COMMENTARY: UK Is Correct in Rejecting Pastor Terry Jones' Visit

Last week, the British government informed Pastor Terry Jones that he would not be allowed to visit England -- as he was planning to do next month -- because of his extremism. Jones described the British government's decision banning his entry to the UK as "unfair." He also said he would not violate any law if he were to visit the UK.

You may recall that last September, Jones had planned to lead a protest in burning the Koran on 9/11 -- the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States -- on the grounds of his Gainesville, Florida church. Due to a great amount of pressure against the Koran-burning from several groups, however, Jones decided to cancel his Koran-burning ceremony.

Jones authored a polemic book last year titled "Islam Is of the Devil," in which he describes Islam as a violent faith.

He had been scheduled to speak against Islam next month to an anti-Islamic group in Britain called "England Is Ours." However, he will not be speaking to this group, since the British government will not allow Jones to enter the UK.

A British Home Office spokesman explained why Jones was denied entry to the UK: "Coming to the UK is a privilege, not a right, and we are not willing to allow entry to those whose presence is not conducive to the public good." In other words, Jones' entry to the UK is being denied because more harm than good would probably result in the UK from his visit.

Indeed, the British government is correct in its decision to deny Jones entrance into the UK. Let there be no mistake about it, Jones is an extremist -- an anti-Islamic fanatic is a better definitive description of him -- and Britain does not need to risk having riots or other unwanted activities resulting from his visit.

As the British government's statement for rejecting Jones' entrance in the UK so clearly delineates, "Coming to the UK is a privilege, not a right."