Wednesday, 23 December 2015

Franklin Graham needs to be "born again"

The Christian Evangelist and sometime GOP candidate, Franklin Graham, recently trashed an Atheist Billboard, and then said that Christianity Is “Not About Being Good”.



Given the obscene salary he demands as "CEO" of the tax exempt charity, Samaritan's Purse, which begs for the widow's mite, I have to say that his practice certainly is consistent with his words.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/why-franklin-grahams-salary-raises-eyebrows-among-christian-nonprofits/2015/08/18/023ce940-45f2-11e5-9f53-d1e3ddfd0cda_story.html?tid=ss_fb

http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-christians-collide-over-televangelist-franklin-graham

http://cdn.charismanews.com/images/archives/stories/BGEA-bible-money-cash.jpg

I think there are a number of Right Wing Christian Leaders who need to be, "born again".  No, I'm not talking about reciting some magic incantation where you, "invite Jesus into your heart", and swear life and allegiance to some church's characterization or image of Jesus (which I believe in some circles has him riding bareback on a dinosaur carrying an assault rifle).  I'm sure they have all done that.  No, I'm talking about Jesus' assertion that we need to throw off the prejudices of our culture, society, and religion, and look at reality from a fresh perspective, "as a child", who has yet to be indoctrinated in, "the way the world works". Fundamental to this process is Jesus' invitation to look at Reality, the World, the Universe, God, from the perspective he shared in his teaching and actions.  In Jesus' world view, the universe is characterized by extreme love and generosity.  It is unbiased, caring, forgiving, kind, inclusive and tolerant, and "womb like".  When you start from this perspective, then Jesus is truely, "in your heart", the centre of your being.  The kingdom of heaven rules when we are, "born again" in this fashion.

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