'Real Object of Hate in Our Nation' is 'God Himself'
Commenting on the rise of social division and hatred in America, evangelist Franklin Graham said that, overall, what is happening "is an increasing hatred of God" and "His Word," and that the primary target of hate, when all is said and done, is "none other than God Himself."
Franklin Graham, who is the son of world-renowned pastor Billy Graham, made his remarks in the October issue of Decision magazine, which is published by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).
"America has flaunted its sexual immorality to the world," said Rev. Franklin Graham. "We’ve neglected many of the poor and suffering and are guilty of much injustice, pride and self-indulgence. We are broken spiritually, adrift morally and divided politically and racially—following whichever direction the bankrupt culture seems to drive us."
Antifa activists burn the U.S. flag. (alsfirearmsblog.com)
"Sadly, the voices of hate have grown increasingly loud and insulting," he said. Although the voices of hate come from both sides of the political aisle, Graham added, "we must realize that ultimately what is transpiring in our nation is an increasing hatred of God, His Word and His ways."
"In my lifetime, I have never seen such blatant and incessant animosity toward Christ and His followers," said Rev. Graham. "We should not be surprised, because the Scripture tells us that if they hated the Lord Jesus Christ, they surely would despise those who worship and serve Him."
The Christian leader then cited the case of high school football coach Joe Kennedy, who lives in Washington. Coach Kennedy, for years, used to take a knee and pray on the field after football games were over. Then, in 2015, the school district suspended him and did not renew his contract because Kennedy refused to stop praying to God. Kennedy went to court.
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Eventually, the very left-wing 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said of its ruling against the high school football coach, "When Kennedy kneeled and prayed on the 50-yard line immediately after games, while in view of students and parents, he spoke as a public employee … and his speech therefore was constitutionally unprotected.”
Former high school football coach Joe Kennedy. (gospelherald.com)
Rev. Graham said, "Can you believe it? A coach, public or parochial, is not allowed to simply bow and silently pray because it might offend someone? Not only that, but in the eyes of the court this violates the First Amendment, which is supposed to guarantee and protect our religious freedom!"
The reverend also noted that the left-wing Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is going after Christian groups simply because they oppose homosexual "marriage." The SPLC has labeled as "hate groups," for instance, the Family Research Council and the D. James Kennedy Ministries because they teach and uphold the model of marriage, between one man and one woman, as established by God and inscribed in the natural order.
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"While believers should never raise voices of hate against anyone," said Rev. Graham, "the real object of hate in our nation (that has been so blessed by God) is none other than God Himself."
"What has been historically called good and righteous is now called evil, and what was evil is now called good," he said. "The Bible says, 'Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness' (Isaiah 5:20)."
In conclusion, Rev. Graham said, "We need to pray for those who hate the Gospel, those who hate the Name of Jesus, those who hate His followers—that they will come out of their self-imposed darkness and into the light of God’s forgiveness through faith and repentance in Christ, who gave Himself for our sins."
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In addition to running the BGEA, Franklin Graham oversees the international Christian aid group Samaritan's Purse. https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/rev-graham-real-object-hate-our-nation-god-himself
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Who are these God believers who hate God? I have never met a believer who hates God, and it's impossible to hate that which you don't even think exists. Name one person who hates God; I've never met one.
I disagree with that description, they are not God believers, although I suspect that many of them descended from people of faith. The question then is how they became the secularists who look to government for every solution to every problem?
Liberal ideology?
"The reverend also noted that the left-wing Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is going after Christian groups simply because they oppose homosexual "marriage."
I've always said that anyone who had religious objections to gay marriage would eventually be condemned as bigots. That was part of the consequence of the Supreme Court proclaiming same-sex marriage as a right. Same-sex marriage allowed via state legislation, based on empathy was the way to go for the good of everyone.
Holy conflation Vicster! Care for a donut? Liberal ideology?? What in blue blazes are you talking about? I'd be happy to talk politics with you one a political article, my friend, but this is one is about Frankie Graham accusing people of hating God.
Maybe not God, but
You don't think there is any hate out there for evangelicals or people of faith?
or Christians in general?
or Whites?
The other angle to this, which I'm still interested in, is the background of our secularist/atheists here. I can say I was brought up via Catholic beliefs, though I've lost all of that.
Just wondering how many came from a religious beginning and have lost the faith?
Absolutely, every single person on earth is hated by someone or some group. When it comes to God belief, however, I think most of the hatred out there is for the belief itself. I hate God belief myself, but I don't hate the believers. They are ignorant, misinformed, and foolish for believing such an obvious fairy tale, but I don't hate them for it, rather, I tend to feel sorry for them.
Tax churches' income. Disallow donations to churches as tax deductions. That is not an attack on god. That is merely good and reasonable tax and public policy. After c enturies of skimming off the top tax free churches control too much of The People's wealth. The chucheds (See any church such as Scientology to the Roman Catholics) have accumulated too much of our pie over time...
Not believeing in poor olde Franklin "The Fake" Graham's definition of god as in the god of Abraham, Jesus and Muhammed does not equate with hating god. Nobody hates what they do not believe in. As children we were told to believe all kinds of childish nonsense and magical thinking. We were told Santa brought gifts Dec 24th and the Easter Bunny brought candy at Easter and the Tooth Fairy left change under our pillows in exchange for baby teeth but then we grew up and realized those were mythical non-existant fictional beings. Just because People grow up and quit believing in Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy and The Easter Bunny does not equate with hate. What is sad is when grown folks still insist that other grown people believe some made up mumbot jumbo voodoo bulllshit because they never grew out of their own magical thinking chilldishness. We hate the ignorance not the ignorant haters? M'kay?