I want to share my thoughts on The Reverend Billy Graham, but before I do so, please note that this is a controversial post. Do NOT read if you are easily offended, or believe that the Church or the U.S. government never lies to you.
Before we go on, here are some basic risk factors that you might be offended by what I have to say. If you have any of these signs, please note that reading this post is something that you did on your own volition, and that if you experience irrational anger, you did so fully aware of the risks!
Are you or do you...?
- White
- American
- Christian
- Believe that 19 Muslims decided to blow up the WTC because they "hated freedom?"
- Vote Republican
- Vote Democrat
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- Vote
CAUTION! You are at high risk of being offended! Please turn back now!
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I find it interesting that when The Reverend Billy Graham died, seemingly the entire country paid their respects. They may not be Christians -- in fact, they could be downright militant atheists -- but they still respected Rev. Graham and his body of work.
So it seems incredibly blasphemous to write a post about Graham not advancing or profiting the Kingdom of God. How can I say such a thing when Graham obviously did so much for God's people?
Graham certainly preached at a lot of people, that I agree. But where I disagree is the notion that he profited the Kingdom. He merely read pre-approved talking points, allowing him to lead a very privileged and luxurious life.
Cutting the BS
Christians might argue that Billy Graham went out into the world and preached the Gospel of Christ! Really? Let's be real...Christian ministry to the developing world is fake.
It's usually just a bunch of privileged, often white, brainwashed American pricks that throw a few bread crumbs at blacks and mongrels not to help them, but to feel good about themselves!
These folks have one foot in the door, and the other foot out. They know when the sh-t gets too thick, they have their American passport and their return ticket home. That's not real ministry; that's just a field trip.
This isn't to disparage genuine workers and ambassadors for Christ. But you rarely hear about the genuine ones because they're actually doing God's work!
Being a real Christian is tough, not glamorous
If you're enjoying a pampered, privileged life as a Christian, something is dreadfully wrong. The Christian life is never easy.
Don't believe me. Believe Jesus.
John 15:18-27 King James Version (KJV) says:
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
Jesus taught us that the world hates Him, and hates His followers and His teachings. So if the world embraces a pastor, what does that really say about him?
Graham Loved By All...but is that a Good Thing?
Make no mistake about it: Billy Graham was loved almost universally by powerful people. He was invited to preach the Gospel behind the Iron Curtain. He was even invited to preach in North Korea, of all f---ing places!
Of course, he is known as the President's pastor, as he is a close friend and confidant to numerous Presidents -- even the ones that did truly awful and sh-tty things...ahem.
This is a man who has been literally embraced by the most powerful people on this earth, the people who call the ultimate shots.
Therefore, the world loves Billy Graham...but is that a good thing?
Not really, if you listen to Jesus' words carefully.
Never Once Rocked the Boat
Jesus turned the world upside down. That's why we remember him.
Billy Graham, on the other hand, maintained the status quo. That's why he lived a luxurious, privileged life.
He's credited with helping turn the tide against racism in America and in South Africa by teaching whites that they should view blacks as fellow brothers in Christ. Really?
Martin Luther King Jr. did the same thing, and he was murdered.
Malcolm X demanded dignity for African-Americans and he was likewise murdered.
Come to think of it, do you know any famous white pastor that died for their beliefs?
Billy Graham died a very rich man. Pat Robertson is 200 years old, and he's still rockin' it at the 700 Club. And so many privileged televangelists of all skin colors are "fighting for the truth."
Please.
If you actually did tell the truth, you'd be dead like King or Malcolm X.
You're very correct @bullishmoney.
I share same thoughts - Billy compromised a lot and did what he did to please the powers that be; doing as they'd please, saying as they'd want with caution to not step on toes. By the way, religion is often used for mass control.
The truth is always bitter and pisses off!
Absolutely! I'm also reminded that during slavery in America, the plantation owners used the Bible as a psychological weapon -- ie. obey your master -- to justify their actions, and to keep slaves subservient. It doesn't get much more mass control than that.
And as long as everybody plays along, everything's fine. But when folks like King, or especially Malcolm X start speaking hard-hitting truth...they dead.
Can’t speak about Billy Graham as I never met him, I believed he was well liked because he told people about Jesus but didn’t judge or condemn them. I was surprised by his net wealth of 25 million, at the end of the day he preached about Jesus for 70 years to 100’s of millions of people so he had to be truly committed. Perfect he was not, a good man, yes for certain. Was he privileged? Yes he lived in America, most Americans are privileged period. Sick people need doctors, like lost people need the word of God, maybe that is why he kept some of the company he did. Living for Jesus is not easy and you will be persecuted, Billy Graham was setup numerous times with women in hotel rooms, he entered the rooms with other people or else he would have been smeared. Offended, I am not because most religious leaders are phony period. As always keep providing your thought provoking content, look forward to reading your perspective.
Well, yes...I'm sure he was a good man. I've never met him, so I can't judge his character. That said, I'm extremely cautious about powerful people -- and I genuinely don't give a rat's ass if they claim to be Christian -- especially those that have access to even more powerful people.
The truth is always ugly to evil-doers, and I believe that's the central reason why Jesus was always targeted for execution/murder. As I mentioned in my post, I see a razor-sharp dichotomy between the assassinations of King/Malcolm X, and someone like Billy Graham, and countless good-looking, western "Christians" who are never targeted for "heart attacks" or "car accidents" ... wink, wink!
We can also draw upon our own experiences -- telling the truth never goes unpunished.
True on heart attacks and car accidents, left out plane crashes :)
LOL! Thanks for pointing that out, I'm getting sloppy! :)