Dear Rev. Graham,
It may not feel like it right now, but getting disinvited from the military's National Day of Prayer ceremony is a great opportunity for you. Allow me to explain.
First, I should say up front that on a personal level, I strongly disagree with your characterization of Islam as "evil", and with your insistence on framing that religion as an enemy of our shared Christian faith. Those statements, which apparently also gave military officials pause, are in my view short-sighted, ill-informed, and disrespectful to the millions of peaceful Muslims all over the world, and right here in the United States.
But, let's leave that aside. On matters of faith and theology, people can disagree.
I'm writing because I think this is an important chance to make a statement about the role of religious leaders in America. In short, Reverend, don't let yourself become a tool of the state. When you sanction the government's pious parades, you risk some of your authority to critique our leaders when they deserve it. The best way to claim that space – a little swinging room, if you will – is to disavow the very idea of a government-approved minister in the first place.
When Dr. King led the fight for civil rights, for equality, justice and peace, he didn't do it arm-in-arm with the Joint Chiefs in a ceremony at the Pentagon; he didn't do it at the right hand of the President, or at a quasi-religious event organized by government officials. He spoke the truth from the pulpit, and from the streets, and from wherever the powerless needed his voice – most certainly not from the lectern of the powerful that would exploit him.
It must be tempting: influential figures turning to you for guidance, in turn presenting you as the conscience of the country, with all the pageantry of the military, and the praise of political leaders. But there is a price to be paid. The bear-hug from government always comes with a price. So, why not take this rebuke as a badge of honor, and not a moment to regret?
Your prophetic voice works best when the powers that be aren't quite so cozy letting you speak for them. Refusing their lure will make you sound more credible. It will stiffen your resolve to say the things you believe need to be said. And it will make those of us who disagree with you feel better knowing our government is not presenting your voice (or any religious perspective) as that of the nation. Rejecting official government religion is good for the religious liberty of us all.
For some reason, in recent years, being a religious leader in this country has come to mean one who is celebrated among the political class and media, embraced by elected officials in private and in public, and influential in the halls of Washington, D.C. I would urge you to resist that temptation. Make them uncomfortable instead. Maintain the integrity of your prophetic voice by steering clear of events like the National Day of Prayer. We don't need our government to speak with a religious voice; and you don't need your Christian message to be skewed, used and saddled with the trappings of the state.
The next time they come calling, you take the reins. Just say no.
Sincerely,
Don Byrd
