A warning from Billy Graham

By Dennis Rice

It would disturb me greatly if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalist and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it.

That's what evangelist Billy Graham had to say in 1981. Today he would be appalled that so many so called mainline churches and so many mainline ministers, some highly trained at their seminaries, who know better, are afraid to speak out. They have allowed Christian Zionism to enter their churches, and choosing instead, to preach the usual "Jesus was born of a virgin", "Jesus was crucified on the cross", "Jesus roses from the dead" and is preparing a place in "Heaven" for all Christian believers upon "His" return to earth.

Due to their fear of not preaching mainline sermons, they have allowed Christian and right-wing Zionism to enter society like never before. (Even tho there is a history of fighting against it for a few hundred years). Even the United States Government, itself, has allowed this same right-wing Zionism to dictate national and foreign policy. Palestine is a good example.

How many ministers have dared to speak from their pulpits against the genocide in Palestine, or places in Central and South America committed by our own government? Some ministers reading this might think "This is interfering in government business." But, is that not exactly why Jesus was crucified, challenging the authorities of the Jewish hierarchy and possibly the Roman government?

Socialism or not, the Church is as responsible for the governing and welfare of people as is our government.

In a previous letter I stated, "The politicians and CEOs who make the decisions to get us into these wars are staying safely at home with their families, making more money every day, receiving huge bonuses, attending banquets, sporting events, sleeping soundly, having sex with their lovers, and with no risks at all to the safety of their own personhood or fortunes."

Ministers who are opposed to our government wars need to be where Jesus was - out in the streets with their congregations protesting them, not just behind their pulpits preaching the same sermon Sunday after Sunday.

Dennis Rice is a retired Clarke County School District teacher