writing about it. The self-proclaimed “new testament” church has made headlines in the past for its malevolent protests on other issues, such as homosexuality and abortion, and for putting up road signs on its property that proclaim “Islam is of the Devil” (which is also the title of Jones’ new book). It’s clear that for Jones any news coverage is good news. Didn’t want to help him with that.

Then today I learned on TPMMuckraker that the church’s tax-exempt status is being investigated following reports last year that Dove World Outreach Center “is essentially a scam”. Jones allegedly uses unpaid labor of church members to run his multiple private businesses, which include selling vintage furniture on eBay. Church members are made to sell, pack and ship these items.

Also, the church is reportedly facing “mortgage issues” after it’s bank sent them a statement in April saying they no longer want their business.

Ah, now that’s news fit to print.

Image by Flickr user Trostle