September 8, 2010
DOCUMENT: Bizarre, Florida

Koran Burner: Creepier Than You Think

Florida church’s “rulebook” worthy of pastor’s bonfire

Rev. Terry Jones

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Dove Church Rulebook

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SEPTEMBER 8--The Florida pastor who is planning to burn a pile of Korans this weekend runs a church that has established a variety of cult-like rules for individuals studying to become ministers, according to the group’s “rulebook.”

The Dove World Outreach Center (DWOC), headed by Islam-hating Rev. Terry Jones, has been widely denounced for its September 11 bonfire plans. The tiny Gainesville church is headed by Jones and his wife Sylvia, a co-pastor.

The DWOC’s “Academy Rulebook,” a copy of which you’ll find here, was created in November 2007 by Sylvia Jones. The document, which details the standards to which a prospective DWOC minister must adhere, addresses topics such as behavior, study, and communication. It is also filled with the kind of creepy directions that are often associated with cults.

For instance, students are directed to cut off most contact with family members. “Family occasions like wedding, funerals or Birthdays are no exception to this rule,” the rulebook notes. “No phone calls. Exceptions can be made under certain circumstances but only after receiving permission.”

The Joneses also barred “Singles” from having “romantic relationships to the opposite sex…Except work things, there is no need to talk at all, or even flirt!” Students were barred from “eating out in restaurants” and warned that they would be weighed “once a week to follow the tendency,” an apparent reference to a weight goal established by the Joneses.

The rulebook--which is riddled with misspellings and grammatically challenged--notes that students must “wash or shower at least once a day but not more then 2 a day,” and make sure to cleanse “Mouth, sweat areas, hair, feet hands.” (6 pages)

Dove Church Rulebook

TAGS

Koran burning, Terry Jones, Sylvia Jones, Dove World Outreach Center

Comments (104)

Submitted by realrebel on Thu, 2010-09-09 07:49.
Jeez...... After reading their little "handbook", I laughed at their lack of education, but then cringed at their Hitler-like rules of obedience, etc. Listen, you sheep, this guy is another David Koresh. He is a scumbag with a "greater than thou" complex and is DANGEROUS. Oh, by the way, they forgot to print the last and most important rules. "All pupils will learn how to handle the deadly snakes and how to drink lye water without harm" AND.... "All little girls will be required to help Pastor Wayne make WHITE WEE-WEE when he feels the urge". Lock this person up and burn their poor excuse of a church/religion. They are simply SOUTHERN BAPTISTS on steroids.
Submitted by e on Thu, 2010-09-09 01:20.
Koreans? What's wrong with Koreans? Why is he burning them?
Submitted by realolereb on Thu, 2010-09-09 02:27.
Oh please what is wrong with you morons-you mean this guy has RULES???Oh my gosh he must be an alien with 8 feet.And look at his rules for God's sake!!Don't get fat,Bathe-Oh my Lord he must be a maniac...Listen-this guy hates a religion that hates:JEWS,CHRISTIANS,BUDDHISTS,WESTERNERS,EASTERNERS,COMMUNISTS,CAPITALISTS-He hates and opposes a terrible religion that encourages its followers to behead anyone who doesn't agree with them.Well I say,"GOOD ON HIM!!!!!"I'm with him!!!!And you morons who oppose him;I hope you get left behind on your middle eastern vacation and get to taste the 'hospitality"of your middle eastern satan-worshipping muslim buds....
Submitted by juliaj898 on Thu, 2010-09-09 04:47.
How nice to see that the good pastor has another nutcase like you to support him. You are an obviously very ignorant person who knows nothing other than all of the ignorance and outright propaganda that is out there. I've spent a lot of time parts of the Middle East? Have you? Some how I doubt it. Just as one example, go to Syria, you will see Mosques right next to Christian churches. I have plenty of Muslim friend and not one has told me or suggest that I should go convert, unlike Christian friends who try to get me to go to this or that church with them, and I haven't been beheaded as of yet you simple minded little fool. Perhaps I should cancel my dental apointment next week, I think my dentist is Muslim. He might try to behead when he is replacing that crown...... You've probably never even met a Muslim in your life, let alone really get to know someone who is in some way different than you or who does not look like you.
Submitted by realrebel on Thu, 2010-09-09 07:54.
Julia, perhaps you are one of the girls who has felt the "staff of life" from one of these deranged, so-called pastors. Remember David Koresh, the perverted one who had a penchance for little girls?? He REALLY enjoyed giving his "staff" to all the little girls, remember? This "Pastor" Wayne is dangerous and should be put away, or exterminated.
Submitted by chamois on Thu, 2010-09-09 00:42.
Although this is somewhat on the weird side for our culture,but think abut this -- there are a LOT of "rules" in many different culture (and religions) that are similar to the "dietary restrictions" and "no dating" rules this guy has -- the difference here is that people/the media/who else? are looking for ways to "demonize" him for his "burn the koran" idea -- NO ONE NOTICED OR OBJECTED TO THIS GUY AND HIS "RULES" BEFORE!!
Submitted by Helloseekers on Wed, 2010-09-08 23:52.
This dinky little church would have remained an inconsequential enclave for neo-Christian wing nuts and pseudo-fascists had this "Doctor" Jones not figured out a pretty good marketing scheme. All of a sudden he has so many interviews scheduled he can't take any more. He's got that rug munching face of his all over the TV. From reading comments on these four ages, he might have a whole slew of of new prospective members, too! However, the Canadian bank that loaned him money for his church is recalling the remainder of the loan ($140,000.00) and it's become virtually impossible for him to insure his property since this lunacy about burning the Qur'an. And his crazy decision to draw attention to the family business by burning the holy book of hundreds of millions of people may endanger innocent lives, not to mention troops overseas. People on this site quoting the Old Testament to prove that Islam is a violent, sadistic faith (and I think it is) or that Jones is in the right, are calling the kettle black. I always ask myself a question when people, churches, or nations say or do stupid and bold things: what's in it for them?
Submitted by ADKR on Wed, 2010-09-08 22:14.
Hey everybody, let's see what fun things we can find in the Bible, the Hebrew Scriptures, the Psalms. I like part of Psalm 137 where the psalmist is looking forward to the day when "the chosen people" get their revenge. "Remember, O God, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem's fall, how they said, "Tear it down! Tear it down down to its foundations!" O city of Babylon, you devastator! Happy shall they be who pay you back what you have done to us! Happy shall they be who take your little ones and dash them against the rock!" Have a peaceful day!
Submitted by Eurisko on Wed, 2010-09-08 21:56.
Just in case a Christian or a Hebrew is reading this, you should not that the pastor is fulfilling the sense of what God commanded in Deuteronomy 7:26f. I would be careful in condemning a man do something that God commands all of us to do.
Submitted by Helloseekers on Wed, 2010-09-08 23:37.
Hebrew?!!
Submitted by Jimbolee50 on Wed, 2010-09-08 21:02.
A real man say's what is on his mind and is willing to risk the consequences. I give the radical muslims this one thing; they are willing to give their life for what they believe. Too bad they are on the wrong side. I gotta give this preacher a thumbs up. I know very little about him, but a least he has guts. More so than the weakling coward Obama.
Submitted by mickrussom on Wed, 2010-09-08 20:39.
The Koran says stuff WAY WAY worse than this. Stonings , Sharia, Genital Mutilations for ALL women, Women are second class citizens, non Muslims are to be subjugated and KILLED! And we worry about a guy that says take a bath two times a day? The truth is this. The historical Muhammad led a robber band of desert thugs who plundered, raped and murdered. Muhammad himself said he could do NO miracles, and he married a 6 year old girl when he was 52. In the entire Qur'an there is only ONE vague prophecy - and that is about the 7th century Romans. Muhammad rarely showed any compassion and had all his detractors murdered. He was fond of splitting the spoils of war. The Qur'an assured Muhammad 20% of all booty his terrorist thugs collected by attacking and killing innocent people and caravans in Arabia. Who really is Allah really? Who is this god who demands his followers kill innocent people via Jihad, and who demands Muslims kill Muslims who no longer believe in Islam? The Qur'an (Koran) says that Allah desires to lead people astray (Surah 6:39 , 126). He does not help those who are led astray by him (Surah 30:29), and Allah desires to use them to populate hell (Surah 32:13). Get real.
Submitted by Thumpalumpacus on Mon, 2010-11-15 16:13.
"Muhammad rarely showed any compassion and had all his detractors murdered." Kinda reminds me of this proclaimed deity who throws everyone in Hell to burn forever because they don't believe in him. KnowutImean, Vern?
Submitted by Jimbolee50 on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:59.
Hey, guess what? We are at war with the Muslims....I mean only the ones who take the Koran seriously and listen to their Dedicated religious leaders. Our President calls himself a Christian, but he Identifies with Islam and sympathizes with them. If he really was a Christian, he would warn them that they will not inherit eternal life if they die a Muslim. Or .....does barry O really care about Muslims?
Submitted by Helloseekers on Wed, 2010-09-08 23:58.
Hey, Jimbolee. I hope our Christian President identifies with all the faiths in the country he's responsible for. I hope he never favors one faith over another. He can worship as a Christian if he wishes, or not, but he cannot impress on people his beliefs about an afterlife, or lack thereof. Remember that many of the founding fathers were deists and intended that the Constitution would protect us all from leaders acting on thoughts similar to yours.
Submitted by 101 on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:56.
Harsh cultism rules about diet, family, sexual relations, and hygiene, written and enforced by an obscure, self-proclaimed religious leader? SOUNDS LIKE THE KORAN TO ME.
Submitted by Jimbolee50 on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:50.
I say this Preacher fellow knows what he is starting. Much like Johnathan attacking the Philistines.
Submitted by Jimbolee50 on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:45.
Hear! Hear! right you are!
Submitted by Bob_the_rational on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:42.
To stop this guy would be the equivalent of having a BLASHPHEMY law, and this AMERICA, where we have free speech (unless Obama decides he does not like that, of course). Here is why we should not be sensitive to muslims over this: 1) burning a book is eqivalent to the expression of an opinion, it is harmless 2) those idiot protesting muslims in other countries who are used to living under dictators, cannot wrap ther pea brains around the fact that some random FLA preacher and the official position of the US govt have nothing whatsoever to do with one another, and chanting "death to america" is the equivalent of shutting down a high school because one student decided to smoke pot off campus. 3) this ideological war with Islam is going to be fought sooner or later, regardless of what any of our presidents say. They need to get used to us burning Qurans over and over, until they conclude "there go those crazy americans again", and stop having a hissy fit. Liberty and Islam are completely incompatible, there can be only one winner in this argument, and I hope it will be us.
Submitted by Jimbolee50 on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:41.
mreversest2010- Paul said that a woman should not have authority over a man. Good advice. They should remain silent in church, if they have questions, let them ask their husbands at home. Again, good advice.. Man you must never have been married to not know the wisdom of this man Paul's advice.
Submitted by TheRacket on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:32.
Wait...let's look at this in perspective. Why make it anything more than a political statement. There's no secret hidden here...no violence to anyone...nobody is being hurt, other than the hyper sensitive...no terrorism...no torture....no video of heads being cut off. The only arena of battle is for the mind....don't they have a right to protest? Are they the viscious ones, because they burn a book, any more than those who burn a flag?...The real danger, and I mean serious danger, here is with people being so intimidated by Islam terrorists, that they are afraid to say, ISLAM IS EVIL. I applaud this statement. We need one in every state, every city, every college, until those who seek to instill terrorist fear are silenced by the bravery of those who will stand up to them. Where is the ACLU? They have their own agenda, and it is not to protect American freedoms.
Submitted by Jimbolee50 on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:31.
A copy of the Koran in english can be had. For those who think the Koran espouses peace and godliness, just understand that a good muslim is a bad person and a bad muslim is a good person. I mean that if you really believe what Mohammad said about the infidels (Jews, Christians, all non-muslims), you would understand what I say. Just the opposite of Christianity, where the closer you draw near to Jesus, the better person you are. A true peacefull religion, this Christianity!
Submitted by Bella on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:27.
Run people, run as fast as you can!
Submitted by Jimbolee50 on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:24.
oh, by the way hankapuk, it's the sermon on the "mount".
Submitted by Jimbolee50 on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:19.
You have to admit the irony of the fact that people will jump all over this fellow for his unusual rules and give a pass on the koran's teachings. I think he is strange but he is right about Islam being evil. Jesus would say so! Read the Bible for yourself.
Submitted by Thumpalumpacus on Mon, 2010-11-15 16:07.
All religions are stupid. Pretending that one religion is better than another is like expressing a preference for lung cancer over leukemia. Either way, you're screwed.
Submitted by NIKKO on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:10.
I REMEMBER A CULT BACK IN THE 70'S DOES JIM JONES RING A BELL???? ANY RELATIONSHIP ????????? CURIOUS ARE YOU ???
Submitted by terryoconnor on Thu, 2010-09-09 16:33.
I remember him in fact I was wondering the same thing cause if I am not mistaking didn't Jim Jones start out as a small little " Christian " group in the USA and then move to Africa where he finally ordered all his followers to drink poisoned grape kool-aid and those that didn't were gunned down as was a senator from the USA?? But like you I am wondering if these 2 nut jobs with the last name of Jones( not to cut down that last name) are related or if he was one of the " lucky ones" who survived the massacure in Africa at Jonestown?
Submitted by eyeofthebeholder on Thu, 2010-09-09 23:35.
It was Guyana, South America. But yes, same idea.
Submitted by Andrea Roberts on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:08.
Lots of churches, bible colleges like this I am afraid. Check out one here in Washington. New Testament Christian Church. Here is a link to their handbook. Even worse in my opinion. http://www.scribd.com/doc/11625258/NTCS-Student-Handbook-SPRING-2006
Submitted by rdpat on Tue, 2010-09-21 16:52.
And lots of churches and bible colleges AREN'T. What's your point. That's like saying because I'm an American, I must be just like this lunatic burning books for attention.
Submitted by hankapuk on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:05.
For Christ's sake, has that idiot ever read the New Testament? Let's say -Sermon on the mound? ? I'm not asking for anything from the Old Testament. (he probably never read it, it is too much to ask of these characters). He behaves (and probably thinks) like a Muslim. P
Submitted by rdpat on Tue, 2010-09-21 16:53.
"Sermon on the Mound"? Was he a pitcher?
Submitted by Danny K on Wed, 2010-09-08 18:32.
I'm not a fan of the guy and I hate to tell you this, but these traditions go back to early Christendom. When joining a monastic order, by tradition you are just supposed to disappear into a monastery without telling anyone.
Submitted by ghostsouls on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:08.
I am no fan of this guy either, but I f I had to choose between becoming a member of this guys church and a Muslim one......... Anyway, the ACLU should be all over this guys right to burn the Quran. Just like they are to burn any of our other bibles, burn our flag, defecate on our flag as an art from, use the virgin mary holding machine guns as art, allowing westboro baptist church to shout obscenities at the funerals of the very soldiers who have died for their right to freedom of speech, the same hold's true for the Quran, you are in the United States of America, not Iran....if you want to live in our society you have to put up with all the whacko's just like everyone else does, they they degrade, humiliate, and put down every one of our icons or beliefs. Welcome to the American Way.
Submitted by Danny K on Wed, 2010-09-08 18:32.
"For instance, students are directed to cut off most contact with family members. “Family occasions like wedding, funerals or Birthdays are no exception to this rule,” the rulebook notes. “No phone calls. Exceptions can be made under certain circumstances but only after receiving permission." ================== I'm not a fan of the guy and I hate to tell you this, but these traditions go back to early Christendom. When joining a monastic order, by tradition you are just supposed to disappear into a monastery without telling anyone.
Submitted by gypsysmama on Wed, 2010-09-08 18:12.
This guy is crazy, plain and simple. His ignorance of the world blows me away. There must be some way the government can stop him. I thought Socratic Method Man said it best, wars in the name of God just don't make any sense to me at all. God must be up there just shaking his head in disgust at all of us.
Submitted by WilliamPenn on Wed, 2010-09-08 18:02.
Islam: the officially endorsed religion of the Left.
Submitted by irishalaman on Wed, 2010-09-08 17:57.
You know when I read your article about stoning women to death, havbing slaves, cutting off hands and arms of small children for stealing, propagatin rape, free beating raping and killing of wives I thought you were referring to Islam as a Cult of Hate.... I see requiring someone to shower once a day has created you vexation for sickness. Put on the Burqa baby here they come...
Submitted by Socratic Method Man on Wed, 2010-09-08 17:51.
Listening to Christians and Muslims squabble over who's God is the Goddest, who's killing is the least violent, and who's raving insanity is the most sensible is like listening to children argue about who's elbow is on who's side of the back seat of the car. Sit down, shut the Fark up, and let the grownups drive. This guy wants to burn books. He's a stupid asshat, because only stupid asshats burn books. If you think he's got a good thing going on because they're Islamic books and he's a a tool of the Lord, you're an asshat too.
Submitted by Bob_the_rational on Wed, 2010-09-08 19:55.
This is completely a secular issue. Free speech vs. "blasphemy". Yes, he is a Christian fruitcake, but it doesn't matter. "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" - Voltaire
Submitted by chawms on Wed, 2010-09-08 17:33.
Why is ANYONE giving this idiot any publicity? He needs to be ignored. All of the attention is only going to fan the flames.
Submitted by rdpat on Tue, 2010-09-21 16:59.
Amen.
Submitted by mommycoconut on Wed, 2010-09-08 17:27.
It looks like TSG is unable to look beyond spelling and understand the purpose of this guidebook. This is not cult like. It sounds like standard missionary rules. Get a grip.
Submitted by mel loomis on Wed, 2010-09-08 17:16.
ok, he's a total kook... big surprise. but he's never killed anyone or blown anyone or anything up nor threatened to do so. unlike tens of thousands of followers of the cult of peace, Islam
Submitted by livefreeordie1776 on Wed, 2010-09-08 17:00.
I will never understand the paradox of a site like TSH which is run by an atheist or secular Jew (oxymoron) who allows his anti-Christian bigotry to blind him from the reality that Islam is ascending and will persecute both Jews and Christians ending in genocide yet he bends over backward to brand Reverend Jones a "hater" and his small church a "cult" while failing to label Islam a deadly cult which it clearly is. Islam has committed 4 successful terror attacks in the USA since September 11. 2001 resulting in 14 deaths. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100502080932AA0llnl I think the suicidal tendency of the radical left-wing in America is much "creepier" than Rev. Jones pamphlet. What is Reverand Jone's crime? Why does the left seem to delight in and apologize for real and actual deadly hate crimes? Curiouser and curiouser.
Submitted by livefreeordie1776 on Wed, 2010-09-08 17:14.
Typo correction: TSG not TSH
Submitted by huklberry on Wed, 2010-09-08 16:55.
He claims to being led by The Lord to burn these books, but I can tell you by this article alone, he is not in God's will. If he were truly in God's will there would not be a woman as a co-pastor in his church. Anyone who studies the Bible knows only men can be called to a pastoral or deacon position in the church. His church is out of God's will to begin with!
Submitted by joesfunhouse on Thu, 2010-09-09 09:52.
Dang bitches be ruining everything!
Submitted by mreverest2010 on Wed, 2010-09-08 17:09.
Hulkberry, #1... Paul was giving his opinion about women serving in the church and made it clear it was his opinion. #2. There are no second class citizens in the kingdom of God. He can put his calling on a woman just as he can a man.
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