Posted on 06/12/2004 4:23:28 PM PDT by newsgatherer
Remembering President Ronald Reagan
Rev. Billy Graham
...
During the years before Ron was elected to public office, I had often detected a spiritual side to him. For example, I remember once when I gave a small dinner party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and invited him. He brought up the subject of the Second Coming of Christ. The same subject came up with him on other occasions as well.
I have been told that where he grew up, in Dixon, Illinois, he did some preaching himself in his late teens. At the time, he was a member of the Christian Church, which was somewhat like the Baptist Church. I kept forgetting to ask him about it, however, something that I now regret. During the eight years of Reagan's presidential administration, we saw each other a number of times. I especially appreciated his kindness in inviting Ruth and me to several states dinners for visiting foreign leaders.
One night while I was staying at the White House, Nancy and the President got into a discussion about the question of salvation -- who was going to be saved and who was going to be lost. He gave her his views on conversion and the new birth right out of the Bible. She turned to me.
"Billy, is that right?"
I said it was ...
(Excerpt) Read more at christian-news-in-maine.com ...
On a previous thread (now pulled I think) I stated I thought President Reagan had been raised Catholic. Looks like I was wrong. He was always Protestant. His first wife Jane Wyman is Catholic along with his son Michael and probably Maureen was as well.
Baptised a 11 in 1922
yes, that's what clued me in. We Catholics baptize infants so I knew from there he was a Proddie.
Michael attend The Church on the Way (Jack Hayford, pastor). He is an evangelical Protestant.
I thought that too. (Raised Catholic)
Where did we get this? Something isn't right.
He made the Sign of the Cross at the funeral. So did either his wife or daughter. I don't know!
I can't recall where I first read it but there are contrasting stories floating around.
I was pleased to hear that Ave Maria was sung at the president's funeral.
I have heard him numerous times on his program refer to Jack Hayford as his pastor and describe events at his church (The Church on the Way).
He has also shared his conversion testimony several times (clearly an evangelical perspective).
I noticed that. Isn't the National Cathedral Anglican?
Episcopal
She was a gracious, generous woman whom you couldn't help feeling a little sorry for. She needed more people in her life to enjoy her.
Ronald Reagan was a good actor, a great President, and a lousy father. Or so it would seem.
Michael Reagan was raised by his mother, Jane Wyman, who is Catholic. The story goes, confirmed in Maureen Reagan's autobiography, that her father and Nancy did not even tell Patti about Maureen's existence until Patti was seven years old. This left a lasting pain with Maureen.
Michael is Evangelical Protestant. No doubt he crosses himself in remembrance of his mother and her faith (Jane Wyman is still alive, I think).
I thought Michael's eulogy was eloquent. I never thought to promise my children that I would be in heaven. But to do so implies that you are promising to live an upright, Godly life for their sake, as well as your own.
I'm going to tell me kids the same thing. Thanks, Mike. 8~)
At the final review of the casket before they left, Michael made the sign of the cross. I would suspect he is still practicing Catholicsm.
Making the sign of the cross does not make one a practicing Catholic. Michael attends regularly and enthusiastically and evangelical congregation. He calls the church's pastor his pastor. He has had him on histalk show billing him as his pastor.
Some unusual practice for a Catholic. One genuflection does not make your case.
I am not disputing your claim Michael Reagan considers himself evangelical now, but his practice of Catholic ritual is certainly cause for pause. If he was raised Catholic he has not renounced those ties. I know plenty of people who still consider themselves Catholic but attend non denom churches. We can thank V II for that but considering the current state of affairs I can hardly blame them. Some non-Catholic churches are more Catholic than the supposed Catholic parishes.
One sign of the cross and you have cause to question repeated clear statements by Michael himself? Do you listen to his program?
OK, fine by me.
That's not uniquely a Cathy practice. Lots of Proddies practice infant baptism also.
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