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.'"
I had a Muslim friend from Pakistan once. I asked him somewhat the same question. He could not answer, of course, and we are no longer friends. Oh well.
Matthew 5
(43) [Jesus said] ‘You have heard that it was said, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' (44) ‘"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
James 2
(14) What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? (15) If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, (16) and one of you says to them, "" Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,'' and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? (17) Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. (18 ) But someone may well say, ""You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.'' (19) You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
Absolutely not! Muslims hate Jesus when they deny His True Nature!
I had a Muslim friend from Pakistan once. I asked him somewhat the same question. He could not answer, of course, and we are no longer friends. Oh well. - Mark17
Hey, turk, here is a question for you, or are you going to wuss out and not answer any of my posts?
You know, Penny1, I thought that a brilliant observation, myself. Let's see, we just had special forces go in and get out 2 American women who were in prison for three months accused of doing that very act. Going to be tried. If convicted (as if they wouldn't have been) punishable by death. Yeah, same God, alright. </sarcasm off>
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?The answer, "woody", is simple.. These countries you are talking about are the equivalents of midieval Christian theocracies. They are totalitarian theocratic regimes. A real pity that these regimes had been backed for eons so you could have cheap oil (20/20 hindsight suggests a rather expensive deal), yet the Republic of Turkey shunned by your stinking liberals.
And in this case, their fruit speaks loudly of what their religion is about, particularly when it is rare to find a Muslim leader who will outright condemn Islamic terrorists and when these terrorists instead command a huge following among their Muslim brothers...Well, let me help you to a little advertised yet soothing fact:
Will that suffice, or are there any further questions?
I have been to Turkey myself, and I believe you are right. In Adana (Incirlik Air Base) I knew Turkish Christians. They were nice people.
The answer, "woody", is simple..
Do you mock me or my Name's sake?
Are you saying that almost every single muslim in these countries are really Godless infedels?
Do you mock me or my Name's sake?I mock you, "woody", for you are mockable. You're a demagogue.
If ye be insulted for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part evil is spoken of Him, but on your part He is glorified.I guess that 1 single saint is too much for those who hate the King of kings and the Lord of lords; the Lord God Almighty, who is from everlasting to everlasting.
Fear not (if you know what I mean), for you shall have your reward!
I guess what I was focusing in on was the Mullahs, not just in the more extremist Islamic countries such as Iran, but even in the US itself--it is very, very hard to pin down the religious leaders to get a statement outright condemning the methods used by Islamic terrorists. I was glad to hear of one leading Islamic scholar in the Middle East who condemned the 9/11 attacks, but the outcry against terrorism is sadly lacking, IMO, from the religious leaders in the Muslim world, at least from what's been mentioned in the press.
The support coming from Turkey, however, has been terrific. It's been "soothing" as you said to know that at least one country is interested in helping with much more than just lip service.
-penny
Or is there a profound contradiction in the two statements above which in itself borders on "evil"?
Hate the sin, love the sinner
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