Many flocked to Pope Francis’ rallying cry that the war of the world is not religious, but evangelist Franklin Graham staunchly disagrees.
“The word that is being repeated often is insecurity, but the real word is war,” Francis told reporters. “Not a war of religion. There is a war of interests. There is a war for money. There is a war for natural resources. There is a war for domination of peoples. This is the war. All religions want peace. Others want war. Do you understand?”
Graham, though, recognizes the spiritual battle at play.
“It is most certainly a war of religion. Religion is behind the violence and jihad we’re seeing in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and here in this country,” Graham posted to Facebook. “It’s a religion that calls for the extermination of ‘infidels’ outside their faith, specifically Jews and Christians. It’s a religion that calls on its soldiers to shout ‘Allahu Akbar’ (‘God is Great’ in Arabic) as they behead, rape and murder in the name of Islam. Radical Islamists are following the teachings of the Quran. We should call it what it is.”
But Francis fiercely maintains Islam is a religion of peace.
“I think it is not right to identity Islam with violence,” the Pope said. “This is not right and this is not true.”
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