It has been a relief that the burning of the Quran has been aborted by Pastor Jones from Florida in the US. The intent if put into action, could have created a deep cleavage in inter-religous harmony around the world because he has chosen the part of revenge, made worse by the inability to distinguish religion from the actions of the ideological zealots that caused the inhuman and barbaric tragedy of Sept 11.

Taking an extreme attitude in threatening to burn the Quran in order to teach Islamic radicals a lesson, the pastor and his supporters have also shown the ignorance of his own nation's responsibility of global hegemonic dominance that has contributed to the worldwide phenomena of terrorism.

They can't claim to be Christians because Christianity in its social dimension is not an ideological construct but a dynamic force of spirituality that discerns and seeks solutions in a complex world by seeking the truth that makes one free.

That is rooted in love of God and neighbour, where life ethics are an integral part of human rights and adherence to creative reason that is derived from natural law written in the hearts of all human persons.

The understanding of faith today among certain evangelical groups, especially those associated with right-wing politics of the Republican party in the US is the opposite of love of God and neighbour. They are not able see truths in complexity.

Truth cannot be divorced from reality and reality reveals that we live in a complex world of different religion and nationalities and within these groups there is diversity and complexity of cultures and human thoughts which cannot be divided into simplistic black-and-white groups.

Within the Muslim society, we find individuals and groups that are against an exclusive and extremist brand of religion among their co-religionists and this should be acknowledged. Furthermore it not possible to convert every human being to one's belief and reasoning would reveal that it would be far more beneficial to humanity to work towards common ground when we are faced with conflict due to diverse thoughts and culture.

This is where dialogue among religions is vital, not merely by understanding the beliefs of the other but also seeking out the truth and exposing a complex web of deception and oppression made visible by power play and structures that cause misery to millions - that is one of the principle causes of terrorism.

This should be the focus instead of hijacking the whole world with the threat of burning a religious book that is sacred to a religious community.

Therefore enhancing human dignity should be the prime concern of religion through the love for God and neighbour that is beyond forms, rituals, identity and ideological predispositions. The love for God and neighbour would always rejoice in truth and charity in dealing with people of other faiths. The intention of Pastor Jones and his supporters is the exact opposite that deprives spirituality of its essence.