#religion
"We find statements by religious, polital leaders and the media that incite Islamophobia. I'm going to give you some, otherwise we wind up talking in very true but general statements. And I think we need to hear the actual words, because these are the words that people, who are in churches, people who are watching the media, hear. And if they don't have a context within which to place them, they will draw us out of conclusions. While George Bush and Tony Blair may distinguish between Islam and extremism, Franklin Graham tells us that "Islam is a very evil religion. All the values that we as a nation hold dear, they don't share those same values at all … these countries that have the majority of Muslims." You might think of Franklin Graham as an individual, but if you are in the Muslim world, you know that Franklin Graham gave the invocation at the first inauguration of president Bush, that Franklin Graham a year and a half later was asked to speak on Good Friday at the Pentagon. That sends a signal. Pat Robertson: "This man was an absolute wild-eyed fanatic, he was a robber and a brigand. And to say that these terrorists distort Islam … they are carrying out Islam. I mean: This man was a killer and to think that this is a peaceful religion is fraudulent." Benny Hinn at a pro-Israel rally: "This not a war between Arabs and the Jews, this is between God and the devil." And there are many others."
More by John Esposito
See allResonant Thoughts
"Non-governmental Islamist forces are also becoming more circumspect. In Great Britain, after thousands of Muslims openly shouted "We will kill Satan Rushdie," the next death edict, against Pakistani-b…"
— Anwar Shaikh
Literature1928–2006
Explore Further
Related Quotes
"When your intent and your actions are aligned, you are speaking directly to God."
— Steve Maraboli"Voluntary self-directed religion was more dangerous to the Church than any number of infidels."
— Barbara Tuchman"The heart of my soul is bloody with sorrow. … … But now we can only leave it to God. If it is His will that…"
— Piet Joubert"Pause, fellow-sinner, fellow man, before that wonderful Being that you find now in the manger, now on the c…"
— Edward Norris Kirk"You have to create the space for God to fill."
— Steve Maraboli"here is nothing that God hates so much as a liar."
— Georges Bernanos

