Bush Denounces Anti-Islamic Remarks by U.S. Clerics

REUTERS ^ | 11/13/2002 | REUTERS

[TLBSHOW]

Bush Denounces Anti-Islamic Remarks by U.S. Clerics

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites), urged to denounce anti-Islamic remarks made by U.S. conservative Christian leaders, said on Wednesday such comments were at odds with the views of most Americans.

Reuters Photo

"Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans," Bush told reporters as he began a meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites).

"Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion, a religion that respects others," Bush said.

Although Bush did not identify conservative Christian leaders as his target, a White House official said he was prompted by the anti-Islamic remarks of some of them. Muslim Americans have stepped up their calls for Bush to repudiate such remarks.

"Ours is a country based upon tolerance, Mr. Secretary General," Bush said. "And we respect the faith and we welcome people of all faiths in America. And we're not going to let the war on terror or terrorists cause us to change our values."

As he courts an estimated seven million U.S. Muslims, Bush's efforts to discourage a backlash over the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks are coming into conflict with increasing antipathy to Islam shown by among conservative Christians, a core of his support.

Leaders of the U.S. Christian right have angered Muslims with remarks denouncing Islam.

Rev. Jerry Falwell, a leading voice of the Christian right, in October described the prophet Mohammed as a "terrorist." The popular U.S. television evangelist and conservative commentator Pat Robertson said, "Adolf Hitler was bad, but what the Muslims want to do to the Jews is worse."

Although Bush has repeatedly urged tolerance for Muslim-Americans, American Muslim leaders have stepped up calls on him to directly repudiate remarks deemed as attacks on Islam.

Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said he welcomed Bush's comment.

"It's encouraging to see that the president is finally addressing the issue of Islamophobia in America by addressing a specific attacks on Islam. This is a new stance, and it's one that we would encourage and support... Obviously, we'd like to hear him repudiate these people by name, but we appreciate that he's moving in that direction," he said.

[swarthyguy]

But George and Ibrahim, what about the wacky wahhabis?

"Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion, a religion that respects others,"

At least he's not calling it a religion of peace anymore.

He should've added, "except for the type of islam practiced by my BBQ buddy, Prince Abdullah."

[Drango]

Good for president Bush.

With that said, the american muslim community needs to stand up and condem the terrorist and their supporters. More than that, they need to call up the FBI and volunteer to go underground and rat out the scum in their local mosgue, who might be planning to attack THEIR homeland.

[cajun-jack]

they are smart and they are slowly trying to infiltrate the mainstream and will begin running for office....teach your children and grandchildren 3 main things: 1. the bible. 2. the constitution. 3. how to shoot they will soon need all three...this is not a peaceful religion and their ambition is to take over the world and bring all under islamic law....if you don't believe that, then u r just not listening to the sounds and signs they are making...this is a "holy war" they started it and we aren't even fighting in it yet....be we had damn well better start!!

[TLBSHOW]

TRASHING ISLAM

[goldstategop]

Au contraire George. The above named clerics speak for me and for most Americans. Today Islam is a barbarous cannibal cult. A "religion of peace" it ain't.

[Francohio]

You betcha!

I am waiting.....

[joyful1]

But George and Ibrahim, what about the wacky wahhabis?

But George and Ibrahim, why aren't the good Muslims condemning the militant evil Muslims who vow to destroy America?

[TLBSHOW]

The Russian president said Chechen rebels want to kill all non-Muslims and suggested that a French reporter who questioned the Kremlin's policy in Chechnya convert to Islam and come to Moscow for circumcision, according to a translation of Vladimir Putin's remarks that became available Tuesday.
- Nov 12 11:56 AM ET
ap

[swarthyguy]

You found some?

[Delbert]

Putin tells it like it is, I think Bush knows and thinks Islam is truly evil, but he wont say it. Because America is supposed to have Freedom of Religion. So perhaps we need to have a constitutional ammendment...Freedom of Religion Except Islam?

[TLBSHOW]

FBI keeping close watch on hundreds of Muslims in U.S.

http://216.239.33.100/search?q=cache:oiDuwGw85GIC:www.iht.com/articles/72928.htm+fbi+muslims,+2002&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

[Dog Gone]

Au contraire George. The above named clerics speak for me and for most Americans.

It does not matter, and I don't understand why more people here do not understand this.

Bin Laden wants the entire muslim population to engage in jihad against America and the West. So far, that has not happened, and Bush is doing his best to make sure that doesn't happen.

[cerberus]

All muslims are evil because their religion is evil.

So I guess we need to repudiate the likes of Mansour Ijaz instead of letting him roam the world gathering intelligence for us.

[RAT Patrol]

With freedom of religion comes the freedom to believe Mohammad was a terrorist. Granted, in the context he answered the loaded question he was asked, he should have been more perceptive and given a more helpful, cautious response. But since when does freedom of religion require Christians to admire Mohammad?

This story is full of dubious "facts" used to manipulate the public in order to push a far-left wing agenda. (I borrowed that little gem from a lefty journalist, only inverted it. hahahaha!)

[goldstategop]

Vlad's not reaching out to CAIR and AMC. Oh and before the President denounces patriotic Christians he should have asked Muslim Americans what have they done for their country lately. I am still looking for the explicit repudiation of Osama Bin Laden from the Muslim community in this country.

[TLBSHOW]

Oh and before the President denounces patriotic Christians he should have asked Muslim Americans what have they done for their country lately.

BUMP TO TRUTH ISLAM IS THE ENEMY

[dennisw]

Putin tells it like it is, I think Bush knows and thinks Islam is truly evil, but he wont say it.

I agree. GWBush has a sunny personality so is less cynical about Islam. But I think he knows what the score is and sucking up to Islam a bit can actually advance his agenda of smashing Islamic terrorism.