I Prayed have prayed
Father, continue to protect our nation and help us to call on Your name. Help us to keep our biblical values that our nation was built on.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

A life-sized statue of the Rev. Billy Graham will be installed in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall collection sometime next year, replacing a statue of a white supremacist that both the state of North Carolina and the U.S. House want removed.

Last week, a North Carolina legislative committee approved a 2-foot model of the statue depicting the famous evangelist who died in 2018.

The sculptor, Chas Fagan, will now begin working on a life-sized model that will have to be approved by a congressional committee. Fagan has previously created several statues of religious figures, including St. John Paul II for Washington’s Saint John Paul II National Shrine, as well as Mother Teresa for the Washington National Cathedral.

What do you think about this statue being replaced by Billy Graham? Discuss and share with your friends!

The U.S. Capitol, Statuary Hall collection consists of 100 statues of prominent people — two from each state. Graham, a North Carolina native who was born on a dairy farm in Charlotte, will take the place of Charles Aycock (1859-1912), a former governor. . . .

With statues to white supremacists and Confederate leaders toppling across the nation, North Carolina’s reconsideration might seem timely. But in fact, installing a statue of Graham at the U.S. Capitol had widespread support long before the most recent reckoning on race.

Former North Carolina State Sen. Dan Soucek pushed for the new statue in 2015 while Graham was still living. Soon after Graham’s death, the process kicked into gear.

“From a Christian religious point of view, Billy Graham is an undeniable worldwide icon,” Soucek said. He cited the six decades Graham placed among the top 10 in Gallup Poll’s list of the most admired people.

For years, Graham has been one of North Carolina’s most famous luminaries. There are two state highways named to honor him. One of Charlotte’s biggest tourist attractions is the barn-shaped library documenting his life and ministry that includes his restored childhood home and gravesite.

Graham’s son, Franklin, whose Samaritan’s Purse ministry is also located in North Carolina, said he has seen a rendering of the statue, which features the elder Graham as he looked in the 1960s, preaching and holding a Bible in one hand.

Franklin Graham said the statue is not something his father would have pushed for. . . .

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, in partnership with the state, is raising money for the statue and its installation — which is estimated to cost $650,000. No state funds will be used.

Garrett Dimond, general counsel for the state’s legislative services office, said that once the 10-foot, 10-inch-tall clay statue is completed it must be reviewed by a congressional committee before it can be cast in bronze.

Last month, a bill by the Democratic-led House Appropriations Committee called for the removal of “any individual who served voluntarily at any time as a member of the armed forces of the Confederate States of America.” It specifically cited Aycock.

“They know we’re replacing the statue,” Dimond said, referring to Congress. “I think we’ll get the approval quicker than you normally would, given what’s going on in the country.”

(Excerpt from Christian Headlines. Article by Yonat Shimron. Photo from CNN.)

Share your comments on the replacement of statues and how you think this decision will affect our nation. . .

Comments (7) Print

Comments

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Mel Teoh
August 10, 2020

Holy Father,
Grateful knowing that You Are the one and only Living and ALL KNOWING GOD. Human heart / thought / intention / mind / soul are all open book to You, God. We can not hide from You. Good News translation of Jeremiah 16:17 said: I see everything they do. Nothing is hidden from me; their sins do not escape my sight.

Statues are part of history to remind about the past and it should not be omitted. Because it’s part of what and who America is. An addition of Billy Graham statue is good to remind America that a man after God’s heart do exist in this 20th century.

However God, You’re the all knowing God therefore it is Your will should be done in this matter.

And we rest in Your words Romans 8:28 And we know that [a]God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

In Jesus’ name, we thank You, Father-God. Amen.

1
Rene H
August 9, 2020

Exodus 20:4
Thou shalt not make unto thee any Graven image or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the Earth.
We dont get to make up how we want or think things should be. Its a direct violation and disobedience to Gods commands.
This is precisely why Exodus 20:5-6 is in effect now.

Rene H
August 9, 2020

I dont think any statues of any men women animals gods or goddesses should be erected anytime anywhere. It is all considered idol worship last time I read the bible.

Barbara Sarratt5
August 9, 2020

I like the plane to replace the Aycock statue with one of Billy Graham.I read the other comments some of which made sense.I have to think about this some more. There were many honorable men who fought in the Confederate army. I changed the subject .

1
Loretta V Paradise
August 9, 2020

Trying to remove our history will not change it. Is there anything other than that this person served in the Confederate Army that he is being removed? While I have enormous respect for Rev Billy Graham, and maybe he should be memorialized with a statue, I’m not sure this is the way to do it. You cannot keep all of our states united by removing them from history. Doesn’t this play into the hands of the communist/socialist parties? Break up our land. Divide our people. Despite the horrible mark of slavery on this country, the war was won. Slavery was ended. There were many good and honorable men and women in the confederacy. Just as I fight in my heart because of the deeds/living arrangements towards many of the men of the Bible, God called them Men of God. We will not win the battles ahead unless we let go of the battles of the past. We cannot work on today while reliving and trying to make someone pay for the sins of yesterday – this relates personally as well as relational. What is happening will further divide. Is that really what we want or need? I know what it is doing to me and one day I will no longer know what to pray. We pray for unity not division. For love not hate. For clarity and truth not mud and lies. For even in its bad times we, Americans, keep trying, with the help of Almighty God, to learn to do right. It is difficult to stay focused but we have too. God requires us too. Learn from the past so we don’t repeat it, but look toward the future while living hope today. That is where we find the Almighty. That is were we find clarity and discernment. Blessings of Shalom – Peace, love, completeness.

8
Victoria Lundqust
August 9, 2020

I have mixed feeling about this, if we allow them to start replacing statues we open a door to all of them being replaced! We cannot tare down our history! We must learn and appreciate our accomplishments and mistakes to continue to make, America the greatest Nation in the world! We need to teach the truth of ALL of the history of this country, especially the way we became this this great nation! The tyranny going on in the country has to be stopped! If we let them continue, we are going backwards!

8
Helen
August 9, 2020

At least this one makes sense.

5

Partner with Us

Intercessors for America is the trusted resource for millions of people across the United States committed to praying for our nation. If you have benefited from IFA's resources and community, please consider joining us as a monthly support partner. As a 501(c)3 organization, it's through your support that all this possible.

Dave Kubal
IFA President
Become a Monthly Partner

Share

Click below to share this with others

Log in to Join the Conversation

Log in to your IFA account to start a discussion, comment, pray, and interact with our community.