Franklin Graham

I am amazed that people are allowed to publicly spew such ignorant and narrow-minded views as "fact" in front of millions of viewers. Comments such as these only fuel the hatred and discrimination against Muslims around the United States.

I, myself a Muslim from a "Muslim Nation", can tell you that these allegations are completely false and untrue. "True Islam" as Rev. Franklin Graham tried to define it, is not "beating your wife" or "murdering your children if they committed adultery". If there are cases of spousal abuse, they stem from outdated cultural traditions and are not the preachings of Islam; nor is killing your children! Claims that many Muslims want to "get out of Islam" but are unable to due to fear of being killed are completely outrageous!

Islam is a religion of peace, which is suggested by the word "Islam" if Rev. Graham had bothered to look up the definition of the word. Attempting to say that the actions of a few extremists, and those in war-torn areas like southern Sudan, are the "teachings of Islam" and therefore make Islam a "violent religion" are not only false, but ignorant and close-minded.

Dear Campbell:

I am a Muslim living in the great state of Oklahoma. Mr. Graham got it wrong, True Islam can and is being practiced here in the United States of America. A True Muslim will not beat his wife nor will he be killing his family members. I never had the desire to get out of Islam and I know many who converted to Christianity as well as many who converted from Christianity to Islam and to the best of my knowledge they are all safe and unharmed.

Council on American Islamic Relation CAIR the largest Muslim advocacy group sent a letter today to Mr. Graham called for a meeting at which Graham could be offered accurate and balanced information about Islam; CAIR sent a similar letter back in 2001 when Mr. Graham made another derogatory allegation about Islam without a response from him.

Dear Campbell, accusing others, using scare tactics, creating animosity among people of faiths is easy, the real challenge is to find common ground and create brotherhood, friendship and lasting peace among people of all faiths.

America will ignore fear mongering Technics that is being used against Muslims, as she did against Jews, native Americans, African Americans, Germans, Japanese, etc....

I truly appreciate your program and looking forward to watching it almost every night.

I would like to personally debate With F. Graham on ISLAM. The Rev, unfortunately has no clue or knowledge on Islam.
His comments, "that muslims want to get out of Islam, but were afraid to do so". What a Joker!
I wonder whether the Rev. has any statistical knowledge on Islam being the fastest growing religion in USA . As an FYI, most of the individuals embracing ISLAM are not being forced to.

In a new letter sent today to Graham, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad again called for a meeting at which Graham could be offered accurate and balanced information about Islam.

Awad wrote: “I believe your views on Islam are unworthy of a respected religious leader and are based on misinformation and misconceptions that could be cleared up in a face-to-face meeting with representatives of the American Muslim community.”

In his letter, Awad quoted the Quran, which states: “Invite (all) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Lord knows best who have strayed from His Path and who receive guidance.” (16:125)

Franklin Graham is the son of Billy Graham, an internationally-known Christian minister who is respected by Muslims worldwide.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

How does the Rev. Graham equate:

Thou shalt not kill.

And sending his son to Afghanistan to kill foreigners?

For the record, two 'christian' priests were tried and convicted of the genocide of Rwanda, Rev. Graham.

To be fair and balanced, I see NOTHING redeemable in the Muslim 'religion' in whose teachings stipulate murder, torture, hatred towards non-Muslims even if that person is a family member and that Muslim women are worth only 1/3 that of a Muslim man.

Muslim teachings furthermore teach and stipulate their 'god' rewards Muslims that commit what Western people judge to be heinous crimes of extreme violence.

The Muslim religion is not peaceful in any recognized definition of 'peaceful'. Perhaps in the context of a murdered infidel is 'peaceful', much like the christian missionary's that repeatedly told the South Pacific Islanders, Caribbean Natives and South American Natives, 'We come in Peace', and later the Natives learned that word meant murder, enslavement, torture and death.

Muslims routinely are taught it is the duty and obligation of all faithful Muslims to murder any Muslim that converts to another religion. Does that sound in any fashion, 'peaceful' ?

First when I saw this view from CNN, I wanted to scream really really loud and say NOT TRUE...!!! I am muslim, I am a mom and I raise by Islam. My husband never beat me, never want to kill our kids,...NEVER And I never even want to 'get out' from Islam. Also in my big family. I really proud about being Islam where we always find a peace not to be mean and always try to live peacefully with any other religions.

Why you pretend to be nice to the people, Mr. Rev.Graham ? Ashamed on you. Everything in your mind and your heart is all about mean, hate...(ask yourself. God knows that!!) You don't have to tell Campbell to trust you...Why ? you don't feel confident about yourself ?? Now everybody know your quality ...
May Allah give you peaceful mind in the rest of your live..!! Amin

Graham is an ignorant so called leader, shame on him to spread such information about Islam. He should be a man of peace not a hate monger. Where is the teaching of Chris?
In Judaism, Christianity and Islam there are some extremists and nuts and tonight i added one more.

I am a non-practicing Muslim, originally from Iran. Watching Reverand Franklin Graham, made me realize why people across the world hate each other. If a well-travelled, supposedly scholar man thinks so narrowly and categorizes more than a billion people of different nationalities and cultures as one, not even considering different sects of Islam, is there ever hope for any kind of uderstanding? Among other mis-information he produced, he mentioned, many Muslims want to leave the religion, but can't because they will be killed by others? Where does he get his information? I personally know many Muslim who have accepted other religions. Religion is only a belief. Who can force you to believe or change your mind? I pitty the lost soles who have no mind or knowledge of their own and swallow the nonsense dished out by fundamentalist in any religion, Christian, Muslim or Jew.

It is amazing. Rev. Franklin Graham's knowledge of Islam is based on "And I work in Muslim countries all over the world". He does not know the difference between what true Islam is all about and what some deviants practice in the name of Islam. It is a pity that a man of his supposed stature would spew such ignorant drivel.

It is people like Rev. Franklin Graham and the mullahs in Muslim countries and fanatics in all religion who bring bad name to their faith.
These people are lost and misguided . Lord have mercy on them and show them the light.

Dear Reverend Franklin GRAHAM: As-slam-o-Alaykum! Greetings of peace! May I humbly ask you to please visit: http://www.alislam.org and just spend a few minutes and update your knowledge of Islam, like a million+ of others are doing every month . The Holy Quran does not prescribe death or any other punishment for apostasy – indeed it prescribes total freedom of religion: There is no compulsion in religion (Ch. 2, verse 257). There are clear commandments in the Holy Quran promoting life and abhorring the taking of life: ..whosoever killed a person ......it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind (chapter 5, verse 33). Stoning to death for adultery is a punishment not found anywhere in the Holy Quran..God bless you and grant you peace.

Graham led to his conclusion that Islam is a "violent religion" using false argumens. These arguments were; beating wives and killing children who commit adultery.

The beating of the wives is not something that is related to Islam. It does exist everywhere and in every religion. In US, where the law does not allow it , there are christians who beat their wives. Therefore, this argument is false.

The killing of children committing adultery is not whithin the teaching of Islam. But, however is a misunderstanding of the teachings of Islam. It is not true to accuse Islam by what some muslims do.
I think that what Graham has said is somehow true but the conclusion is false. I think that he needs to take some critical thinking classes. When we misunderstand the message given by the religion we harm it. For example when the christians take a person as God, which is a misunderstanding, they harm the religion and they stay away from the teaching of Jesus.

I agree – and unfortunately narrow minded people live narrow lives. These are the people who mislead others with respect to God and Religion and they all belong in the same group: crusaders based on traditions with no religious knowledge, islamic tranditionalists with no knowledge of true Islam, the leadership of many terror organizations of different types of faiths(or so they think that it's faith) and anyone that misrepresents any religion without facts or knowledge – they all have one purpose – to create hatred for others so they can have more people on their side and hence have more money & power. These people create hatred, play with common people's emotions and collect money from them for their gains. Excuse me if I am having hard time believing such ignorance.

If a reverand can be so immensely ignorant about other religions no wonder divide will be fed into between followers of that religion and of others. It is similar to the mulla-ism in Islam, being ignorant, they end up misleading their naive followers to grow distant from other religions. In this respect comments of Rev Graham are of the same calibre as the taliban clergy!

Islam has taught truth in all religions that have come right from the time of advent of religion, that there is salvation in all religious beliefs and goodness in all teachings of the world. None of this is the monoply of Islam according to the Quranic teachings.
Quran speaks of the ongoing psycho-social evolution of human race after the peak was achieved in the biological evolution of life in the form of human race, and the that the former has been paralleled by evolution of religious guidance from God until it reached its climax in the form of Quran. It is the same God that has given us Adam, Noah, Confuscious, Abraham, Krishna, Buddha, Moses, Solomon, David, Jesus, Mohammad and others (may peace and blessings of God be on all of them). Even recently the process of God's guided prophethood has continued in the person of the messiah promised by all major religions to come in the 'latter days' who then founded the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam.

I would welcome readers to go to http://www.alislam.org for true, rational, scientific, just and tolerant teachings of Islam that could only lead to PEACE in the world. May peace be on all, including those who may have chosen to speak out of personal passion and without the effort of due study of the subject.

Franklin Graham is not alone in this hate-mongering tactic, and it is regrettable that his belief in God has not yet matured to the point where he can rely on facts to evangelize his faith rather than rely on falsehood to tarnish another faith.
Islam is relegion of logic and nature. you can read more at www dot alislam.org

I am Muslim who has lived in Pakistan and now in USA since 1969. I went to Christian schools all my life from K through 12 and then to Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan. I could have converted to any religion I wanted to.

When I heard Mr. Graham say the things he did, I was appalled. I never heard this type of nonsense form Reverend Billy Graham Who is truly a righteous man-unlike his son. Franklin seems to be full of hate against Islam or he is full of lies or both.

Franklin is not a good role model for me-neither did I ever accept Tiger Woods as my role model. Christians like that are in name only, They fail to follow the example of His Holiness Prophet Jesus-may Peace be upon him. He would not have said anything like what Franklin said.

If Franklin were to tell the truth, he would say that muslims are peaceful and peace-loving people-except for those who have high-jacked the Religion of Peace and must be on the payroll of the enemies of Islam.

I appreciated Campbell Brown holding Franklin's feet to the fire. However, he pulled his rank on her when he said "girl you would'nt want to live there, trust me, I have been going to muslim countries for 50 years". I think that was condescending and Ms. Brown should have called him on that.

I heard Campbell Brown interview Rev. Franklin Graham where he spoke about his views on Islam and sighted sad incidents of war-torn areas of Afghanistan, Iraq and Sudan as “true Islam”. Even Campbell Brown did not agree with his poor views on Islam.
Some extremists consider America as the root cause of these wars and are committing un-Islamic and un-natural and ignorant actions of killing their fellow citizens, thinking in their twisted mind that they are hurting America by those heinous actions. These heinous actions are condemnable in every society and Islam particularly condemns these actions, in its teachings.
Holy Quran states: Whosoever killed a person – it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind. [5; 33]
This commandment in Islam is for all humanity. That means, NO one is allowed to kill another for any reason. So I am not sure which Islam Rev. Franklin Graham is referring to?
The ignorant few “so-called Muslims” actions can not be taken as a representation of “True Islam”. Every religion has some bad apples. We do not call Christianity with any bad names just because there are few bad priests in Christianity or Jewish or Hindu religion, etc.
I am an Ahmadi Muslim living in America. What I know from my knowledge of Islam is that you obey the law of the Country where you live and never ever take law in to your own hands. We follow the teachings and practice of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (pbuh), where he was severely persecuted for 13 years in Mecca, never took the law into his own hands but preferred to move to another city Medina to escape the cruelty.
This is not the only thing Islam teaches. GOD (Allah is His preferred name) started religions with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be on all of them) just to name a few founders of religions and completed the teachings of all religions on Islam. So, Islam is not a new religion, as thought by most, but it really is a “final completion of all great religions”. Name Islam was chosen by GOD because it means “peace” and GOD (Allah) loves peace. So when, some people, say bad things about Islam they are really saying bad things about their own religion because all previous religions are an integral part and foundation of Islam.
Please do not mix the heinous actions of few ignorant people with Islam. To learn more about the “True peaceful teachings of Islam (all religions)” visit any Ahmadiyya mosque in your area or visit: http://www.alislam.org
Thanks.

I am a Muslim (Thank God) 50 yrs of age. I saw the above questions and answers and was really ashamed of the answers given by a supposedly learned person about a religion he does not even know the very basic teaching of Islam. It’s like a Muslims in his or her country comments about Christianity explaining others that the true Christianity is the actions and deeds of Adolph Hitler
Would that be just to say that that’s what Christianity teaches, I don’t think so. If Reverend Franklin Graham does not know anything about the true Islam and is keen to know I would invite him to educate himself at this web site http://www.Alislam.org and then after educating himself he think he knows enough then he can talk about Hurting the hearts of millions of people in the world. By not knowing the truth it should no way allows someone or anyone to comment about a religion or matter a fact anything. Reverend Franklin Graham should read the history of Christianity and for that matter of Jews too and see what the laws are of Jews
And the actions were of Christians when they got the power, the Church of England and so on I am sure at least he would know about history of Christianity I sure hope so. I am not a writer or even a very educated person so please forgive my poor English but let me tell you Islam is the religion of peace and no religion ever teaches wrong doing. Like killing innocent people and any actions to disturb the peace. We all believe in Prophet Abraham and are descendants of him we should respect each other’s feelings, and just because of actions of some people or even some country’s twisted laws does not mean that is Islam, I have been in America for about 30 yrs and I have seen and read about spousal abuse and family killing each other and extreme number of children without and all kind of people like marriage and David Quresh in Waco Texas but I never thought of it as teachings of Christianity

It is understandable that Graham would express these views on Islam after he explained that he has visited and witnessed examples of the extremism that he has described as Islam.

However, Graham's perspectives on Islam are absurd and baseless. It would benefit him to do a bit of academic and objective research on Islam before displaying his ignorance on national television. Furthermore, his logic is insufficient. Islam, although present in many various forms and "sects", is the second most followed religion in the world. To assert that the beliefs of the small and provincial group of extremists that Graham has experienced is representative of the beliefs of all Muslims in the world is comparable to saying that all of the Christians of the world share the exact same beliefs. Still, as if there was a true form of ANY religion, he maintains that the extreme form of Islam that he has witnessed is the "true Islam."

Furthermore, as the commenter Karim has explained above, the behaviors of beating one's wife or children are certainly derived more from culture than from religion. Islam does NOT encourage violence any more than Christianity, but obviously religious text can be "spun or misinterpreted" in order for one to "murder in the name of god."

With all due respect, Graham's logic has some serious flaw and he lacks knowledge regarding Islam.

Mr. Graham does peacemakers a great disfavor when he utters calumnies against Islam. The actions of a few (or of many, for that matter) do not define their faith. It is the holy scripture of that faith that defines it. Abortion-clinic bombers, saboteurs with gelignite, rabid assasins who target peace-making leaders, destroyers of lives and Federal Buildings: such as these do not define Christianity, Judaism, or any other faith.

I am a Muslim living in complete freedom in the United States. I could choose to walk away from Islam any waking moment, but I do not. Why is that? Because I find complete peace, and hope for the future, in every reading of the Quran, and in the perseverance and integrity of men and women of goodwill all around me. Alas, many so-called Muslim societies have forgotten the lessons of the Quran and have descended into maelstroms of their own making. It is all too easy, but dead wrong, for demagogues to heap the blame for their cruelties on Islam. If Mr. Graham really wishes to read Quranic views on any societal topic, he can visit alislam.org. Let him counter what he sees there. Peace!

The Rev. Graham should be told that two Christian Priests were tried and convicted in the Genocide Tribunal in the Hague of committing the genocide in Rwanda where approximately 2 million people were murdered.

This interview proves that ignorance and bigotry are not limited to self serving power mongers of third world countries only. I would expect such intolerant speech and misinformation from this priest whose personal agenda and power base depend upon this kind of propaganda, but I am surprised at the kid-glove treatment he received on this show. Would this be the case if another religion was portrayed in this manner without much opportunity of attacked to respond?
I was born in a country where religious intolerance was common and people will commit all kinds of acts of self interest in the name of religion, but when I adopted America for this reason that I can practice my religion freely in this country. I have most of my adopted countrymen and women to be very tolerant. But, there is somewhat lacking understanding of what religion of Islam teaches and what we truly practice. Listening to this gentleman, I understand why. For those who would like to find out true teachings of Islam, checkout http://www.alislam.org, and you find how tolerant and beautiful teachings of Islam are. Islam has pioneered and is root cause of modern freedoms, from protection of the rights of minorities to liberation of women, we find in society today. Please do not equate what is carried-out I the name of religion to what religion really is. This will be great in-justice done to not only Islam but all of the world’s great religions, including Christianity and Judaism.

I don't who is worse: Christian "experts" on Islam like Rev. Franklin Graham who vilify an entire religion based on non-existent teachings in the Holy Quran (There is no punishment for apostasy, for instance), or the ignorant extremist Muslims in places like Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan who kill their kids for leaving Islam. One of the most fanous verses in the Holy Quran is "There is no compulsion in religion." Another entire chapter "Kafirun" deals with one simple idea: For you your religion, and for me my religion. You do your thing, I'll do mine.

Rev. Franklin Graham is continuing a very long tradition of Christian antagonism and enmity towards Islam that goes back to the 12th century and even earlier, but the 12th century marks the Christian church's official weighing in against Islam by their translation of the Holy Quran into Latin for the purpose of depicting Islam as an "evil and wicked religion" to quote Rev. Graham 800 years later.

It was not until the early 20th century that the Holy Quran was translated out of the original Arabic into English by Muslims (from the Ahmadiyyah sect, interestingly ernough) who actually loved and followed their religion. All prior Western language Quran translations were done by Christians who had contempt in their hearts foir Islam and loathing for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him).

If you are a Christain, consider this: what if, for virtually the entire history of your religion, the people who believed your religion was an evil abomination from Satan were the same poeple who translated your Bible into your native language.. Well, this is exactly what Islam has suffered at the hands of the Western world for 800 years.

Top that off by the Wahhabis, the sect of Islam that controls Saudi Arabia and all its oil wealth, which provides them the funds to export their fanatic, narrow-minded, intolerant version of Islam throughout the world in places like the Sudan, Pakistan, Indonesia and Afghanistan - and yes, the united States - then, my friends, you have a recipe for violent extremism and the presentation of Islam as an evil and wicked religion perpetrated by these misguided and fanatic Muslims to be viewed and condemned by men like the Rev. Franklin Graham and all those he influences.

But that doesn't mean that Islam really teaches these kinds of evil and extremism, any more than Jesus (peace be upon him) taught the foundational beliefs that drive the Christian Ku Klux Klan or the Christian Identity Movement or the Christian Neo-Cons.

The real Islam is easy to find - just go to: http://www.alislam.org

Learn the Truth. "Love for All - Hatred for None."

– Jonathan M.A.Ghaffar

Just like all other religions communities of the world, Muslims have forgotten the original teachings of there religion.

It is time for God to send prophet(s) to bring people back to the right path.

Just like Adolf Hitler does not represent Christians, Saudi Arabia or Usama-bin-Ladin does not represent Muslims.

1. Mr Graham should know that Mohammad came in fulfillment of the prophecies of Jesus and Moses mentioned in Bible. Hence Mohammad's teachings are nothing but the truth.
2. About war and peace, the spread of Christianity in the medievel ages was certainly not peaceful. Look at the crusades!
3. If some millitants bring bad name to Islam, that is their lack of knowledge.
4. Christians literally worship the cross, but Islam teaches that Jesus never died on the cross. He escaped to India, having escaped death on the cross. Also, see Hindu books of religious history on this subject.

Dear Mr. Graham,

If you look at the "real" teachings of the Bible and Torah, those too cannot be practiced in the USA. Please do not just point out Islamic teachings. Chritianity shares the same dilemma.

I just want to point out that you are not only taking things out of context, you are blowing them out of proportion. Why? It will only create insecurity among Americans. There is a clear explanation in Quran that the law of the land holds supreme. You cannot practice religion outside the bounds of the local law. That makes all teachings in Islam entirely practiceable in the USA. Can you even show the same flexibility in the Bible? Before you do, let me ask you to be entirely honest with yourself.

Please stop spreading hatred, dear Reverend, and bringing shame to Jesus (may peace be on him). If you only read the Bible honestly, you will find many questionable commandments (with respect to today's laws) in there; many more than you claim to have found in the Quran.

I will give you this much that the people of Muslim countries have made an error in their interpretation of some laws and that is what everyone picks on. But, I am sure the Muslims of the future generations would like to forget this as the "dark ages". Does that strike a bell to you in terms of Christainity's evolution?

Frankin Graham says, "But true Islam cannot be practiced in this country. You can't beat your wife. You cannot murder your children if you think they've committed adultery or something like that, which they do practice in these other countries."

Franklin Graham further says, "... many of them would like to get out, but you cannot change from Islam. If you're a Muslim and you change your religion, you can be killed. Your family can kill you. They can warn you but if you don't come back, they can take your life. And that is the threat that many of these people live under Islam."

Franklin Graham's above statement in itself is a witness to why Christianity failed to win any significant number of converst to Christianity despite they ruled almost all of the Muslim world for a number of generations only recently. Immediately after the war started in Iraq, Bibles were spread all over. The only significant conversions the Christian missionaries were or have able to realize from Muslim countries come from the people who were not Muslims already. The alleged Islam, the Christians want to convert Muslims from, does not exist. What he is calling true Islam, is a distortion of Islamic teachings, and even lay Muslims know that. He is trying that people believe in his representation of Islam which could exist under Muslim rule, but how come, as an example, Muslim population in India did not dwindle away or is not fading away as they are not under Islamic rule and are free to change their religion without fear of reprisal? If the Muslims are dying to get out of Islam, as Fraklin Graham says, then the Indian Muslims would have vanished by now. The matter of the fact is that even the lay Muslims know that their religion is much ahead of the Christian offering with respect to many facets of life. They are not willing to exchange something better for something lacking in many ways.

By the way, can Frankin Graham put his hand on the Bible and say that Bible does not teach Christians to punish and/or murder wives or children for adultery and fornication which is rampant and out of control in the "Christian" nations?

There are many countries in the worls where Muslims are not under "Sharia Law" as defined by Graham, and are free to change their religion. Right here in America, as far as I see in the news, it appears that more Christians are joining Islam than Muslims are joining Christianity. Franklin Graham is trying to universalize extremist views and is presenting them as Islam. Vast majority of Muslims do not agree with extremist interpretation of Islam.

May be it is time for Franklin Graham to revisit the prayer challenge given to Billy Graham by Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad, an Ahmadi Muslim missionary, decades ago when elder Graham visited Kenya, and Billy Graham refused to accept that challenge. With having his roots in Kenya, may be that is why Obama is saying bravely and honestly that Islam is a great religion.

I am a Christian and I can tell you that I do not accept the definitions and characterizations that Rev. Graham has given. I hesitate even to recognize him as Reverend. Unfortunately, the majority of Christians believe the ignorant, deceptive and hate filled rhetoric that is spewed from the mouth of the so-called Reverend and others. I appeal to the Christian Church and community to refrain from judging what you don’t understand. Yes there are some bad people in this World and they should be punished severely, but do not classify these people by religion. I urge you to study the history of Islam and Islam as a religion with an open mind.

Peace,
David

Mr. Graham is missing the mark. Not because Islam is not an evil religion. It certainly is. The bigger problem with Islam has nothing to do with the practices of Islam. Certainly there are practices in Islam that are abhorrent. But the real issue with Islam is not the practices but the underlying theology. Islam denies Jesus Christ as Savior and in doing so condemns the followers of Islam to an everlasting hell. What Islam does in the here and now is irrelevant compared to the eternal damage it brings to those who follows its tenets. We should focus on preaching Christ to lost Muslims, not worrying about how they govern nations under the sway of Islam.

"Reverend" Graham is perhaps one of the most DELUSIONAL people alive and that delusion is an enemy to truth, logic, and commonsense everywhere.
I would not give this man the time of day.

I find nothing remotely redeemable with the entire Muslim religion or 'belief'. It is clearly a modern code of piracy hiding under the guise of a religion.

Treating women 1/3 as the worth of Muslim men, preventing Muslim women from solely testifying against Muslim men is entirely sexist and entirely medieval in modern times.

Teaching that ensnaring, capturing, kidnapping and murdering non-Muslims is a duty and obligation of the Muslim faith is a entire lapse in spiritual judgment.

Teaching that it is a duty and obligation of all Muslims to murder anyone that leaves the Muslim faith and converts to another religion is a gross lack of spiritual understanding.

I find nothing remotely redeemable with the entire Muslim religion or 'belief'. It is a plague upon all spiritual advancement on Earth.

Referring to comments made by MUZAFFAR, I was offended. He said, "God needs to send a new prphet to teach Mslims". He obviously is a Muslim and he better learn the fact that Muhamamd was the last prophet and no new prophet will be sent to this worl ever again. That was the decision Allah made in his Holly Book, Quran.
I invite Mr. Franklin Graham to convert to Islam. There were many non-believers who always spoke against Islam but later converted to Islam. I hope someday Mr. Graham will convert to Islam.
Christianity, Judaism and Islam, are sister religions and eventually the all will become allies against non-believers. They all will take orders from Jesus and all Muslims, Christians and Jews will regard Jesus as their king. Jesus will return to this world and declared that he is a Muslim and He will ask all of those who love Him to convert to Islam. Prophet Mohammad will be king of all the kings including Jesus.

For one thing I must admire Rev. Graham, he speaks against sex outside the boundary of marriage. Islam also prohibits sexual relations outside marriage.
As a Muslim, I am angry at my own Muslim brothers and sisters than I am angry at Rev. Graham. Muslims in Pakistan are killing Muslim brothers in masjids while saying prayers. We Muslims should go after those terrorists. Unfortunatley, most of Muslim leaders and scholars and Imaams are silent.

Dr. Allah Kahn is totally off base.
Christians DO NOT WORSHIP THE CROSS!
Just as scripture says, Jesus went to the cross for the sin's of man and then rose on the third day just as He said he would.
Unfortunately, Islam and other cults worship Idols or "dead gods" and thus have not hope of eternal life.
On the day of judgement those 9-11 "guys" are going to discover something other than 72 virgins awaiting them. It will be the eternal lake of fire.

Mr. Pasha should not take any offence on Muzaffar because the holy prophet Mohammed himself said:
1. Had my son Abraham lived longer, he would have been a prophet.
2. Predicting the 2nd coming of Jesus as a Muslim ( to reform Muslims), he repeated 4 times that he would be: 'Allah's prophet' (Muslim Hadith).
3. I am the Seal of the Prophets (or the King of the prophets) just as Ali is the Seal of the Caliphate.
4. Mehdi and Jesus (to reform Muslims and the world) are one and the same.
Thus Mohammad may be called the last LAW Giving Prophet (most perfect), but not literally the last.

I find his criticism of Islam unfair unless he's willing to admit to all the atrocities that have been done under the banner of Christianity. Many injustices around the world have been done by "religious" people. His blanket criticism of Islam doesn't help anything. Those without sin should cast the first stone. Christian people are not without sin; his comments are counter-productive.

Mr. Graham has given a wrong picture of Islam to his viewers in US. Islam is a religion of peace. There are severe punishements in islam for adultery and theft but the logical reason is to remove those social illnesses from the society. There is no theft in Saudia Arabia because of the law that a thief will have to give his hand although it seems extreme too but if these extreme laws can make a better society why not have them. Women has a great respect in Islam . If Mr. Graham has read Holy Quran once to improve his knowledge he cannot quote one thing that is a disrespect for women in Islam.

I am not amazed of the ignorance of this preacher, who has publicly dispensed such ignorant and narrow-minded views as "fact" in front of millions of viewers. Preaching uneducated information only further ignites the hatred and discrimination against Muslims around the world.

I, myself a Muslim Ahmadi, can tell you that these allegations are completely false and untrue. "True Islam" has nothing to do with any of the things that this preacher attempted to claim or incite! Claims that many Muslims want to "get out of Islam" is ridiculous, I got out of christianity because of ignorant preachers like this one. If he spent half this effort to research true history, and not the created fiction of the christianity that he preaches, this world would be a better place.

Islam is a religion of peace and love. Attempting to say that the actions of a few extremists, and those in illiterate and uneducated countries, are the "teachings of Islam" and therefore make Islam a "violent religion" are not only false, but ignorant and close-minded. Those people in those nations are simply violent, just as the many "christian extremists" here in America.

Please don't incite hatred of my religion, because you cannot support your religion through love and peace.

Love for all, hatred for none.

Dear Ms. Brown,

Thank you for trying to defend Islam to the best of your ability in absence of us capable Muslims who could respond to themean-spirited and prejudiced attack on Islam, albeit with very polite and seemingly sympathetic words. If you were to ever decide to learn more about islam and understand Islamic teachings before a similar encounter, please visit http://www.alsilam.org. You will find a wealth of information.

It is quite clear that Rev. Graham does not agree with Islamic teachings and that is understandable. He is Christian and thinks Christianity is solution for mankind's problems. I have also read comments of some apparent non Muslims above as well and their sentiments can not be criticized too heavily either. After all, most Muslims do not study and practice their religion and therefore have very similar thinking about Christians and Christianity, as theology in current form, as well.

I am a Muslim and have done exhaustive comparison and Islam and Christianity. I am a Muslim and consider Christianity, as presented today to be incorrect. I will be a unfair if I was not willing to grant the same right to non-Muslims as well. But I have one request and that is they visit http://www.alislam.org and find out what true Islamic teachings are before rejecting Islam outright.

The key question is why attack Islam in such manner? There are many other religions who teach very different theological approach than Christianity. It is not the acts of a few misguided that are being condemned but an entire religion which is one of worlds major religions and responsible, single handedly, for bringing Europe out of the clutches of darkness into modern day success. After all, much more horrific acts of violence have been committed by Christians, in the name of Christianity, in very recent past. If the barbaric acts of past century are compiled, acts committed by Muslims will be in the last quartile compared to acts committed by others.

So why attack Islam? It is because, just like the ignorant mullahs of the Muslim countries, the fear mongering so called priest of the west keep hold of their powerbase using hate speech and fear tactics. It is all about money. If the world were to learn true teachings of Christianity, tables of these progenies of “money changers” will be over turned in a heart beat. If the world were to learn true teachings of Islam their heart will give testimony to the truth of Islam. They sell salvation at their altars, but know in their hearts that hell-fire is their abode. How does that song go, “If Jesus were alive today…”

For good people of my adopted country, all I have to say is may God bless you, since most of you are good at heart. May God protect us from these demagogues or they will destroy us.

A. Smith, Oregon:

You are describing actions, of violent people and governments, all of which has nothing to do with "True Islam" or the Qur'an.

There is no teachings in the Qur'an to support these activities and has nothing to do with Islam. If these people preach or profess this, they are simply wrong.

To compare these activities to "Islam" is simply stating that "Christianity" is responsible for the following in the USA ( 2008 FBI stats):

1,382,012 violent crimes occurred nationwide in 2008
9,767,915 property crime offenses in the Nation in 2008
14,137 murder victims of 2008
9,691 Hate crimes in 2008
58,792 Law Enforcement Officers Assaulted
530 Law Enforcement Officers Feloniously Killed

These are Christian crimes, in a Christian country. Please do your part to fix your country, those in glass houses should not throw stones.

Just wanted to say, that religion does not save you from the lake of fire. The ONLY one that can save you is JESUS. I have friends that are muslims and I respect them just as they respect me. Now our theology can be different and I totaly respect that. I don't have to agree with you in order to respect you.

Unfortunately, Rev. Franklin Graham in an interview with Campbell Brown on December 11, 2009 painted an extremely erroneous picture of Islam where he sighted sad incidents of domestic spousal violence and war-torn areas of Afghanistan, Iraq and Sudan as “True Islam”.
I believe that was not nice on his part to draw poor conclusions on Islam based on some heinous actions of few ignorant “so-called Muslims” and spread them around the world on CNN. There are some evil people in every society and religion. Christianity has its own share of violent and ignorant priests, but we in the Islamic world do not call Christianity a religion of child molestation just because few priests have committed those crimes. Nor do we defame any other religion because of such condemnable actions of few.
It appears that Rev. Franklin Graham does not have any understanding of Islam; otherwise, he would know that Islam is the Final product of all previous religions. GOD started religious history with Adam, Buddha, Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be on all of them), and many in-between, and completed the religious knowledge at Muhammad (pbuh).
Holy Quran states: This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as religion. [5:4]

It is unfortunate, that a portion of the mainstream Muslims, support violent actions of some other Muslims such as Al-Qaida/Taliban because they also have forgotten the True teachings of Islam.

I believe to be fair to Islam, Campbell Brown, should provide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the most peaceful community in Islam, an equal time on CNN to clarify and explain the peaceful teachings of “True Islam”. It is a beautiful religion if understood and practiced correctly.

Ahmadiyya Muslims believe that second coming of Jesus has already occurred by the advent of his Holiness Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Spiritual Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslims.
Thanks.

Listen to the words of ignorance: "But true Islam cannot be practiced in this country. You can't beat your wife. You cannot murder your children"

That just exposes how ignorant this Franklin Graham is. How can anyone take this gentleman seriously? This is a joke. CNN should raise their level of journalism and not entertain hatred and ignorance.

Those who want to learn about Islam should learn from the source. Islam means peace in every sense of the word. If some lunatics are exploiting the name of religion for their political gains it has nothing to do with Islam. You can read more about true Islam online at http://www.alislam.org

LOVE FOR ALL, HATRED FOR NONE – Muslims that believe in Messiah!

Wow, the muslims are coming out of the woodwork.
The UK now has a large muslim population.
Their "latest" is the pressure they put on UK educational officials.
They have removed all info regarding the Holocaust from their text books.
Just like the Turks deny the slaughter of over one million Armenians the muslims also deny the killing of millions of Jews.
When you (muslims) stop killing your own people, stoning women, allow access to education for all, become civilized and a few other thousand things, your words are like magic. They aren't real!

I agree with Dr.Graham, i have lived in a Muslim country most of my life..and now in the US....

There is no freedom, tolerance or respect for other Religions in ISLAM...almost every muslim nation has violence..people of other religions are constantly abused...

Its easy to proclaim Islam is a good and tolerant nation..from the US and other western nations....but name ONE Islamic country which gives true freedom and choice to its people, or even allows a person to convert...there is NONE....but all "Christian" countries have this freedom...

Mr. Graham's comments about Islam are totally wrong. He has simply mixed Islam, a religion, with dirty politics, by using the dubious examples of Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq, because all his life he has practiced politics, not religion. I advise Mr. Graham to spend the time to study the life of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and the teachings of the Holy Quran. Then he will realize Islam is the most peaceful religion on earth. Allow me to refer to just one verse from Holy Quran : 2:257-"La Ikrah fiddeen" [There is no compulsion in religion]

This one is for Arthur
My dear friend before you call on every one to be saved by Jesus Christ(Peace be on Him) You should read the history of Christanity
may be after your study you would not be that much eager to invite everyone here is a link for you, I hope it help you
http://www.alislam.org/library/books/christianity_facts_to_fiction/foreword.html

I agree that basing criticism on the actions of followers is a dangerous road, and one that leaves Christianity also open to grave accusations – anyone can claim to be Christian or Muslim, and use that religion as the excuse for their behavior. The real question is what does the religion itself teach. For book-based religions such as Christianity and Islam, we have to go to the source – the Bible and Quran – to make a fair comparison. I don't claim to be an expert on the Quran, though I have studied the Bible for many years. Here is one source, which, if accurately quoting the Quran, makes me question the claim that Islam is peaceful. http://prophetofdoom.net/Islamic_Quotes.Islam
Certainly, there are many Muslims who are peaceful, beautiful people, just as one can find both beautiful and despicable examples of Christianity. But the real question is what Islam as a religion teaches.

Does the Quaran recognise Jesus as a true prophet of God? I've heard that it does. Does the Quaran also say that no man can sit or stand (either) in the presence of God? Michael

What is a good website to read an acceptable Quaran translation?
Michael

Dear Mr. Graham

I am an Ahmadi Muslim and follower of the holy prophet of Islam Hadhrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) from India.

I read and saw your sad remarks about Islam. It is not new to us it is old tactics of people (who claim to be the so-called followers of Moses/Jesus,"peace be upon them") who don’t want to leave in peace with other Religions and Communities. You mentioned in your comment about the practices of so-called Muslim countries yes they are wrong they are going against the teachins of Islam and the holy founder of Islam Hadhrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for their anti Islamic act you blamed Islam and treated Islam as a violent religion. When you attacked my religion and trying to create hate and mislead innocent people, being a Muslim it is obligatory on my part to respond your each and every bias and hateful comment from your Book (Bible). You have said in your interview I quote “I don’t agree with the teachings of Islam and I find it to be a very violent religion” end quote. Mr. Graham! When I read Bible I find; quote! “When the Lord your God places these people in your power and you defeat them, you must put them all to death. Do not make an alliance with them or show them any mercy. (DEUTERONOMY 7:2).

Bible further says “ But when you capture cities in the land that the Lord your God is giving you, kill everyone completely destroy all the people; the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perzzites, the Hevites, and the Jebusites, as the Lord ordered you to do. Kill them, so that they will not make you sin against the Lord by teaching you to do all the disgusting things that they do in the worship of their Gods. (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). Mr. Gram! Are these teachings of your BIBLE is ok for humanity; Is it not violent?

Mr. Graham you said I quote “But true Islam cannot be practiced in this country. You can't beat your wife. You cannot murder your children if you think they've committed adultery or something like that, which they do practice in these other countries.” End quote. This is my humble request to you and others please read the following order of Bible and tell me can you implement the following laws in daily practice in any part of the Christian world.

Bible Says: “suppose a man marries a girl and later he decides he doesn’t want her. So he makes up false charges against her, accusing her of not being a virgin when they got married. If this happens, the girl’s parents are to take the blood-stained wedding sheet that proves the girl was a virgin, and they are to show it in court to the town leaders. The girl’s father will say to them, ‘I gave my daughter to this man in marriage, and now he doesn’t want her. He has made false charges against her, saying that she was not a virgin when he married her. But here is the proof that my daughter was a virgin; look at the bloodstains on the wedding sheet! ‘Then the town leaders are to take the husband and beat him. They are also to fine him a hundred pieces of silver and give the money to the girl’s father, because the man has brought disgrace on an Israelite girl. Moreover, she will continue to be his wife, and he can never divorce her as long as he lives. But if the charge is true and there is no proof that the girl was a virgin, then they are to take her out to the entrance of her father’s house, where the men of her city are to stone her to death. She has done a shameful thing among our people by having intercourse before she was married, while she was still living in her father’s house. In this way you will get rid of this evil. (Deuteronomy 22:13-21). Mr. Graham Is it not cruelty;

Is it appropriate that whether you like or not you have to be with the same girl about whose character you have no trust? Can any Christian parent take the wedding sheet to your Court as a proof of their daughter’s virginity; is it not shameful for the parents? Can you implement this law in your Christian dominated countries?

I hope hereafter before attacking Islam you must read Your Bible.

Request to readers to know more about Islam please visit http://www.alislam.org

Thank you.

It is interesting to note Shahid M. Pasha’s comments:
On one hand he says, “Muhammad was the last Prophet and no new Prophet will be sent to this world ever again. Allah made that decision in His Holy Book, Quran.” But at the end he says, “Jesus will return to this world and all Muslims, Christians and Jews will take orders from him”.
Mr. Shahid what are you really saying? Can you please be not so hypocrite or ignorant to make two opposite statements in the same comment?
a) If Jesus comes back then what happens to Allah’s decision in Quran that Muhammad (pbuh) was the last Prophet and NO Prophet will be sent to this world ever again?
b) So in other words, Muhammad (pbuh) is really not the Last Prophet?
c) I have visited many churches in USA, Europe and Asian countries and have noticed various pictures of Jesus in those churches. In some churches he is “White”, some he is “Brown” and some he is Middle Eastern. So which Jesus would you like to take the orders from: White, Brown or Middle Eastern? Which Jesus the American’s would like to take the orders from? And which Jesus the Europeans would like to take the orders from? Can you please solve this mystery?
Further, there is no real picture of Jesus. All pictures of him, in various churches, are imaginative
so if Jesus comes tomorrow how and who would determine, “he is the one”? Jesus who lands in Japan, or who lands in the USA or the one who lands in China? So, which Jesus is acceptable?
d) If Jesus says I am a Muslim now: Why would the Christians or Jews be happy with him? Especially Jews, when they killed him in the first go round?
So can please get-off this stupid horse which has been brain washed into you by the un-lettered ulema’s? These are the mullah’s and so-called scholars and Imaam’s about whom the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said in the Hadith: that states 14th century Ulema’s will be the worse creatures on the face of this earth. [Mashkwat Kitab-ul-illm p.38] and [Kaanaza-lul-aamal p.43].
Are these the un-lettered ulema’s and scholars you are hoping to guide you through this mystery? The fact is they have never read the Holy Quran or understood the Quran and they are misguiding you innocent Muslims. I present two verses (there are more) of the Holy Quran as my proof.
He it is Who has raised among the Unlettered people a Messenger from among themselves who recites unto them His Signs, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom, although they had been, before, in manifest misguidance; [62:3]
And among others from among them who have not yet joined them. He is the Mighty, the Wise. [62:4]
That is Allah’s grace; He bestows it on whom He pleases; and Allah is the Master of immense grace. [62:5]
[62:4] clearly says: “Allah will raise Messengers among others” “from among them”.
A clear sign of future Messengers who may come from among people, not from the sky.
[62:5] Descending Prophets is Allah’s grace. Allah bestows this grace on whom, He pleases.
Quran Surah Al-Nisa states about future Prophets: And whoso obeys Allah and this Messenger (Muhammad) shall be among those on whom Allah has bestowed His blessings, namely, the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs and the Righteous. And excellent companions are these. This grace is from Allah, the Sufficient, the All Knowing. [4:70&71]
So above two verses prove that Allah never decided in the Holy Quran that Muhammad (pbuh) was the last Prophet on this world. Being last has NO MEANING. What Allah has promised is Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the BEST/TOP Prophet out of all the Prophets. (Before or after).
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allah has full knowledge of all things”. [33:41]
Seal of the Prophets: means No Prophet will come without Prophet Muhammad’s Seal of approval and/or outside the religion of Islam because Islam has been completed. This is what the meaning of khatamanabiyeen is, not the last Prophet. Being the last Prophet has No Significance.

As far as second coming of Jesus is concerned, he has already come in the form of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. And he was the “Messenger among others” “from among them” as mentioned in the verse [62:4], and he was a Muslim. This is The Messiah the world needs, Believe it or not.
He repeated and preached the teachings of Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) Islam and Quran which is the true guidance and peace for the entire mankind because Islam is the Final product of ALL previous religions including Christians, Jews, Hindus, Confucius, etc.
To learn more about The Jesus, The Messiah, The Mahdi and True Islam visit: http://www.alislam.org

While both the questions and responses were unnecessarily inflammatory, Reverend Graham's criticism of some of the practices of Islam are irrefutably accurate. While they may not apply to each Muslim in the audience, I don't think that shooting the messenger is any more helpfull than this interview was for bringing reconciliation to our world's two great religions.

I watched ur interview with MR.Franklin Graham(who apparently seems to be just another islam basher), but dint ask him that if this is so(that islam is a violent religion),then why is ISLAM the fastest growing religion in the world today?(esp. in america.come on ma'am what is he trying to say(u cant beat ur wife.etc.)with 90% pre marital or extra marital sex rates of high school girls, 90,000 rape cases per year only in the united states.Plz open ur eyes n ears n ur hearts n minds.U must be knowing that the extremist Taliban treated yvonne ridley so kindly that inspired her to become a muslim and the world knows what has happened to afia siddiqui.
wsalam,take care from a friend,brother

Faith is an individual matter. There can be no Christian country. But ther are many Muslim countries in the world.

Moderate Muslims MUST begin to speak out against violent jihadists if they wish to be accepted in a civilized world. Look at today's headlines–more suicide bombings. Christians do not hesitate to condemn their brethen who sin.
Franklin Graham has worked throughout the world, and says he has many Musllm friends. Yet he speaks candidly of his experience dealing with the atrocities of extremist Islam and of sharia law. Let the man speak so we may learn.
His Samaritan's Purse does extraordinary charitable work throughout the world. Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes should have been your interview focus, Ms. Campbell, to help his efforts to bring joy to million of children throughout the world. Instead you chose to highlight controversy.

I am a Muslim. I do not beat my wife. I do not know ANY muslim man who beats his wife. I pray five times per day and I have no desire to "get out of Islam" nor would anyone try to kill me if I did. This is nothing but pure fantasy on Graham's part. And if he thinks that Saudi Arabia represents "true Islam," then he truly knows ZERO about history, let alone comparative religion. Graham is a thoroughly disgusting man, and a hypocrite, one who points out the faults in others without looking at himself, and the history of his own religion. He has forgotten the Spanish Inquisition, the brutal colonization of the Americas by the Christian Conquistadores, and of course the Crusaders, the original terrorists of the Middle East. Of course his son keeps going back to Afghanistan–can't get enough of killin' them there Muslims! Oh, but that's OK because he's wearing a uniform.

Have you ever heard a Muslim talking this way about someone else's religion? Sometimes during a sermon on Jumma (Friday prayers), you will hear the imam talk about why we don't buy into Christian or Jewish beliefs, why we disagree with them. But you will never hear them saying that someone else's religion is "evil," or alleging that they are all wife-beaters and so on. That's because we Muslims believe that hurting other people's feelings is wrong. To many non-Muslims, it's not wrong–to care about other people's feelings is simply political correctness to them. We Muslims believe that God s.w.t. is displeased when we say evil things about other people.

Let's face it folks, Islam is a violent religion. Read your history. Centuries ago, kingdoms and than families when conquered were foist to join islam or faced death. They choose the former. (By the way, how did some of the African countries south of the Sahara become muslims nations?

My grandmother is a muslim but she made sure all of her kids became Christians. And you know the reason why a devout muslim wanted all her children to become christians.

An Imam converted to christianity. His home was burnt. He was persecuted to the fullest all because he accepted Jesus as The TRUTH, The WAY and The LIGHT. This brother became a Pastor. Praise God.

A friend converted to Islam because her boyfriend was a moslem. We show her love and never did we threatened her.. We prayed her back. Now, she is more committed to Jesus and his gospel than ever.

Lastly, Rev. Graham shares his views and you called him names. Never did he insult you muslims. Aren't you exhibiting the violent tenancies. I rest my case.

I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy blessed and properous 2010.

Jesus Lives

Corrections :Lastly, Rev. Graham shares his views and you called him names. Never did he insult you muslims. Aren't you exhibiting the violent tendencies. I rest my case.

Mr. Graham ......... Thanks for doing the great work for the chlidren. Your views and opinion about Islam however are completely wrong. You logic has some serious flaw and you lack basic knowledge regarding Islam. I would suggest that you read book of God "Quran" and learn about true Islam. In the meantime stop spreading your message of hate.

Look at the muslims who come here and hold to the beliefs of their home-land. How often do we see a father "kill or maim" a daughter because she brought disgrace to the family?
If you still want to do those things then "go back" to your home land where it is acceptable for that type of behavior.
Sad that you follow the words of a dead man who is powerless.
"When Jesus returns, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW!
What color will he be?
A hint: He WAS AND IS the King of the Jews!
144,000 Jews who have accepted Him will meet at the Eastern Gate. That is 12,000 from each tribe. Afraid there won't be any muslims in those groups!

If Islam is not a violent religion, then why is 80-90% of the world's terroism caused by followers of Islam?

Ladyajas – I am sorry you feel this way – If you'd like to discuss isolated situations then with 6 billion people in the world and 100's of religions you'll have to discuss millions of isolated issues to figure out if such actions were based on a religious teaching or someone's personal anger. So just a thought, when making assessments of religion – look in to it's teachings not what some people may be practicing due to their ignorant interpretations. Did you know that Prophet Muhammad of Islam let Christian Visitors to his area make prayers in his Mosque?

Michael – I am not sure if your question was answered – but here is the link for Quran, English Translation and short commentary –

http://www.alislam.org/quran/tafseer/guide.htm?region=EN

Deb – Many Muslims do speak against terrorism - click below for details

http://www.alislam.org/terrorism.html

as far as Mr. Graham is concerned, what good are these gifts to children if his comments generate so much hatred amongst the elders of such areas that the children in turn become victims off this hatred. You cannot blame Ms. Campbell for asking about Mr. Graham's views – he selected to share his views out loud – he could've chosen a different route. My guess is, this is the not first time nor the last that he will speak this perspective. So the best gift we can all give to the children of the world is the gift of world peace.

CNN you had the courage to bring on Mr. Graham. You make the claim that you are fair and balanced and that you keep everyone honest. Please also let Muslims speak on your station and explain the true teachings of Islam. The people from Alislam.org seem to be posting quite a bit in defense of islam, might be worth having them come on and ask them to respond publicly to the comments made by Mr. Graham.

Mr. Graham has been unable to separate ethno-political activities from religious teachings. We are Muslims who believe in the Messiah
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadian (a.s) . We fervently pray that Almighty Allah soften Mr. Graham's heart and take away the veil of prejudice so he can do good to all humanity

Its a matter of pity to preach hatred esp .anti-Islam hatred in this era,, the word Islam itself means peace,,I do really advise Mr.Graham to take a sneak peek on the comparative history of religions and soon he will come to know that the distorted and bizarre ideas he is preaching are his own hate in the sophisticated robe of words..The same words which erupted crusades came out from the mouth of such people at that time ,,, If its going to be a tit for tat model then we have to look into the foundations of other religions and that can end up in a multi-religion hatred towards each other,,, ISALM IS PEACE AND LOVE TO ALL MANKIND,,, TRUTH SHALL ALWAYS PREVAIL NO MATTER WHAT COMES IN ITS WAY..

Ladyajas, I respect your opinion. For you information not all comments were from muslims as you see. Mr. Garham is not a smart enough to put him self and his folowers in such dilma being ignorants on the world of Islam. You are one of those who need to ducoment your stories. I rest my case.

Hi Michael
This is a website where you can get the translation of The Holy Quran http://www.alislam.org/quran/search2/showChapter.php?ch=1
Hope you find what you looking for
and for all the Christians making comments on the Religion of Islam. please read all the comments above , not one made by a Muslim you would find insulting Christian or Christianity or our beloved Jesus Christ (Peace be on Him) we respact all Prophets of God. This is a quote from the Holy Quran about all the Prophets

[2:286] This Messenger of Ours believes in that which has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers: all of them believe in Allah, and in His angels, and in His Books, and in His Messengers, saying, ‘We make no distinction between any of His Messengers;’ and they say, ‘We hear, and we obey. We implore Thy forgiveness, O our Lord, and to Thee is the returning.’
read it foryourself http://alislam.org/

He said if you rule a country with Islamic Low. "True Islam cannot be practiced in this country. You can't beat your wife. You cannot murder your children if you think they've committed adultery or something like that, which they do practice in these other countries". You should ask him if USA uses true Christian Low. Does He think ASA will be "the land of free and brave. It would be as it was in Spain in 1500-1600 centuries. He say Islam is the problem but what is the different between Christian religion and Islam. The problem is poeple like him who lives to demonise other beliefs. Al-qadia use voilence, this guy uses money to get poeple what he believes is right. Go to many African countries and you will see how evil this guys beliefs are. They go to hungary poeple and made them Christian using american peoples money.

Mr. Graham I wish you knew more about Islam. For all others – I would say that don't judge this beautiful religion from what you hear in the media. Get a copy of the Quran and read it yourself. If you can't afford a copy – read it online – http://www.alislam.org/quran/ – I will suggest the English Translation with short commentary or, if you want in depth explanations of the verses, go with the Five volume English Commentary.

Ours is a message of peace. Don't we all want peace?

LADYAJAS wrote: "A friend converted to Islam because her boyfriend was a moslem." Well first off, since dating is not allowed in Islam, this Christian friend of yours was dating someone who wasn't following a central tenet of his faith: no dating and no premarital sex.

And since they WERE dating, were they NOT having sex? Waiting for marriage? I would think the reason the Muslim guy was dating the Christian girl in the first place was so that he could HAVE SEX with her. This is the #1 reason (so-called) Muslim men date non-Muslim women, especially in Christian & Western countries - because a devout Muslim lady will not date and certainly will not have sex before marriage. The same can be said for a devout Christian lady, I'm sure, but only in the having sex part, not the dating part. and the problem becomes, once you allow dating, the sex will usually follow sooner or later. Especially when drinking is OK and men can ply their Christian dates with alcohol as a regular practice, right? Since the purpose of getting women drunk is to loosen up their moral inhibitions so they will have sex with you, this is yet another reason why drinking alcohol is not allowed in Islam.

Christianity used to practice the same rules of gender relations and moral behaviors as Islam, the only difference today is, Christians seem to be able to maintain their good standing in their faith even when they indulge in premarital sex and other immoral behaviors, whereas a Muslim will be considered a hypocrite and a fake Muslim if he or she violates the well-known commandments of God in their Holy Quran.

It is sad and ironic that some people will attack a religion whose members strive to live by and obey the Laws from God while they themselves stopped following most of their commandments because most of their commandments are considered "too hard" to live by (such as "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies and forgive them" and "sell all your belongings and follow me (Jesus)" and "do not commit adultery of the eye" and "if your right eye offends thee - from that 'adultery of the eye' thing - then pluck it out." and "if thy right hand offend thee - from stealing, for instance - then cut it off."

Muslims are required to pray five times a day because human beings need the act of prayer to God for their own spiritual purification and repentance. Muslims are required to not drink alcohol or take drugs or gamble or have sex outside of marriage because all these are spiritually, morally and socially destructive.

Muslims are required to respect all other religions and prophets and holy scriptures because we believe the source teachings and prophets all came from the One God originally, and to denigrate them or call them false would be tantamount to calling God false.

It is PEOPLE who stop following their prophets and holy books which results in the 'bad examples' and evil in the world, not the pure teachings themselves. Islam came to bring all people back to God. Islam itself fell into decay and ruin after a thousand years of decline, but God himself promised to revive Islam and return it to its original pristine beauty and purity. That purity can be found today in the Islam presented and practiced by Ahmadi Muslims.

Look at so much of the Muslim world today - and for the past 3-4 centuries - drowning in all its violence and ignorance and narrow-mindedness and ask yourself where all that came from? It didn't come from Muslims following the true teachings of their holy book and the perfect example of their Holy Prophet (saw), but from them NOT doing so.

Look now at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (www.alislam.org) and what do you see? Tens of millions of peaceful, law-abiding, educated and spiritually blessed Muslims in 195 countries who have a Khalifa (a central spiritual leader, which the Muslim world at large is crying for) and who do humanitarian work all over the world (www.humanityfirst.org) and who, interestingly enough, are considered non-Muslims by all the other Muslim sects. It's Noah's Ark time, people. Investigate and learn the truth. it's your world and your soul. Save it or lose it.

– Jonathan M.A.Ghaffar

I wonder if there is a Quaran answer to my questions. Above post...12/15 12:47 am

I have read some of the quaran. Not studied. Yet I can see a clear line of change in character of the intent of the word. Just as the bible also has the same type of change or description of behavior...

What I noticed though... was that all the "killing, butchering and what today we consider agreegious violence" is found in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible... When Jesus came He preached repentance and forgiviness... He saved His harshest words for the most religious of the time.

Now from what I can see the Quaran is the opposite. The "softer, accepting and / or forgiviness is found in the first "1/2". And the killing, jihad, death by sword, forceful conversion part comes second... it almost seems someone "hijacked" Muhammed's previous words to propigate violence and control. Forced faith as it were.

A Loving God by the definition of loving can not force a person to accept Him. That would be contradictory to the characteristic of "loving". Therefore Islam's Allah can't be the all powerful, all knowing and loving creator of all things... not by what the Quaran or what the "ministers" of peace that Islam claims, say or do.

The only way to argue differently is to twist or change the meaning of the word loving... or some such nonsense as that.

There is ONLY one way to God the Father; that is thru faith that God raised Him, Jesus from the dead after 3 days in the grave. Belief in the heart and confession with the mouth (Romans 10: 9,10,13). Do you want to read the real word of God? Try the book of Romans, it's all there... blueletterbible.com is an ecellant source.

In Christ and praying for you. Michael

Any self proclaimed preacher who had a fair & true knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, be it the Torah, Bible or the Koran would know what Islam is.
Unfortunately Mr.Graham doesn't have even a modicum of this knowledge. The three major religions of the world-Christianity, Judaism & Islam spring from the same source the prophet Abraham ( peace be upon him). Islam is a continuation of what was revealed in Torah & the Bible, culminating in the Koran & teachings of prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).
Islam thru the Koran reaffirms the message of God brought to mankind thru prophets like Abraham,Moses,David,Solomon, Jesus & Mohammed (peace be upon them).
Wish Mr.Graham goes back to learning before preaching. A message of hate is the last thing this world needs.

Michael,

you showed up your hypocrisy rather plain-fully. Not a good example ofora follower of Christ. He would have abhored your conduct!

Oh, you want to know how you were a hypocrite? Sounding so sincere in learning about Qur'an and then disclosing your closed minded belief in Jesus as your personal.saviour, that's how.

Learn to take some personal repsonsiblity and work on saving your own self. No one is going to save you from you but you! Good Luck!

We are Muslims who believe in the Messiah Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani (peace be on him). He emphasized tolerance , patience and the power of prayers. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA and worldwide pursues these attributes diligently. May Mr. Graham become truly enlightened and shed his willful ignorance and arrogance
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival. He divested Islam of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings. He also recognized the noble teachings of the great religious founders and saints, including Zoroaster, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius, Lao Tzu and Guru Nanak, and explained how such teachings converged into the one true Islam.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the leading Islamic organization to categorically reject terrorism in any form. Over a century ago, Ahmad emphatically declared that an aggressive “jihad by the sword” has no place in Islam. In its place, he taught his followers to wage a bloodless, intellectual “jihad of the pen” to defend Islam. To this end, Ahmad penned over 80 books and tens of thousands of letters, delivered hundreds of lectures, and engaged in scores of public debates. His rigorous and rational defenses of Islam unsettled conventional Muslim thinking. As part of its effort to revive Islam, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to spread Ahmad’s teachings of moderation and restraint in the face of bitter opposition from the Muslim world.
Similarly, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to endorse a separation of mosque and state. Over a century ago, Ahmad taught his followers to protect the sanctity of both religion and government by becoming righteous souls as well as loyal citizens. He cautioned against irrational interpretations of Quranic pronouncements and misapplications of Islamic law. He continually voiced his concerns over protecting the rights of God’s creatures. Today, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to be an advocate for universal human rights and protections for religious and other minorities. It champions the empowerment and education of women. Its members are among the most law-abiding, educated, and engaged Muslims in the world.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the foremost Islamic organization with a central spiritual leader. Over a century ago, Ahmad reminded his followers of God’s promise to safeguard the message of Islam through khilafat (the spiritual institution of successorship to prophethood). Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that only spiritual successorship can uphold the true values of Islam and unite humanity. Five spiritual leaders have succeeded Ahmad since his demise in 1908. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's fifth and current spiritual head, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, resides in the United Kingdom. Under the leadership of its spiritual successors, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has now built over 15,000 mosques, over 500 schools, and over 30 hospitals. It has translated the Holy Quran into over 60 languages. It propagates the true teachings of Islam and the message of peace and tolerance through a twenty-four hour satellite television channel (MTA), the Internet ( http://www.alislam.org) and print (Islam International Publications). It has been at the forefront of disaster relief in the United States and worldwide through an independent charitable organization, Humanity First.

@Michael –

The Quran does recognize Jesus as a true prophet of God. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) is considered that seal of all prophets because:
He testified to the truthfulness of the earlier prophets (all of them – not just Jesus)
He brought the Final message of God which was universal in nature.
If any religion can bring people of all faiths together – it is Islam – because it does not attack the spiritual founders of any religion, rather it validates them as prophets and their message as being sent from God.
The question arises why are there so many different religions – the answer is simple – you don't teach a 1st grader things that he is going to take up in his senior year in high school do you? Same thing with religion – it started from basics and as human societies and evolved and cultures developed God send down the teaching that was appropriate and perfect for that specific time.

For example as a muslim I believe that Moses, Jesus were both Prophets. Now just becuase I believe that Mohammed is the final prophet and Islam is the final and perfect teaching of God does not mean that the teachings of Moses and Jesus were not perfect == they were perfect because they were prophets of God – but they were perfect for the time in which they were sent down.

No religion whether it is Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, ever claimed to be Universal in scope – Islam is the only religion that made that specific claim and that Quran is the final word of God.

As far as your 2nd question goes:

Does the Quaran also say that no man can sit or stand (either) in the presence of God?

I am not sure what you are asking so please elaborate and I shall do my best to answer.

As far as studying Quran goes i would make two suggestions:

http://www.alislam.org/quran/tafseer/guide.htm?region=E1

Start from the intro – it will help you understand why was Quran needed and give you a glimpse in the life of the Holy Prophet of Islam.
and then each chapter of Quran is preceded with brief introduction that would enhance your understanding as to the subject matter covered therein.

Hope this helps!!!

Once again – ours is a message of peace!

I think that Mr Graham remarques about islam were some kind of scary fairy tales meant for kids in a halloween night
Dont you think Mr Graham if beating our wives and killing their kids were to be part of our religious practices ,that our girls would not be too much exited to get married or even have kids , and that our great nation of islam could have been wipped out very ,very long time ago ?
Don t you think that supposively a religion leader like you think you are should at least have as much knowledge of other religions as a regular person has?
Do you really think that if any muslim from any part of the world was to convert to other relgions will receive the visit of a profeional killer sent from the sky ?
Have you ever wondred why Islam is the religion that most people convert to even when little to no ressourses are put for this matter ?
I tell you why , our religion is peacefull , tolerrant ,mercyfull,and all the best things you can ever find in a good christian person behaviors except for his God s definition.

Guys! Guys! there is a better way to get to the truth than listening to these priests who mostly are into big commercial enterprises & no zilch about religions other than their own brand.

For all those who are true followers of Christianity & Jesus Christ ( peace be upon him) I say go do your own research & see what the Quran has to say about this very revered prophet, holy Mary & the Immaculate Conception. Whole chapters are devoted to them.

For all those who are followers of Judaism I say see what the Quran has to say about prophets Abraham, Isaak,Ishmael, Moses, David & Solomon ( peace be upon them) & get to the truth yourselves.

Most of these preachers would surely try to suck one into their own personal vortex of beliefs far from the truth.

Rev. Graham loves those millions of wonderful Muslims and doesn’t know what true Isalm is. Millions are living in peace and harmony and they are law obeying people. Still you think that true Islam is that represented by few thousand of those who have gone astray and are creating all this mayhem…
He said “many of them would like to get out, but you cannot change from Islam. If you're a Muslim and you change your religion, you can be killed. Your family can kill you.” Unfortunately, history has recorded the facts on the contrary. In eighteenth century, thousands of Muslims in Sub-Continent; living under the subjugation of British rule were converted to Christianity. They were not killed. There are many more such evidences/instances in the past and present times.
Reverend Graham has observed his own version… of True Islam: he saw what he wanted to see: eyes will perceive only what one wants to see. Perhaps Rev. Graham wanted to see and interpret Islam this way; I wished he had also taken some courage to know the truth and studied the Holy Qur’an with an honest heart and unbiased eye.
Lastly, I consider his remarks about Muslim women very humiliating. Rev. Graham lacks not only the knowledge of history and religions of the world but also the way human brain works. No religion teaches that a pious woman should be beaten by her husband or any other male member of the family. Only those who are ignorant, illiterate and having no fear of God in their heart can commit such brutality. Islam has established and safeguarded all the rights of women Al-Ahzab Chapter 33 : Verse 36. Anyone interested in searching for the truth; can read more on http://www.alislam.org

Dear mr.Graham,
I am a thirteen year old girl who has just watched your interview with disgust and displeasure. You have got the true meaning of islam completely wrong. Islam is meant to be the religion of humanity;
many people think of islam as a religion of extremism.

We muslims can love too, and we don't kill loved ones, as you say. The people who kill their loved ones, because of mistakes they make, have mental health issues...and yet when a christian or jew kills their loved one, its an outcome of a mental problem, but when a muslim kills, its because they're muslim.

There are billions of muslims, only a fraction are extremists, the rest, everyday normal people. But people like you concentrate the camera only on these extremists, so that it appears as though this is the typical muslim. Please stop this unnecessary racism against innocent muslims.

Thank you.

What the good reverand is trying to do is to portray the image of a state and its politics as the face of Islam. Islam is not Saudi Arabia and vice versa. I sure hope that he got at least that fact correct. That Islam is not a state and instead a faith followed by millions across the world and not just Saudi Arabia.

Secondly, the usage of the myths like wife beating as an attribute of Islam. Unfortunately, he has failed to grasp the fact that its more linked to cultural aspects than its related to any specific religion. Spousal abuse is quite rampant in our society and majority of such incidents reported have absolutely no connection to Islam or Muslims. If whats stated by the good reverand is true, then its direclty in conflicts with the ground realities here.

And my third point is his disconnect with the political aspect of all the evils that he has attributed to Islam. Starting with AQ, he is clearly avoiding the political connections of all these entities that will in one way or other bounce back to covert and overt interventions from our side. An example is the history of AQ. If somebody ask the good reverand about the origins of AQ, he would clearly be troubled, because that would have inadvertantly exposed the linkage between CIA and AQ.

So to summarize my statements, the reverand is clearly speaking out of his gross ignorance about what Islam is. As an old saying goes, the best medicine for ignorance is knowledge. I would storngly recommend the good reverand to attain some before he venture out to start making blanket statements about Islam and Muslims.