Posted on 02/24/2002 6:21:13 PM PST by kattracks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A leader of the U.S. Christian right, Pat Robertson, reiterated on Sunday that Islam preached violence and said that Osama bin Laden was a true follower of Islam's founder, the Prophet Mohammed.
"It's not a question of prejudice. The World Trade Center was blown up and so was the Pentagon. We have thousands and perhaps hundreds of thousands or millions of people who hate America and are trying to destroy Israel," Robertson told CNN's "Late Edition."
"We need an alarm because this country is under attack," he said.
Robertson came under criticism last week when he described Islam as a violent religion that wants to "dominate and then, if need be, destroy" on his "700 Club" television programme.
The evangelist, who founded the conservative Christian Coalition political group, said that Islam's founder, the Prophet Mohammed, "preached violence".
"And here's what he said. I'm quoting directly from the Koran. 'Fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them. Seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them. Fight them. Allah will punish them.'
"Now, that is the message that's coming out of the mosques," he said. "You're not hearing Christian ministers telling people to go kill Muslims.
"If you get right down to it, Osama bin Laden is probably truer to Mohammed than some of the others," he said, referring to the Saudi-born man accused of being behind the September 11 attacks in the United States.
Several months ago, the evangelist was widely criticised for implying the United States brought the September 11 attacks on itself by abandoning God.
Hussein Ibish, a spokesman for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, dismissed Robertson's remarks.
"I could come here ... with quotes from the Talmud and quotes from the Bible and try to paint Judaism and Christianity, or any other religion, in this negative light too. I think that is ... a really despicable and sick game."
"What he was saying overall is, 'Look, in our midst, next to you there are Muslim neighbours; there are Muslims among us. And they may look normal, they may seem to be normal, reasonable people, but actually they are not,'" he said.
Ibish said Robertson believed Muslims wanted to "undermine our Western Christian way of life".
"This is a slightly warmed over, slightly rehashed version of anti-Semitism," he said.
Orlando is, after all, still standing, after Pat's infamous prediction of Armageddon for all things Disney because of gays.
His own headquarters got smacked, instead.
Physician, heal thyself.
I say string 'em up! How 'bout it, boys?
Pat Robinson tells the truth.
Islam and its violence come from the Father of lies and violence. His name is Lucifer.
I don't agree with all Pat Robertson says, but I can't see comparing him to that ranting racist anti-semite lunatic, Louis F.
They're not even in the same league.
Put your HAND on the RADIO!! Now FEEL the SPIRIT! Hah!
Christians everywhere are vocal in their condemnation of murdering abortionists or gays. Where are the vocal Muslims condemning the attacks? The only stern condemnation I'd heard came from a group of Iranian journalists (re the murder of Daniel Pearl).
I don't think it's out of line to state the truth about a religion if it does indeed teach violence against those who don't follow it.
Robertson is entitled to his views, last I checked anyway. They are views shared by millions. He is not advocating violence against Islam. Why don't you check out what Islamic religious leaders are saying about people outside their religion? Oh, that's right, it's not politically correct to do that.
I don't give a rip if another religion, or an atheist, thinks I'm a fruit cake for believing Christianity. So what. It doesn't hurt me. Why do they care if I think they're incorrect?
Very true. Many Muslims are patriotic Americans who do not wish harm to the US. Where are they in vocally condemning Muslims who do create violence in the name of Islam and "Allah"?
I wonder what Pat's solution is to all of this? Maybe I should donate some money to his religious machine and see what kind of answer i get?
What? You didn't know that all you had to do to go to Heaven is to make a donation to Pat Robertson's religion business? Cash, check, Visa, MasterCard accepted. Sorry not American Express.
I don't think it's out of line to criticize a religion if it does indeed teach violence and hate toward the "unbelievers". What's sad is that Pat Robertson is bound to get something right from time to time, and when he does, he'll get written off because he's a complete nutcase the other 99% of the time.
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