Burning of books, hysteria and calm.

So, the news has been dominated by the announcement of an American Pastor Terry Jones that 09/09/2010 would be "national burn a Koran day". I can only deduce that this is an attempt to sensationalize his own church ( of which there are about fifty members) and in doing so gain a bigger following.

I could be wrong but I thought it was spelt Quaran, as that is closer to Arabic. Feel free to comment and correct me if I am off target on that one, I truly would like to know.

I think the point that stuck for me about this whole issue is that its one small man with a small congregation, with this in mind how then is it possible that this whole issue has gone Global? I can only think that we live in a world that takes offence at every small thing a person says or threatens to do. Let's be clear about this though, I do not condone or think that burning a holy book is an acceptable act, I don't think any book should be burned.

The problem is that by reacting to this with outcry, shock, and Global disgust is exactly what Pastor Tony Jones wants, we get him publicity and his actions are then given power. This man's objective is to spread hate, in this I am convinced. It matters not which direction the hatred travels, whether from non Muslims to Muslims or from Muslims to non Muslims.

I myself have been on the receiving end of hatred or rather fear due to my being a Witch and where as most Wiccans (Witches) believe that you should do no harm, this includes to yourself. I do believe in defending myself and would. I do have a sharp sarcastic tongue, ask some of my work colleagues.

So where am I going with this? Well, I really think that perhaps ten years ago this Pastor would have received no media attention at all. The world has become information, in an age that anyone can pick up keyboard and receive thousands of views online, who can we trust to decide what and who gets seen and read?
There is only one answer, a tricky, hard and not a nice easy one. We as a Global entity, we as humans on this world. It is up to us to read as much as we can, to listen to all that have things to say and make our own minds up.
The key here is to think, to take in as much knowledge as possible and formulate our own opinion. And there is the hard part, then we have to accept that other people will have different ideas and opinions, so then we must respect their right to think.

We must never oppress or try to control a person's will to think and learn, be that through a religion, political state or social position.
Also, and this is important, learn to spot the people who want only to spread hate. There is only one way to defeat them, do not give their hate power. Do not act against them with hate, moreover, pity them.
After all, their lives must be full of fear and sadness.