Many years ago, I worked with WCNC-TV to cover Rev. Billy Graham and his final crusades in both Kansas City and New York City. During this time I spent a lot of time thinking about the intersection of religion and politics. These trips and years of telling Rev. Billy Graham’s story prompted me to explore a recent statement released by Rev. Graham and BGEA.
In a USA Today article published today:
“At 93, I never thought we would have to debate the definition of marriage,” Billy Graham’s statement said. “The Bible is clear — God’s definition of marriage is between a man and a woman. I want to urge my fellow North Carolinians to vote for the marriage amendment” Tuesday.
William Martin, who wrote the authorized Graham biography A Prophet With Honor, couldn’t recall another effort by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association like the one the ministry plans in support of Amendment One.
“I am somewhat surprised that he would take that strong a stand,” said Martin, professor emeritus of religion and public policy at Rice University. “In the past, I have heard him say with respect to homosexuality, there are greater sins. Franklin has been more outspoken about it, but it sounds as if this is Mr. Graham expressing his own will.”
On the ballot is a proposed measure that would amend Article 14 of the North Carolina Constitution by adding a new section:
Sec. 6. Marriage.
Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts.
As we navigate this climate of women’s health issues, gay rights, and all the other emerging conversations in this political climate…I have some questions. Now these questions are meant to think and explore, not to divide us. As a spiritual man who has greatly had his faith challenged over the last five years…here is what I ask:
1) How does the gay rights debate find place in our religious spectrum and should it carry over into our political spectrum as a nation of religious freedom. Specifically, when do you feel “the church” has a place to publicly take a political leadership position or should “the church” stand back be a constant for “it’s flock”?
I am consistently wondering why churches and church leaders take political roles in public discourse especially when it surrounds issues that can created or even divide a community even further. We are so bombarded with religious do’s and don’ts from one church to the next especially when it is hard to bring context to a biblical message. Our ministers hold tremendous burdens of leadership.
2) As it relates to gay rights, specifically in North Carolina. Does Rev. Billy Graham have a place in the political spectrum to ask a constituency base to vote for or against a political measure? I am undecided ethically how I feel about religious leadership guiding us in these political debates.
3) So I ask pastors and ministers at-large: would you ever allow membership into your church a gay couple with children? Now you might ask why a couple may chose your church or even this belief system and might not be equally yolked, but what if they came to your church for the benefit of “their” child. Would you minister to them and if so, would you marginalize their commitment to each other and minister to them the same way a heterosexual couple next to them.
4) I also ask pastors and ministers at-large: Would you minister last prayer and spiritual guidance to person who is admittedly gay as they lay on their death bed, next to them their partner of many years and family. Health care and gay rights has become a huge problem when it comes to navigating last rights. Many feel lost in the system yet have been supported by their partner.
