Shortly after the attacks of September 11, Graham had commented, "I don't believe [Islam] is a wonderful, peaceful religion." Asked by NBC News on Friday to clarify his statement, he repeated his charge that Islam, as a whole, was evil.Posted on 11/21/2001 9:28:59 AM PST by truthandlife
In what is believed to be a first in American history, there were prayers to Allah last night at the White House where President Bush hosted a formal Ramadan celebration with dozens of Muslim leaders.
The Ramadan event was another effort by the Bush Administration to prove its war on terrorism is not a war against Islam. However, conservative voices like Gary Bauer have been sharply critical of that effort. He says he has heard from a number of people within the U.S. intelligence community who are shocked and demoralized that some of the Muslim leaders who have been spending time with the President have been known to speak out in favor of terrorism.
Bauer notes that while these people are getting the red carpet treatment at the White House, reports indicate the President is distancing himself from one of the country's best-known evangelicals. According to reports, Franklin Graham upset the Bush Administration when he recently referred to Islam as being "wicked, violent, and not of the same God."
Shortly after the attacks of September 11, Graham had commented, "I don't believe [Islam] is a wonderful, peaceful religion." Asked by NBC News on Friday to clarify his statement, he repeated his charge that Islam, as a whole, was evil.
"It wasn't Methodists flying into those buildings, it wasn't Lutherans," he told NBC News. "It was an attack on this country by people of the Islamic faith."
In a follow-up statement yesterday, Graham said he is deeply concerned with "the teachings of Islam regarding the treatment of women, and the killing of non-Muslims or infidels."
The son of Rev. Billy Graham and the designated successor of his father's extensive evangelical ministry, Graham delivered the benediction at Bush's inauguration in January. As NBC News observed, "A presidential friend and supporter now finds himself at odds with both the Muslim world and the message from the White House." But conservative columnist Chuck Baldwin calls Graham "a breath of fresh air" for standing firm and not apologizing for his statements.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reports a Muslim advocacy organization has sent a letter to Graham inviting him to meet with them to discuss his remarks. In the letter, Nihad Awad of the Council on America-Islamic Relations says, "Negative impressions of Islam are most often based on a lack of accurate and objective information."
Positive Outcome
As a national holiday approaches, President Bush says Americans of various faiths will be "joined in prayer" this Thanksgiving. "On this holiday, we give thanks for our many blessings and for life itself," Bush said. "Thanksgiving reminds us that the greatest gifts don't come from the hands of man, but from the Maker of heaven and earth. This week, American families will gather in that spirit."
Since the September terrorist attacks, church attendance has increased and there have been more prayer gatherings on Capitol Hill. Evangelist Pat Robertson believes people have been shocked into examining what their true values are.
"What we're seeing is that this awful attack, as horrific ... and as heart-rending [as it was], is bringing about one of the greatest spiritual revivals in the history of America," Robertson says. "[T]he churches are full ... people are turning to God, they're turning to their families, they're turning to the fundamental values, and they're getting away from all this fluff of the last decade."
Robertson made his comments today on CNN.
The President stands to lose far more by alienating his Christian base than he could ever hope to gain by continuing to hold Islam up as something other than the Fascist, Nazi ideology that it is.
The administration should realize that this is no small matter to the grassroots of the GOP.
Don't ya just love that one Mom. :)
BigMack
The obvious flaw in your logic is that all of the above can legitimately be admitted to be true cooks, while there is but one God, who has reveiled hinself through fulfilled prophecy in one and only one book, which has survived the test of time, events, and proof.
Link here
Again, either this is an empty PHOTO OP or something more.
This is America. He has the right to make his declaration of faith at this gathering. He chose not to. He has not verbally denied Jesus or God but made a visual effort to side with a "false god".
No how scripitual of me! You may not like the word of God.You may not read it or follow it..but it is still the word of God..
I have one King and that King is Jesus! I have a temporal government..but it is just that temporal.
If W was a Christian he would not have compromised his faith that way...He would not be the cheerleader and chief for Islam in America...
There were other ways to handle this politically..but he chose the one that most was in conflict with the word of God..
There was not need of him saying anything. What Graham did say was not very Christ like. IMHO, he is poor representitive for Christians.
Yes we are all sinners...and all our righteousness is as filthy rags to our Holy God.
We are not talking about sin here we are talking about denial of the person of Jesus Christ..selling the birthright of America for some pottage. Like Judas selling Jesus for 30 pieces of silver..
This was going to be a difficult line to walk..but instead of even trying he just caved into the moon god..
So next time W says god bless America..ask yourself which god he is calling on.Cause that is now a question..
I say the REAL translation of that remark is "Drop the mad dog stuff. Double quick. Or face the wrath of the world."
It is ONE of my favorites :>)
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!
I have. - - All of the diestic quotes that the Leftist media are so proud to parade before the public as indicative of Jefferson's spirituality were made in his youth. - His later quotes are solidly Christian, so are never repeated by the pink press.
Were you unswervingly correct in your faith at age 20?
I wonder who you believe really is a Christian. You and who else? Clinton?
Are you suggesting that when Bush publicly disagreed he was telling a lie? Are you suggesting that Bush really thinks Islam is a false religion to a false god?
Get a documented statement out of Bush that Allah is equivalent to Jesus and I would change my mind. Not until.
I agree that there is a time to be silent. However, I respectfully disagree that Graham had any obligation to in this instance. I also find the man very very Christ like. He can represent my version of Christianity any day of the week. (my husband has worked his crusades before and even considered going to work for his ministry "samaritans purse" but they didn't pay enough). He's a wonderful Christian and is simply preaching the Gospel - Christ crucified. It is not an all inclusive message, but it is not the message of Jihad Islam is. (and I defend the right of Muslims to believe whatever they want).
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