Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [POLITICS][RELIGION] Billy Graham and the Presidents

[Stephen Montgomery-Smith <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Mike Miller wrote:
> Did any of you see the special 20/20 episode on Billy Graham a few weeks 
> ago?  It was very interesting.  Here's some info:
>
> http://www.google.com/search?q=20%2F20+billy+graham
>
> The most interesting aspect was that Graham believes that Presidents of 
> the United States are chosen by God.  The Presidents either have similar 
> beliefs or they play along because they think it helps their public 
> image. I thought we had gotten passed the days where our leader was 
> God's representative on Earth.  I thought GWB was unusual in his 
> religiosity. But if you believe the show, most, if not all, recent 
> Presidents were like that -- believing that through prayers they can 
> connect with God and receive direction.  This is a little worrisome, 
> isn't it?
>
> The reason it is worrisome is that when a person prays he is not being 
> guided by some supreme being, or at least there is no reason to think 
> that he is and there is no way to know that he is.  So we end up with a 
> man who believes that his thoughts have been planted in his head by an 
> omniscient God and I would think that he might become a little 
> overconfident.  I mean, why rely on expert advisors who have dedicated 
> their lives to analyzing certain problems in economics or international 
> affairs if you can go straight to an omniscient God for an answer?  I 
> hope that even the religious readers of this list can see why that 
> possibility is a bit disturbing to most reasonable people.
>
> For the religionists:  What would happen if we had a President who is 
> not very good at praying and he never really makes the connection?  He 
> ends up following his own advice as if it had come from God.  Or what if 
> we have a President who hears God and Satan, but he chooses Satan and 
> tells us he's working for God.  How do you know?  I think the answer is 
> that we have to ignore Presidential religiosity, or claimed religiosity, 
> and push for a President who selects excellent advisors and follows 
> their advice.
>
> Mike

Sorry Mike, I'm not biting today.

Stephen


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