Posted on 07/01/2005 11:09:50 AM PDT by tyw
Friday, July 1, 2005 10:09 a.m. EDT
The Rev. Billy Graham said Friday that he didn't intend to endorse Hillary Clinton for president when he told her husband at a massive New York City revival meeting last weekend that she should "run the country."
His son Franklin Graham, who heads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, tells the Charlotte Observer:
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"For a long time, my father has refrained from endorsing political candidates and he certainly did not intend for his comments to be an endorsement for Senator Hillary Clinton." "My father, of course, was joking," the younger Graham said, when he hosted the Clintons onstage and told the crowd of 90,000, "They're a great couple. ... He should be an evangelist because he has all the gifts and he could leave his wife to run the country."
Although Billy Graham has called himself a Democrat, Franklin said that didn't mean he supported the former president, saying, "His political views, as well as mine, are quite different than the Clintons'."
The Clintons, however "remain good friends," he added.
The Rev. Graham felt compelled to issue the clarification after receiving more than 100 e-mails and calls of protest, the Observer said.
The Rev. Graham's words of praise for the former first couple prompted significant consternation among some of his most devoted followers.
National Clergy Council President Rev. Rob Schenck, for instance - who had traveled from Washington, D.C., to Queens, N.Y., just to hear his "role model" preach - walked out of the event after the Clintons were feted onstage.
"I was stunned and appalled," the Rev. Schenck told the Christian Wire Service.
"It was disturbing to watch Billy Graham, a man whom I’ve admired for years, being used by evil to mislead countless Christians," complained the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, head of the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny [BOND].
If if walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck.
Matthew 5
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Why?
This statement by the son is very revealing: "His (Billy Graham's) political views, as well as mine, are quite different than the Clintons'."
Billy Graham has ministered to presidents for years .. this is his relationship with the Clintons. I believe they were invited because of their former status .. and not because he supports Hillary. They just didn't know how to say no to her.
We know this was a ploy by Hillary for political reasons.
What is even sadder is that many of those who are his harshest critics are fellow Christians who ought to have the same forgiving spirit that our Lord had when his disciples screwed up time and time again. But no! Billy must be crucified.
And crucify him they will.
Have a nice thread.
Maranatha
The hell you say...
>Billy Graham appears to be an ass-kissing liar to me<
Notice he apoligized to Christians he might have hurt.The opinion of the lost matters not on this matter.
I almost started with FDR but decided against it because most of the Democrat Party was still conservative. His income tax, SS, and socialist programs to "end the depression" were sold well and even appreciated by much of the South. Though it sounds contradictory, the Democrats remained conservative despite the presence of so many Communists in FDR's inner circle. Until McCarthy, most were unaware of that.
I chose LBJ because of his aggressive approach and lack of subtlety in passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Medicare in 1965, and his trouncing of Goldwater, the standard bearer of conservatism. He not only tolerated liberals he actively pressed their cause, all for political gain. That, IMO, is what started to turn the South and, therefore, the Democrat Party.
And so sayeth me: "The ass-kissing flimflam preachers will always be with you."
I'm glad that he cleared it up, and that I can maintain my respect for the man. I don't care he's a Democrat, but I found it surprising that he seemed to be endorsing Hillary. The clarification helps, and I'm relieved he is simply standing by his friends, even though he disagrees with them, than actually reversing his stated positions. ;)
Billy Graham has done a lot of good over the years. Zell Miller's a democrat too. As long as they are decent men and proud Americans, they're fine by me.
>>>The Rev. Billy Graham said Friday that he didn't intend to endorse Hillary Clinton for president when he told her husband at a massive New York City revival meeting last weekend that she should "run the country." >>>
Uhhh, ok. Whatever.
Billy Graham, you are joke and no 'religious leader' of mine.
Elected officials "run" the country. Hillary is an elected official.
Everyone's got their panties in a knot over nothing. Leave the old guy alone to die with dignity. He's done more in his lifetime to further the cause of Christ than any American living or dead and has served this nation at the highest levels regadless of the political party in power.
The attempts to pigeonhole his politics is pathetic beyond belief. Y'all ought to be ashamed of yourselves.
Churches are full of sinners! That's why there are churches!!!
Maybe now some FReepers will finally STHU and stop slandering him. Emphasis on "maybe".
Never trust somebody who's been in public life for 50+ years and never ever offended any group. He's never even come out against abortion because he doesn't want to offend. He's dangerous and I wouldn't want to answer for what he's done... I seem to recall Jesus detesting people who wouldn't take a stand.
I agree. We shouldn't put down Rev. Graham, he has shown himself to be full of integrity and compassion. He does deserve our respect. However, I do believe it was poor judgement to put the Clintons on stage and gush over them like that.
I figured as much......
Is that really true? If it is, he's a dumber old coot than he appears to be. Although after his pandering to an impeached, perjuring, disbarred rapist and Mrs. Rapist it wouldn't surprise me.
"many of those who are his harshest critics are fellow Christians"
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