PARKERSBURG - While the plans to burn copies of the Quran, the central religious text of Islam, by members of a Florida church were unsettled Thursday, local pastors and church leaders said the plans are not in accordance with Christian teaching.
"From a Christian and theological standpoint, Christ did not seek to harm or criticize; we are not here to be Christ's instrument to condemn the culture rather work to transform our culture," said Dr. Russell Hosey, senior pastor of Cornerstone Gospel Church in Vienna. "Any church calling itself Christian and to intentionally harm any group, that is unbiblical and untheological.
"Unlike the Westboro Baptist Church group and others which have the intent to be prophets to seek God's wrath and condemnation, my desire is to be the mouthpiece of Christ that spoke with grace and truth in order to transform our culture and world, not to simply condemn it," Hosey said.
Brian Harrell, pastor of the Liberty Street Church of God in Parkersburg, said while he does not agree with the teachings of Islam, he does not condone the planned burning of the Quran.
"Even though Jesus opposed false teaching, which is what I believe Islam is, he never instigated anything like a book burning or act to disrespect people," Harrell said. "I don't support things that may close doors to more communication."
Victor Zill, treasurer and executive secretary of the Mountain View Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, said the church does not support the planned actions of the church in Florida.
"The Seventh-day Adventist Church in West Virginia does not support the burning of the Koran or any other holy book. As Bible-believing Christians and disciples of Jesus Christ, we join Christians around the world who are fully committed to promote, defend, and protect religious freedom for everyone, everywhere," Zill said.
"Scripture teaches that the God who gave life, also gave freedom of choice. Religious freedom is limited when aggressive or violent behavior violates the human rights of others. We submit that no religious group should be judged because of the actions of some adherents," Zill said.
Pastor Terry Jones had announced on Thursday that his church, Dove Outreach Center, would not burn copies of Quran on Sept. 11; however, he later said he may change his decision.
Jones said he was promised that a planned Islamic center and mosque would be moved away from New York's ground zero. Muslim leaders denied there was such a deal.
Later outside his church he said the imam he thought he made the deal with "clearly, clearly lied to us" about moving the mosque.
Jones and Imam Muhammad Musri stood side by side in a news conference where the pastor said he would cancel Saturday's event. Musri later told The Associated Press there was only an agreement for him and Jones to travel to New York and meet Saturday with the imam overseeing plans to build a mosque near ground zero.
The cancellation was welcomed in Gainesville, Fla. At least two dozen Christian churches, Jewish temples and Muslim organizations in the city had mobilized to plan inclusive events, including Quran readings at services, as a counterpoint to Jones' protest.
Jones' Dove Outreach Center is independent of any denomination.
