Pope says Christians, Muslims part of same family; evangelicals disagree

by Actual News Geezer | November 28, 2006 at 04:04 pm

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Maybe Pope Benedict XVI had to say this, or maybe it's part of a larger strategy only Vatican insiders can parse. But in speaking to a very prominent evangelical, Rev. Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham and spiritual successor to his father's evangelical establishment) told me that Islam was a threat and not to be coddled.

This came at the end of an interview I conducted for The Biography Channel. I showed him a Macleans Mag cover story about the threat of jihadism. We spoke about the Pope's speech quoting a 14th-century Christian emperor who called the Prophet Muhammad's
teachings "evil and inhuman, " and about the semi-apology the Vatican had issued. Graham said he thought it was a mistake to have apologized.

Many evangelicals feel the same way. This is from ReligiousTolerance.org:

Franklin Graham called Islam "a very evil and wicked religion:"

A former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Rev. Jerry Vines, called the Prophet
Muhammad "a demon-possessed pedophile,"

Jerry Falwell's comment that
"Muhammad was a terrorist."

Here is a story courtesy CBC:

The Pope began his controversial visit to Turkey by highlighting the brotherhood that exists between Christians and Muslims, and urging religious leaders to condemn violence committed in the name of faith.

After meeting with Turkey's head of religious affairs on Tuesday, Benedict XVI said Christians and Muslims belong to the family of those who believe in one God.

Turkish police chiefs, with the Ottoman era Sultanahmet mosque in the background, check their plans during a security meeting at the Sultanahmet square in Istanbul. The Pope is expected to visit the Sultanahmet, known as the Blue mosque, on Thursday.Turkish police chiefs, with the Ottoman era Sultanahmet mosque in the background, check their plans during a security meeting at the Sultanahmet square in Istanbul. The Pope is expected to visit the Sultanahmet, known as the Blue mosque, on Thursday.

Both religions value the sacred character and dignity of the person, he said. He asked that there be an open dialogue between the two faiths.

"This is the basis of our mutual respect and esteem," he said. "This is the basis for co-operation in the service of peace between nations and people."

Mark Schneider
Actual News Guy
NowPublic.com

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