Bush Marks End of Ramadan, Visits Mosque (Islam brings hope and comfort)

ap ^ | 12/5/2002 | SCOTT LINDLAW

[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.

[ApesForEvolution]

It's beginning to appear that way, unfortunately.

[Zack Nguyen]

I don't like Muslims much, but I am not going to bomb a mosque.

Neither am I. Why even bother mentioning such a thing?

Jihad on Muslims, or social persecution, is not going to do anything but drive the moderates into the hands of bin Laden. That would be both foolish and wrong.

Again, we agree. I remain puzzled by the insinuation here that those who disagree with you might wish to bomb Mosques or persecute Muslims.

Clearly Bush is a Christian. But I think he is wrong here. A simple affirmation/warning that we should be tolerant and peaceful to peace-loving Muslims is all that is needed. Participating in their religious ceremonies, holding them up as a desirable and true faith, is simple wrong for a Christian or anyone else.

That is all I am saying.

[sinkspur]

Are you born again?

I was baptized Catholic as an infant. So, yes.

[Miss Marple]

Zack, President Bush did NOT hold their faith up as a true faith. Read the transcript of his comments on the White House web site. He simply is respectful to them.

As far as my bombing a mosque comment, I have seen plenty of comments on different threads over the last few days that hint at violence against Muslims, including a poster who said we needed a Kristallnacht directed against Muslims. If you don't find that a bit disturbing then we will not agree on much of anything.

The President of the United States is not to push one religion over another, even if he has a devout faith in one. If you atched the White House Christmas Tree lighting, as well as the Menorah lighting and the speech at the mosque, you can have no doubt that he is a Christian. However, both Judaism and Islam were treated with respect, as is appropriate.

[lavaroise]

I know he may have his own reasons for this, but tell me what else is Islam but political iconoclasm against the West or any other secular or religious culture at large that is doing its job?

[ApesForEvolution]

Oh, brother. The blind leading the blind. Where in the bible does it say that infant baptism makes one born of Christ's Spirit? Was it a conscience decision you made as an infant? It all fits now - you would take this stand for Bush then.

However, thanks for responding. Knowing you stand on crumbling ground and still responding is admirable.

What I find fascinating is a study contrasting Catholicism and Islam and how extremely similar the two faiths, when practiced according to their 'traditions', are.

[sinkspur]

Knowing you stand on crumbling ground and still responding is admirable.

As I said, you're easily fooled.

[lavaroise]

Baptism is a Jewish ritual. I forgot the meaning.

[lavaroise]

Bush risks alienating not only his base, but even liberal supporters who are getting deeply annoyed to hear on the one hand so called moderate Saudi officials talk about Zionist conspiracies while Bush keeps telling us there is a moderate Islam of peace out there. If anything, it is a blow to Israel and it is a blow to America that should stand for doing its own jobs just as Israel stands for doing its own jobs in the ME.

[ApesForEvolution]

Actually, I'm not. Truth and logic guide me.

You are simply a traditionalist. And talk about being fooled.

You believe you are born again and have a right eternal condition simply because you were sprinkled with water at a Catholic ritual - and yet have no evidence in God's Word that supports your belief - and you call me foolish.

That simply is foolishness. You're standing in quick sand steeped in tradition, no different than a muslim. Hell is full of souls that thought they were heaven bound.

[Jael]

Sir, thanks so much for your post and even more, for your service to our country.

[CWRWinger]

Yep.

Now, sing me one monkey. (LOL, it's that screen name...)

[NEWwoman]

Ever heard of the Muslim/Arabprop Tag Team?

I'll bite. I haven't heard that expression before. But I reckon the gist of your comment is that we are making excuses for Muslims and GW.

On another topic, your moniker Publius. Is that taken from The Federalist Papers? I read them for the first time a few years ago. (Never learned that school.)

[sinkspur]

and yet have no evidence in God's Word that supports your belief

So you believe.

You are not going to change my belief, and I have no desire to change yours. You have a very nice day, OK.

[ApesForEvolution]

Thank you, and if you won't hear the truth from me, do yourself an eternal favor and find proof from God's Word to support what any church, priest or pastor tells you. Baby sprinkling is a ritual that will not change your eternal condition. I pray the truth 'sinks' in before it's too late. Have a good day.

[Delphinium]

I see. You approve. The Muslims feel the same way about infidels and they also are against abortion and see the west as promoting it along with sex, drugs, alcohol and all sin in general. Just like the Muslims say, we do not condone terrorism but...... Many Christians say I don't condone killing abortion doctors but........

I hesitated whether to write that, but answered the way I honestly felt when I read that post. I have argued this point with many pro-lifers. If it were Jews, American Indians, Blacks, or Christians, etc. being murdered by the millions would we obey the law that allowed it? Just because these people can't speak for themselves does not make it better, then what happened to the Jews. I draw the line with murdering of masses of people. What these terrorists are doing is a very different thing. They are killing innocent people randomly. Do you think the German church was right to ignore what was happening to their fellow citizens? Why did we go to war with Germany? Maybe you can tell me? If we really believe that these are real children being murdered by the millions?????PLease answer these questions for me, and maybe you can convince me. I have no intention of killing anyone, but can understand what is in these peoples minds. Now I am probably on some government terrorist list for admitting it, but I was probably there anyway for my belief in the Constitution.

[Delphinium]

A simple affirmation/warning that we should be tolerant and peaceful to peace-loving Muslims is all that is needed. Participating in their religious ceremonies, holding them up as a desirable and true faith, is simple wrong for a Christian or anyone else.

I agree, and I think he is a born again Christian. Probably getting bad advise? Pray for him he is under alot of pressure.

[ApesForEvolution]

Re: Bush Marks End of Ramadan, Visits Mosque (Islam brings hope and comfort)
From sinkspur | 12/06/2002 9:57 AM PST new
You're one arrogant human being.
If you want to evangelize, go the religion forum.
Oh, and you better have more than you've shown or you're going to get your lunch eaten over there.
Ridiculing the beliefs of another is called BIGOTRY, buster.


I believe that the truth deserves the light of day. You, OTOH, prefer private mail. The truth is the truth inspite of you and is all the more important in the class of civilizations that is driven by false religions that serve no one but satan.

[sinkspur]

Thanks for publishing my private e-mail. I knew you would, which is why I sent it to you.

Easily fooled again.

[MoGalahad]

"Just like it's stupid for you to say so."


The burden of proof lies with you and your so called moderate Muslims. But I will tell you this; my experience is that even you so called moderates are the most intolerant, arrogant group of people on this planet. From our point of view you are the stupid one.