Holy Cow! What's That Pastor Doing???

Has anyone else seen the article today about the Florida pastor advocating for a rally to burn copies of the Quaran this September 11?  Now, I'm not a super religious person, and I'm not as current as I should be on news events, but, this one really got me going.  Here's the link if anyone wants to read it: news.yahoo.com/s/ap/quran_burning Is it just me, or does this seem like a borderline hate crime to anyone else?  From a pastor, no less!  Granted, burning books isn't necessarily a crime.  But, it appears that the results that stem from this book burning event of Islam's sacred Quaran could incite crimes of hatred against Muslims and could possibly provoke crimes of retaliation from angry Muslims as well.  Even the government is stepping in, warning the pastor that his actions might incur such wrath from the Muslim community that it could put our armed troops in unnecessary danger.  The FBI has been in contact with the pastor because he's had so many death threats against his life.  According to the above listed article, this pastor claims that Islam is the "devil's religion," and he believes that he is not only doing no harm, but that he is fighting against evil.  But, to me, this isn't at all noble.  Fighting perceived evil with evil begets more evil. 

Now, I've never heard of this pastor until today.  But, it's scary to me to think that a messenger of God, a spiritual "leader" could be so willing to provoke what would be such a very ugly fight if he goes through with this.  How can he think it's okay to show such open contempt for those who think differently from him and his community?  Isn't Christianity (or any religion for that matter) supposed to be largely about compassion for others?  Maybe he's just seeking out media attention and has no intention of going through with it?  But, if he does go through with this mass destruction of burning books as sacred to the Muslim community as the Bible is to his own community...then, I am left standing here thinking, Holy Cow! Just the very fact that a religious leader such as himself is seriously talking about showing open, provocative and public contempt for another religion, brings me to thoughts of the Crusades, when it was socially accepted for Christians to wage war against others in the name of Christianity.  This pastor isn't necessarily waging a war that is anti-Muslim...yet...but, considering the fact that the government is concerned about what his proposed rally might do, who knows? 

People are being asked to stand up against this pastor's actions.  I am standing up against his actions, because I don't believe that it is okay to start a fight out of hatred--especially against a tide of people that he has never even gotten to know personally.  I am also left wandering if he's even bothered to actually read the Quaran that he is so adamantly against?  Or, if he's ever talked to someone who believes in Islam?  I met an Islamic man once whose spirituality and overall happiness was so enlightening to me that it was almost catching (I briefly considered converting). 

Now, I know that the events of 9/11 were horrible and I am in no way condoning them.  But, how can one condem an entire population or an entire religion for that matter based on the actions of a few?  I am very interested in hearing other people's points of view.  If anyone has a differing point of view, then please, enlighten me with your thoughts.  And please, lets all respect each other here:-)