Pentagon Muslims Angered by Rev. Graham Invitation (who has called Islam an "evil religion")

reuters ^ | April 15 2003 | Sue Pleming

[TLBSHOW]

Pentagon Muslims Angered by Rev. Graham Invitation

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Muslims at the Pentagon are incensed by what they say is an insensitive invitation to evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham, who has called Islam an "evil religion," to preach on Good Friday at the Defense Department.

In letters to the Pentagon chaplain's office this week, Muslim office workers complained strongly about Graham's plans to lead prayers on Friday, one of the most religious days in the Christian calendar.

The letters urged officials to find a "more inclusive and honorable" religious leader to take his place.

A spokesman for Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham and head of a Minneapolis-based evangelist association in his father's name, confirmed on Tuesday he would attend Friday's service, where prayers were likely to focus on U.S. military action in Iraq -- a largely Muslim country.

"As far as Friday is concerned, the Reverend Graham will be attending prayers at the Pentagon," said spokesman Jeremy Blume, adding Graham was in board meetings on Tuesday and was unlikely to comment personally on the issue.

The Pentagon was not immediately available to comment on the complaints, but a spokeswoman told The Washington Post that Christian employees had requested Graham as a guest preacher and the chaplain's office would not rescind the invitation.

"If a Jewish group wants to invite a particular speaker, they'll do that. Muslims hold services here too. The Army chaplains are absolutely nonjudgmental of any faith that soldiers want to follow," said Army spokeswoman Martha Rudd in Tuesday's Post.

IRAQ RELIEF PLANS ALSO CRITICIZED

Graham angered Muslims after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks when he called Islam a "very evil and wicked religion."

He has also ignited controversy over plans for his relief organization, Samaritan's Purse, to go into Iraq to deliver aid, a move the Arab community says is aimed at trying to convert followers of Islam rather than helping Iraqis in need.

Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, said inviting Graham to the Pentagon prayer service "sends entirely the wrong message to the Muslim and Arab world that the Pentagon will host someone who has such Islamophobic views."

He added: "This kind of incident can undo any kind of bridges built by a hundred public affairs officers at the Pentagon. They need to think how their actions are perceived not only in this country but worldwide."

Hooper said the plan by Samaritan's Purse to go into Iraq in the wake of an invading American army was wrong and would strengthen the belief the U.S. attack on Iraq was an attack on Islam.

"I believe his group is one of a number of evangelical missionary groups that use the cover of humanitarian relief to prosper in coercive ways," said Hooper.

Graham's spokesman declined to answer questions about the Iraqi relief mission, citing instead an opinion column Graham wrote recently for the Los Angeles Times.

"In Iraq, as is the case wherever we work, Samaritan's Purse will offer physical assistance to those who need it, with no strings attached," wrote Graham.

"We don't have to preach in order to be a Christian relief organization. Sometimes the best preaching we can do is simply being there with a cup of cold water, exhibiting Christ's spirit of serving others."

[Timmy]

This is a Christian holy day, right?

[Made In The USA]

Yeah but, they'd be OK with Farrakan giving a speach....

[Mike K]

...Rev. Franklin Graham, who has called Islam an "evil religion," ...

Did he say something wrong?

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[The Red Zone]

Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, said inviting Graham to the Pentagon prayer service "sends entirely the wrong message to the Muslim and Arab world that the Pentagon will host someone who has such Islamophobic views."

Back to the ole cultural jihad, I see. They whining because G-d once more showed that He can beat Allah all hollow?

[michigander]

Muslims at the Pentagon are incensed by what they say is an insensitive invitation to evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham, who has called Islam an "evil religion," to preach on Good Friday at the Defense Department.

Good thing they didn’t ask for their permission.

[journey7873]

Get these punks out of the pentagon.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Islam is only a peaceful religion to muslims. Any religion that promotes forceful conversions and death to those who do not convert is evil. Any religion that preaches to kill the infidel (non-believers) in the name of Allah, what's the deal? It's evil!

[TLBSHOW]

Cair and the AMC are nothing but Terrorist Front Groups that need to be banned in America!

[TLBSHOW]

ping

[watchin]

Yes. He spoke the truth, and that's frowned upon in muslim circles.

[Dialup Llama]

Is there ever a time when muslims are NOT angry?

[journey7873]

Muslims seem to have difficulty accepting the fact that their religion is indeed a evil religion.

[freekitty]

Hey this is America. Live with it.

[princess leah]

Hey, the last time I looked American was still a Christian-Judeo nation, so if they don't like it, they can go find jobs in Bagdad!

[Minty]

But they are Muslims, that is none of their business.It is not like their own services. Somebody should tell them to calm down after all, it is not like an airplane crashes on them.

[ladyjane]

And we have muslims in the pentagon - why?

[Bill Davis FR]

if the moslems don't like it let them move to mecca...

[sparkomatic]

What is a "more inclusive and honorable" religious leader?

I hope Franklin Graham continues to be invited by the pentagon. And I hope he says it again.

[snooker]

After watching the muslim freak show call for jihads against everything and everyone except the easter bunny, and listening to their kill the infidels drivel, you would think they would back off.

But don't worry little bunny, you're next.

[Servant of the Nine]

...Rev. Franklin Graham, who has called Islam an "evil religion," ...

Did he say something wrong?

No, but he did say something stupid and impolitic.

US policy has been to divide the Muslim States and conquer them one by one. This kind of stupid talk makes that harder by pushing the Muslim States to unite for their own defense against us.
If we have to fight them all at once, we will, and we will win, but it will cost us a lot more soldiers lives to do it that way.
Loudmouths like Graham will be responsible for every one of those deaths.

SO9

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Boy, you have that right. Whoever these Pentagon people are taking a shot at Graham ought to be thrown out of the place. Last year Franklin Graham, as leader of Samaritan's Purse and its Operation Christmas Child caused the delivery of six million shoe boxes full of useful gifts (tooth past, soap, pencils etc) and toys, to poor children, regardless of religious faith, all over the world. These were the donated and packed gifts of millions of Christians.

Somebody should ask the Pentagon Muslims how many children they helped last year.

[CCWoody]

Hey, the last time I looked American was still a Christian-Judeo nation, so if they don't like it, they can go find jobs in Bagdad!

It is?!? How so?

Woody.

[Khepera]

Can we kill them for other reasons?

[two23]

Too bad. Deal with it. This is a free country regardless of what the PR Puppet Ibraheim Hooper spews.

[F16Fighter]

"This is a Christian holy day, right?"

Hehehe...

These people won't be happy until an 'effin' goblin with horns and tail is leading a "prayer" at the White House in front of a backdrop of a pentagram and UN flag.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Can we kill them for other reasons?

Please elaborate. I would only kill in the defense of my Family, Country and myself. And if for all three or just the one, it wouldn't make a difference to me.

[mabelkitty]

Excuse me, but why is the religious affiliation being given special treatment at a Government run agency? I should not have any knowledge of the religion of anybody working in the government.

Perhaps I should call the ACLU.

[Khepera]

how aboute defense of others?

[Zavien Doombringer]

Hey, the last time I looked American was still a Christian-Judeo nation, so if they don't like it, they can go find jobs in Bagdad! It is?!? How so?

Let's see, Puritans, Pilgrims, Quakers, Lutherans, Episcopalian, Catholics (Baltimore), Revisionists, Calvanists, Reform...all of these faiths are based on the Holy Bible. Each having a part in the building of the Constitution of the United States. Several states were created for the safe haven of practicing a faith, didn't Conneticutt come from Massachusetts, as well as Rhode Island? Maryland was for Catholicism. All of these are considered CHRISTIAN! Islam had no bearing in the structure in the building of the USA, if it had, Muslims wouldn't be trying to tear it down.

[Zavien Doombringer]

how aboute defense of others?

Of course, how can I forget. I have been in harms way for others before.

[TheCrusader]

What are Muslims doing working at the Pentagon anyway? Their outrage at Mr. Graham's speaking engagement clearly reveals their strong connection to the Islamic faith. So where does their first loyalty lie, with Islam or with the U.S. government? I understand we live in a bizarre PC generation, but Islamic workers in the Pentagon sounds a lot more dangerous to me than inviting Mr. Graham to say a few words on Easter Sunday.

[Steel and Fire and Stone]

Loudmouths like Graham will be responsible for every one of those deaths.

I imagine Franklin feels the way he does and made the "impolitic" statement the way he did because he's actually over in Muslim Africa, and soon Muslim Arabia, serving people. He's seen the murders. He's seen the cruelty. He's seen the Muslim slave traders dealing in Christian men, women, and children.

When you leave the safe, liberal confines of the left coast, or the upper-snob-hill confines of the East Coast, and actually travel the world, and especially the third world, you rapidly leave the "realpolitic" B.S. behind. You do that because lives depend on it. F. Graham is not a politician. He's a Christian missionary trying to bring relief and peace to Muslim lands where chaos, death, and cruelty rule in the name of a religion - Islam. He's on the front lines -- he can't afford to adopt your fuzzy-minded logic because people are suffering and people dying. He is also an unapologetic evangelist expressing his faith in a religion (actually the person of Jesus Christ) who can change hearts and minds faster than an M16 or M1A1 tank, and there's nothing wrong with that, unless you are an anti-Christian bigot.

I've been around the world, in military uniform and as a civilian -- Islam IS an evil religion, which unfortunately, many good people place their faith in, and give their lives for.

FReegards.. SFS

[watchin]

Islam had no bearing in the structure in the building of the USA, if it had, Muslims wouldn't be trying to tear it down

And if it had, we'd have no freedom of religion, freedom of speech, or free press.

[SwinneySwitch]

"Is there ever a time when muslims are NOT angry?"

They were dancing in the streets on 9/11/01!

[Khepera]

What if you decide someone poses a danger to others? Would it be ok to kill them to save others?

[Alouette]

inviting Graham to the Pentagon prayer service "sends entirely the wrong message to the Muslim and Arab world that the Pentagon will host someone who has such Islamophobic views."

Hey Hooper! Here's a message to the Muslim and Arab world:

[houstonian]

...an insensitive invitation....
...more inclusive...
...sends entirely the wrong message...
...such Islamophobic views...
...bridges built...

Sounds like they're taking their slogans from the Liberal playbook--a playbook from a political faction which they ultimately despise, but use for the purposes of gaining publicity and dividing the host nation they would subvert.

[kaylar]

Islam is only a peaceful religion to muslims

Unless you're a shi'ia living in a sunni country...Or a sunni living in a shiite country...or a bahai living in either...Or...

They seem to hate each other about as much as they hate everybody else.

With any luck, the US response to terrorism has become so fearsome that they'll either restrict their activities to EU targets (where they'll be a majority before the turn of the century anyway, so they may as well start their 'forced conversion' activities now) or they'll restrict themselves to trying to conquer each other. Let 'em play calico cat and gingham dog to their heart's content, as far as I'm concerned.

[mabelkitty]

As in pre-emptive death?

Jeez, we can't go there!

[k2blader]

God bless Rev. Graham for speaking the truth.

[kimoajax]

Could not disagree more. Rev. Graham directly stated what he believes is true.

You cannot finesse your way past direct challenges in life. You face them just as they come...directly!

The question before our leaders today, Chrisitian or otherwise, is not "will they say what is true?" Rather, the question they face is "do they have the will to say what is true?"

[TLBSHOW]

BUMP

[Zavien Doombringer]

What if you decide someone poses a danger to others? Would it be ok to kill them to save others?

First off, if I decide that someone poses a danger to another, there would be evidence to that fact. One the perp in question has a history of crime, has harmed others, and is showing agression to harm in the immediate sence. Only then can youdecided what force is necessary. If death is emminant in the victim, you/I can and should use any means to protect that life. I wouldn't kill for "bloodlust", that's murder and against God's law.

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

As Michael Savage says, "Beware the Enemy Within".

What the Chirac are Muslims doing working in the Pentagon, anyway? They ought to all be detained and investigated for sedition and sabotage.....

[BibChr]

Is there a chapter in the Qu'ran that teaches one how to be a self-pitying, self-ecntered, pathetic whining martyroid? Because that seems to be the chief strength of their most prominent spokespeople.

Dan

[Zavien Doombringer]

Well, it seems that it isn't any different between the faiths here in the US, Catholics against protestants. Even the protestants can't get it together. Evangelicals against Baptist. Baptists even have divided themselves, freewill, Southern, etc...

Good thing I am just a Christian by definition, I may attend an Assemblies of God church, I cannot be defined by any religious group.

[TLBSHOW]

islam is the enemy within America!