Franklin Graham talks about Islam, draws fire

Christian Century, Dec 12, 2001

Evangelist Franklin Graham has been drawing fire for controversial comments he made about Islam, which he said is "wicked, violent and not of the same God." Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, reportedly made the comments in October, said NBC News. The younger Graham said Islam is not "this wonderful, peaceful religion. When you read the Qur'an and you read the verses from the Qur'an, it instructs the killing of the infidel for those who are non-Muslim."

Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told Graham he would like to correct the "negative impressions of Islam" which are "most often based on a lack of accurate and objective information."

Graham did not soften his words when reached by NBC on November 15. "It wasn't Methodists flying into those buildings, and it wasn't Lutherans. It was an attack on this country by people of the Islamic faith." In a statement two days later, Graham said he does not intend to talk more about the matter. "It is not my primary calling to analyze Islam or any other religions, though I recognize that all religions have differences. In the past, I have expressed my concerns about the teachings of Islam regarding the treatment of women and the killing of non-Muslims, or `infidels.' I do not intend to comment further."

Though Franklin Graham offered prayers at President Bush's inauguration and inaugural prayer service, the White House distanced itself from his remarks, saying the president "views Islam as a religion that preaches peace, and the terrorists do not represent what Islam teaches."

In the Grahams' home state of North Carolina, the Charlotte Observer said in an editorial on November 20 that Christianity has had cruel and misguided events in its own past, such as burning people at the stake, keeping blacks in slavery, restricting women's rights and banning books. "Given the intolerant, aggressive, bloody history of people acting in Christ's name, you'd hope Christians would think twice before calling somebody else's religion `wicked,'" the newspaper said. --RNS