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.'"

[AppyPappy]

"That's spreading hatred"

And flying airplanes into buildings and whipping women for showing an ankle and enslaving children ISN'T spreading hatred. The poor man is gagging on a gnat and swallowing a camel

[onedoug]

The difference is between Islam and Islamism. How many muslims know the difference?

[AppyPappy]

Oh and jailing people for handing out Bibles. I wonder if that is hatred. And celebrating the bombing of innocent people at a restaurant. Is that hatred? And spreading rumors that Israel was the perpetrator of the WTC terrorist attack. Is that hatred? Is it hatred to disseminate information that the Holocaust never happened? How about promising terrorists 70 virgins and little boys to deflower? Hatred or love?

[IssuesOriented]

Finally, someone who is willing to speak the truth instead of being politically correct. I'm behind you brother Graham!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lent]

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 - Sudan, Nigeria, Algeria, Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Lebanon, etc. etc. Moreover, Graham had one of his Samaritin's Purse places which distribute food to the poor bombed in Sudan BY THE MOSLEM regime there who have been busy enslaving and killing Christians. The man knows what he is talking about.

[LarryLied]

What annoys me is the media makes almost more noise about what Graham, Robertson and Falwell say about Islam and the war than the acts which have been committed in the name of Islam.

[Penny1]

Oh and jailing people for handing out Bibles. I wonder if that is hatred.

You know, one has to wonder....if these Muslims actually believe that we all worship the same God, then why is Christian witnessing (and sometimes, simply Christian worship or bible study) illegal, punishable by imprisonment or death, in most Islamic countries?

I'd love to hear these guys scramble to answer that question, somehow I think they'd be singing a different tune all of a sudden to justify their hatred of Christianity and Judaism...

-penny

[meandog]

I don't know how "evil and wicked" Islam is or isn't...but it sure is a different philosophy from the Judeo/Christianity tenents which founded this nation. I.e. and succinctly, as I understand it, Christianity allows stoning adulterers ONLY if the stoner is completely without sin (which is no one); Judaism allows stoning adulterers ONLY to the absolute extent of Levitican Law and ONLY by those proven to be injured of the act (which is no one); in Islam the stoning of adulterers is compulsary by anyone who can pick up a stone.

[EternalHope]

"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."

The moderate Muslims have the responsibility and the duty to stand up and oppose the acts committed in the name of Allah. Very few have done so. The longer the "moderate" Muslims are silent, the more it looks like Graham is right.

BTW, it is NOT the same God...

[chemainus]

Don't particularly like the Grahams ...they owe my daughter a year's wages for working on their horse farm in Waynesboro.....but I totally agree with Graham on his statements and his right to make them without reprisals. I think he is showing courage on this issue.

[babygene]

"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."

I guess if a Christian wants to believe that the God he or she worships is not the same as the god of islam, who are the Muslem's to dispute this?

I, for one, agree with Graham... I see no way to reconcile the obvious differences between the two faiths.

Christ taught love, their guy tought hate.

[moderation_is_not_a_bad_thing]

The problem is that you can't label a religion evil just because SOME of it's followers commit evil acts in it's name. Otherwise you could easily call Christianity evil for the evil actions of some of it's followers. And don't forget all the atrocities committed by the Catholic church through-out much of it's history, all in the name of god. That doesn't make Catholicism evil does it?

[ThomasMore]

Christians have been dying all over the world at the hands of muslims. Radical or not, the muslim world has not convinced me that they are peace-loving, Christian-loving people. The Rev is just tellin' it like it is. When Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Indonesea....etc, etc stop persecuting other religions like there infidels, then maybe, MAYBE I will be willing to listen.

[MayflowerMadam]

Good for him! It's about time somebody said the right thing instead of trying to be nauseatingly PC. Maybe others will be encouraged to stand firm on this issue.

[rapture-me]

Finally, someone who is willing to speak the truth instead of being politically correct. I'm behind you brother Graham!!!!!!!!!!!

Me Too!!

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

'Nuff Said.

[theartfuldodger]

Why would your daughter work for a year without getting paid? Was there a verbal agreement that she would be paid after a year?

[AppyPappy]

Catholicism at the time of the Inquisition WAS evil because it supported the Inquisition. Your logic is akin to saying "Nazism isn't bad just because some Nazis did bad things". No, Nazism supported those bad things.

[ThomasMore]

atrocities committed by the Catholic church

What atrocities did the Catholic Church commit?

[ThomasMore]

Catholicism at the time of the Inquisition WAS evil

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