Rev. Terry Jones at the Dove World Outreach Center
Early on the morning of Friday, September 10, 2010, the Rev. Terry Jones hastily called a press conference on the steps of his church, the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, and emerged pale and shaken to read a short announcement to reporters from CNN, Fox, MSNBC, AP, the Daily Show, and all the broadcast networks. This is a transcript of his transformative statement:
Brothers and sisters, my children, I stand before you today truly chastened. Last night, Jesus Christ himself appeared before me. He reminded me of a simple fact I had forgotten: that God is Love.
Jesus pointed out that there are many paths to love, and that some of my actions, like posting signs proclaiming that "Islam is evil," are neither loving nor Christlike.
It is difficult for me to admit that someone else’s path toward the light as they see it may be different from mine. My certainty of purpose prompted me to suggest that we come together Saturday afternoon to burn copies of the Quran. Upon close reflection I have come to realize that burning a book considered holy by millions around the world will do nothing to spread God’s love.
As I seek a new path more in line with Jesus’s true teaching, I must learn to embrace humility. Therefore, any copies of the Quran which are brought to my tabernacle will be donated to Islamic community centers all over America. Anyone who lights a match near them will be sprayed with my grandson’s supersoaker. I have employed waterballoon snipers as backup. There will be no fires at my church.
I still find the Muslim faith abhorrent, but Jesus has helped me to understand that this says more about me than it does about Islam. I clearly have some work to do on myself, and I ask you to join me on a journey toward love and understanding. I beseech you all to come to my temple Saturday afternoon and come together not to burn books, but to join hands and pray for peace.
That is Jesus’s way. He told me himself.
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