| Show I Z1jti3altfaktZtibtint - r Lifestyle Desk: 237-207- - 7 - I I - Ir k ii -- - September 14 1991 SATURDAY 5 1 1 BFIT - I 11 I I il A8I 11 -- -- ' I : il 7i Grah:: 's Storied : '' : 4 y Li 1 Js-itr- I I I Jo' Getting Closer to Heaven By David Briggs THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Billy NEW YORK — Billy Graham no longer thinks he is going to save America Armageddon he believes is approaching And even if it is not his own mortality will prevent him from reviving a nation where good and evil are growing apace: He will be 73 in November and his doctor at the Mayo Clinic has promised to keep him going only until he is 75 "I know that my years are running out" he says This month in the twilight of his remarkable career Graham returns to New York the "graveyard of evangelists" he conquered 34 years ago with a 16- week Madison Square Garden run that established him as America's preacher More than three decades ago the prospect of the dairy farmer's son from North Carolina taking on the modern Sodom and Gomorrah — and drawing capacity crowds — caught the national fancy Tall and square-jawehe was the Kirk Douglas of the evangelical movement But when he walked through a Manhattan hotel on a recent morning no heads turned He walked haltingly clinging to a handrail his features furrowed with pain He was hobbled by a back problem and jet lag from a trip to the Soviet Union Promoters of the New York meeting set for Sept 22 in Central Park say it might draw Graham's largest American audience upward of 250000 souls Graham himself says "If we have 25000 it will be a good meet-mbroad-shouldere- Graham Born November 7 1918 Charlotte North Carolina Family Married Ruth McCue Bell in 1943 has three daughters and two sons Education Florida Bible institute (now Trinity College) Wheaton College Early Career Highlights 1949: Crusade In Los Angeles scheduled for three weeks was extended to more than two months 1957: Crusade In New York City ran 16 weeks at Madison Square Garden Potential Successor Graham's older son Franklin although some leading evangelists feel that no one can take his place "God doesn't work in clones" said the Rev Billy Melvin d d - 91- i !kiSi' 47071 '4' 4 11 4 : tst64446ee I 1 A g APReid Brawn He approaches this latest crusade with enthusiasm but also with weariness the burden of carrying a $100 million-a-yea- r evangelistic empire on his in- creasingly frail shoulders often wears on him Leighton Ford the brother-in-lawho worked for the evangelist for 31 years said Graham confided to him late one night after a 1985 crusade "I just wish I could go to heaven" What is Billy Graham's legacy? "Two or three centuries from now he will be among a few names that we remember" said sociologist Jeffrey lIadden of the University of Virginia "He's clearly a sterling figure in American religious history" He has become "the most important figure in evangelical Christianity in a according to William Martin a sociologist at Rice University who spent five years researching an upcoming biography of Graham Billy Sunday was reduced to preaching in small towns at the end of his career Charles Finney gave up the demanding career of a revivalist to found Oberlin College Other evangelists' stars rose and fell even more quickly with the country's changing mood But Graham keeps rolling on The man who once was an mate of Dwight Eisenhower was the same man George Bush ed at his side when he announced half-centur- i the nation was going to war in the Middle East The man who in 1956 compared the Soviet Union to a gangster set loose to murder and pillage is the same man who granted audiences this summer to both Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin In the 1950s he took on communism and complacency In the 1960s he reassured evangelicals who despaired in the Age of Aquarius In the 1970s he promoted a new way of thinking about the Soviet Union and arms control In the 1980s he settled in as an icon of American religiosity Throughcut he has been venerated He has been listed 32 times in Gallup Polls of the world's 10 most admired men more than any other person Again and again say Martin and Hadden secular people who are wary of the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons ask "Tell me much-publicize- d like him" For one thing Martin notes Graham is a regular guy who can skinny dip with Lyndon Johnson or flip through Playboy at a barber shop without embarrassment But he's also an example of clean living He avoids even the hint of scandal keeping his office door open when a woman is alone with him and having aides check hotel rooms for uninvited fe- why Early in his career Graham established pioneering financial controls His ministry is run by an independent board of directors He could make millions from his books personal appearances and radio television and film ministries but he limits himself to a salary of $69150 a year Still Graham has had to endure his share of critics Liberals going back to the Protestant theologian Reinhold Niehbuhr have criticized Graham's form of Christianity for relying on emotion and a simplistic view of the Bible and ignoring social needs in favor of a approach to gaining converts Studies have found Graham's rallies largely preach to the converted Many of those who answer the call at the end of his crusades have been swayed by techniques such as having the ushers come forward to give the impression there is a groundswell of people committing to Christ He also has drawn accusations that he is willing to tread carelessly along the line separating religion and politics in exchange for access to the affluent In a gushing letter described in Martin's book Graham wrote Eisenhower that a brief ride in the presidential limousine was "an unforgettable experience that I shall cherish the rest of my life" Hadden recalled a 1965 National Prayer Breakfast when Graham I males before he enters a Vietnam-beleaguere- d Johnson that "God came not to bring peace to the world but a sword" He also championed Richard Nixon before Watergate On the far religious right Graham has been vilified for his willingness to work in cooperation with mainline Protestants Catholics and others of suspect faith to fundamentalists "In relation to others I used to think that if a person hadn't experienced what I had experienced he wasn't a believer" Graham said ''It was my own ignorance I had not had the opportunity to fellowship with people in other communities" More than 2 million people attended Graham's 1957 New York crusade it was extended from six to 16 weeks and emboldened Graham to rent time on ABC for national television broadcasts — the birth of the modern electronic ministry In 1957 a church official warned Catholics away from Graham's crusade In 1991 Cardinal John O'Connor is encouraging his flock to participate "The Roman Catholics know that I'm not against them and in my thinking rightly or wrongly I represent all the churches" Graham says today "I think Billy Graham's greatest legacy will not be a university or any institutions but it will be the tens of thousands of little Billy Grahams itinerant evangelists not but who will r do the simple sales work of the evangelist" Martin well-educat- door-to-doo- said Al 1 1 - 11 I: i 1 - 1 I ) i 1 F I it -- tk d ""44t t 1 welt i 10 t A ''' t ' 1 I 't Ni 1 -- - l' f i ‘v p ' t 4 I : itt 1 v ? : 1 1 ':' i 4 kvol'' I r I p f 1 11 - t Z- - f ii 4 - 1 1 (I Ntuswo I 1 b 0 1"""'Itt 1 a 4 t I 1- I k 1 I ' W mass-producti- reassured 4 43§ 1 1 ' ' — i I t 3 ' - I The Associated Press The Rev Billy Graham who acknowledges his mortality while continuing his endless crusade at the age of 72 leads one of five emotional revivals in East Rutherford NJ 4t l : Graham's Son May Step Into Father's Shoes THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ltlAlltaiirtti of - When Billy Graham retires or dies he will leave behind a WO million-a-yea- r evangelistic empire that for more than 40 years has been fueled by the drawing power of one man The issue facing the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association — which oversees all aspects of Graham's work from the crusades to "The Hour of Decision" radio broadcast — is whether anyone can fill the shoes of America's evangelist "Nothing would please most of us more than to have something like that happen" said E Brandt Gustayson executive director of the National Religious Broadcasters But it is not likely Gustayson acknowledged Graham 72 shies away from the question of who will succeed him of TW Wilson The d ld head of the Jim Wilson Evangelistic Association became a vocational evangelist in 1990 after serving four years as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Orlan ' la - $69150 Support and Revenue ' $95831405 ''''''''''' - 98 ministry 51 giving Literature Evangelistic films and radio stations 28 Investment and other 81 - t''!-- I fi '1:i 44Z10: Estates and deferred "God will have to choose one I right-han- 4' Financial integrity Is a major reason Billy Graham has remained a popular and respected figure in American religion for more than four decades His pioneering financial controls include opening his books to the public and delegating control to an Independent board of directors He is also known for his personal fiscal modesty—out of a ministry that generates nearly $100 million -- annually he pays himself a salary best-love- d don't think an evangelist can be made or trained or anything like that" he says But when pressed he mentions two possible successors son The first is his Franklin director of Samaritan's Purse and World Medical Mission two mission organizations serving the poor Graham said his older son also has been preaching as a and is ready to hold a crusade of his own in Brazil in November "He's a powerful speaker" the proud father said in an interview William Martin a sociologist at Rice University who has spent five years preparing a biography of Graham said Franklin probably has the inside track "Clearly Billy Graham wants Franklin to be his successor" Martin said The other candidate mentioned by Graham is Jim Wilson the son of his longtime man 0 k 4' ':'- " : e' v "ue ei-0- -- - ' 140-- Expenditures $83648598 International ministries and wodd emergencies 113 ttl 1 I 1 DECISION magazine nr General and jo:' :0 89 81 administrative 58 Fund raising Distribution of books and materials 56 Source: Billy While Jim Wilson might be a dark horse Martin said "It's extremely difficult to underestimate the importance to Graham of having that trusted circle of e t Graham Evangelistic Association do Fla old-tim- - friends" In Martin's numerous interviews with officials and board members of the Graham organization another name that arose was Luis Palau a Portland Ore- based evangelist that Graham has helped But his mass-crusad- e style may be too "flamboyant" for the Graham association Mar- -' tin said Among the Graham association's associate evangelists in the United States 57 year-ol- d Ralph S Bell of Bellvue Colo an asso- ciate since 1965 appears to best fit the requirements of age and - experience Leading evangelicals doubt anyone can replace Graham no matter who winds up heading his enterprises 4 A 1 Utah Carmelite Nuns to Host g Annual Fair Psychologists Sing Give Me By Fund-RaLsin- The annual Carmelite Fair activthe principal ity for Utah's Carmelite nuns will take place Sunday The fair will be held at the Carmel of The Immaculate Heart of Mary 5714 Holladay Blvd where the 11 nuns in the fund-raisin- g contemplative order live lives Sister Mary Joseph the fair coordinator said proceeds help prayer-fille- d run the Carmelite monastery Donations also support it Sunday's fair will feature a variety of activities gifts and foods It runs from 10 am to 6 pm Entertainment includes Utah Basque Dancers Irish Mcteggartr Dancers of Utah Filipiana Dancers Utah Pipe Band Junior Greek Dancers and Salt Valley Jazz Band Auctioneer Bill Brown will oversee 1:20 pm and 3:20 pm auctions A variety of items in- cluding memorabilia from Utah's professional and university sports teams will be Food specialities include Lebanese Greek Italian Mexican and American Pork chop sandwiches Korean rice and a Mexican snack bar will be featured handicrafts antiques and games will be available The religious order arose at Mount Carmel Syria and dates from the 12th century or earlier Its rule or guide on daily life was provided by St Albert patriarch of Jerusalem about 1209 AD But no one knows for sure how old the order is said Sister Mary Joseph Ruins at the order's original site at Mount Carmel date back to the 8th century Sister Mary Joseph is currently an "out sister" or one who meets visitors and runs errands for the nuns She said the Carmelites arrived in Utah in 1952 living in a house on 200 South at about 1100 East a block south of holy In 1956 the Cross Hospital nuns moved to their IIolladay monastery Daniel Goleman THE NEW YORK TIMES Eddie 16 had a record of nine arrests including rape assault and battery and drug dealing But something happened that set him straight: he found religion "One day Eddie came into our group and announced he'd been saved" said the Rev Wayne Muller who ran a therapy group in Santa Barbara Calif for teen-ag- e gang members on probation "He said he felt happy all the time He'd given up drugs and crime and was going to nightly revival services" Eddie's tale of salvation is as old as the Gospels But in recent years stories like his have been changing the way psychology regards religion While Freud dismissed religion as little more than a neurotic illusion the emerging wisdom in psychology is that at least some varieties of religious experience are beneficial for mental health The result is that growing numbers of psychologists are finding religion if not in their personal lives at least in their data What was once at best an unfashionable topic in psychology has been born again as a respectable focus for scientific research Some of the research for instance confirms w hat programs like Alcoholics Anonymous have long taken as a tenet of faith: that compelling beliefs like Eddies "improve your mental health especially in resisting temptation and organizing your life in terms of what matters and what does not" said David Rosenhan a Old-Tim- e psychologist at Stanford University who though an atheist himself is studying religious commitment as a psychological force Of course that organization may be in terms of details like dietary restrictions or rituals that might see as a waste of time But the emerging consensus among psychologists studying religion is that the spiritual life is more often of psychological benefit than not and that it is time for a scientific look at religion that does more than dismiss it The quickening of interest by psychologists in religion is witnessed by a series of research papers presented in early August at the meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Francisco on topics ranging from the psychological origins of the cult of the Virgin Mary to the effectiveness of religious faith in coping with chronic pain and arthritis The researchers themselves are conscientious about making their own religious beliefs — or lack of them — explicit But they try to separate their beliefs from their research The aim is to accept their subjects' beliefs at face value and explore their psychological impact Last year a study of children's religious beliefs by Robert Coles a child psychiatrist at -- Harvard became the best seller The Spiritual Life of Children: The book showed that even children from families had active spiritual lives And earlier this year a lead article in the American Psychologist by Allen Bergin a psy non-religio- Religion chologist at Brigham Young University ay gued that "there is a spiritual dimension or human experience which the field of psycholo gy" cannot ignore To be sure the new research does not find all religious experience to be uniformly beneficial t "Some ways of being religious correlate with greater mental disturbance" said Bergin: "while others correlate with greater levels of mental health" The research shows that it does not matter so much what particular creed people hold but rather how they hold it For instance several studies have found poorer mental health among people who see religion as a means to a social or emotional end Researchers contrast this spiritual orientation which they call "extrinsic" with an "intrinsic" outlook in which people's religious beliefs form a personal commitment that they translate into action regardless of social or emotional concerns People with an extrinsic religious attitude have a attitude "whether it's making business contacts at church or finding personal comfort to make themselves feel better" said Richard Gorsuch a psychologist at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena Calif Although there is a great difference between belief motivated by the idea that God will help what's-in-it-for-m- e See A-- 9 Column 1 4 't 4 I 4 'i i t 3 I I 1 I IA i 3 1 1 i 1 !' 1 1 1 I IA: i I r i: i I 1 t 1 1 r |
