Franklin Graham: ‘Stop Saying Islam Is a Religion of Peace’
In wake of the terrorist attack in Spain last week, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility, evangelist Franklin Graham has implored politicians to get on board with former CIA officer Bryan Dean Wright and stop saying, “Islam is a religion of peace.”
In an article written by Wright for Fox News titled, “Islam Is at War With Itself and the West Isn’t Helping,” Wright compels politicians to make it clear that “our fight is against a religious ideology rather than a random group of fanatics.”
Last Thursday, a 22-year-old Moroccan national, Younces Abouyaaqoub, plowed his van through a street filled with hundreds of pedestrians in Las Ramblas, Spain, leaving 15 people dead and more than 100 injured.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Roy called the incident an act of “jihadi terrorism.”
“[Wright]’s right. We are making a mistake by allowing the operation and spread of the dark and dangerous teachings of Islam,” Graham said. “From Bangladesh to Los Angeles, Salafis spread their violent beliefs shielded by the constitutional guarantees of free speech and religious liberty. However, the radical beliefs described aren’t limited to only the Salafis sect. While there are millions of Muslims who don’t agree with or participate in the violence of Islam, they can’t leave the religion because their families would be obligated to kill them.
“Islam reigns in lives through fear and intimidation. I pray that Muslims everywhere will come to know Jesus Christ, the Son of God who loves them and can truly set them free. The Word of God tells us, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36, NIV). {eoa}
Shawn Akers is an editor for Charisma Media.
