Answers

Read thoughtful responses to a wide assortment of questions from Billy Graham’s My Answer column and other resources.

My sister says the group I'm thinking of joining is a cult. They've been very kind to me, but I don't want to do something wrong. What exactly is a cult?

My sister says the group I'm thinking of joining is a cult, and I ought to stop going to their meetings. They've been very kind to me and I like them, but I don't want to do something wrong. What exactly is a cult?

The doctor has me on a painkiller that I take in strong doses for chronic back pain. I'm scared that I'll get addicted. Should I be taking this drug so much?

I suffer from chronic back pain, and the doctor has me on a fairly strong painkiller. I'm scared that I'll get addicted to this drug because I've been on it a couple of years, and now I'm having to take stronger doses. Is it wrong for me to be taking this drug so much?

I've always been curious about where evil comes from, and the devil, and things like that.

What's the difference between the devil and a demon? Maybe it isn't very important, but I've always been curious about where evil comes from, and the devil, and things like that.

I know we're supposed to confess our sins, but I'm not sure I can remember everything I've done wrong. Does this mean God hasn't forgiven me?

I know we're supposed to confess our sins to God in order to be forgiven, but I'm not sure I can remember everything I've ever done wrong. I've also probably committed sins that I didn't even know about (such as bad thoughts or motives). Does this mean God hasn't forgiven me?

Our daughter is getting married and we aren't pleased with her choice of husband. Should we attend the wedding or not?

I know there probably isn't any final answer to this, but our daughter is getting married in a few months, and we don't know how to react. Frankly, we aren't pleased with her choice of husband, and anyway they've been living together for a year (which we don't approve of). Should we attend the wedding or not?

Our marriage isn't what it used to be and I am very attracted to a divorcee. What's wrong with being friendly with her? Doesn't God want us to be happy?

Our marriage isn't what it used to be, and to be honest, I find myself very attracted to a divorcee who has moved into our apartment complex and is very friendly and sympathetic. What's wrong with being friendly with her? Doesn't God want us to be happy?

My older sister makes me feel guilty because I'm not doing more for her. Should I feel this way?

Why do some people seem to take delight in making others feel guilty? Whenever my older sister comes to visit she constantly reminds me of all the things she did for me when I was young, and makes me feel guilty because I'm not doing more for her now. Should I feel this way?

Last year, I was put on probation for financial fraud. I'm so embarrassed because everyone knows. Should I move and start over?

Last year, I was arrested for financial fraud at my company, and after my trial, was fined and put on probation. Everyone in our town knows about it, and I'm so embarrassed I hate to go out in public. I've lived here all my life, but would it be better to move somewhere else and try to start over?

When I was younger, I was very active in my church, but now I feel so useless. Why doesn't God just take me home to heaven?

When I was younger, I was very active in my church and always involved in helping others. But now I'm old and have lots of physical problems, and it's all I can do to get to church. I feel so useless. Why doesn't God just take me home to heaven?

I'd like to be optimistic about the future, but sometimes I wonder what it holds for my grandchildren.

I know the world is in terrible shape, but will things always be this way? I'd like to be optimistic about the future, but sometimes I wonder what it holds for my grandchildren and whether or not they'll have a better world when they grow up.

I come from another country, and I am working here for the next three years. Please, sir, would you tell me who Jesus is, and what a Christian is?

I come from another country, and I am working here for my company for the next three years. Please, sir, would you tell me who Jesus is, and what a Christian is? The people I work with don't seem to be able to explain it.

I've been praying for my sister, who is in a difficult financial situation due to her husband, but things are getting worse. Does it do any good to pray for others?

My sister is in a very difficult financial situation because her husband isn't very responsible. I've prayed and prayed for her, but if anything, things are getting worse. What more can I do? Does it really do any good to pray for other people?