Billy Graham’s son Franklin, who called Islam “a very evil and very wicked religion,” is planning to bring his group Samaritan’s Purse into Iraq “to provide for the population?s post-war physical and spiritual needs,” according to a story on Beliefnet. Franklin Graham says his group isn’t there to preach or convert, but…
?I believe as we work, God will always give us opportunities to tell others about his Son,” he told BeliefNet. “We are there to reach out to love them and to save them, and as a Christian I do this in the name of Jesus Christ.?
Some Muslims aren’t so thrilled with the plan. And seriously, is this the face of America we want to present to Iraq?
oh, this BURNS me.
at a time of unfathomable fragility during the reconstruction, the LAST THING we patriotic jesus-loving americans should be doing is messing with their religion. missionary work is always going to happen, but conversion (which is indicated by his attitude towards non-christian faiths) should not be considered. we can minister through faith and through god to people in need of comfort, but please do not send biggotts!!!!
that’s all.
There’s actually a sizable Christian minority in Iraq. They tended to be treated better than the Shiites, not so well as the Sunni. Tariq Aziz (anyone heard from him lately) is Christian, in fact.
While I’d find efforts toward conversion in this circumstance a bit more morally objectionable than normal, it’s preferable to, say, the situation in Saudi, where not only are missionaries forbidden, but any outward sign or practice of anything *but* the ruling flavor of Islam.
A bit more thinking about the subject here.
scares me- and I am a born again christian. it is soooo easy to hand someone a bible and a burger and then leave feeling like a million bucks- but its hard to love, forgive, and lay down one’s life for a friend. I just hope and pray they go as friends, and not as arrogant americans coming with all the answers. this world is a melting pot of wisdom and knowledge and culture… i hope, but truthfully doubt, they go there with open hearts to learn as well as serve. serving others should come out of humility- not arrogance. ok, sermen over. amen.