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.'"
There were indeed numerous laws --- especially after the Cristianization of Bysantium --- prescribing executions should a Jew attempt to convert someone. I do not recall a case in which such law was applied: in contrast to Chtristianity, procelytizing is considered improper in Judaism (I do not recall after which historic event this conclusion was reached, but I think it was before the birth of Christ).
Very recently, "procelytizing" is practiced by some Orthodox communities strictly in helping a Jew who stopped practicing to return to the sinagogue. That is, even in this case it is never directed at a non-Jewish person.
I believe that, in terms of nation-making, the Arab Middle East is just far behind the West. In due time --- centuries, purhaps --- we may see the separation of "mosque" and state.
Note also that not all Islamic nations are theocratic: Turkey, with mostly Islamic population, is not theocratic and has a proud history of being a democracy.
As bizarre as it sounds, the true roots of what passes for "fundamentalism" are to be found in the 20th century.
What about Wahabism? It has become institutionalized fully by the Hous of Saud in 1920s, bit was in not born actually in the XVIII century?
The haters of the LORD would pretend submission to Him, but their fate would endure forever.So the Hebrews, of which triber Rabbi Joshua was a member, worshiped G-d for millenia before Christ while hating him?
Also, it may be true that "The haters of the LORD would pretend submission." But your quote does not say that only the haters would do so. The true believers would, as did the Jews, submit to the lord.
You read the Bible very thoroughly, and I admire that. But thinking is not precluded by that and, in fact required. For it is the lack of sufficient reflection and humility that leads good hearts, such as yours, to hate and prejudice.
They believe in destroying all 'infidels' and that's all of us who won't follow them. They do not believe in live and let live...they do not believe in allowing a person to have a choice.
They will continue to try to destroy Western civilization because they hate progress, hate free thinking, hate truth.
In a soccer field in Kabul they shot a women in a blue veil--why? For smiling. For laughing. For dreaming that she could have a moment of freedom.
In another soccer field they would kill Madonna.
In another soccer field they would kill Cher.
In another soccer field they would kill Brittany Spears.
In another soccer field they would kill Dolly Parton.
In another soccer field they would kill Doris Day.
In another soccer field they would kill Chris Everett.
In another soccer field they would kill Venus Williams.
They would destroy statues and paintings and buildings and books. They would destroy all that is beautiful. Music by Mozart and the Bolshoi Ballet.
I feel so certain that there is no hope for these people unless they tear down the base on which they have built their 'religion'. You cannot follow a corrupt man without being corrupt. You cannot turn away from evil when your leader was full of hate.
I feel sorry for them. When you see the very young children--the two year olds you can see that they have beauty. Just a few years later it is replaced with ugly hate.
Shake your head you should be able to loosen the screws in there. How long have you suffered that speech inpediment?
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,"
Franklin's statement has not contradicted his father's words at all, neither did Billy Graham endorse the Islamic faith, as the media wish us to believe.
They can't seem to understand that they live such hard lives because they have never tried to know Him. These fanatic Islamists (not Muslims mind you) have perverted religion in order to justify their vicious hatred and to allow them to blame others for their shortcomings.
BTW, how do you witness to people unless you get them to trust you enough to listen to what you have to say?
That is Biblical and that is just what Franklin is doing.
(c8
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