Unearthing Billy Graham’s Quote
Bits of History. Dr. Gary Straub. Meadow @ St Matthews. Lent—2023
“It would disturb me if there was a Wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The Hard Right has NO interest in religion except to manipulate.” Billy Graham
True words, Billy. Guess nobody told him about the’16 Election Wedding!
Well, it was an UNcivil ceremony led by pontificating preachers seizing their 60 seconds of TV fame. No sober objections to the union were offered at the altar. No ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’! No articulations of reservations! When this Unholy Union was blessed by his only son Franklin, Billy Graham rolled over in his grave. (A full flip & turn, I’m told). Billy was not merely ‘disquieted.’ No sir. His Eternal Rest just got ontologically disturbed. I hate that Franklin’s uber— fundamentalism pressured him to pull out his Billy Graham badge and over-ride his father’s judgement just to score a few political points.
We’ve all witnessed with chagrin Franklin’s TV bromance with #45. I cringed as Franklin tangoed down the Garden Path, dancing on his father’s grave.Grateful that Rev. Ann Lotz Graham’s integrity called her to step up as ‘the other’ family spokesperson. Sometimes, human chutzpah feeds our delusions while pride twists our truths against us. Meanwhile, Franklin hard-charges into the Valley of the Shadow singing: “Lord, we are able!”? Hooo Dawgies! Double Yikes! Franklin’s public flub brings to mind an old No.Carolina proverb: “Hmm… seems like maybe his cornbread ain’t done in the middle!”
I reckon all our favorite temptations are variations of the Seven Deadly. Our poor choices get genetically matched to our personal vulnerabilities. Kinda like custom-fitted temptations. Whatever the etiology, it gives me pause to see Franklin suckered in…. snookered—hook, line and sinker. Here’s a famous evangelical leader turning fundy while a nation is strangely puzzled. Double bad juju. I’m wondering out loud if Franklin’s lack of respect for Billy’s quote puts his own reputation and good work in jeopardy!
Let’s pause here for a deep breath & a twinge of transcendental hesitation for Franklin’s flub. Don’t we all select our favorite brand of Teabag in which to steep our temptations? Our finitude inclines us to favor certain flavors of faults, flaws, frailties and foibles. We barely notice, until the tingle, jingle, jangle and dangle descends us into a godaweful tangle. OK now—back to Billy. Recall Billy’s inglorious political power trip that tripped him up in the Nixon era. As Billy sat before the Resolute Desk, his racial equity dissolved into silent agreement w/ Nixon’s racial rants. Billy nodded when he needed to frown. That said…to his RARELY reported credit… during his Crusade in Chattanooga, the locals still tell how Billy personally tore down every segregated seating sign in Engel Stadium.
Dark moments DO get redeemed. Am I being a tad too hard on Franklin? Nah! He knows better than to channel Jerry Falwell! Forgiving Franklin does not mean forgoing a bit of public calling out. Anybody notice Franklin’s recent proliferation of national network 60 second “Get Saved” commercials? Is this Franklin’s attempt to cancel the Wedding Billy tried to warn about? Is this 60 second salvation blurb some sort of penance for his faltering feet along the come-back trail?
Here’s what I’m learning today about my own prejudices … the primordial ooze into which I too often sink happens mainly while I am pointing out other folk’s wallowing. Confession: my middle name is clay… as in… “feet of clay.”
