Graham stands by comments on Islam

Charlotte Observer ^ | November 19, 2001 | Ken Garfield

[Stand Watch Listen]

But `evil and wicked' quote doesn't cancel Christian love, he says

While saying he is called to love people regardless of their faith, evangelist Franklin Graham on Sunday wouldn't back away from his recent statement on a national news program that Islam "is a very evil and wicked religion."

In a prepared statement released to The Observer through a spokesman, Graham said his Samaritan's Purse ministry in Boone will continue providing millions of dollars in aid to Muslims in need around the world. But he did not take back the controversial comments aired Friday night on "NBC Nightly News" and repeated on cable stations.

Those pieces were based on an interview Graham gave last month near Wilkesboro, at the dedication of a chapel in his parents' name, when he said: "We're not attacking Islam but Islam has attacked us. The God of Islam is not the same God. He's not the son of God of the Christian or Judeo-Christian faith. It's a different God and I believe it is a very evil and wicked religion."

In his prepared statement Sunday, Graham said: "It is not my calling to analyze Islam or any other religions, though I recognize that all religions have differences. In the past, I have expressed my concerns about the teachings of Islam regarding the treatment of women and the killing of non-Muslims or infidels."

Graham, 49, does not plan to comment publicly on the issue, and only will release Sunday's statement in response to questions.

His response comes a day after his ministry's Operation Christmas Child began processing 1 million shoe boxes in Charlotte for needy children overseas - including thousands destined for largely Muslim nations.

His comments were challenged by former Charlottean Ali Akber, who helped organize a meeting between local Jews and Muslims after Sept. 11, before he relocated to Maryland.

"That's spreading hatred," said Akber. "It is the same God. We just don't worship the same way. We all believe in God and charity and worshipping and not doing any evil."

Franklin Graham's views run counter to those expressed on Sept. 17 by President Bush, who called Islam "a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world."

It also stands in contrast to the message delivered by Graham's father at the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance service at the National Cathedral in Washington, on Sept. 14. "We come together today to affirm our conviction that God cares for us, whatever our ethnic, religious or political background may be," Billy Graham preached. "The Bible says that he is `the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.'"

[a_Turk]

The ultimate Reformer Christ Jesus will cast Islam into the Pit along with it's master.

Ok God (nyuk nyuk) :^D

[CCWoody]

THAT IS WHY we, the real Jews, Christians, and Muslims must band together and not allow Satan to further drive a wedge between us with our own tongues no less.

I was with you until this sentence of yours. BTW, I am glad that you condemn those who torture. Now, how about muslims who do not publically call these muslims who commit such evils Godless infidels?

BTW, the only Jews and muslims that will be saved are those who repent, fall upon their face before their Creator Jesus Christ, and believe in their heart that He has been raised from the dead. Will you confess from your heart that Jesus Christ is Almighty God?

[a_Turk]

Now, how about muslims who do not publically call these muslims who commit such evils Godless infidels?

I think they are either scared, stupid, or crazy.

BTW, the only Jews and muslims that will be saved are those who repent, fall upon their face before their Creator Jesus Christ, and believe in their heart that He has been raised from the dead.

Ok God! (snicker)

Will you confess from your heart that Jesus Christ is Almighty God?

Thanks but no thanks. Not into multiple Gods and Demigods.

[CCWoody]

Whatever makes you happy. I don't know why I bother. You'll never get rid of the Muslims, the Muslims will never get rid of you, and increasingly you will have to live side by side, so I wish you good luck, and please counter me now with some more verses out of the Bible which does not bother me at all as It is a holy book I respect.

You are correct; I will never get rid of muslims. My Jesus will do that.

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds, who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

For unto which of the angels said God at any time, "Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee"? And again, "I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son"?

And again, when He bringeth in the First-Begotten into the world, He saith, "And let all the angels of God worship Him."

And of the angels He saith, "Who maketh His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire."

But unto the Son He saith, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Thy Kingdom.

Unless you repent, you will perish!

[CCWoody]

My #116 is meant for you!

[One4Indictment]

What atrocities did the Catholic Church commit?

TM, you need to study a little bit of church history. The Catholic religion is responsible for killing more Christians during the Inquisition period than any group or religion. I suggest you read Foxes Book of Martyrs for a start.

[One4Indictment]

I will not be surprised if in a few years he will be thrown to the lions in a stadium packed with roaring pagans. (See the life of Paul the Apostle, John the Baptist, Abel, etc).

I agree, BenR2. In this mixed up world of political correctness and the push for "hate crimes" legislation, I foresee the day that Godly men are pulled from behind pulpits and arrested for preaching against the sin of homosexuality.

[CCWoody]

Will you confess from your heart that Jesus Christ is Almighty God?

Thanks but no thanks. Not into multiple Gods and Demigods.

And beyond controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Jesus Christ is Almighty God and He will repay those who will not humble themselves before Him. There will be no place to hide. There will be no strength to fight. He will splatter their blood upon all His garments. I will see it and I will fear and laugh. I will praise His name forever because He has done it.

[Anamensis]

The press spends more time attacking and brow-beating an evangelical Christian than they do concerning themselves with what they should - exposing Islam and the persecution and death this Islamicism is causing to Christians around the world ...

Amazing, isn't it? Here at the university, people were more outraged by the guy who shot a Shi'ite convenience store owner than by the deaths of the 5,000 people the poor dumb slob thought he was avenging. They kept whining about "root causes" and I said, "How about a little sympathy for the root causes of this man's act?" And one guy just said right out "No! I have no sympathy for this kind of thing!" (But terrorism, well, you have to understaaaaaand, they feel upset about modernizaaaaaaatioooooon, and the western exploitaaaaaatiiooooooon...)

[TopQuark]

Certain Catholics were evil. Not the teachings of the Church. There's a difference.

Exactly! And the same may be said about followers of any other religion, including Islam.

[Lent]

I guess it's a symptomology of leftist and liberal insanity.

[Windy-Dave]

The silent majority, or the moral majority what ever you call it tody must rally behind this good man of God! We need fearless moral leaders with backbone who know what to say in season and out!

He has mouthed the sentiments of a latent majority who don't have the moral conviction of a sewer rat. How can the organized religious pansies who stand idly by and remain silent allow Franklin Graham to be villified and stripped of all dignity. They hide themselves away in their "Cushy" protected environs saying to themselves I won't rock the boat or get involved.

You are exhibiting the most selfish and self centered attitude a bunch of ingrates are capable of. This is easy to support because those "Preachers" out there who will not rise up and do the right thing in this matter have not one thread of moral decency to pass along. No wonder the Laiodiocean church is so prevalent in our world today. You who remain silent know who you are and shame on you,every one of you!

Its so easy to give lip service to God's work in the world and when we finally produce a person of courage and conviction who will tell and teach you the truth this is how you repay him! When the Rapture occurs what will you tell your deceived congregations waiting around to get their ears tickled? I shouldn't worry though satan already has the Big Lie for you to spread around to your conditioned parishiners!

[Kevin Curry]

I foresee the day that Godly men are pulled from behind pulpits and arrested for preaching against the sin of homosexuality.

Speaking publicly against homosexuality is already unlawful in the Netherlands. Canada, too, has laws that could conceivably land a believer or minister in hot water with the authorities for speaking out against the gay and lesbian lifestyles.

I'm finished with being politically correct. Let them pass laws, arrest, convict, and imprison me.

[Kevin Curry]

THAT IS WHY we, the real Jews, Christians, and Muslims must band together and not allow Satan to further drive a wedge between us with our own tongues no less.

You do not understand Christianity. We can and must be good neighbors and enjoy fellowish in our common citizenship. That is our common cause. Beyond that we cannot have common cause in religion. Ecumenicism of any kind is a vector for deadly poisons. Ecumenicism is daily leading to the destruction of the liberal wing of the Christian Church.

Again, with respect to matters of faith there is no room for compromise whatsoever. Not in this world. Not at this time.

[mathurine]

The troublesome point at the moment is that most of the world's religions in recent years have eased off a good bit on vehemence and quit killing the people who believe differently. World Trade Center aside, Islamic people in several parts of Africa and Asia are fairly busy trying to thump the people they proclaim infidels. Indeed, they are rather unkind to one another in parts of the Middle East where Islam in one form or another is 90% or more of the total population. I suppose we could say that after a few centuries of infidel-thumping and internicene battling,most Christians, though not absolutely all of them, quit being so violent about religious matters. For that matter, the followers of most religions don't seem to get too worked up about what other people believe. The Islamic cultures seem to be the ones who are still either so faithful or so backward in this respect that they go in for archaic attitudes. No wonder they are not currently neighbors most people in the world would relish having in massive numbers.

[Clovis_Skeptic]

as if that is an original statement...yada yada yada yada....it is getting old! Islam teaches...violence..read it!...but in "moderation" of course....

[a_Turk]

You do not understand Christianity.

I do too!!

[Khepera]

bimp

[keats5]

Yeah, Muslims do worship the same God we do.

Really? My God is Jesus.