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.'"

[a_Turk]

The question still remains: Are you saying that almost every single muslim in these countries are really Godless infedels?

I'll let you, who seems has met all'em, to state the ridiculous.

[AppyPappy]

Are you saying that almost every single muslim in these countries are really Godless infedels?

Irrelevant. There are always exceptions to every rule.

[a_Turk]

If ye be insulted for the name of Christ...

Don't flatter yourself. I mocked you for you are not in Christ but pretend to be.

You plant and water the mustardseed of hate, not love.

Come to Jesus, and preach his love, abandon your hate..

[FrdmLvr]

Wait a minute. Islam is evil and wicked but nobody cares. Then someone points out the fact that Islam is evil and wicked and everyone jumps all over the guy for saying it.

[AppyPappy]

Even Jesus hated. He hated sin.

[KQQL]

Link to the orginal article by MSNBC.

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

[FR_addict]

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?

Good question Penny.

I've gained a lot of respect for Franklin Graham.

[a_Turk]

He hated sin

Yes I know. I am just teasing Woody. He's always on my case.

Fundamentalists and extremists of any religion are a hazard to society. They feed not only on poverty and hopelesness, but also on ignorance. An ignorance that's very obvious in threads like this one.

If you look hard at some of your Christian preachers, you'll see that they are no different than some of your Muslim mullahs. You can have them both. I have no use for either of them.

Give me kind, honest, upright Jews, Christians, and Muslims. That is my religion.

[KQQL]

Folks Islam and Christianity both can't be right !!
One of them has to be a lie !!!
My believe it's Islam .

[KQQL]

Islam is a lie, because no God has 72 virgins and little boys waiting for anyone in any paradise to have sexual orgies. 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 ).
No God who is real allows 4 wives at a time?
Too bad you turks ( the church of Espesians) bought an Arab Propaganda because we all know Turkey was a Harem heaven during the Sultans.
If Allah is so great, how come Turkey doesn;t rule the world the way it used to??

[a_Turk]

Hello, hello. Are you from the church of bullsh*tology?

[Francohio]

I will most happily debate any Worthy Oriental Gentleman on this topic of the true meaning of the tolerance of Islam, next Sunday evening in the Church Hall of the First United Methodist Church of Riyadh, right after evening prayer.

I feel Ali Akber's pain. So misunderstood. Who could possibly blame him for failing to condemn the enslavement, mutilation, and slaughter of Christians?

[a_Turk]

I feel Ali Akber's pain. So misunderstood. Who could possibly blame him for failing to condemn the enslavement, mutilation, and slaughter of Christians?

I have an idea. This may be just the thing. Let us found a religion neutral organization which does nothing but condemn evil deeds and collect votes per condemnation. Using a web-site, this would be a no brainer. That way we can tell what really is going on. Users could add as well as vote in favor or against any observation.

[gg188]

it is NOT the same God...

Bump

[AlGone2001]

Does this mean that he is not going to kiss the Koran?

[KQQL]

Hello, hello. Are you from the church of bullsh*tology?

Wow, Name calling, the truth always hurts.
Once again :

Islam is a lie, because no God has 72 virgins and little boys waiting for anyone in any paradise to have sexual orgies.
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 ).
No God who is real allows 4 wives at a time? Oh yea, don't forget the Koran allows a man to beat his 4 wives if they don't behave.
By the way the real Islam is in Saudi Arabia and Turkish people are considered Infidels by the Saudi.

[AppyPappy]

Except that Christian "fundamentalists" haven't murdered thousands of people using terrorism. It's like comparing the Holocaust to the Kent State shootings.

[KQQL]

Here is the bottom line Turk, Islam in whole is evil , but that doesn't mean all muslims are evil.

[Fiddlstix]

Graham stands by comments on Islam

Good!
We need more like him.

[a_Turk]

Except that Christian "fundamentalists" haven't murdered thousands of people using terrorism.

...during the last few centuries.

These people are obviously lagging. They are obviously behind the times in many respects. But fundamentalism and extremism, no matter how refined or evolved, is bad. I don't like absolutism. Words, actions, in the end it's all the same thing. Our children don't deserve this darkness. We can control the evil and make this a better place to live.