Christian leader condemns Islam (Preacher Franklin Graham calls Islam ‘wicked, violent’)

msnbc ^ | 11/16/2001 | By Jim Avila

[KQQL]

Christian leader condemns Islam
Preacher Franklin Graham calls Islam ‘wicked, violent

On the first day of Ramadan, Franklin Graham's comments last month about the Muslim faith are causing problems for the Bush administration.

By Jim Avila

NBC NEWS Nov. 16 — The Bush administration continues to be careful about what it says concerning the religion of Osama bin Laden. However, it turns out that one of Bush’s close friends in the American religious establishment has had some very harsh words for the Muslim faith. There is fallout from such remarks made last month by Franklin Graham.

FRANKLIN GRAHAM is one of America’s most powerful Christian leaders. He delivered the benediction at George W. Bush’s inauguration. His father, Billy, counseled a long list of presidents. But now Franklin is in trouble with political friends for comments made recently, calling the entire Islamic religion “wicked, violent and not of the same God.”

“I don’t believe this is a wonderful, peaceful religion,” said Graham. “When you read the Koran and you read the verses from the Koran, it instructs the killing of the infidel, for those that are non-Muslim.”

Asked by NBC News to clarify his statement, Graham repeated his charge that Islam, as a whole, is an evil.

“It wasn’t Methodists flying into those buildings, it wasn’t Lutherans,” said Graham. “It was an attack on this country by people of the Islamic faith.”

Meanwhile, Ramadan, the holiest season of the Muslim year, has begun. Graham’s comments came as Bush, himself a deeply religious Christian, wished the world’s 1 billion Muslims, “health, prosperity and happiness during Ramadan.”

“Islam never teaches hatred, Islam never teaches terrorism,” says Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini of the Islamic Center of America.

The White House also distanced itself from Graham’s remarks Friday, saying the president “views Islam as a religion that preaches peace,” and that the terrorists do not represent what Islam teaches.

None of the other Christian leaders contacted by NBC News, including Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, would comment on Graham’s attacks.

“Obviously, Mr. Graham is tone deaf in this respect,” says Newsweek religion editor Ken Woodward. “He’s certainly not his father’s son in terms of discretion.”

A presidential friend and supporter now finds himself at odds with both the Muslim world and the message from the White House.

[germanshepherd]

I was gonna say "Hey watch it" and then I saw the apologies to dogs everywhere.

[Russell Scott]

Muslims in general are not evil people, they are just deceived by a false religion. Since Islam does not acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the ONLY begotten Son of God, and the only sacrifice that can make atonement for our sins, it is an anti-Christ religion. It is a counterfeit and deceptive religion. Therefore it is by nature wicked, because it is designed to keep people away from the Truth. Franklin Graham called it like it is. Billy didn't raise no fool.

[RickyJ]

I did not know Franklin said this last month. I'm so glad that such a well known person is telling the truth about Islam. I believe if Reagan were still president and in his right mind he would have called Islam what it is, just like he called the former Soviet Union what it was.

We need another leader like Reagan, Bush II doesn't even come close.

Franklin Graham would make a great president.

[KQQL]

Calling the entire Islamic religion “wicked, violent and not of the same God.”

I doubt Franklin Graham is in trouble with God.

[Rubber Duckie]

Surah 9:5: Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving,Merciful.

And in other breaking news, J. Edgar Hoover, FBI director, declared that Germany's national socialist government was anti-semetic and hostile to American interests.

[KQQL]

We need another leader like Reagan, Bush II doesn't even come close.

ditto

[Travis McGee]

Check again, the image's web host might be a little balky tonight.

[SmartBlonde]

Wait till Oprah hears about THIS!!

[higgmeister]

We've already been discussing this for a while.

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3bf5b5e6387d.htm

[Zorobabel]

Don't underestimate Bush. He has his reasons for what he says. He full well understands the nature and history of Islam. Don't believe the "spin" the media is putting on this. Franklin and GW are close personal friends an FG is his spiritual advisor. Do you think he would purposely embarass the president? Learn to think subtlely. Here's another thread on the subject with over 300 posts. click

[greasepaint]

The 'religion' of Islam has nothing to do with religion.
Islam is concerned with societal control.
The people at the top of Islam tell others what to do.
The people at the bottom are told what to do.
People join Islam because of coersion, ignorance, or the
desire to (eventually) boss others around.
Islam is a lot like the former Soviet Union..

[tessalu]

I think that the poor Imam must be a liar or not know what goes on. I read this article about a mosque in Germany, and I can find such speeches at mosques all over the world.At a mosque in Germany HAMBURG, Germany (AP) - Some 200 worshippers listened raptly as the imam at al-Quds mosque delivered a fiery 45-minute sermon on the sins of the infidels and the arrogance of the West. ``God, we implore You to destroy the United States of America,'' shouted the imam in a sermon Friday. Not a soul flinched. The congregation recited in unison, ``Amen.'' I think it should be unlawful to fan the flames of terrorism. But a man from Osama bin Laden's camp came to the USA and took up collections of about $500,000 in mosques in California.

[KQQL]

I checked for this article and it was not posted here.
I see now that you folks have it under NBC live Post.
Sorry, I have been busy and I didn't know this was on NBC TV. I read it on MSNBC and that's where the Article is from.

Your post is as follows"
NBC did a short film piece tonight showing Graham stating that Islam called for killing of Christians and Jews and was evil. Brokaw stated that Graham apparently "stands alone," in this and that Falwell and other prominent clergy are silent about the matter. The usual Moslem tizzy, yada yada.

Well , enjoy the article too.

[RickGee]

The problem isn't Islam by itself. It is the culture. The Islamic countries, mostly, have this union of religion and government. Every governmental decision becomes a religious one. Every time a person objects to a law/decision/rule, he is fighting the main religion. It holds them back. It empowers the religion with all the destructive force of the government.

Most (all?) countries in the west have gotten away from that. They split the two, removing all that power from the religious institutions. That's why we no longer have crusades, the inquisition, and other holy wars.

If the countries that have Islam as their religion are going to progress, they will have to do something similar. It could take hundreds of years?

[Gal.5:1]

Finally someone is being honest here.

Jesus said he did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. John 9:56

[tessalu]

I know that the president needs the support of Muslim nations, but still the truth needs to be told. It never pays to get into a league with the devil, and Bush should learn that now, rather than later. If God be God, then serve him, and if allah be god, then serve him. It is in the God of the Bible that we trust, and we should not get mixed up with the one who supports terrorism, for they are not the same at all. We should know our God better than that. Our God is the one that so loved the world, that he sent his only son to dwell with us for a time.

[Apogee]

His dad was not all that PC either, really. I still recall the cringing on our last president's face during his first inaugral prayer. Billy Graham called a spade a spade, and he didn't like it one bit.

[RaceBannon]

Franklin Graham got it right!!

[Buckeroo]

You are another racist.

[RaceBannon]

No, I have read the Koran myself, and I agree. It is written inplain English, the translations I have read. Have you ever read the Koran youself? It is an Anti-Jewish document, with some anti-Christian sentiment thrown in also.

. Read it for yourself, I mean it, the first 60% of the first 4 chapters are against the Jews!!