Obama meets, prays with Rev. Billy Graham

[TomCADem]

Source: CNN

Asheville, North Carolina (CNN) -- President Obama prayed Sunday with the Rev. Billy Graham at Graham's mountaintop home before leaving North Carolina to attend the memorial service for 29 West Virginia coal miners killed in a recent explosion.

Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Graham at his family home, according to Graham spokesman Larry Ross. He is the 12th president, dating back to Harry Truman, to meet with the so-called "pastor to the presidents."

"I am pleased to have had President Obama in my home this afternoon," Graham said in a statement, adding that Obama sought the meeting while on vacation in Asheville for the weekend. "My son Franklin and I enjoyed a brief visit with the president, followed by a time of prayer together."

During the meeting, Ross said, Obama shared some insights about his faith and the challenges of being commander-in-chief.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/25/obama.graham/

[and-justice-for-all]

1. ....

:puke:

[Robb]

2. I'm filing this under "overly diplomatic."

x(

[AlbertCat]

8. "overly diplomatic."

Yes...theatre. A real tear jerker.

[Ian David]

33. This is when Billy Graham tells Obama about his son's psychiatric history. n/t

[unkachuck]

3. just like nixon....n/t

[Orrex]

4. True Fact:

Billy Graham gets a 6¢ royalty every time somebody buys a box of his delicious and eponymous crackers.

[TacticalPeek]

5. Stupid President.

Billy Graham: Well, you know, I told you one time that the Bible talks about two kinds of Jews. One is called "the synagogue of Satan." They're the ones putting out the pornographic literature. They're the ones putting out these obscene films.

President Nixon: Like the thing in Time magazine.

Graham: Terrible.

President Nixon: And then Newsweek.

Graham: Ruth canceled both of them.

President Nixon: Good for her.

...
Graham: And the people that have been the most pro-Israel are the ones that are being attacked now by the Jews. And then to come out--

President Nixon: Can't figure it out.

Graham: --they're going to kick all Christians out of Israel is unbelievable.

President Nixon: Can't figure it out. Can't figure it out. Well, it may be they have a death wish, you know. That's been the problems with our Jewish friends for centuries.

Graham: Well, they've always been, through the Bible at least, God's timepiece and He has judged them from generation to generation, and yet used them, and they've kept their identity.

President Nixon: Yeah. Right.

Graham: And one of the things they're terribly afraid of is so many of these Jewish young people are turning away from Judaism.

President Nixon: Yeah.

Graham: They're turning away from Jewishness. They say they're remaining Jews, but they're becoming followers of Jesus. Well, that's just scaring them to death. You see--

President Nixon: I see.
http://www.whitehousetapes.net/transcript/nixon/043-161


Graham: I go and I keep friends with Rosenthal at The New York Times and people of that sort, you know. And all -- I mean, not all the Jews, but a lot of the Jews are great friends of mine, they swarm around me and are friendly to me because they know that I'm friendly with Israel. But they don't know how I really feel about what they are doing to this country.

------------------

Should have let Billy Graham lie.
-

[slay]

6. If you are not a member of the cult of Christianity - you are not allowed to be President

it's true. perhaps jfk and catholicism but they are similar. sickening - gonna go visit any other cult leaders mr obama? :eyes: bully graham can kill my ass he's much more a part of the problem than the solution. how's the world lookin through your godly eyes these days there billy you evil bastard. :puke:

[No Elephants]

24. Catholics ARE Christians, not similar to Christians. Anyone who believes in the divinity of Christ

is a Christian; and Catholics certainly believe in the divinity of Christ.

Maybe you are thinking of the difference/similarity between Catholics and evangelicals (sometimes called "born again Christians")?

[slay]

46. Well I'm neither and I don't

but to each his own. :toast:

[Stumbler]

42. Yep

I wish it were possible to have non-deist leaders in this nation once again. They say there's no religious test for office, and "officially", there may not be. But in the court of public opinion, many in the US would rather have an ignorant, intollerant & hypocritical Christian in office rather than an intelligent, rational, logical atheist. Truly disappointing..

[slay]

47. "the US would rather have an ignorant, intollerant & hypocritical Christian in office rather than

an intelligent, rational, logical atheist. Truly disappointing.."

that line is so true i had to post it in my reply so that hopefully others will click on it and see it. sad but true indeed...

[FrenchieCat]

7. Well worth it to see Teabag nut heads explode!

Yes indeed.

That's worth a whole lot to me, let me tell you!

[Democat]

15. Wait, I thought teabaggers were for less government?

What does religion have to do with less government? You aren't implying that they are confused and hypocritical? :evilgrin:

[maxanne]

9. I so look forward

to our first openly atheist president. I don't expect to see it in my lifetime.

[SkyDaddy7]

29. I share your dream!

[pangaia]

10. I'm sorry.. "Billy' the G is an ignorant fake. Look at his face.

To begin with, what kind of truly developed spiritual human being has such unconscious tension in jaw, in his face, in his whole body. This man knows nothing whatsoever of what it means to have a spiritual practice. He's just another Elmer Gantry. And his son is just a bigoted copy.

[HillWilliam]

37. My family knew his family very, very well

and one of my mom's high school classmates (with whom she's still in touch) worked for him way back when. All Billy ever talked about behind the confines of the walls of his office or his home was how much money he was going to make and how rich and powerful he'd be.

It was always about money and access, rooking the rubes for the cash to get in the door to hobnob with the real seats of power. My stepdad never set foot in a church, but could quote the Bible from cover to cover, verse for verse. He and Billy had many an argument and stepdad usually ended with, "Billy, you know you're fulla shit." I'm pretty sure Billy never believed his own horseshit, but Franklin's another story.

I grew up hearing all about them. I never met them personally, but my great-aunt worked for them, my mom's best friend did, my cousins knew them very well. Except for my great-aunt who never said anything bad about anybody EVER, none of the rest of them liked him because they knew he is a total fraud. He'll tip his hand behind closed doors, but that sly old snake has been pretty successful at keeping up the act on the road.

He's just one more reason I grew up believing that if a man comes before you and says he's got THE pathway to god, the first thing you do is hide your wallet.

[Joe Bacon]

11. I still remember when this fake started

Still remember those segregated "Crusdaes" he had back in the late 50s and early 60s. Also remember all those 1960 Nixon rallies he led in prayer. He just comes off to me as an embittered old fake who resented being pushed out of the #1 Crook spot by his proteges Falwell and Robertson.

[Odin2005]

12. Please excuse me while I puke.

:puke:

[h9socialist]

35. My sentiments exactly!

[defendandprotect]

45. With you --

:puke:

[truthisfreedom]

13. I think a few repuke heads just exploded.

Our Muslin Prez just converted or something?

[Proletariatprincess]

14. How can anyone trust a president who takes this old charlatan seriously.

It is one of the reasons I couldn't bring myself to vote for Obama and as time goes by, I am more and more sure I did the right thing voting for Nader.

[FrenchieCat]

17. So you have never voted for anyone ever elected President......

Or anyone whose ever even gotten close.

[jaysunb]

18. Obama, is the President of ALL the American people

They come from all faiths and walks of life. And they ALL count.

[rpannier]

21. Curious as to how long you've been voting

Because Kennedy (before my time), Johnson (born during his Presidency), Carter (I was in Jr High) and Clinton (voted for him) have all met with him.

[still_one]

22. What an inane statement. some are upset because Obama bows before certain world leaders

others are upset because he meets with graham, which incident-ly both Democratic and republican presidents have done

Obama has always met with people whether he agrees with them or not, and that bothers some

He has also met with the Pope, the Dali Lama, shook hands with Chavez, bowed before the Saudi King and others as a sign of respect, NOT agreement

[icnorth]

30. Bullseye. n/t

[Demit]

27. That's quite a measuring stick for judging presidents.

So anything this president has done that is good is cancelled out by this courtesy call to an old charlatan? Btw, you jump to a conclusion that the visit must mean that Obama takes Graham seriously. You can't know that. And the fact that your mind doesn't allow for any other possibility shows a very rigid mind. You should try to flex it a little more, just for the exercise.

[defendandprotect]

44. ...and continues giving money to "faith-based" organizations ---!!!

I haven't even seen the figures on that lately -- $500 million was last figure???

And, most of the organizations are connected to the Vatican/RCC --!!!

Yep -- bet they need the money!!

[Clyde39]

16. It was great to have him here, but not this part!

I live in Asheville and one could feel such excitement in the air everywhere he went, but when I read about his visit there, I wasn't thrilled.

[QC]

19. Anybody else remember how we used to hate Bush's constant god bothering

and the way he used to chase after every teevee preacher in the country?

[No Elephants]

25. When a Democrat does it, it's entirely different than when a Repubilcan does it.

Just smile and wave.

[QC]

38. Lots of things that used to be bad are now good.

It's hard to keep up with it all, I tells ya.

[rpannier]

20. Not sure why so much surprise

It's something every President has done (met with Billy Graham) including Carter, Kennedy, Johnson and Clinton.
The only reasons why he met Graham there were
1. He was in the area
2. Graham can't get out much because of his age
3. It looks good to the public at large.

I know it sits well with many here that he snub this guy. But, it's very lousy politics.

[still_one]

23. It is not only bad politics, Obama has always met with people whether he agrees with them or not

[Kolesar]

28. To tell President Obama not to meet would be Paliin-esque!

President Obama loses nothing by meeting with the weak, deluded fool.

[No Elephants]

26. It would have been better to leave that bigot to his nursing staff, but this is not a big deal.

I'm more worried about Obama's campaign promise to expand the White House Faith Office that Dummya originated but never funded. I wonder if he's kept it?

[Township75]

31. If Obama, our party leader, is willing to kneel down and pray, and accept Bibles as gifts.

then Dems everywhere should (as should non Dems), or at least not be criticized for doing it. AFter all, if it is only a tsk, tsk for Obama, shouldn't we treat all others the same?

[Ian David]

34. That's bullshit. All this means that if Billy Graham accepts our personal invitation...

... then we should accept bibles and pray with Billy Graham.

I'm firing-off an email right now.

If he doesn't accept, then I don't ever have to pray with any chrisTian again, ever.

I don't think I'll be needing to polish the good silverware.

[Township75]

40. What you wrote doesn't make any sense.

Please explain again.

You are firing an email and what?

When was the last time you prayed with a "chrisTian"...whatever that is?

[No Elephants]

52. I think it was something about good Polish silverware.

[Ian David]

32. OMFG! Billy Graham is a Secret Muslim! I knew it! n/t

[AngryAmish]

36. He should meet with Superstar Billy Graham

[mitchum]

39. Why does he feel it is necessary to genuflect to that grifter?

[Bragi]

41. I hope this is just shameless pandering /nt

[defendandprotect]

43. Not good . . . the demented Grahams ....let's keep religion where it belongs . . .SEPARATED

from State!!

[rpannier]

48. So Obama shouldn't go to Church while he's President?

He shouldn't ever pray?

He met with the guy.
He didn't plot out a religious strategy for America

[defendandprotect]

50. You think when Obama goes to church, or prays he's representing STATE/Federal government?

Wow -- high level of confusion there!

Obama has not only continued to fund "faith-based" religious organizations --

the majority of which belong to the RCC -- but he has increased the funding!

THAT's acting in a STATE/Federal government capacity!! And THAT should be stopped.

Now, do you want to argue that we taxpayers should be subsidizing the Vatican and

male-supremacist religion?


As for Graham meeting, presumably that was in an official capacity and has been done before.

I'm saying if in any "official capacity" that it should not be happening.

Obama can meet with anyone he wants as a private citizen, however --


Further, if you've ever heard the tapes of Billy Graham and Nixon in the White House, I'm

sure you wouldn' want Obama even walking on the same side of the street as Billy Graham!

[cyr330]

49. Why, Why, Why????

Why do US Presidents feel the need to kiss Billy Graham's wrinkled ass? I fail to see what Billy Graham has EVER done, and I cannot understand why any of our politicians want to exalt him. Am I missing something? Besides, I have a STRONG (and almost certain) feeling that the man is a Repig!!!

[defendandprotect]

51. Bill Graham proved his unworthiness as a human being on the Nixon White House tapes....

long ago --

[mamaleah]

53. Really? Have you all forgotten that the President is Christian?

Like it or not, he is. So he stopped to pray with Rev Graham. The world is not coming to an end. And he's not going to pretend he isn't Christian to please a small percentage of whiners.

[Cleobulus]

54. Oh please, there a plenty of ministers he could pray with that aren't hatemongering shitbags. n/t

[cyr330]

55. He could have chosen someone else

Graham is a homophobic, anti-semitic A-HOLE! But as you said, the world isn't coming to an end. It IS annoying to observe, as Graham doesn't deserve any kind of recognition.