From Stars & Stripes
The Army has disinvited Franklin Graham to speak at the Pentagon on National Prayer Day after a military advocacy group objected because Graham has reportedly described Islam as “evil” and “wicked.”
“I regret that the Army felt it was necessary to rescind their invitation to the National Day of Prayer Task Force to participate in the Pentagon’s special prayer service,” Graham said in a statement on Thursday.
Rev. Franklin Graham, founder of Samaritan's Purse and son of evangelist Dr. Billy Graham.
We are one nation under God...I dont think our founding fathers made a mistake with that one.
I do not think it matters, as Anonymous #1 says, that Christians are "less than a third of the total world population." My answer is, so what? How does that fact have anything to do with the issue of not allowing Graham to speak?
I am offended by the idea that Christianity should not be controversial. Jesus Christ has always been controversial; he was a radical, and his followers are radical. Martin Luther King Jr. even called him an extremist, and indeed, he was an extremist in love and charity. Note Graham's attitude: he is going to pray; he is not angry.
Still, surely a man as well-respected as Graham should be allowed to speak. I do not know if Islam is evil, but surely there are muslims who are, just as there are Christians with evil in their hearts. One thing is for sure, and I am sure Reverend Graham would agree: evil never sleeps.
And I am further glad that the President has more respect for our servicemen who are not Christian but have sworn to serve and protect a nation under "God" by not allowing a man to speak that would call another religion evil.
What happened to "(hou shalt not kill"??
I work at the Pentagon, and his views do not represent mine and I consider them intolerant. There are muslims who work at the Pentagon who consider his views towards their religion hostile. These are government employees, service members, and decorated combat veterans.
Inviting him to the Pentagon is a disservice to all the Muslims who work there every single day. And no one who works at the Pentagon will have their freedom abridged by Franklin’s absence, either. There are chaplains and a ministry team that serves all faiths and creeds there. The Pentagon is a federal facility, not a public place. You couldn’t protest Franklin’s presence there if you disagreed with his views (like I do) or you’d be arrested. You cannot even enter the Pentagon if the authorites decide not to admit you, and you may be asked to leave at any time.
The National mall is less than two miles away from the Pentagon; Franklin should get a permit, hold a prayer rally there, in a public place, and anybody who wants to attend can go, from the Pentagon and the rest of the Federal buildings. And people like me, who disagree with his message, would be free to protest his presence.
You need to get out of your cocoon, brother.
None of us are perfect and we demonstrate our imperfections daily. Therefore, you continue to toss your sarcasms at us and we will continue to show you the light. In the end God will prevail and some of us will be with Him and some of us won't.
God bless America
Evangelical christians are not the only people who proudly serve their country, Mr. Martin. There are catholics, eastern orthodox christians, jews, wiccans, atheists, and yes, MUSLIMS who serve their country proudly, just like I do. There are muslim soldiers and marines fighting alongside the evangelicals catholics, and heathens right now in Iraq and Afghanistan, and serving in critical pentagon positions as well. If you ever come to the Pentagon, I would be glad to introduce them to you, and you could spout off about how evil they are. Some of them are pretty big dudes, so you better have your game face on, brother. I know a wiccan female air force non- commissioned officer too, I could introduce you to her in the same shot! And if you had enough time, I could take you to Arlington national cemetery to pay your respects at the graves of muslim soldiers, American heroes who died serving their country and keeping you safe (and free to be as ignorant and intolerant as you want to be). Here's a picture of Corporal Khan's gravestone at Arlington: http://shar.es/muCtw Corporal Khan was only 20 years old when he was killed in Iraq. I wish you and every person like you had the chance to meet the parents of Muslim American soldiers who have been killed or wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan a few minutes before you posted stuff about how this country's going down the tubes because wealthy, millionaire televangelists like Graham can't preach exclusively in federal installations. Most of you, I presume, would not have the guts. . .
PS: It's not "ISREAL", it's "Israel", and the president's last name has only one "M". Thanks for the prayers, by the way. I am deploying again in a few months to Afghanistan, and I hope you pray for all American Soldiers, regardless of their faiths.
I am of the opinion that you are off topic but lack the understanding as to what the topic was. Each of our interpretations of the topic differ I guess. Truth can be painful and one way to avoid the pain is to deny the truth.
Be safe in your upcoming deployment and as always we pray for the safety of all the troops regardless of their beliefs.
PS: You went to great effort to point out the English mistakes of Martin. Therefore, in your comment, “your just spewing ignorance”, I think the word would be; you’re or perhaps you are.
Thanks for wishing other Soldiers and me well, I mean that sincerely. My wife and many others would agree with you that I am an an intolerable smart-ass, so you are spot on there brother, guilty as charged. I think I'm a decent officer though, although I cannot prove it, so you'll have to take me on my word until I prove otherwise. Thanks for catching my spelling error, obviously a typo; I was berating Keith Martin for the veritable slaughter he performed on my native language in his previous post, so I deserve it! Keith, perhaps I owe you an apology for being critical of your spelling ability. However, I have served for almost 19 years in the Army, in peace and war; I don't ever judge any person by their race, color or creed, but by their deeds and their deeds alone; to judge someone's intentions or character merely by whom they pray to (if at all) is prejudice, pure and simple, and I do not appreciate it.
GM, I looked back on my posts; did I make a qualitative judgment about any religion in any of my previous posts? I don't believe I did, and for the record, I never stated any religion is or isn't a cult, or say that all religions are equal, or even that I believe that there is some universal truth that unites all religions, or any kind of ecumenical feel good crap. I didn't state how I feel personally about Islam, either, because it is irrelevant to the argument. I DID state that I am a Roman Catholic though, and for what it's worth, my faith is important to me.
Beyond the sarcasm that I let loose previously, I had two main points on this topic, and I will reiterate them: (1) I agree with the Army's decision dis-inviting Graham from the Pentagon; and I do not believe anyone's rights (religious or speech) were infringed upon in the action.
Graham was inadvertently invited to the Pentagon through the Chaplain's office, the chain of command was not initially aware that he was going to be the primary speaker at the event; as I wrote earlier, the prayer event is to be held in a Federal Installation closed to the general public, and it is a religious event. Many people, not just Muslims, think that crossed a line, especially since Franklin has stridently denounced Islam in the past, and denounced the Muslim faith even recently. It’s certainly his right to do so, but letting him come pray to an exclusive audience in the Pentagon reeks of impropriety, and is a slap in the face to the devout muslims who work there (in uniform and civilians) and find him offensive. Mr. Martin and you may believe Muslims are evil, but the government does not. Many muslims who work in the pentagon hold the highest clearances, and work on critical national security issues. The government trusts them, and so do I. Inviting a public figure who routinely insults their religion and its adherents on national television is not the best thing to do if you want to maintain good order and discipline in a military organization. I would feel the same way if they had invited an imam who had condoned suicide attacks against Israelis in the past to speak there as well. So they dis-invited Graham, and the Prayer day event is still scheduled, albeit with a different minister; additionally, on any given day, Soldiers and civilians there have terrific access to religious services. Unless one’s religion explicitly requires someone with the last name of Graham present at religious services (in which case I would have been happy if the SECDEF had substituted sexy Heather for uptight, buttoned-up Franklin), no one in the Pentagon’s constitutional rights were infringed upon. There is a robust ministry team with chaplains of many faiths and Christian denominations there. The event itself is still scheduled, albeit without Graham’s controversial presence, and probably short the dreadful country western singers that were to tag along with him. That prayer day event is just a one day deal, too, but there are excellent religious services available to personnel there every day of the week. As an illustration of services and support offered there, when I was at work today, I noticed on the Pentagon Chaplain’s office electronic bulletin board (there is one close to the locker room at the gym) that there was a protestant service, a muslim service, and catholic confession scheduled for today, which gives you an idea of how well peoples’ religious needs are met. I would argue that a Pentagon employee has greater access to ministry services than people working for a firm such as Walmart, or any civilian endeavor.
And certainly Graham’s rights were not infringed upon. He was invited to a closed Federal facility for a private ceremony that you, the public, could not attend, and then dis-invited. No one from the public could even attend, and any people who chose to protest his presence would be arrested for trespassing on site, were they able to get in at all. Franklin is still certainly free to preach in any public place he chooses to, and if he preached in the National Mall less than 2 kilometers away from the Pentagon, EVERYONE in the entire US government would be able to attend, not just the DOD employees. It’s a public place, and those who are opposed to his message would have the opportunity to protest as well, unlike in the Pentagon. Additionally, last weekend Graham was afforded the opportunity to speak with President Obama in person when Obama visited his father’s house too, so he has political access above and beyond what leaders of many other religions have. Franklin has a great deal of ECONOMIC freedom as well; service to the Lord has been a lucrative venture for the Franklin family.
I have spent too much time either deployed to Central Asia or focused on the threat of Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other violent Islamic organizations to ever argue that it is not a serious threat. But there are hundreds of thousands of muslims who live in the United States, many of whom serve in the military, or work in various government agencies, pay (ever higher) taxes, and never so much as get a parking ticket here. There are more than just a few Muslims who work at the Pentagon, too, especially when one takes into account the 8000 civilians who are employed there along with the 16,000 uniformed military personnel in the building (the pentagon is like a city, it even has its own police force and fire department). Many have the highest possible clearances a person can have. The government trusts them, and I do as well. To equate them with fanatics based on a shared faith, and not their actions, is racist, ignorant, and patently wrong. You may disagree with my opinion, that’s fine; I’d remind you again that there are also Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and even a few Wiccans buried at Arlington National Cemetery though, who managed to prove themselves trustworthy enough to pay the ultimate price and be buried with the highest honors after serving this country, many with valor awards. As long as I am in uniform, and after I retire, I am going to do my best to ensure that everyone is treated equally under the law, and in accordance with the constitution and the uniform code of military justice.
And I stand by remarks previously about the boot on the neck deal. Sure, I may be a bit of a sarcastic jerk, but if it wasn't for people like me, and the guys who came before me,the only book people of any faith in this country would be reading right now is a little red one.
Mr. Martin, in case you were unaware, Al Qaeda attacked the Pentagon on 9/11, too. I serve with people who were there that day and survived, and i have prayed many times with families of people who died during the attacks. We have a memorial there at the Pentagon in their honor. I have also deployed to combat because of the fanatics who attacked that day as well. Every year on memorial day I attend a ceremony wherever I am at to honor the fallen as well. So I do my part for those that Islamic fanatics have killed in the past and continue to threaten now.
What about you, Mr. Martin, have you done your part to understand your fellow Americans? Have you ever stood face to face with a Muslim, Jewish, atheist, or otherwise non-evangelical Soldier or Marine and have a religious discussion, or argue with that person about how they are evil because of their faith? The Pentagon Chaplain office telephone number is (703) 695-3336, it should be easy enough for you to arrange a visit.
You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image, when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do - Anne Lamott
Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction - Blaise Paschal
Where are the outrages of the Muslim community when a suicide bomber takes out a whole market place and multitudes of women and children are killed in the name of Allah,and the bomber will be blessed, by letting him sit on the right hand of Muhammad, and have 72 virgins at his beck and call.Wonder what the women suicide bombers get? A woman is a second hand citizen and considered to be a piece of property. Will they be blessed by Muhammad, get to sit next to him and be blessed with 72 virgin men to please her? I wonder.
What kind of wine has Mikey Weinstein been drinking?
As an anti-Christian Jewish supremacist and as the president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, he's doing all he can to create an anti-Jewish backlash and help bring about the predicted endtime Holocaust of Jews that'll be worse than Hitler's.
Neither Falwell, Hagee nor any other Christian initiated this prediction. But Weinstein's ancient Hebrew prophets did.
In the 13th and 14th chapters of his Old Testament book, Zechariah predicted that after Israel's rebirth ALL nations will eventually be against Israel and that TWO-THIRDS of all Jews will be killed!
Malachi revealed the reasons: "Judah hath dealt treacherously" and "the Lord will cut off the man that doeth this."
Haven't evangelicals generally been the best friends of Israel and persons perceived to be Jewish? Then please explain the hate-filled back-stabbing by David Letterman (and Sandra Bernhard, Kathy Griffin, Bill Maher etc.) against followers of Jesus such as Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann.
Weinstein wouldn't dare assert that citizens on government property don't have freedom of speech or press freedom or freedom to assemble or to petition the government.
But God-hater Weinstein maliciously wants to eliminate from government property the "free exercise" of religion - especially by evangelicals - a freedom found in the same First Amendment. Significantly, this freedom was purposely listed FIRST by America's founders!
And Weinstein wouldn't try to foist "separation of church and state" on strongly-Jewish Israel, but he does try to foist this non-Constitution-mentioned phrase on strongly-Christian America.
In light of Weinstein's Jewish protectionism and violently anti-Christian obsession, Christians in these endtimes should be reminded of Jesus' warning in Mark 13:9 (see also Luke 21:12) that "in the synagogues ye shall be beaten."
Maybe it's time for some modern Paul Reveres to saddle up and shout "The Yiddish are Coming!"
PS - Some, like Weinstein, are so treacherously anti-Christian they will even join hands at times with enemies, including Muslims, in order to silence evangelicals. It was Weinstein, BTW, who put pressure on the Pentagon to dis-invite Franklin Graham from speaking there on the National Day of Prayer!
PPS - Weinstein is an echo of the anti-Christian, anti-American Hollywood which for a century has dangled every known vice before young people. We seriously wonder how soon the lethal worldwide "flood of filth" (global harming!) that Hollywood has created will engulf and destroy itself and help to bring to power the endtime Antichrist (a.k.a. the Man of Sin and the Wicked One)!
I do not want to judge a religion at all.
When it comes to who is killing most of the innocent women and children due to their belief,it's no doubt radical muslems.
Take the time to find out for yourself the laws spelled out for them to follow when it comes to dealing with infidels,and come back and tell me I am not suppose to judge.
Out of the 24 conflects going on in the world, about 20 of them are muslem related,due to religion. How about that? The only thing they want you to do is worship like they tell you,or die. JUDGE THAT!!!