WASHINGTON (RNS) An evangelical pastor from Texas joined American Muslim leaders Thursday (July 23) in denouncing recent anti-Muslim comments by evangelist Franklin Graham as they announced upcoming efforts to build bridges between their religious communities. In response to the killing of five service members in Chattanooga, Tenn., last week, Graham, son of evangelical leader Billy Graham,…
Franklin Graham — son and legatee of Billy Graham, the traditional spiritual advisor to the nation’s presidents — is lashing out at President Obama for his support of gay marriage, saying that Obama has “shaken his fist” at God, and lamenting “a sad day for America.” Graham’s three-paragraph statement, released on the association’s website, noted that…
Claims that Obama concealed nonnative birth or faith in Islam failed to gain mainstream traction, but conservatives like Sean Hannity were more successful in labeling Obama as covertly “anti-American” based on his association with the incendiary pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. By this logic, Obama was a paragon of Christian piety. He “savored” every word…
In a first for Saudi Arabian King Abdullah, the king will convene a conference in Madrid as part of a Saudi outreach to address interfaith tensions, a restoration of respect for religious values, and improving the image of Islam. The conference will span a 3-day meeting beginning on July 16th, which will include Muslim, Christian,…
