But more importantly, Graham was not an evangelist who limited himself to preaching religion – one reason his influence and reach grew exponentially. In the 1950s, Graham was amongst the first white religious leaders to revolt against racism and the segregation of blacks and whites during religious sermons in America. The extended amount of backlash that he then received from communities on both sides of the divide did deter him initially; but he revived strengthened crusades against racism and religious segregation after support and advice from one of his closest associates during those times, the great Martin Luther King, Jr.
To say that Graham was perhaps one of the leading reasons why segregation of blacks and whites stopped in American religious congregations would not be an exaggeration. Graham’s influence consistently grew; more because Graham went beyond religion to concepts of humanity. And the telling evidence for that is that all American Presidents – from Truman to Obama – kept Graham at close quarters. In fact, from President Eisenhower onwards, Graham has served as an advisor to each US President. In 2007, he even published a sparkling book titled The Preacher and The Presidents: Billy Graham and the White House, documenting his Presidential experiences.
Till date, Graham has reportedly preached in around 185 countries to about 215 million people. Barry M. Horstman wrote in the Cincinnati Post in 2002 that Graham’s “lifetime audience” was around 2.2 billion! That’s the power of one individual, who has gone beyond preaching religion to preaching about life and living.
Unfortunately, a man who could have been used quite strategically by the US administration to improve American relations with defiant nations, and to change anti-American public opinion – which has been growing globally – has been left strangely unutilised in the past many years. There’s no doubt that if Graham had been given the mandate by the US government, his reach and massive following – combined with his humane approach to issues – would have influenced global opinion in ways better than the ridiculous campaigns manufactured by the spin doctors at Langley. Yes, age is taking away more from this man now than before. But despite that, the legend is championing a worldwide outreach programme that culminates in a global event in November this year. It’s titled ‘My Hope with Billy Graham’. That’s passion! Here’s to many more years of a man who is trying his hardest to make the world a better place – with or without our help.
To say that Graham was perhaps one of the leading reasons why segregation of blacks and whites stopped in American religious congregations would not be an exaggeration. Graham’s influence consistently grew; more because Graham went beyond religion to concepts of humanity. And the telling evidence for that is that all American Presidents – from Truman to Obama – kept Graham at close quarters. In fact, from President Eisenhower onwards, Graham has served as an advisor to each US President. In 2007, he even published a sparkling book titled The Preacher and The Presidents: Billy Graham and the White House, documenting his Presidential experiences.
Till date, Graham has reportedly preached in around 185 countries to about 215 million people. Barry M. Horstman wrote in the Cincinnati Post in 2002 that Graham’s “lifetime audience” was around 2.2 billion! That’s the power of one individual, who has gone beyond preaching religion to preaching about life and living.
Unfortunately, a man who could have been used quite strategically by the US administration to improve American relations with defiant nations, and to change anti-American public opinion – which has been growing globally – has been left strangely unutilised in the past many years. There’s no doubt that if Graham had been given the mandate by the US government, his reach and massive following – combined with his humane approach to issues – would have influenced global opinion in ways better than the ridiculous campaigns manufactured by the spin doctors at Langley. Yes, age is taking away more from this man now than before. But despite that, the legend is championing a worldwide outreach programme that culminates in a global event in November this year. It’s titled ‘My Hope with Billy Graham’. That’s passion! Here’s to many more years of a man who is trying his hardest to make the world a better place – with or without our help.
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