Posted on 12/05/2002 3:37:52 PM PST by TLBSHOW
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - With Muslims worldwide growing more suspicious of the United States, President Bush (news - web sites) marked the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with a visit Thursday to a mosque.
"The spirit behind this holiday is a reminder that Islam brings hope and comfort to more than 1 billion people worldwide," Bush said. "Islam affirms God's justice and insists on man's moral responsibility."
Bush left his shoes at the door, in keeping with the practice of the Islamic Center of Washington, a national center for Muslim culture and prayer. He also had visited six days after the terrorist attacks last year.
Back then, with a surge in hate crimes against Muslims in the United States, Bush was trying to defuse Americans' anger against Islam. Today, he has a different problem — increased hostility by Muslims around the world against America.
In an international survey released Wednesday, the Pew Global Attitudes Project found the image of the United States is slipping worldwide, and particularly in Middle Eastern countries with large Muslim populations. Large percentages of Muslim respondents in several countries said they believe suicide bomb attacks are a justifiable defense of Islam.
On Wednesday, Bush blamed America's tarnished image among Muslims on "propaganda machines (that) are cranked up in the international community that paints our country in a bad light."
The growing animosity comes at a time when Bush is trying to rally the world against terrorism and gather allies for possible military action against Iraq.
Inside the ornate mosque, Bush offered an explanation of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and renewed his defense of Islam.
Bush's speech was directed to a national and international audience. There was virtually no one inside except journalists and his staff. A few mosque officials stood next to Bush as he spoke.
"Over the past month, Muslims have fasted, taking no food or water during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity," Bush said.
"Muslims worldwide have stretched out a hand of mercy to those in need, charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns, and gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance," he said.
From the Muslim event, Bush officially opened the Christmas season at the White House by lighting a Christmas tree just outside the gates.
This is one of the 1% of the times I disagree with you. I don't want a "religious war" I want the enemy killed and I want it done without bringing God into it. Whose side was God on in WW2? Was it the Italian Catholics, the German Lutherans or the Allied Christians and Soviet atheists?
Babble -- "Take a deeeep breath. Now turn back the clock to 9/11 and assess what's happened since... Wouldn't you rather spin your equation with a sense of actual history?"
No, I didn't. That's why I asked if there was any mention of Christ. I'm glad to hear he referred to Jesus. Did he mention Him by name? (Just asking, I didn't see it). Did he mention that the one born in a humble stable is the living God and the one true way to salvation? (Again, just asking).
As I said, Let's pray he is not ashamed of the Gospel, but uses the opportunity God has given him to boldly declare the Good News--the Truth.
Nope. He's the president, not the national preacher.
That is my point. You have just made the same argument that many Muslims made about 911 and in many of their hearts they actually agreed with what happened on 911 but they took no part in it so in their minds they should not be blamed.
Which could be a smart move. At any rate, I doubt the Muslims will really allow Bush to redefine their ideology/religion but it's worth a try. I'm sure it makes the mullahs pretty ticked off when a non-Muslim tries to tell them what they think.
But they do it with such love..Did you see Zobgy on CNN the other night telling the bow tie on cross fire that Christian and Jewish fundamentalists are killing Muslims? And bow tie LET HIM get away with that
I am just about done with the Republican Party
Please document that amazing assertion. Thanks.
Right after that he can pass the plate and have a alter call.
You're taking my comment out of context. I posted the following question:
I wonder if the G W Bush will have the courage to declare that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and the only way to true peace with God.
To which sinkspur replied:
No. Pat Robertson said that GW shouldn't be the "First Theologian."
My comment was in reference to sinkspur's "no."
May I ask how many Christians you know who have committed such attrocities???
1968 Robert Kennedy assassinated - Islamic Terrorist
1970 (?) 4 airliners hijacked, 3 airliners blownup in the Middle East in single operation - - Islamic Terrorists
1970 Jordanian citizens attacked, murdered (by PLO) - - Islamic Terrorists
1972 Munich massacre of Israelis - Islamic Terrorists
1975 Raid on Entebbe, Uganda - Israeli plane hijacked, Israelis murdered - Islamic Terrorists
1983 Lebanon Marine Barracks attack - 250 murdered - Islamic Terrorists
1985 Rome Airport murders - Islamic Terrorists
1985 TWA Flight 847 hijacked, U.S. Navy diver murdered - Islamic Terrorists
1985 Achille Lauro hijacking, murder - Islamic Terrorists
1986 Germany, Disco Bombing, U.S. military personnel murdered - Islamic Terrorists
1988 Pan Am 747 Flight 103 Bombing, Lockerbie, 100's murdered - Islamic Terrorists
1993 Khobar Towers attack - Islamic Terrorists
1993 World Trade Center attacked - Islamic Terrorists
1998 U.S. Kenya Embassy blown up, 100's murdered - Islamic Terrorists
1998 U.S. Tanzania Embassy blown up, 100's murdered - Islamic Terrorists
1999 Plot to blow up Space Needle - Islamic Terrorists
2000 USS Cole attacked, many U.S. Navy sailors murdered - Islamic Terrorists
2000-2002 Intifada against Israel - 100's dead and injured - Islamic Terrorists
2001 4 Commercial airliners hijacked, 250+ murdered - Islamic Terrorists
2001 World Trade Center attacked, 2800+ murdered - Islamic Terrorists
2001 Flight 93 murders - Islamic Terrorists
2001 Pentagon attacked, 180+ murdered - Islamic Terrorists
2002 Reporter Daniel Pearl, kidnapped and murdered - Islamic Terrorists
2002 Philippines American missionary, Filipino nurse killed - Islamic Terrorists
2002 July 4, El Al attack Los Angeles LAX, several murdered - Islamic Terrorist
2002 Bali bombing - 200 dead, 300 injured - Islamic Terrorists
2002 Yemen, French Oil Tanker attacked - Islamic Terrorists
2002 Marines attacked / murdered in Kuwait - Islamic Terrorists
2002 Washington D.C. sniper - Islamic Terrorist
2002 Russian Theater attacked, 100+ dead - Islamic Terrorists
2002 Nigerian riots against Miss World Pageant, 200 dead, dozens injured - Islamic Terrorists
2002 Mombasa Hotel Attacked, 12 dead, dozens injured - Islamic Terrorists
2002 Israeli Boeing 757 attacked by missiles, fortunately no one injured - Islamic Terrorists
>p> PLO - Islamic Terrorists
PFLP - Islamic Terrorists
Black September - Islamic Terrorists
Fatah - Islamic Terrorists
Islamic Jihad - Islamic Terrorists
Hizbollah - Islamic Terrorists
Hamas - Islamic Terrorists
Yasser Arafat - Islamic Terrorist
Osama bin Laden - Islamic Terrorist
Get over what?
Did you just need a non sequitur response or did you really expect me to "get over" my concern for conserving our constitutional republic?
Just to be clear, I don't believe his decision to not witness to the Gospel has any bearing either way on the job he's doing as President.
In response to your comment, one does not have to be a preacher to be a witness. Only some are called to be preachers, all believers are called to be witnesses.
As President, it would be better if he would refrain from promoting Islam. As a Christian, he definitely should not promote Islam, should not take part in Islamic ceremonies and should be a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
That would be most inapropriate and highly offensive to both Christians and non-Christians alike.
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