Rev. Terry Jones: Quran Burning "Very Necessary"

(CBS)  The Florida pastor at the center of a small congregation and a massive international outcry over plans to burn dozens of Muslim holy books on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks told CBS News Wednesday morning his intentions had not changed.

"As of right now, we feel that this message is that important. We are still determined to do it, yes," Rev. Terry Jones told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith.

Despite admitting to CBS in an interview a day earlier that his actions would almost certainly offend all the world's Muslims, Jones insisted Wednesday morning that his "warning" was "geared towards radical Islam," followers of which he claimed were trying to gain control and impose Muslim law in the United States.

Complete Coverage: 9/11 Nine Years Later

"We see its influence around the world. We are sending a message to them that we don't want them to do as they appear to be doing in
Europe," Jones told CBS. "We want them to know if they're in America, they need to obey our law and constitution and not slowly push their agenda upon us."

Jones claims Islamic fundamentalism is far more widespread among America's Muslim population than believed or acknowledged by officials. He cited as an example an incident he claims took place Tuesday, in which a Muslim woman came onto his church's property and threatened him.

Jones, whose small church in Gainesville has a regular attendance of less than 100 people, has refused to give in to pressure from the White House, the State Department, the Attorney General and America's top commander in Afghanistan.

Attorney General Eric Holder was the most recent member of the Obama administration to lash out at the Quran burning plans, reportedly calling them idiotic and dangerous in a private meeting with religious leaders on Tuesday.

More Quran Burning Coverage:

Extended Interview: Rev. Terry Jones
Terry Jones, The Man Behind "Burn A Quran Day"
White House Laments Quran Burning Plan
Dove World Outreach Center: Where Does the Money Go?
Petraeus: Burning Qurans Could Endanger Troops
Afghans Protest Fla. Church's Plan to Burn Quran
Fla. Church Denied Permit to Burn Qurans

Asked by Smith how he could reconcile his intended actions with the Bible's call to "love thy enemy," Jones said, "this approach is not the normal approach, but I believe this approach is at this particular time in history very necessary."

"With this action here, this action here itself is not -- is not supposed to be an act of love. We agree that generally that's what we do. We would reach out to Muslims in other ways," Jones told CBS. "This particular act is actually an act of warning radical Islam. It's a different type of a thing."

[immalim]

DO BURN KURAN. DO BURN MACCA. AND KILL ALL THE MUSL?M. SO, YOU W?LL GET MUSL?M FREE WORLD. BECOUSE YOUR ARMOURS ARE ANOUGH TO DO ?T. PEOPLE DOES WHAT THEY KNOW THE BEST. TO BURN, TO KILL, etc.

I REMEMBER A TEACH OF KURAN; " BE ALLWAYS BY THE SIDE OF PIECE.

[trailrider44]

I am confused as to if 911 ever happened? Did anyone provoke Muslim's to attack America 9 years ago?? Violence breeds violence, Yes, BUT how many black eyes do Americans have to wear before saying enough is enough.

[noloyalisti]

This is NOT free speech just like screaming fire in a crowded theater.

Anyway, we don't have real free speech in America anyway. Big corporations have WAY, WAY more free speech because they own the mainstream media.

Big corporations can buy billboards but I have been thrown off freeway overpasses for having No War signs.

[nassar777]

as a muslim i would like to thank you for your comment,we know that this gentelman presents him self only,and i pray to God that he fills his heart with love and peace..him and his family...amen

[55strings55]

As a follower of Jesus that I'm not to judge the heart of this man (ie: subjectively condemn him), but Jesus does say "by their fruits you shall know them". It seems to me that this person is misleading his flock in an act of hatred. He brings up the time that Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple. But if he examines it clearer, he will note that Jesus did this to HIS OWN people, as the priests, pharisees, and scribes were to be representatives of His father. Muslims have never claimed to be followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Therefore, not only is this man misrepresenting the Christian faith by NOT exhibiting the "fruits of the Spirit", but he is in fact demonstrating by his actions that he is a type of Antichrist. Of course, if he confesses his sin to God, and TURNS (repents) from this sin, God is faithful and just to forgive him, and cleanse him from all sin. In case he is reading this (and I pray that he is), may I remind him of another man (a mad man) who burned books in the 1940's. His name was Adolph Hitler. And may I ask him one more question. Do you really want to be placed in the company of this individual? To the rest of the people in the United States (in particular the Muslim community) I just wanted to say that Mr. Jone's actions is in NO WAY the actions of the true believers of Jesus, and it should be noted that we DO NOT approve of these atrocities. I (of course) will be praying that God will turn the heart of Mr. Jones.

[mahdeealoo]

Nut case. Someone take away his matches and give him a safe place to live.

[RatPackSixGun]

Inciting violence only leads to more violence and more violence leads to political action and political action leads ..for the DNC to $PROFITS!!!

Same stuff different day?.
DNC = Hate=violence=elections=power= $$$$$

And, what will the American People gain???

0

[Pegasus001]

The media asked Terry Jones if he feels any responsibility for the death of Americans abroad as retaliation for burning the Quran to which he replied no. With that said, does the media bear any responsibility for giving this insane act so much air time? Had this burning occurred among his 30 members, little if anything would have been heard about it. It's wrong whether it's done before one person or one million people. I acknowledge the fact that the media has a responsibility to present the news to the public however, it must be done responsibly. The media has brought the issue into the spotlight for all the world. I can't help but believe that all the media attention is just throwing fuel on the fire. No pun intended.

[curlyjoeiowa]

Wow, your right. Lucky nothing has happened near this magnitude to Christians or violence may have erupted around the world if we had only known about it.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/285123/christians_in_gaza_fear_for_their_lives.html?cat=9

[psy_war]

Rev. Terry Jones: Quran Burning "Very Necessary"

Rev. Terry Jones, on the other hand, is "Very Unnecessary"

[karenjohns]

A hate crime protected by 'free speech'?

[lancmama]

Even here there is a lkot of name calling and misconceptions. If you are a true Christian and devout believer, what would you do about someone burning the Bible? If you are born in the USA probably nothing unless you found out that a particular group did it, then you would burn down buildings and threaten lives. Why would you condone someone burning a religious book just because it isn't the Bible? In the name of freedom? Then in the name of freedom you should not retaliate when someone burns the Bible. I think it is appalling that our great country is lowering itself to the actions of bullies all in the name of freedom. Come on America, quit showing your ignorance and start allowing the rest of our citizens the rights that you claim for yourseves!