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Like many Americans, I have a visceral aversion to book burning. It is too reminiscent of the Nazi era for me and something that should never happen in a free society that values the marketplace of ideas. And yet, there is every indication that it will happen. What impact will it have on the U.S. role in the world? Will America become known as a land of book burners? President Obama called the plan a stunt and I think that most rational people will see if for what it is and not something more reflective of America. Most people realize that Americans are not in favor of this and that our political and religious leaders have condemned it. Still, it will only take a few misguided people to form a mob. No doubt this will provoke violent demonstrations in the Muslim world and chants of “death to America” will make for sensational media reports.
This reminds a bit of the flag burning controversy from a few years ago, also a very emotional debate, and one which leads to the same conclusion. Burning a symbol reveals more about the people doing the burning that it does about the symbol, which remains unharmed as an idea. The religion of Islam is no more harmed by burning a Quran than the United States is harmed by burning a flag. If anything, the ideas they represent are strengthened by the mere attempt to diminish them. If Pastor Terry Jones knew anything about the history of his own religion he would know that nothing strengthens a religion more than persecution. His attempt to harm Islam will strengthen it while harming the interests of his own country.
I’m hoping that if this event does happen it will become a teachable moment that will allow the world to learn more about the U.S. and our values. As Mayor Bloomberg noted, book burning, though distasteful, is an example of free speech protected by the First Amendment:
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended on Tuesday a Florida pastor’s right to burn copies of the Quran during a public demonstration on the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. “In a strange way I’m here to defend his right to do that. I happen to think that it is distasteful. I don’t think he would like it if somebody burnt a book that in his religion he thinks is holy,” Mr. Bloomberg said during a news conference updating the public on the progress of rebuilding at the World Trade Center site. “But the First Amendment protects everybody,” Mr. Bloomberg said, “and you can’t say that we’re going to apply the First Amendment to only those cases where we are in agreement.”
In many parts of the word people are not free to speak their minds and their words and actions can lead to arrest and imprisonment. So, a teachable moment for the U.S role in the world. What does freedom of speech mean in America? You have the right to do things that may not be right.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer
