What I agree with Billy Grahm

                So, the time has come, I was genuinely surprised that the family of Billy Grahm was actually split on this issue. Let’s not have any illusions, the family is far more conservative and more in line with Franklin Graham (Billy Grahm’s son), and traditionally has always been. Despite this, a Berkeley Boy Me admires and agrees with Reverend Billy Grahm and his interpretation of the Bible. This is because what the Bible really says is different than how so many ‘Christians’ cherry picks the Bible into what either Hitler, Cotton Mather (the Godfather of the Salem Witch Trials and Alito’s Dobbs Decision) or some medieval and corrupt Catholic Church that worships and lusts for temporal power. What is not said is that Jesus was different, he did not seek political power. I am sure Billy Grahm can quote Chapter and Verse about the exchanges between Jesus and the Roman Judges or was it Governor at the kangaroo Court that led to Jesus being crucified. For whatever reason, the scene in The Gospel of John where Jesus makes it clear that God’s Kingdom is not the same. While I am not sure of the nature of ‘God’s Kingdom’ it might exist in some other plane of existence that might not be physical. What Christ did make clear is that ‘God’s’ Kingdom was not a threat to Roman Influence/power. Perhaps the true nature is in our hearts and how we live in a way that makes the glory of the Roman Empire or politics far less important than some of us (including me and Reverand Billy Grahm) realize.

                Perhaps it is a sin that both of us are too much into politics in a way that compromises what we should be. I don’t want to dishonor Billy Grahm, but his most glaring error comes to mind. Billy Grahm had a long-time affinity with the office of the President of the United States and has had deep relationships with several of them throughout his life. Such an affinity can make his relationship with Nixon take such a serious toll on at least his reputation, as it did. It is easy to see how this could happen. In saying this, I have to take note of ‘Judge not lest ye be judged.’ While I am sure that Billy Grahm and many other Christians can quote chapter and verse and might even be able to quote it in some other way than the King James. I admire Billy Grahm beyond the understanding of the Bible, but he both admitted his mistake and spoke against the danger that the so-called mutating movement of the religious right to both Christianity and The Constitution as it is practiced in this day.

                We might disagree on a lot of things if Billy Grahm was still alive, but I doubt that he would tell me or anyone how he votes. What I would like to talk to him about is the concern that his granddaughter has about how trump and the modern fundamentalist church turned at least two generations away from the church. I doubt that we would agree on a solution, but it might be me who needs to understand those who left the church and what they want/need. The truth is too many of us have turned to drugs and bad intimate relationships and need guidance. My prayer is that some true Christians would understand this and at least give these people a place of peace among us, and even provide guidance to how to live in peace with God in their genuine spirit. This goes beyond politics and into how we really live our lives and beyond. This was the true gospel that both Billy Grahm and I believe.