Answers

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

My wife just divorced me because of my drinking. What should I do?

My wife just divorced me because of my drinking. I'm going to AA now and I think I can stop, but she gave up on me because she got tired of my broken promises. I know I need to get my life together, but please ask people to pray for me.

I think the world would be better off without any organized religion. What do you think?

I think the world would be better off without any organized religion. After all, look at all the wars that have been fought over religion (even today). I don't think anyone should be forced to believe in God if they don't want to, which is why I'm an atheist.

As far as my girlfriend and I are concerned, marriage is just a piece of paper. We've been living together for three years now, and we're perfectly happy the way we are. What would you say to us?

As far as my girlfriend and I are concerned, marriage is just a piece of paper, and we don't need it to prove we love each other. We've been living together for three years now, and we're perfectly happy the way we are. What would you say to us?

I don't see any harm in a little gossip, as long as you aren't telling lies about people…but you think all gossip is wrong. But what is your reason for saying this?

I remember reading in one of your columns some time ago that you think all gossip is wrong. But what is your reason for saying this? I don't see any harm in a little gossip, as long as you aren't telling lies about people.

The church is full of hypocrites who are just as greedy or stuck up as the next person.

I suppose you get tired of hearing people like me say they don't want anything to do with Christianity because the church is full of hypocrites—but it's true. They might not murder or steal, but in my experience they're just as greedy or stuck up as the next person, and that's also wrong, isn't it?

Do you believe God has a purpose for every person?

Do you believe God has a purpose for every person? I just read a book that says He does, but to be honest I have a hard time believing it. I think God just put us down here and then left it to us to figure out what we want to do.

What's wrong with speeding a little bit, as long as it isn't hurting anyone?

I got pulled over for speeding the other day, and now the judge is making me take some classes on safe driving. Frankly, I'm upset about the whole thing because I was totally in control of my car and I've never had an accident. What's wrong with speeding a little bit, as long as it isn't hurting anyone?

My wife is always getting after me because she says I work too much. I do put in 12 hours or so a day…What should i do?

My wife is always getting after me because she says I work too much. Maybe I do put in 12 hours or so a day, but how can I get her to see I'm doing it for her and the children? I want them to have the things I never had when I was growing up.

Religion is just a matter of personal preference, and "truth" doesn't have anything to do with it.

How can people say that one religion is better than any other religion? Religion is just a matter of personal preference, as far as I'm concerned, and what works for you might not work for someone else. In my opinion, "truth" doesn't have anything to do with religion (or anything else, for that matter).

Where was the Garden of Eden located?

Where was the Garden of Eden located? Or was it just a symbol for the place where the human race began? Do you think we'll ever discover the Garden of Eden and maybe live in a perfect environment like Adam and Eve did?

Why did Jesus have to die?

Why did Jesus have to die? From what I can tell, He wasn't guilty of doing anything wrong, and I've always looked on Jesus' execution as a great injustice.

How can I stop my habit of complaining?

The other day, a friend of mine kind of shocked me by asking me why I complain all the time. I guess I didn't realize I came across that way. What steps do you suggest I take to get out of this habit? Or am I just naturally a negative person?