The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) laments the tragic and senseless murder of United Nations workers in Afghanistan by those protesting last month’s burning of the Qu’ran by a church in Florida.
“The actions of one church in Florida do not represent the vast majority of Christians, who desire to live in peace with their neighbors,” said Leith Anderson, NAE President. “But violence against other human beings is never an appropriate response.”
Earlier this year, a proposed Qu’ran burning event was broadly condemned by American religious leaders. The NAE issued a call on July 29 for the cancellation of the event saying that such an act would “escalate tensions between members of the two faiths in the United States and around the world.”[1] On Sept. 11, the bonfire was cancelled.
Showing blatant disrespect for Muslims by burning their scriptures contradicts the example and spirit of Jesus who taught his followers to love their neighbors. The NAE calls its members to build stronger relationships of understanding between those of different faiths.
“God created human beings in his image, and therefore all should be treated with dignity and respect,” Anderson said. “Neither the burning nor the killings held to this standard. May this path of violence stop here.”
[1] NAE Urges Cancellation of Planned Quran Burning, National Association of Evangelicals, July 29, 2010