An Open Letter to Rev. Terry Jones

[ThisThreadIsSatire]

(SATIRE)


September 8, 2010

Dear Rev. Jones,

While we have never met, and it is unlikely that we ever shall, I have been following your recent activities with great interest.

I write to you today because I see many parallels between our two lives. It is my most fervent wish that by pointing out how much the two of us have in common — despite coming from very different backgrounds — that perhaps once you’ve seen how very much alike we are, upon reflection, prayer, and guidance from the Almighty, you will do what is best come Saturday, September 11 — a day that has become holy to so many of us.

I believe it was a man named Edmund Burke who once said that “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” This is a statement you must keep in mind because it is what feeds the fear surrounding any proposed action that others would view as outside the mainstream.

Looking at the United States of today, we see people of many persuasions — whether their motivations stem from religious beliefs, political loyalties, or merely fear of what is strange and new to them — protesting the building of mosques, Islamic community centers, and even Islam itself. Meanwhile, good people of all faiths stand by and do nothing. So the protests continue, and the hate level rises.

This probably has less to do with the fact that certain Muslim individuals (who others of their faith consider radical or extreme) carried out the attacks of September 11, 2001, and more to do with the collapse of the United States’ economy that has transpired since — something I dare say I predicted long ago, surmising as I must humbly admit I did the overreaction on the part of the U.S. government in terms of spending both domestically and on military adventures as a result of those attacks.

Extremists, my spiritual brother, will always exist in every culture and in every faith. All that changes is what defines them. People like you and I can take solace in the fact that prophets such as Jesus and Mohammed (even David Koresh and Jim Jones) were also described in the same manner. We are in good company.

The prevalent fear today is not so much about what a small number of extremists might do. The fear is that it will be allowed to happen because good people will do nothing. People fear you going ahead with your planned burning of the Holy Quran — not because of how extremists will react, but rather because of how ‘moderate’ Muslims will react. They fear that it will serve to ‘radicalize’ many, and that it will cause others who could prevent radical action to instead do nothing.

Like you, I have faced harsh criticism from many who share my faith. Because my thoughts and beliefs were considered by those with more power and influence to be ‘radical’, I was actually forced to leave my own country of birth. I currently live in exile — as I imagine you might feel you do as well, even though you remain in your homeland.

But remember, Rev. Jones, many before who have been criticized — perhaps their entire lives — and lived as outcasts and labeled as ‘radical’ and/or ‘extreme’, have prevailed in the eyes of history, and more importantly, in the eyes of God. Jesus, for one, started with a much smaller flock than you currently tend. I, myself, starting with fewer followers, but aided by support from generous, sympathetic friends and relatives in my birth country, have even been credited by some as having already had — for lack of a better description — an impact on the world of today.

My friend, you too can have an impact. Who on earth is in a place to tell you that you are not that good man whose action — as opposed to doing nothing — is not the one which history will prove correct?

I know you will be praying long and hard about this. Pray loudly, my brother, to drown out all voices except that of God. I am confident you will hear his voice as I’m sure you have so many times before.

We are kindred spirits. Earthly criticism does not concern or frighten us.

God is great!

Your most grateful and humble spiritual brother,

Osama bin Laden

P.S. Some of the boys wanted me to ask you if you wouldn’t mind going by the name “Terry D. Jones”. This will prevent confusion and help preserve the reputation and revered status of Monty Python. My humble thanks…

[Ken Burch]

1. I'm glad that the "author" of the letter clarified WHICH Terry Jones he meant:

This one...





not This one...

[ThisThreadIsSatire]

2. I would never blaspheme in that way, and

risk retribution in the form of The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch...

[ThisThreadIsSatire]

3. p.s. my "most liberal" friends...

for some reason are afraid to stand up on this one --- I don't know why...