A couple of years ago in the lead up to Franklin Graham Touring New Zealand I was invited to a leaders breakfast as part of the planning process. Surprisingly, I went but more to be a fly on the wall than anything else. I met a few Samoan colleagues there. After the breakfast I came to the conclusion that it was not for me.
The Franklin Graham “God Loves you tour” is coming to New Zealand in the next few days. Franklin is the son of Billy Graham. We at St. Andrew’s have been invited to advertise the tour in our church notices and notice boards. At our Exploring Faith gathering on Sunday the question was asked “do we want to?” I said I would post something in E News this week.
I’m a bit wary of Franklin Graham. Franklin Graham rides on the coattails of his father Billy Graham’s fame and the world is caught up in the memories and heyday of the 1950’s Billy Graham Evangelistic Tours, his followers are wanting a repeat of that evangelical era that swept the world in a frenzy. I also question his integrity, as a salaried employee he was double dipping two full time salaries from the Samaritans Purse while simultaneously receiving a full-time salary from (BGEA). This was called into question after his 2008 compensation from both organizations totaled $1.2 million. Why?
According to Graham, anyone who is not a Christian is suspect and not to be trusted. For example, on August 19, 2010, when asked by CNN correspondent John King if he had doubts that President Barack Obama is a Christian, Graham stated, “I think the president’s problem is that he was born a Muslim; his father was a Muslim. The seed of Islam is passed through the father like the seed of Judaism is passed through the mother. He was born a Muslim; his father gave him an Islamic name.” Graham continued, “Now it’s obvious that the president has renounced the prophet Mohammed, and he has renounced Islam, and he has accepted Jesus Christ. That’s what he says he has done. I cannot say that he hasn’t. So I just have to believe that the president is what he has said.” In a March 2011 interview with the conservative Internet publication Newsmax, Graham claimed officials in the Obama administration had connections to the Muslim Brotherhood: “The Muslim Brotherhood is very strong and active in our country. It’s infiltrated every level of our government. Right now, we have many of these people that are advising the US military and State Department on how to respond in the Middle East, and it’s like asking a fox, like a farmer asking a fox, “How do I protect my henhouse from foxes?” We’ve brought in Muslims to tell us how to make policy toward Muslim countries. And many of these people we’ve brought in, I’m afraid, are under the Muslim Brotherhood.”
It seems that for Graham, any faith that is not Christian poses a threat and his views are more condemning, judgmental, and exclusive. These are just a few observations but enough for me to form my own opinion.
So, in answer to question “should we promote/advertise Franklin Graham the God Loves your Tour” my answer is simply no! I believe the Methodist Church is not promoting it either. We will all have our own views and this is mine. I leave you to your own discernment on this. Will I attend the rally? Hmm I may go as a fly on the wall, we’ll see.
BTW, Peanut had his dental surgery on Monday which I was very worried about. He came through the general anesthetic like a trooper and is back to his normal self. Have a great weekend. Fei
You can read the full E-News here: https://mailchi.mp/5ab4ae88c0bf/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-9209207
