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.
God is being dishonored in this. He is THE ONLY ONE who should be held up with honor and prayed to. We had better have a national repentance before the Lord decides to take his loving care away!I am very upset!!!!!
I don't know what brand of Christianity you're talking about, but it isn't the Christianity of the bible.
"We know that whosoever is is born of God sinneth not, but he that is born of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." I John, 5:18
I understand the word sin as used here means to habitually sin, but even so, that describes Clinton to a T.
I thought Thanksgiving, when everyone is asleep from all the tryptophane in the turkey.
*Christians who believe exactly what you do. Catholics, Mormans, Methodists, Lutherans, Episcapalians, Seveth Day Adventists and Christian Scientist need not apply.
We have lost the war, psychologicaly at least. There is suspicion that we just let the KKK pray to Mein Kampf at the White House. In other words, becoming a muslim in the US is now officialy mainstream, the terrorists have won, because this is exactly what Bin Laden wanted.
foreverfree
It is sad to see indeed. Muslims are now officialy mainstream, people will vote for them. Watch it, the terrorists have won.
1. I would like very much for only "real" Christians to be in the W.H., but since the US is a secular nation I know that isn't a realistic hope.
2. I have no idea what percentage of those claiming to be Christians are "real". But I do know that anyone who denies that Jesus Christ is the virgin born Son of God is not a "real" Christian.
This is a defamation of character, Xenia. Bush has never done that, and you know it. If you have any decency left, you should take your words back.
Upon further inspection "W" is not a follower of the Christ; he is a Methodist.
I guess, if He stood in front of you, you would accuse Him, too, of being "not a follower of the Christ."
He taught humility. Where is yours to point fingers at others?
The dad was run out of office and I believe the son will be as well.
It is your right to hope, but do not hold your breath.
Forgive her --- she knows not.
And...
If I were a terrorist, there are two occasions I'd choose to hit America. Christmas eve or day, when most personnel is off for the holiday, or New Years Eve, when everybody's partying. And they're both coming right up!
Feast day, or...
FAST OF TEVET 10 (10 Tevet) - Commemorates the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (586 B.C.E.). This siege was the prelude to the destruction of the First Temple and the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people.
25 December 2001 = 10 Tevet 5762
Not that that rules out tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving!
Our war, which we should fight without mercy, is with "Islamic church" --- the clerics who send the bandits to kill Christians, Jews, and even contrary-thinking Muslims.
Hoever, to hold some holy book responsible for the attacks is as wrong as deducing that Christianity is evil becasue of the crusades.
It wasn't women, it wasn't Japanes, it wasn't people under 5'. So, all men, non-Japanese and people over 5' of height are your enemies now?
Try it also this way: 100% of those who perished in autmobile accidents in the U.S. ate bread at least once in their lives. So, does eating bread causes accidents?
The fact that the bandits and the "Islamic church" that stand behind them are Muslims does not mean that the religion itself caused them to do it. Has Jesus ordered the Crusades that resulted in the reivers of blood (of pagans and Jews) even before the crusaders reached Jerusalem? The Catholic church did it, not the Bible, and not Jesus. There is a difference, and it is outrageous and stupid for Graham not to see it.
It is really, really sad that just as we need spiritual revival and conservative membership more than ever, out leaders --- first Falwell, now Graham --- shoot themselves in the feet.
And what communion has light with darkness? And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Show me where Jesus went to the "high places" to worship the greek gods..Show me anywhere in scripture where we are told to be "tolerant"
I believe in religious freedom....every man may pick his own god...and answer to the God of Abraham at the time of his judgement..
"Greater love hath no man than He lay down His life for His friends"
There are many Christian service men out there willing to lay down their lives to uphold evey mans right to worship as he pleases..we own nothing more than that.We do not need to "love " the heathan so much he will go to hell,because no one gave him the gospel.That is real love!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.