Posted on 06/27/2005 7:16:38 AM PDT by Carl/NewsMax
National Clergy Council president Rev. Rob Schenck walked out on Rev. Billy Graham during the second night of his Queens, New York crusade on Saturday, after Graham yielded the stage to Bill Clinton and suggested his wife Hillary should be president.
"I was stunned and appalled," Rev. Schenck told the Christian Wire Service, saying that he left Flushing Meadows Park while Graham was still complimenting the Clintons.
"This was a deliberate, cunning, purely political move by the Clintons to divide the Evangelical vote and assure Hillary of a victory in '08," said Schenck, a minister with the Evangelical Church Alliance and a missionary to elected officials.
Rev. Schenck said he has considered Rev. Graham his role model for over 25 years, explaining that he had traveled from Washington, DC, to New York City this weekend to witness what may be the legendary preacher's last crusade.
But after he saw the Clintons exploit the aging Graham, he couldn't bear to stay and hear him preach, he told CWS.
After the two top Democrats managed to secure onstage seating, the ex-president praised Graham for his civil rights work during the 1950's, adding "I've loved him ever since. God bless you, friend."
Rev. Graham returned the compliment, calling Mr. and Mrs. Clinton "wonderful friends" and "a great couple." He then quipped that the former president should become an evangelist and allow "his wife to run the country."
I think his comment was akin to Sen. Lott's comment to Stron Thurmond, just a bit if politeness to the persons onstage with him. But Graham should have known the reaction he'd receive.
Gag me! My admiration for Mr. Graham just evaporated.
It stunned and appalled this evangelical little, too. See my Billy Graham: Bill Clinton should be an evangelist, and Hillary should be president.
Dan
I think allowing the Clintons to use him for publicity was an atrocious move. How can a godly man even shake hands with a dirtbag like Clinton? Who knows where that hand has been?
But people are forgetting that Graham's comment was a two-part quip. Maybe he thinks Hillary running the country is just as unlikely as Bill becoming an evangelist.
I could see Clinton as an evangelist along the lines of Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart and Oral "God has taken me hostage" Roberts.
I've been trying to put this is perspective...I can't
"I think his comment was akin to Sen. Lott's comment to Stron Thurmond, just a bit if politeness to the persons onstage with him."
That may be, but I'd bet my last dollar that we're going to be seeing a lot of that photo opportunity between now and 2008.
And, if Graham passes away before 2008, I wouldn't be surprised if the Clintons subtlely hint at an "endorsement" from him. After all, he wouldn't be around to defend himself.
And maybe by "running the country" he was just referring to her position in the Senate.
This is mind blowing. The Conservative movement; 2 steps forward, shoot ourselves in the foot, limp 3 steps back.
Were marbles falling out of his pant legs while he was saying all this?
I think we are just watching an Icon grow old, he has mellowed and isn't as sharp as we need him to be. I noticed
when he was answering a question on Lary King, one particular drawn out answer had nothing to do with the question.
He needs to go home and just retire with his beloved wife.
I am not happy with the Clintons getting a forum like Mr. Graham's crusade, but can't help but respond to your question: what would Jesus do? Did He avoid contact with the vilest of sinners?
He's very old and appears to have lost his senses. He still is/was a good man.
There is folly in trusting to human beings--Graham has reaped a lot of material rewards in being the premier evangelist. But I do not believe that it is possible for a human being, once exposed to celebrity, to ever be able to overcome the spiritual damage it does. All is vanity.
Medical personnel in Asheville hospitals can tell you stories about how the Grahams expect a helicopter to be sent to their log mansion every time they catch cold...
I agree! When DH and I saw this on the news this am, I turned to him and said" Who would have thought Reverend Graham was a star-******"! The only excuse I could make for him was that he's old and sick...And before you get on my case, next to the Pope, Rev. Graham is(was) the epitome of religious authority and class.
(2) Reverend Graham also well knows that Senator Clinton is a strong, vocal supporter of sodomy and abortion.
(3) I can only conclude that something has gone drastically awry in the Reverend's ministry. I hope the damage he has done with this publicity stunt is remediable and I am praying for him.
He has done much good throughout the years - I hope he hasn't undone it now.
I think you're right! You have to wonder why Graham even let them onstage. Was he just being polite?
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