Posted on 11/19/2001 11:54:59 AM PST by 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.'"
Interesting note on symbols: the cross ... the fish...You're kidding right? Thought I knew everything :)
Ever occur to you that collectivism is a religion? Complete with prophets, primary texts, and ideals of pure, altruistic humanity?
Just for the record, I'm "standing by" my "comments" about how 2+2=4, too.
Dan
Also, Mohammad had 40 wives, one as young as 6, of course he gave her a break and didn't have intercourse with her till she was 9 . ( Oh wow, what a prophet ).
a-Turk said:
Untrue, and unsubstantiated. Multiple wives were a custom even practiced by biblical figures. Are you reading propaganda off of Hindu sites?
I have studied about Mohammed and read portions of the Koran. Everything I have read confirms that Mohammed had many wives, his youngest was 6 although he did not have sex with her until she was 9. I have also read in my research about the rewards of paradise for Muslims, which include virgins.
A Short Life Sketch of Mohammed
Khadija Bibi was wealthy and after marriage with her, Mohammed lived in comparative luxury, for the first time in his life. They had several children, both boys and girls. The boys did not live long and the girls were given away In marriage. They adopted a son named Zayed after their sons died.
Khadija Bibi died when Mohammed was about 49 years old. Between the ages of 49 and 63, after Khadija died, the prophet married thirteen wives. The names of eleven ate given below. At the age of 54 Mohammed married Ayesha, a girl of six (some say nine) years of age. Ayesha was the daughter of Abu Bakr, a close disciple of Mohammed. Ayesha, according to many was Mohammed's most favorite wife.Mohammed's Wives:
Khadija Bibi, Sauda Bibi, Ayesha Bibi, Hafsa Bibi, Habiba Bibi, Salma Bibi, Safia Bibi, Moyomuna Bibi, Zainab bint Jahsh Bibi, Zainab bint Khuzaymah Bibi, Juwairya (Zudia) BibiZainab, daughter of Jahsh was initially married to his adopted son Zayed. But one day the prophet 'beheld in a loose undress, the beauty of Zainab, and burst forth into an ejaculation of devotion and desire. The servile, or grateful, freeman understood the hint, and yielded without hesitation to the love of the benefactor'. Zayed divorced Zainab so that Mohammed could marry her.
Among Mohammed's concubines were Rehana and Mary (also known as Mariam). Mary was a Christian slave girl presented to Mohammed whereas Juwairya and Rehana both were Jewish girls captured in battles with the Jews. Juwairya eventually married the prophet and gave up her Jewish faith. Rehana did not agree to give up her Jewish faith and would rather live as a concubine against her own will, than marry the prophet. both Juwairya and Rehana had lost their men folk in the battles with the Moslem followers of Mohammed.
And another link Women and Gender in Islamic History (Part 2) says this about Mohammed’s wives:
The Prophet Mohammed's wives:
Aisha: source of Islamic teaching and military leader, married Mohammed at age nine when he was 50; .she was his favorite wife and the child of his best friend and later Caliph Abu Bakr; led battle against partisans of Ali [originators of Shi'a]
Khadijja: his first wife, a merchant in her own right, and one of the first converts [d. 619 a.d.]
Zeinab, 'Mother of the Poor'
LJmm Salamah [famous beauty]
Suwath [a widow]
also two Jews and a Coptic Christian (although maybe these were concubines)
Mohammed tried to keep the Quranic injunction to treat all of his wives equally; he saw each of them every afternoon and followed a strict rotation of dinners and evenings
Al--Khanza - one of greatest Arab poets in 8th century
Rabia al-Adawiyyah, mystic and poet [712-8(1)], chief woman ascetic and head of a community of religious mystics
Zubayda - wife of Caliph Haroun Al-Rashid (-i'86-908), built wells and cisterns for pilgrims between Baghdad and Mecca
We all believe in God and charity and worshipping and not doing any evil."
Uh, I don't think so.
I will support him because this is what Jesus thought about RELIGION! Organized religion has no passion or conviction to any great degree, no backbone either! Professing themselves to be wise they became fools missing the mark altogether!
I do not deny your right to deny God and hate Him.
They overcame him [Satan - the originator of all false religion] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.While Islam creates fear through the sword, the saints love God more than their own lives.
I did not say this. I said, it lends credence to its truthfulness. The reason why I did not say, "if everyone says it, it must be true," is because that's been the M.O. of those who wish to portray our Founding Fathers as mostly deists--this is not true, they were mostly Christians. Or, if we keep saying the Constitution says "separation between Church and State" it must be true. But again, that is not. Nowhere does it say this. But, those who are fighting against God claim it does. Now most people believe this to be true because they keep being told it is.
They read but do not understand what they read. Indeed God does care for us, for all of mankind. (For God so loved the world, He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3:16) He came to save all mankind. That He does not differentiate between people is also true. BUT, that does not mean that He approves that man draw near whichever way man may choose or want to.
For that purpose He sent His Son: to provide us of a way that would bring us to Him. Jesus said He is the Way and nobody goes to the Father except through Him. They do not believe so and deny Christ divinity. Instead they worship a moon god that call for hatred, oppression and war. In Christ we receive the truth and as He said the truth (which is Him, for He also said I am the Way, Truth and Life) sets us free. He offers consolation and comfort to all mankind, that does not mean Islam is peaceful and loving.
In fact, see that peace, is what they lack most, and love is yet to be seen in the attacks of 9/11 and in all the persecutions in which they have slaughtered the defenseless and the inocent because of their faith in Christ.
Never mind, they would never understand what they are set in their hearts to reject and I mean the one who wrote this article.
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).
The success of Harry Potter shows that this nation is rapidly descending into the grips of Satanic darkness. (Witchcraft its for KIDS, now!)
GOOD JOB!!!
Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
Ac 7:52
Very true. And I believe that is why our country is the best place to live.
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