Evangelist Billy Graham has died. He was widely loved and respected, but wrong about many things:
"You're born. You suffer. You die. Fortunately, there's a loophole."
There is no loophole – unless God exists and He’s an accountant. And even if God exists, theologians are in widespread agreement that the odds of Him being an accountant are exceptionally slim.
“A real Christian is the one who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip.”
The Bible mentions antelopes, geckos, maggots, mole rats, serpents, turtle doves and vipers. Sorry, no parrots.
“I think Pat Roberston is a terrific fellow.”
Pat Roberston proclaimed that feminism encourages women “to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." A “terrific person” wouldn’t say that – at least in public.
"Communism is a religion that is inspired, directed and motivated by the Devil himself who has declared war against Almighty God."
Communism is not a religion and the devil is not a communist: he's a libertarian.
"Only the supernatural love of God through changed lives can solve problems that we face in the world."
Nope. In 2015, Stephen Hawking famously published a solution to “black hole information paradox.” He’s an avowed atheist.
Only those who want everything done for them are bored.”
Obviously, Reverend Graham never sat through Superman v Batman: Dawn of Justice.
“Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone – except God.”
It is a well-known fact that nothing offends God more than a preacher who claims to know what offends God.
“Without the resurrection, the cross is meaningless.”
That is not only untrue, but breathtakingly shallow. A cross is an archetypal symbol of deep significance. Nailing someone to it turns it into a crucifix, which for many is a major turn-off.
“Everybody has a little Watergate in him."
These days everyone has a little Deflate-gate in them.
“Knowing we will be with Christ forever far outweighs our burdens today! Keep your eyes on eternity!”
That’s terrible advice! Keep your eyes directly on the path in front of you and watch out for precipitous dips. Eternity, whatever that is, will take care of itself without you having to manage it. Who has time for that anyway?