It is good that he cancelled. But little good can come of a self-promoting clown meeting with a cunning fellow like Rauf, unless of course he, Jones, has the wit to put Rauf on the spot and publicly try to persaude Rauf to follow Jones' example and "do the right thing." Ah, that would be something, with Jones in the role of reasonable moderate and that fake Rauf still determined to go through with the mosque plan because, you see, it would do such damage to American "national security" if he were forced to abandon it, and he, Feisal Abdul Rauf, cares, cares deeply, cares only, about this wonderful country, his very own, the United States of America.

I don't think he's a clown. He seems to know Islam well enough and even quotes Ibn Warraq. This is from Jones' now removed website.

Ten Reasons to Burn a Koran

On 9/11/10 we are burning Korans to raise awareness and warn. In a sense it is neither an act of love nor of hate. We see, as we state in the Ten Reasons below, that Islam is a danger. We are using this act to warn about the teaching and ideology of Islam, which we do hate as it is hateful. We do not hate any people, however. We love, as God loves, all the people in the world and we want them to come to a knowledge of the truth. To warn of danger and harm is a loving act. God is love and truth. If you know the truth it can set you free. The world is in bondage to the massive grip of the lies of Islam. These are:

One

The Koran teaches that Jesus Christ, the Crucified, Risen Son of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords was NOT the Son of God, nor was he crucified (a well documented historical fact that ONLY Islam denies). This teaching removes the possibility of salvation and eternal life in heaven for all Islam's believers. They face eternal damnation in hell if they do not repent.

Two

The Koran does not have an eternal origin. It is not recorded in heaven. The Almighty God, Creator of the World, is NOT it's source. It is not holy. It's writings are human in origin, a concoction of old and new teachings. This has been stated and restated for centuries by scholars since Islam's beginnings, both Moslem and non-Moslem.

Three

The Koran's teaching includes Arabian idolatry, paganism, rites and rituals. These are demonic, an ongoing satanic stronghold under which Moslems and the world suffer.

Four

The earliest writings that are known to exist about the Prophet Mohammad were recorded 120 years after his death. All of the Islamic writings (the Koran and the Hadith, the biographies, the traditions and histories) are confused, contradictory and inconsistent. Maybe Mohammad never existed. We have no conclusive account about what he said or did. Yet Moslems follow the destructive teachings of Islam without question.

Five

Mohammad's life and message cannot be respected. The first Meccan period of his leadership seems to have been religiously motivated and a search for the truth. But in the second Medina period he was "corrupted by power and worldly ambitions." (Ibn Warraq) These are characteristics that God hates. They also led to political assassinations and massacres which continue to be carried out on a regular basis by his followers today.

Six

Islamic Law is totalitarian in nature. There is no separation of church and state. It is irrational. It is supposedly immutable and cannot be changed. It must be accepted without criticism. It has many similarities to Nazism, Communism and Fascism. It is not compatible with Western Civilization.*

Seven

Islam is not compatible with democracy and human rights. The notion of a moral individual capable of making decisions and taking responsibility for them does not exist in Islam. The attitude towards women in Islam as inferior possessions of men has led to countless cases of mistreatment and abuse for which Moslem men receive little or no punishment, and in many cases are encouraged to commit such acts, and are even praised for them. This is a direct fruit of the teachings of the Koran.

Eight

A Muslim does not have the right to change his religion. Apostasy is punishable by death.

Nine

Deep in the Islamic teaching and culture is the irrational fear and loathing of the West.

Ten

Islam is a weapon of Arab imperialism and Islamic colonialism. Wherever Islam has or gains political power, Christians, Jews and all non-Moslems receive persecution, discrimination, are forced to convert. There are massacres and churches, synagogues, temples and other places of worship are destroyed.

He said he decided to cancel his protest because the leader of a planned Islamic Center near ground zero has agreed to move its controversial location

Sounds unlikely - would like to know more. And if the move doesn't take place it's going to look like a climb down.

As it stands, the Christian pastor has backed down in the name of tolerance and respect, while the Muslims are planning to continue their Ground Zero Mosque construction full steam ahead, most recently justified by saying "if the GZM is not built or moved to another location, that will enrage Muslims worldwide".

Is the distinction stark enough?  Are kuffar taking notice?  I think they are.

Pastor Jones has provided a teaching moment after all.

I agree with the Pastor's points as to why Islam is worthy of criticism, but I wouldn't accept those as reasons for burning a Qur'an.

To my mind there is only one justification for burning a Qur'an:  it will enforce the impression upon the ummah that our culture and our values are incompatible with sharia, and that we will defend and protect our freedoms even in the face of mass riots and murders.  Our resolve must not be doubted, Muslims must not be given the impression that their threats of violence will cause us to appease them by living by their rules in our countries.

Evaluated in that light, this episode has been very troubling.  Very troubling.