Philosophy Now Forum

His columns certainly don't seem to be written by somebody who is 93 years old and in failing health. If he doesn't write his own columns, entitled "My Answer," he's the biggest con man in the world.

Its bye the bye whether or not he writes the. Let's deconstruct some BG though.

From http://www.billygraham.org/dailydevotio ... cleID=7174

What kind of place is Heaven? First, Heaven is home. The Bible takes the word “home” with all of its tender associations and with all of its sacred memories and tells us that Heaven is home. Second, Heaven is a home which is permanent. We have the promise of a home where Christ’s followers will remain forever. Third, the Bible teaches that Heaven is a home which is beautiful beyond every imagination. Heaven could not help but be so, because God is a God of beauty. Fourth, the Bible teaches that Heaven will be a home which is happy, because there will be nothing to make it sad. In Heaven families and friends will be reunited. God’s house will be a happy home because Christ will be there. He will be the center of Heaven. To Him all hearts will turn, and upon Him all eyes will rest.

Where do you begin? What caught my eye first was the idea that heaven is beyond every imagination. What is every imagination. The syntax is supucious. Every one's imagination would make more sense, but if heaven is beyond imagination what use then would imagination be in heaven? We would be better of without it, especially if we are going to be there forever and ever and ever (yawn) and ever... what would it be like to live forever without an imagination software that is totally incompatible with the heaven hardware?

Its by the by whether or not he writes it. Let's deconstruct some BG though.

From http://www.billygraham.org/dailydevotio ... cleID=7174

What kind of place is Heaven? First, Heaven is home. The Bible takes the word “home” with all of its tender associations and with all of its sacred memories and tells us that Heaven is home. Second, Heaven is a home which is permanent. We have the promise of a home where Christ’s followers will remain forever. Third, the Bible teaches that Heaven is a home which is beautiful beyond every imagination. Heaven could not help but be so, because God is a God of beauty. Fourth, the Bible teaches that Heaven will be a home which is happy, because there will be nothing to make it sad. In Heaven families and friends will be reunited. God’s house will be a happy home because Christ will be there. He will be the center of Heaven. To Him all hearts will turn, and upon Him all eyes will rest.

Where do you begin? What caught my eye first was the idea that heaven is beyond every imagination. What is every imagination? The syntax is suspicious. Every one's imagination would make more sense. But if heaven is beyond imagination, what use then would imagination be in heaven? We would be better of without it, especially if we are going to be there forever and ever and ever (yawn) and ever... what would it be like to live forever without an imagination software that is totally incompatible with the heaven hardware?

Without imagination we'd be able perhaps to entertain ourselves with some basic rote mathematics ... but no poetry... I'd rather hell!

I sent an email to the Billy Graham website, and they haven't responded to my question of whether he actually writes his column. His evangelical organization is as phony as he is, O my brothers in tribulation!

Who's Billy Graham?

Arising_uk wrote:Who's Billy Graham?

I interpret that question as some kind of comment, but I can't figure out what.

Interpret it as a question and answer it.

Arising_uk wrote:Interpret it as a question and answer it.

Holy shit, do you live in a cave??? But that reminds me of the time I was dealing with a company in China to develop a special drinking-glass type of candle holder that could be used by people who come to Memphis each year to pay tribute to Elvis Presley at the anniversary of his death. The guy I was dealing with by email sounded just like an American, and I figured he must have lived in the U.S. and gone to school here, and then went back to China to work. Except after a period of time he asked me, "Who is Elvis Presley?"

bobevenson wrote:Holy shit, do you live in a cave??? ...

Nope, just don't live in America but from what I've read so far he's some kind of godbotherer? If so then I have even more reason to have no idea who you are waffling about.

Arising_uk wrote:

bobevenson wrote:Holy shit, do you live in a cave??? ...

Nope, just don't live in America but from what I've read so far he's some kind of godbotherer? If so then I have even more reason to have no idea who you are waffling about.

You've never heard of Elvis the Pelvis, the King of Rock and Roll, and his home at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, probably the greatest tourist attraction in the world? You do live in a cave, don't you? Of course, evangelist Billy Graham is probably even more famous than Elvis, filling stadiums the world over with his message of salvation!

Nope, Heard of The King and he never filled a stadium over here but now you describe what this B.Graham does I'm not surprised I've not heard of him as he sounds like just another godbotherer. Given he's into stadiums I guess evangelical and money-grubbing as well?

Arising_uk wrote:Nope, Heard of The King and he never filled a stadium over here but now you describe what this B.Graham does I'm not surprised I've not heard of him as he sounds like just another godbotherer. Given he's into stadiums I guess evangelical and money-grubbing as well?

He's into stadiums to accommodate the incredible crowds that want to hear him speak. Of course, like I always say, education is the biggest scam on Earth, well, not as big as religion and patriotism, but, you know, it's right up there.

Arising_uk wrote:Nope, Heard of The King and he never filled a stadium over here but now you describe what this B.Graham does I'm not surprised I've not heard of him as he sounds like just another godbotherer. Given he's into stadiums I guess evangelical and money-grubbing as well?

BG was the typological example for the Heeeeeeealllllll healll hheaalllla aaaaaallllll in the name ah the LOWORD!!, upon which all ranting sweating money extorting TV evangelists was based. They followed him so that they too could become filthy rich by preying on the weak minded, by extracting bundles of cash tax free.
He was such an extortionist that Frank Zappa based on song on him. (below)

SOme fucking moron was responsible for the fact that "In December 2001, he was presented with an honorary knighthood, Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), for his international contributions to civic and religious life over 60 years.'. Probably Tony Blair.


And if these words you do not heed
Your pocketbook just kinda might recede
When some man comes along and
Claims godly need
He will clean you out right through your
Tweed

That's right, remember there is a big
Difference between kneeling down
And bending over...
He's got twenty million dollars
In his heavenly bank account...
All from those chumps who was
Born again
Oh yeah, oh yeah

He's got seven limousines
And a private plane...
All for the use of his
Special friends
Oh yeah, oh yeah
He's got thousand-dollar suits
And a wembley tie...
Girls love to stroke it
While he's on the phone
Oh yeah, oh yeah

At the house of representatives
He's a groovy guy...
When he gives thanks
He is not alone...

He is dealin'
He is really dealin'
Irs can't determine
Where the hook is

It is easy with the bible
To pretend that
You're in show biz

They won't get him
They will never get him
For the naughty stuff
That he did

It is best in cases like this
To pretend that
You are stupid

He's got presidential help
All along the way

He says the grace
While the lawyers chew
Oh yeah
They sure do

And the govenors agree to say:
"he's a lovely man!"
He makes it easier for
Them to screw
All of you...
Yes, that's true!

'cause he helps put the fear of god
In the common man
Snatchin' up money
Everywhere he can
Oh yeah
Oh yeah

He's got twenty million dollars
In his heavenly bank account
You ain't got nothin', people
You ain't got nothin', people
You ain't got nothin', people
Thank the man...oh yeah

You don't know a fucking thing about Billy Graham other than the fact that I told you he and and his organization are phony.

Billy Graham has actually played to some pretty big audiences over here. In 1955 he got 90,000 at Hampden stadium in Glasgow and in 1991 he, ironically, sold out Celtic Park also in Glasgow. I say ironically because Celtic Park is the home of Glasgow's football team with a predominantly Catholic support.