ICOSA News Items
US Televangelist Robertson Censured for Anti-Islam Rant
WASHINGTON, March 15, 2006 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – US evangelical broadcaster Pat Robertson drew a diatribe Tuesday, March 14, from American Christian and Muslim leaders for descending in a new rant against Islam."At a time when inter-religious tensions around the world are at an all-time high, Robertson seems determined to throw gasoline on the fire,"
the BBC News Online quoted Reverend Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, as having said.
Calling the comments "grossly irresponsible," Lynn said it seems as if Robertson was
"wrestling with demons of his own; namely intolerance and bigotry."
"To condemn an entire religion because of the behavior of some is deplorable,"
he said.
On his live television program The 700 Club, Robertson said anew Tuesday that "Islam is not a religion of peace", and "the goal of Islam, ladies and gentlemen whether you like it or not, is world domination."
He was responding to a news item about the reaction of Muslims in Europe to the publishing of cartoons that lampooned Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
He said the pictures of violent Muslim demonstrations against the cartoons
"just shows the kind of people we're dealing with. These people are crazed fanatics, and I want to say it now: I believe it's motivated by demonic power. It is satanic and it's time we recognize what we're dealing with".
Lynn said it is imperative that Robertson issue an immediate and unequivocal apology.
"Because millions of viewers have already heard the inflammatory remarks. When will Robertson ever learn to think before he speaks?"
The offensive cartoons were first published by a Danish newspaper in September and then reprinted by papers across Europe.
The furor exposed a gulf of misunderstanding between the West, which defended the publication by citing the right of free speech, and Muslims who saw it a sort of blasphemy.
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