The Patriot Post® · Hate Directed at Graham Actually Reveals Something Good

In John 15:18, Jesus told his disciples, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” Evangelist Billy Graham, who’s life we celebrated yesterday, was loved my millions, but he was hated by others. That shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Some criticism falls into the category of an atheist simply not appreciating Graham’s work. Such is the case with syndicated columnist George Will’s distasteful grousing today.

Other criticism comes because the “wrong” people say nice things about Graham. Barack Obama tweeted, “Billy Graham was a humble servant who prayed for so many — and who, with wisdom and grace, gave hope and guidance to generations of Americans.” Of course, Obama stood against everything Graham was for, so his praise was at best simply complying with expected etiquette. So, naturally, Obama’s sycophants didn’t think it was appropriate at all.

“Billy Graham was a bigot,” tweeted one in reply. Another retorted, “no he wasn’t he was a piece of s—t.” That Twitterer did not censor his vulgarity. “Graham was a homophobe” who “vehemently hated LGBTQ people” and “destroyed many lives,” replied others.

But the hate-filled bile that takes the cake came from Teen Vogue columnist Lauren Duca, who tweeted, “The big news today is that Billy Graham was still alive this whole time. Anyway, have fun in hell, bi—h.” Again, we censored the crudeness; she didn’t. After backlash, Duca doubled down: “‘Respecting the dead’ only applies to people who weren’t evil pieces of s—t while they were alive, thanks.”

First, what makes this remarkably offensive is that Duca writes for a magazine specifically geared to raising the next generation of Americans. Duca is turning evil on its head, and spreading darkness and hate for Christians to teenagers who may or may not have the filter or responsible adults in their lives to counter it. She joins countless others who have rejected God and teach our young people to do the same.

Second, her comments are ironic in a way — they highlight Billy Graham’s goodness. We’re quite sure he would have embraced her with true forgiveness and love, which she has obviously never experienced. We all fail to do that from time to time, including Graham. But few had their eyes fixed on the prize as he did, embracing real love and forgiveness. We can only hope and pray Duca finds it.