<HTML>I think it's incorrect to place Graham in the same group as Falwell and Robertson. Graham was put on the spot and asked about comments he himself had not heard. Graham himself would never have said such a thing.
I am not a Christian, but I have a large measure of respect for Billy Graham. And regardless of what we think of Falwell, the sad truth is that his sentiments echo those of many americans. Just this Thursday, I sat in a cab and listend to the Cabbie tell me how this happened because America had "fallen away from God."
There is an old theological struggle between those who believe bad things happen predominantly to bad people and those who believe that bad things happen to good people as a test of their goodness. Unfortunately, there is a major movement called "prosperity theology" that dominates US protestantism. According to "Prosperity Theology," those who do good and follow God's laws will become wealthy and prosperous in every way. Of course it follows by this that, poor people, and those who suffer, must be bad people.
"Prosperity Theology" is the most disgusting form of Christianity to emerge sinse the Spanish Inquisition. It practically dominates the thinking of all American Evangelicals. Fortunately, Billy Graham has *never* been a proponent of this movement! Listening to his remarks at the National Cathedral, his stance upon this matter is very clear.
Let's not condemn Graham for comments he made in defence of a fellow minister - for comments that he himself did not make - and would never make.
ISHMAEL</HTML>
