The Rev. Franklin Graham excoriates Islam sympathizers: 'Stop saying Islam is a religion of peace

Responding to the terrorist attack in Barcelona that killed 13 people and injured more than 100 others, the Rev. Franklin Graham — son of famed evangelist Billy Graham — condemned politicians for claiming that Islam "is a religion of peace."

Graham tweeted Saturday: "Politicians should stop saying 'Islam is a religion of peace,'" which he hashtagged "Barcelona."

In a Facebook post, he added, "We are making a mistake by allowing the operation and spread of the dark and dangerous teachings of Islam."

The link that Graham shared pointed to an article written for Fox News by former CIA agent Bryan Dean Wright, who wrote that there is a war "against a religious ideology rather than a random group of fanatics."

The catalyst

According to the BBC, Barcelona law enforcement said that a van sped along the Las Ramblas Central Boulevard, which typically holds heavy pedestrian traffic and is an epicenter for markets, bars, and restaurants.

“I saw the van. It had already been busted on the front. It was weaving left and right, trying to hit people as fast as possible. There were people lying on the ground,” Tom Markwell of New Orleans, told the BBC as an eyewitness.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson revealed after the attack that an American citizen was among the fatalities.

Graham's solution?

Graham, in his Facebook post, doubled down on remarks made by Wright and offered a solution.

"Islam reigns in lives through fear and intimidation," Graham wrote. "I pray that Muslims everywhere will come to know Jesus Christ, the Son of God who loves them and can truly set them free. The Word of God tells us, 'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed' (John 8:36)."

The problem

Many critics argue that making a blanket statement that Islam "is not a religion of peace" could be considered irresponsible and offensive.

Just as many Christians, for example, don't want to be put in a one-size-fits-all bucket for Christianity, it hardly seems fair to lump all of Islam into the same category.

A fringe group of radicals hardly define the Islamic religion, and that statement can be said for — and against — other religions of the world.