As the Reverend Franklin Graham appeared on Tuesday's CNN Newsroom to promote a national call to prayer, host Carol Costello raised charges that "heated rhetoric about Muslims" is "causing mosques to come under attack," and, after asking her guest if he thought Islam was "compatible with American values," fretted over his answer when he responded, "I don't think so." The CNN host followed up: "See, some people say that rhetoric like that is hurting them."
After the Reverend Graham took issue with the treatment of women and others within the Muslim faith, Costello suggested that Catholicism might be just as culpable as she responded: "I could say that about my own faith within Catholicism, right? I could."
The CNN host got to the issue after asking the Reverend Graham his views on Donald Trump's plan for a temporary ban on Muslim immigration, with her guest suggesting a temporary freeze on all immigration, especially from the Middle East, until the vetting process is improved. Costello then suggested that refusing to accept Syrian refugees would not be "Christian." Costello:
I do think many Americans would agree with you, but I also think that some Americans look to Canada, for example, and their warm embrace of these refugees, and they look at the way that some politicians in the United States talk about especially people from the Middle East, and they don't think that's very Christian.
After the Reverend Graham argued that there has been a need for precautions since 9/11 and other terrorist attacks, adding that "I love Muslims, I work with Muslims," the CNN host complained about "heated rhetoric" about Muslims. Costello:
Some people, okay, and I believe you. But there's been some heated rhetoric about Muslims in this country, and some in the Muslim community believe that kind of rhetoric is, you know, causing mosques to come under attack. And they're afraid for their own safety, some Muslims. Can you just -- can you just answer -- is Islam compatible with American values?
After he answered, "I don't think so," she fretted: "See, some people say that rhetoric like that is hurting them."
The Reverend Graham responded:
Well, you asked me a question, and I answered you, but I don't go out and preach against Islam. I don't go out and preach against Muslims. I don't. And I certainly welcome them. But our Constitution, the way we treat women, the way we treat all people, Islam doesn't do that under shariah law.
Costello then compared Islam and Catholicism as she followed up: "I could say that about my own faith within Catholicism, right? I could."
Below is a transcript of relevant portions of the Tuesday, December 15, CNN Newsroom with Carol Costello:
10:38 a.m.
CAROL COSTELLO: Tell me about your plan to hold prayer rallies in all 50 states. What does that involve?
[The Reverend Franklin Graham describes his plan for prayer rallies.]
REV. FRANKLIN GRAHAM: ...And I'm asking for Christians to join me -- or anybody -- to join me at the capitol and to pray -- pray for out nation.
COSTELLO: Christians? Jewish people?
REV. GRAHAM: Anybody.
COSTELLO: Muslims?
REV. GRAHAM: Everybody is welcome. Absolutely, absolutely, Muslims will be welcome. ...
[Rev. Graham calls for more Christians to run for office.]
COSTELLO: Why do we need more Christians holding office?
[REV. GRAHAM]
COSTELLO: But we're a nation of all faiths.
[REV. GRAHAM]
COSTELLO: So when you say, "God's principles," and you know I'm a strong Catholic, and I love Pope Francis, so when you say, "God's principles work," I believe you, but I also know that oftentimes praying isn't enough. We need action, and God gave us gifts to take action.
[REV. GRAHAM]
COSTELLO: So will you pray for more Christian politicians? I don't understand.
[REV. GRAHAM]
COSTELLO: Well, let's talk about biblical principles because you agree in part with Donald Trump on banning Muslims from coming into the United States. Is that fair?
[REV. GRAHAM]
COSTELLO: All immigration? Like Hispanics, Muslims, everybody?
[REV. GRAHAM]
COSTELLO: You're talking about the Syrian refugees right now?
[REV. GRAHAM]
COSTELLO: I do think many Americans would agree with you, but I also think that some Americans look to Canada, for example, and their warm embrace of these refugees, and they look at the way that some politicians in the United States talk about especially people from the Middle East, and they don't think that's very Christian.
REV. GRAHAM: Well, I'm thinking that we have to protect American citizens, just like the school in Los Angeles. I think they did the right thing shutting things down until they find out if there really is a threat. And we-
COSTELLO: But that threat could be coming from anyone or anything.
REV. GRAHAM: Yeah, but we know where the threats, this city right here know what happened on 9/11. And on 9/11 we have been at war. And we have had thousands of Americans who have been killed -- over 11,000 -- since 9/11. And I think we should take all the precautions we can to protect our citizens. And, again, I love Muslim people, I work with Muslims.
COSTELLO: Some people, okay, and I believe you. But there's been some heated rhetoric about Muslims in this country, and some in the Muslim community believe that kind of rhetoric is, you know, causing mosques to come under attack. And they're afraid for their own safety, some Muslims. Can you just -- can you just answer -- is Islam compatible with American values?
REV. GRAHAM: I don't think so.
COSTELLO: See, some people say that rhetoric like that is hurting them.
REV. GRAHAM: Well, you asked me a question, and I answered you, but I don't go out and preach against Islam. I don't go out and preach against Muslims. I don't. And I certainly welcome them. But our Constitution, the way we treat women, the way we treat all people, Islam doesn't do that under shariah law.
COSTELLO: I could say that about my own faith within Catholicism, right? I could. Let me play devil's advocate for just a little longer. Donald Trump thinks that some mosques should be shut down. Do you agree with that?
[REV. GRAHAM]
COSTELLO: Does that mean we should do it here?
[REV. GRAHAM]
COSTELLO: And just a final question: Is there any one candidate that reflects those Christian values that you talk about?
[REV. GRAHAM]
