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.
seriousness aside -- we do have a right to worship the god of our choice and our government does not support any particular religion. i do not see a problem here, and in fact, graham is entitled to his free speech rights as well.
the title stating 'hot water' appears to be wrong. i did not see the white house say anything negative to graham.
methinks this is another media article put together under the rush of deadline or to further some unknown agenda.
Upon further inspection "W" is not a follower of the Christ; he is a Methodist.
Well said my friend ,well said..the fruit it seems really does not fall far from the tree........and yes I too doubt his "born again" status..
He is a Methodist..
Are you a liberal ? Do I need proof.
Have you not watched and listened since January 20th.
Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. (Proverbs 10:2)
XeniaSt
Not Muslims. Islam.
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."
Graham should be concerned, to say the least.
Sorry Mary,this President has given space to a demonic religion in the White House..He has stood in agreement when they prayed for a world conversion to a false religion..silence is assent.
But even if he had not stood silent at that moment..he has gone out of his way to reassure America what a peaceful religion Islam is..he has promoted that faith ..
I no longer take at face value his claim of being "born again"
Is he required to lie? Saying that "Islam is a religion of peace," that is, that Islam is essentially peaceful, is a lie. Simply as a human being, he is required to tell the truth, or at least keep his mouth shut.
OTOH, he could simply be ignorant.
Frankly, I'm unhappy with Bush hosting this in the White House. It sets a troublesome precedent. Even the Satanists and Wiccans are going to want to get into the act now. If Bush wanted to make a diplomatically nice gesture he should have visited a Muslim meeting elsewhere. But you have nothing to show that indicates that Bush prayed with those people.
When Hillary Clinton kissed Mrs. Arafat conservatives were outraged. Now we have President Bush not only calling for an Independant Palestine but also praying that he be converted to Islam inside if the Executive Mansion of the Greatest Christian Nation on Earth. Where is the Outrage Now?
Frankly, I'm unhappy with Bush hosting this in the White House. It sets a troublesome precedent. Even the Satanists and Wiccans are going to want to get into the act now. If Bush wanted to make a diplomatically nice gesture he should have visited a Muslim meeting elsewhere. But you have nothing to show that indicates that Bush prayed with those people.
... or worse, what you accused, which was praying for "the world to convert to Islam." Totally ridiculous.
I've seen this bandied aroud as though it were actually true. Bring out the news articles showing it. If George Bush actually did this, it would hit the headlines all over the country.
WHAT???
You sound suprised.
The Christian churches are full of people that are not Christians.......they are social Christians........some by tradition,some for business or social reasons..but they are not born again...
I agree W is a Methodist, we do know of him. He promotes a false heathan religion..we know that..Putting one and one together..leaves me with the conclusion he is not saved or washed in the blood..
My guess is he had a convienent political conversion..good to get some VRWC votes..
The Universal Church Triumphant of the Apathetic Agnostic
Motto: We don't Know and We don't Care....
I would like to see my daughter graduate from high school/college, get married, have kids, etc. before I get turned to dust in a mushroom cloud. Crazy me.
You SURE you are a Catholic:>)
Have a happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!
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