To burn the Koran or not to burn the Koran? That is the question. All last week, there was a big discussion on whether Pastor Terry Jones should burn 200 copies of the Koran to send a message to the Islam people of New York the inconsiderateness of building an Islamic mosque near ground zero of the Twin Towers. This has caused quite a stir to the leader of the Gainesville, Florida church.

Now the idea of burning someone else’s holy book is not one that would promote peace but by the same token with those who lost family members and friends near ground zero, why would Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the organizer of this mosque, want to erect this building so close to the that horrific site?

Yes, he says he wants to “build a bridge of peace” to those who lost loved ones but is it necessary to build it so close to such a hot spot of contention? Granted not all Muslims are violent so we must separate our thinking from one sect to another but still, the idea of a Muslim mosque being built so close to where all of this happened is not promoting peace at all. It stirs up anger in everyone.

From the writings of New Yorkers, I have learned that the placement of this Mosque is two blocks from ground zero and has been considered by many New Yorkers as insensitive to the memories of their friends, family members and business associates, jobs and even a part of the city which was well loved and now destroyed. That city will never be the same to all who lived there and the majority of New Yorkers still believe it is inappropriate to place a mosque near the grounds which were attacked. They can find another place farther away to build this building.

I believe Pastor Terry Jones understood this. He could see the inappropriateness of building this mosque so close to ground zero but then to burn copies of the Koran? How appropriate is that? This idea would certainly be used against the United States in another attack and nothing would be accomplished by burning books. Thankfully Pastor Jones called it off in exchange for talks in New York with the Imam. So far, as of this writing, we don’t know the outcome of these talks, but Paster Jones got everyone’s attention. We shouldn’t be building a mosque near ground zero.

On the downside of the threat to burn the Koran, millions of Muslims are up in arms and have given death threats to the Pastor with just the thought of burning their holy book. A gesture of good faith and peace? I don’t think so. A way to cause a religious war which will be forever regretted. Let’s hope all is peaceably agreed upon and no violence is necessary.

Loxley resident Valerie J. Steimle is now the author of four books. Her latest, "Dogs, Blogs and Hobbits: Writings from a Widow's Perspective" is available on Amazon.com. Contact her at valeriesteimle@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.stregthenyourhome.com.