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Has Graham made prophecies? Have any been verified as coming to pass?

Usually, a prophet in the Bible is someone who conveys the word of God to the people, not necessarily someone who predicts the future. Of course, sometimes prophets do both. And some predict events far into the future.

Okay, fair enough. I know Pat Robertson has made some predictions/prophecies. So, I take it Graham has not? And I have read about some advice and discussions he had with Nixon, and correspondence, too, that were less than charitable toward Jews and the Vietnamese. Can those be confirmed? Some were written and some on the tapes, released in 2002.

I don't recall hearing of Graham making predictions about worldly events. He would preach about the fulfillment of God's promises all the time.

I'm frankly not interested in digging into whatever unkind comments he might have let slip at one time or other. I would never hold him up as a perfect human being. I do think he's a great one.

Doug,

now if Billy Graham were Cindy Sheehan, you would have no hesitation at all in digging up any unkind comments that were made!!! have you gotten the message yet????

I think we all got the message, mikeg: You're a ranting liberal. With lots of !!! to make sure we hear you.

If Billy Graham were Cindy Sheehan? What kind of nonsense is that? If John Edwards were George W. Bush, mikeg, would your opinion of him change?

I am reading some intriguing books lately, Doug, you might find interesting. The latest is called "Terror in the Mind of God" by Mark Juergensmeyer. Others by Rene Girard ("I Saw Satan Fall Like Lightning"), Reinhold Niebhur ("Moral Man in an Immoral Society"; Niebhur, a hugely influential 20th century theologian, was Graham's biggest critic) and Freud ("The Furture of an Illusion") for a seminar on violence in and caused by religion and religious fanaticism.

I am researching what has been reported in several journals as Graham's 1969 correspondence with Nixon (whom he said was the admirable man he ever met), advising massive bombing of dikes in North Vietnam, sacrificing a million or more civilians, certainly begs an explanation in light of his powerful influence in politics. There well might be no truth to it. Graham was certainly vehemently anti-communist and a hawk on the war.

I am reading some intriguing books lately, Doug, you might find interesting. The latest is called "Terror in the Mind of God" by Mark Juergensmeyer. Others by Rene Girard ("I Saw Satan Fall Like Lightning"), Reinhold Niebhur ("Moral Man in an Immoral Society"; Niebhur, a hugely influential 20th century theologian, was Graham's biggest critic) and Freud ("The Furture of an Illusion") for a seminar on violence in and caused by religion and religious fanaticism.

I am researching what has been reported in several journals as Graham's 1969 correspondence with Nixon (whom he said was the admirable man he ever met), advising massive bombing of dikes in North Vietnam, sacrificing a million or more civilians, certainly begs an explanation in light of his powerful influence in politics. There well might be no truth to it. Graham was certainly vehemently anti-communist and a hawk on the war.

"Graham was certainly vehemently anti-communist and a hawk on the war."

So you're pro-communist and you think that's a good thing?? Thank goodness the rest of the world disagrees with you.

jaycee,

we got the message. you are a bulletheaded, close minded, conservative, that thinks anyone with a different opinion is a traitor, stupid, or in the minority.

Doug, once again you missed the point of my post. if you admire someone, you are more than willing to give them a pass for any of the bad, hateful, or otherwise divisive comments they make. Now, if you don't like someone, you are very quick to attack the comments they "let slip" and don't consider anything they have done or said as good at all.

everyone has good and bad, even you, Cindy Sheehan, George bush, and John Edwards.

I get your point, mikeg. I'm hateful and divisive when I write critical commentary about those whom you admire, like Cindy Sheehan or John Edwards, but I'm remiss in not writing critical commentary about those whom you dislike, such as Billy Graham. Sorry to disappoint you. but I hold Graham in higher regard.

Jim, I would suggest that violence is not caused by religion but by the misapplication of it.

Jaycee, you jump to conclusions entirely unwarranted. I think I correctly noted Graham's positions, that's all. He was in favor of major escalation of the Vietnam War..yes or no? The question should be how a man of God might be seen in such light. I also said I am not done sifting through evidence purporting to show Graham advised Nixon to effectively kill a million or so civilians. If that was the case, I think there is ample cause to debate his ethical stance. I did not have a position in 1969 on Vietnam...I was five. I do remember shortly after that being deeply alarmed to the point of begging my parents to let us adopt a child from war-torn areas of Asia, which we did. By 1974, at age ten, I had a commendable, I think, child's aversion to war, and no understanding of communism. Oddly, enough, though, our present government seems pretty cozy with China and Vietnam now that they are potentially economically stronger, in some ways, than we are projected to be for some time.

I wonder how Graham could perhaps have preached in countries (if he ever did) where he may have supported mass killing of civilians?

The seminar I am involved in is wrestling with some of the explanations along the lines you suggest, Doug. Problem is, religion being something entirely dependent on each person's own interpretation and understanding (via personal revelation, for instance), it is difficult to determine what is proper and what is "mis" application of a spiritual vision. Many religions have a basis in "revolutionary" ideas and even calls to action in the service of justice or freedom. But those are always as those within that ethos see them. Religion becomes a handy ennobler of violence in the name of fine ideals.

Quite an irony: The TB fugitive turns out to be a personal injury lawyer. If he infected anyone else during his recent international tour, Andrew Speaker is going to be an easy target for some of his colleagues.* Doug

Nope! But his Dad is.....young Speaker has his dad connections .....It's a family affair with the Father-in-law as the bad guy....it should be a TV sitcon......was in Georgia this past weekend and know Speaker's Pop from the old days....The Feds have jump on the Father-in-Law....

Jim, you seem to turn up your nose at Rev. Graham's anti-communist stance and the fact that he wanted S. Vietnamese and US forces to prevail over the Viet Cong and NVA. I'm confused...are you a communist who supports/supported the N. Vietnamese communist government? Or just a sympathizer who applauds the N. Vietnamese actions to jail, torture, and "re-educate" millions of S. Vietnamese after their defeat?
Why do you sneer at Rev. Graham's desire for victory over the murderous communist government in N. Vietnam and his undying support and love for his country?

I've been to Loch Ness three times but didn't see the monster. Guess my timing was bad because it was spotted again Saturday. Next time I go, I'll indulge in more of the local liquid, which may enhance my vision ... or imagination.* Doug

I suggest you stop reading those Scot myth tourist promotions flyers by Mel Gibson and Sean 007 or start attending a local AA meeting.

ps....I just got a shipment in from Toy's and Scots with a amazing toy dragon lizard that can swim on his back and has a secret Scot chamber in his tail. Only 21 bucks with batteries and booze Doug. Are you interested? Or do you still prefer to play with your Yellow Rubber Duck in your tub?

Jayceee, you aren't reading me clearly. I never said I had sympathy for communist dictators and thigs anywhere, just as I have none for capitalist exploiters. Who I do have sympathy for are innocent Vietnamese civilans who can be thought of as collateral damage, especially if they number a million or so per bombing action. Oh, I forget, all Vietnamese persons, including women and children, weren't innocent. They were our sworn enemies, down the last crying babe. Nuke 'em.

You can stay all cozy in your world of us vs. them, jaycee. I think many of us believe there are limits to what any person should suggest as "just war"...especially if they wear the mantle of spiritual advisor to presidents.

"thigs" is "thugs". And "mantle" is "mantel". Sorry.