Franklin, My Dear, They Damn Themselves

Mercurial Times ^ | December 3, 2001 | Anna Z.

[Mercuria]

It takes a lot of chutzpah to make a negative public statement against one of the protected classes. Some people have it, some people don't. Franklin Graham does.

Here in America, prior to September 11th, it seemed a lot easier to condemn acts done in the name of Islam, until the terror came home. Now that we ourselves have become their victims, we have to be nicer to them, it seems. Because, we're told, terrorists not only hijack planes, they've hijacked an entire religion. And a new protected class is born.

Negative statements are tough calls. Regardless of who or what is receiving the open dressing-down, it helps to have facts, i.e. the truth, on one's side. Then again, truth itself is a victim of hijacking rather often. It's pliable, unreliable, revisable, relative.

And besides, the truth hurts, doesn't it? So the use of it should be controlled, surreptitiously polled, doled out in driblets, if at all. Only a sadist would employ it on a regular basis, and only an uncaring cad would foist that pain on the public.

But what is it that causes the actual discomfort? Is it revelation? Or is it the shattering of misconception, the striking down of pride, the dropping of the scales of willful blindness and the crash of carefully crafted lies?

Franklin Graham has been invited to meet with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) so that he may be taught the truth about Islam. Their truth. Which is obviously different than what Mr. Graham believes it is.

Here is the quote that provoked the offer of free education: "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." To NBC, discussing that statement, Mr. Graham went on to say that he didn't believe that Islam "is this wonderful, peaceful religion." Oh, boy.

In a statement issued by CAIR regarding Mr. Graham's sentiments, their executive director wrote: "We have found that negative impressions of Islam are most often based on a lack of accurate and objective information..." and went on to quote some happy, happy, joy, joy Koranic passages.

Now, if some egghead with an attitude who had never traveled had spoken as Mr. Graham, they might be in need of an education. That is, of course, if they were convinced to disregard their own obviously lying eyes, since crossing oceans is no longer required to see fallout of the faith.

But that statement probably couldn't be employed when dealing with Martin and Gracia Burnham, two missionaries in Indonesia now in their seventh month of being dragged through the jungle by Islamic Jihadists.

It wouldn't go over too well with parents of parts of what were once ice-cream-eating teenagers in Jerusalem.

Those who mourn the recent slaughter of Christ-worshippers in Pakistan might also pass on the class.

As would those who formerly prayed in what were once ancient Orthodox churches in what was once Yugoslavia.

Or those who tended Joseph's tomb in Nablus, now a green-domed mosque, and a revised historical resting place.

What might they teach the masses who are on the Laskar Jihad's Christmas wish list of 63,000 Christian corpses?

What might be their lesson plan for the slaves in the Sudan?

I searched CAIR's website for statements against the latest hijackers of their faith, but they haven't reached that chapter, I guess. And so I wonder what they might teach Mr. Graham, since he works with people in all the above-mentioned nations, and many, many more.

Mr. Graham's statements were based less, I think, "on a lack of accurate and objective information", and more by trusting his obviously lying eyes. Besides, right now the "true" voice of Islam can't be heard over the din of exploding things, and screaming sirens, and wailing survivors... and complicit silence, the loudest noise at this moment in time.

Perhaps more time should be spent on educating their own than on educating Franklin Graham. If he's wrong, I imagine he will be, happily, the first one to admit his mistake. But first he'll have to see it.

Mercurial Times exclusive commentary. Reprints must credit the author and Mercurial Times.

[Mercuria]

She's ba-a-a-a-a-a-ck...!!!

[Mercuria]

PINGAGE...and no, you CAN'T think about it tomorrow!

[Mercuria]

ANNA Z. BUMP!!!

(Weren't pinged this time? Want onto the Anna Z. ping list? Let me know, wouldja??)

[Outraged]

Bravo...well done.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Besides, right now the "true" voice of Islam can't be heard over the din of exploding things, and screaming sirens, and wailing survivors... and complicit silence, the loudest noise at this moment in time."

Once again you are right on the mark.
Always a pleasure to read your posts.

[lowbridge]

She's ba-a-a-a-a-a-ck...!!!

AnnaZ 2: The Sequel

[Ron C.]

'They Damn Themselves'

... and their false image.

I'll sure add a bump to this one. AnnaZ done wore out her sword on this - or was that, sharpened it mightily?!

Nonetheless, hearty kudos, AnnaZ... and thanks for posting it Merc!

[GeronL]

did you go and start a website?? and not tell me? =o)

[stands2reason]

Good article. I think Franklin Graham should meet with these complicit, silent leaders and ask them some pointed questions about what they really believe and why they don't back up their "beliefs" with actions.

[The_Expatriate]

As would those who formerly prayed in what were once ancient Orthodox churches in what was once Yugoslavia.

You're not forgetting those churches damaged or destroyed by Christian bombs and missiles, are you? For example:

The Church of the Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos in Lipljan (14th century); the monastery and the church of St. Nickolas and the church of the Holy Virgin in Kursumlija, the charitable foundations of the Great Ruler Stefan Nemanja from the 12th century; the monastery in Vojlovic near Pancevo, the charitable foundation of despot Stefan Lazarevic from 1405; the Church of the Assumption (15th century) at the Smederevo cemetery and the Church of St. George from the 19th century, a work of the Czech engineer Jan Nevola; the church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Topcider (19th century); the Church of St. Mark in Uzice, the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Palace of Prince Mihajlo and the Amidza Palace in Kragujevac (19th century); as well as the mediaeval towns of Zvecan (situated at the point of confluence of the rivers Sitnica and Ibar) and Smederevo.

Or those damaged or destroyed while under Christian control?

[P-Marlowe]

Franklin Graham rocks! He believes what he says and says what he believes. I don't think he will ever be a politician.

[nunya bidness]

And she's cute too! (Wait. Was that out loud?)

[incindiary]

Go Anna! Another great article...(and the titles are always funny) ;-)

Merc, thanks for the ping!

[Mercuria]

It's on my PROFILE PAGE!!!

**g**

(Along with a zillion other links, but I've kind of separated that one out...hehehe.)

[Mercuria]

I'm sure Anna will be delighted to give you her take on your comments when she's next on-line!

I'll give her an extra PING!

[Mercuria]

And she's MARRIED, too!!

**g**

[Mercuria]

HEY...here's someone I don't see around a lot!!

How are you, Buttercup???

[Doctor Doom]

At first I defended them.

I'm so damned tired of that...:)

[nunya bidness]

And she's MARRIED, too!!

Speaking of MARRIED. Oh, nevermind.

Where the hell is my courtroom reporter when I need her. Howlin, don't get up...

[incindiary]

I'm wonderful, how are you Blossom?

I miss our PPG pics!