Do you know about TED? Although the acronym probably has many meanings depending on the context, here it stands for “Technology, Entertainment, Design”. The purpose of the organization, whose motto is “Ideas Worth Spreading”, is to bring people together to discuss technology as it applies to every sphere of life.
As I browsed through their website, which includes full videos of many of their guest speakers, I recognized many of the names. J. J. Abrams (filmmaker), Tim Berners-Lee (credited with inventing the world-wide web), Peter Gabriel (musician), Al Gore (politician/environmentalist), Steve Jobs (Apple guy), Adam Savage (co-star of the fantastic TV show Mythbusters) … so many interesting and inspiring people connected to new technology. You can watch their videos on the TED website.
But there was at least one name on the list that was surprising to me: Rev Billy Graham. You’re probably already familiar with him. He has spoken to “215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories” (in live audiences; hundreds of millions more via technology) over his long career as a minister and evangelist. I wondered why would they choose to invite Graham, an 80 year old pastor, to speak at a cutting-edge technology conference? Graham himself begins his talk, titled “Technology, Faith, and Human Shortcomings”, by wondering the same question.
What was your response to Billy Graham’s talk? How do you see the role of faith and technology? Did you learn anything from his talk, either knowledge (what he said) or wisdom (how he chose to say it to this audience)?
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Tags: Billy Graham, Culture, design, entertainment, spiritual growth, technology, TED, World
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Billy Graham… What an awesome example of God’s mercy to the generations of the last 70 years. He has always been faithful to preach the salvation message to a lost world. I was always deeply impacted while watching his crusades on television as a child. Now, as an adult, hearing him give a salvation message impacts me just the same. The message of salvation stands the test of time. I will truly miss Rev Graham when he goes to be with the Lord… but what a blessing it has been to have him here!
That was an excellent talk about faith and technology; I like how he linked our human interest in things unknown with an unrecognized search for something bigger than ourselves, whether we believe it or not. I think this is one of the best talks I’ve heard about faith and technology because the link between God, man, and intelligence is strong. Humans are capable of great intelligence because it’s a blessing from God, our Creator and…just looking around me at nature, at just the way our natural world works…that suggests a much higher intelligence than my own. I mean…the earth and the universe is but a taste, a teaser, of the infinite intelligence of God. Not even the angels are privy to all the ways and plans of God.
Billy Graham mentioned that as humans, technology has many implications: for good and for bad…but how much more useful, more great would it be if these efforts were in God’s name?
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”–James 3:17-18 (NIV)
Tiffany, your comment is inaccurate. Graham fought for civil rights in the 60′s, paid Martin Luther King Jr’s bail money when he was unfairly arrested, and invited King on stage with him during his preaching. He has never been a racist. To say that Graham is a racist is absolutely wrong. Unfortunately Graham did at one time make some poor remarks regarding Jewish people, but he has repudiated the remarks and his life bears out his true feelings in how he has worked for the justice of ALL, including Jews. He even won awards for his work from Jewish organizations and has done a lot of work for Jewish Christians. Please get your facts straight before you start flinging accusations.
Billy Graham is the biggest racist in America. If you are black and especially jewish, you better watch out.