The warnings of the Barnabas Fund and many others about the negative consequences of the burning of the Koran went unheeded by a small extreme Christian group with disastrous results in Afghanistan on April 1. I reported last year on the negative consequences of this action in India.

At the time of the original threat of burning the Koran there were deaths in Afghanistan and protests in Iran despite the Pastor’s retraction of his earlier claim, Koran burn? ‘Not ever’.

Tragically, Pastor Jones later stood in silent witness as another Pastor did burn a Koran; hence the current loss of life in Afghanistan.

Has this caused a re-think on the part of Terry Jones? Sad to say, Terry Jones defiant despite murders in Afghanistan over Qur’an burning.

See nearly 800 comments on the Guardian poll; Is the Florida pastor who burnt the Qur’an morally responsible for the deaths of UN staff in protests in Afghanistan?

Violence begets violence. Extremists don’t care. For the Christ follower, we seek the peace of the city (Jeremiah 29:7). In Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, The Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God’. (Matthew 5:9) We remember that justice will be done at the future Day of the Lord’s return, by the Lord. Not us! God holds us accountable for our lives. And so we pray:  ‘Lord. have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. ‘

Article, UN staff killed in Afghanistan amid protests over Qur’an burning and  Kandahar protests of April 2 and  Protests continue April 3.

Also, President Obama calls for tolerance after Koran burning prompts deaths in Afghanistan.

Please pray for peace and for extremists of all varieties to be touched by the Spirit of Christ, the Prince of Peace.