Islam is evil. Where are the Clerics?

Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | Aug 10, 2002 | Martha Sawyer Allen

[libertyusa]

The Rev. Franklin Graham, heir to the legacy and chief executive officer of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), is not mincing words. He is telling Americans that Islam is a religion of intolerance and violence.

"Where are the clerics?" he asked Thursday in an interview while on a business trip to Minneapolis. "Why haven't Muslim clerics from around the world gathered at ground zero, held hands together and prayed to Allah for forgiveness and told the American people this is not Islam? Because they believe it was right. This is a just cause -- their jihad."

[libertyusa]

Anyone have any comments? Are his statements true or false? How about you those who aren't Christians, what do you think?

[Tripleplay]

islam--the master religion of hate

[tet68]

"Defamatory attacks on other faiths( read Islam) can only lead to a spiral of distrust and intolerance that will divide our society along religious lines," he said.

That spiral ended in the WTC.

Are you with us or agin us?

[cousair]

Indeed--where are the Clerics?? We haven't heard ONE WORD from those who say Islam is the religion of peace. All I see are people being killed, including a lot of our own.

[Dacus943]

Islam IS evil! In any country controlled by this religion's followers - show me any Church, or non-muslim followers that exist in peace and harmony with these monsters.

We infidels (any non-muslim) are NOT FIT TO BREATH THE GOOD AIR!

Do not be fooled into believing that all Islam WOMEN want to be held uneducated, in (lifetime) seculsion, draped in drab garments covering head to toe.

Islam reminds me of the "Borg" You will be Assimilated or you will be DESTROYED!!!

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

I am a Christian and so I must say that I agree with most of what Graham says.

However I have to question his statements about Islam being inherantly "evil". Islam, in my oppinion is WRONG, as they exclude the vital life-giving qualities of Christ in their lives.. however I am not at all sure that it's people are all "evil". Just as Graham admitted, there have been men who in the name of Christianity did awful things throughout history, men are today doing awful things in the name of Islam.

I have several Muslim friends who are as good Americans as you can find. They love our country, were not born here but have adopted America as their own. I dare say they would die for America if need be. I asked all three if they could have America become all Muslim, would they like that. They all said, "no, then it would not really be America then!" I have to deduce from statements like that that they are holding onto the part of Islam that seemed goodness to them and are rejecting the part that they did not like. I like to hope that more and more Muslims come to do the same. It is our duty as Christians to at least give then the chance to do so.

So that is why I think statements like Graham's tend to alienate Muslims why, if given the chance, would eventually see their way into a better way of life.

[Raymond Hendrix]

I think our enemy is called "the enemy within". I admire Graham's courage in speaking the truth but the sins of this nation go far beyond the issue of the religion of Islam.

America's Other Jesus

[templar]

It is our duty as Christians to at least give then the chance to do so.

It is our duty as Christians to give them the message of salvation. If they won't hear it, kick the dust off of your feet as you leave.

[evad]

Islam is as Islam does.

[jedwardtremlett]

"Islam IS evil! In any country controlled by this religion's followers - show me any Church, or non-muslim followers that exist in peace and harmony with these monsters."

We've got churches in the UAE, and I'm out of the broom closet at work.

And as for killing "infidels" (which are actually polytheists and pagans) that wouldn't go over so well in the UAE, since a lot of the expatriates who make their economy work are Hindus from India.

J

[blackbart.223]

"Mainstream political leaders and religious figures must speak out against the growing demonization of Islam by extremist right-wing commentators and by representatives of the evangelical Christian community," said Ibrahim Hooper"

Hooper?

What sort of self respecting muslim cleric would go by that last name?

[Petronski]

islam--the master religion of hate

I prefer:

Insane Death Cult™

[The Great RJ]

While I do not necessarily agree with all of what Rev. Graham says, he is absolutely right in pointing out the conspicuious absence of any Muslim clerics or scholars refuting these acts of terror against innocent people.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

"It is our duty as Christians to give them the message of salvation. If they won't hear it, kick the dust off of your feet as you leave. "

It has been my observation that rarely does a non-believer "hear" the message the first time it is given. If we think we can just go around smugly reciting the "Good News" with a good-ridance attitude to those who reject it.... then we will saddly miss so many chances to eventually change lives. Rather we must be patient, live the example, plant seeds, cultivate the hope, give people a reason to want to hear the message, over and over again, building "precept upon precept" as the word says, never giving up hope.

I thank God everyday that years ago my friends did not "kick the dust off" their own feet and desert me the first time I seemed to not hear.

[FreedomPoster]

I will become tolerant of Islam when there are churches in Mecca and Riyadh and the capitals of the Islamic world, as there are mosques in Jerusalem and the capitals of the West. Not before.

I'm not holding my breath.

[sweetliberty]

Franklin Graham is right on the money with his statements. Christainity has been under attack in America from within for quite a few years, however, only since 9/11 have I seen memebers of other religious and political organizations have the audacity to condemn what went on INSIDE of Christian churches and church organizations. Satan is alive and well and thriving in America and many Americans are lending him aid and comfort and celebrating his success. God help us.

[sweetliberty]

"It is our duty as Christians to at least give then the chance to do so."

While what you say is undoubtedly true for many Muslims, our real duty as Christians is to pray for them and and make every effort to bring them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Franklin Graham did not say that Muslims were evil, but rather that Islam is. There is a difference.

[sweetliberty]

That is interesting and the author makes a valid point. One thing the author seems to miss, however, is that Jesus met people where they were, in whatever circimstance or walk of life in which He found them. In other words, He spoke to them in a "language" they could understand as did his disciples after Him. It is no different today. Concerts, comedy and television are the "language" of modern times and the Name and word of Jesus Christ is powerful enough to tanscend the superficiality within it. In 1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul said, "I become all things to all men that by any means I may win some."

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

Well said... you are so right!