What do bras, flags and witches all have in common with the Quran?

Originally posted on my Facebook August 23, 2010

We Americans sure do like to burn stuff, don’t we? Bras, flags, witches, and now we can add the Quran to the list. If you’re lost, let me bring you up to speed. There’s this church here in Florida (lucky me) that is hosting “International Burn a Quran Day” on September 11 in protest to Islam. Say what? This is wrong on so many levels, from stupid to irreverent. Part of their reasoning is that Muslims look unhappy. ("I mean ask yourself, have you ever really seen a really happy Muslim? As they're on the way to Mecca? As they gather together in the mosque on the floor? Does it look like a real religion of joy?" says Pastor Terry Jones.) If we are going to start persecuting people for looking unhappy, who’s next on the list? Teenagers? DMV employees?

What could they possibly be thinking? That this act of ignorant and intolerant behavior will make Islamic people say, “Ah, see, that IS the right religion,” and convert? Or perhaps they are thinking that by burning a copy of the book, Muslim people will magically no longer have a copy either, thus negating their entire religion.

I vote to change the name of the day to something more apt like “International I’s Stupider Than You Is Day.” I’m sure there will be people attending, people who do believe this is a fabulous idea. How do you think the conversation goes while they all gussied up for the big event? “Hurry along, dear. We don’t want to be late or we won’t make it to the witch hunt afterward.” “No, darling, that’s next week. This evening we’ll be pinning on the scarlet letters.”

Anyway, book burning is for sissies. When are we gonna strike up the old Inquisition again start actually burning people?