Altar Call at Bragg Crossed the Line

As of Thursday, September 30, 2010

I read Steve Bouser’s column (Sept. 29) on the recent “Rock the Fort” event at Fort Bragg. The event was thrown by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. It definitely crossed the line of separation of church and state.

Graham has “proved” by news reports that he has done good all over the world. A large number of people answer the altar call to accept Christ. It makes many reluctant to criticize, even when it crosses the separation of church and state line.

My wholehearted agreement with Bouser is compounded by something that happened 50 years ago in the beginning of the Graham crusades.

I lived in government housing at Patrick Air Force Base. An Air Force chaplain lived across the street. He told me that he was being ordered to recruit a certain number of people who would agree to go to the altar after Graham’s sermon (other pastors were also assigned to recruit). He said that Graham wouldn’t come unless he was assured that a certain number would take the altar call. I don’t remember if he came. I just know on what basis he would agree to come.

Does the Graham organization still recruit the same way? I don’t know, but soldiers, even chaplains, obey commands. The commanding general of Fort Bragg stated in an interview that it didn’t cross the line; therefore, neither a chaplain nor a soldier can disagree.

To involve the military anytime, but especially near an election, is unfair to unwary Christians. They don’t realize that they are being used by religion to influence their vote.

By the way, when I go to the altar, it is not to answer the call of a general or Billy Graham. It is to answer the call of God.

Hilda Mitchell

Pinebluff

More like this story

Ross 2 years, 7 months ago

why is that.......... "you" bash everyone that doesn't share your warped views.

teufelhunden 2 years, 7 months ago

I hear crickets...

theonewithsense 2 years, 7 months ago

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof........

hoaxdetector 2 years, 7 months ago

Hilda, you don't actually know what happened at the Fort Bragg event, do you? You based your column, as did Steve Bouser, on speculation prior to the event. You wrote this post without having attended the event, or directly talked with someone who was there, or read an account of what actually occurred. This is an analysis and complaint based on assumptions you have made, not on facts. Fifty years from now someone who read this post of yours will write to a newspaper telling a tale they think they remember about Rock the Fort at Fort Bragg, but it will be based on your speculations instead of actual happenings, just like the tale you repeat that supposedly happened with Billy Graham, but didn't.

Mark106 2 years, 7 months ago

"Does the Graham organization still recruit the same way?"

It looks to me like she is posing a question not a statement and then her opinion.

You people kill me on here who just continue to bash anyone you can.

AbdominalDohMan 2 years, 7 months ago

Nowhere in the Constitution or Bill of Rights are the words "seperation of church and state". That is a phrase that was made up by a liberal Supreme Court ruling and has been drilled into minds across the country until it has been taken as a fact. If you take the time to do some research and read the documents that made this country the beacon of light in a dark world then you would see that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Woody 2 years, 7 months ago

Jimt....nice! AbdominalDohMan.....DOH! What if it had been a call to the Islam altar? Oh, that is not the same :)

Mythreekids 2 years, 7 months ago

If something offends you, program, activity, etc., just stay away. Those who wish to participate have their own reasons for doing so, and I am certain, respect your right to stay away. Thankfully, we all have the opportunity to choose what we want to participate in. My nephew is a soldier at Ft. Bragg. His family attended and thoroughly enjoyed it. According to him, it was a great way to begin his adjustment back home after having just spent the last year fighting for that very privilege in a foreign land. They 'chose' to attend, were not forced to. And appreciated the privilege.