Hardball’s “balance” May 29, 2006
Posted by Evil Bender in News and politics, Religion, Right-wingers, sex, wingnuts.trackback
Chris Matthews is discussing Billy Graham today, and how he brought many people together. It's an interesting segment, completely undercut by his choice of guest: Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, and one of the most extreme and devisive right-wingers in the country.
Perkins even suggested that Graham was remiss in not using his influence with US Presidents to deal with "key issues" of the day, including "gay marriage" and "abortion." Perkins indicated that he would prefer that Graham was more like his son, who speaks out on such issues, and who called Islam "a whicked religion."
Graham brought people together, even many who disagreed with him on religious issues, because he seemed to just about everyone to care deeply for everyone, while Perkins would have him be more devisively, the way his group, the one that preaches intolerance and bigotry, does.
Today is absolutely filled with irony.
Yes, God forbid Christians should be concerned with the essentials as taught by Christ — much better to stir up controversy over secondary things that will allow us to forget we’re called first and foremost to let our love shine to everyone.
(I’m being sarcastic)
I agree. Graham, unlike many prominant Christians, kept to what every Christian should believe the most important issue. He reached so many for this very reason. He was NOT political. He was an EVANGELIST. And to say that he didn’t use his pull with US Presidents on important issues is ridiculous. He just had a different idea of importance.
Also, Franklin Graham (aside from attacking Islam) is doing amazing things of a practical nature to help social ills around the world, with the help of people like Bono. Still, this is for the purpose of opening doors to the gospel of Christ. He’s just using the method found in the book of James, practicing “true and undefiled religion” by serving people in their need. Anyone who can convince Helms to raise funding for AIDS in Africa can’t be all bad. Go team Graham/Bono!