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Refusing the Riches of Grace: The Ted Turner InterviewBy Cara Baker Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III is proof that there’s a thin line between love and hate. Although he’s known for mocking Christians and Christianity over the years (and later apologizing for it), an interview with Turner the week after he stepped down as vice chairman of AOL Time Warner shed light on his religious past and the painful loss that led him to question-and ultimately turn away from-God. Turner was in Washington, D.C. to promote the latest Ted Turner film, Gods and Generals, about the battles leading up to Gettysburg during the Civil War. The man has energy. The decibel level of the room skyrocketed the minute he burst through the door with his entourage. Standing at about 6 feet 5 inches, with a loud, obnoxious, but commanding voice, he is the center of attention wherever he goes. He promptly made his way around the room introducing himself and repeating the name of the person he just met. I wondered how many hands he shakes a day-hands of world leaders and average Joes alike. A journalist asked why a man, famous for his impiety, would back a film directed by Christian Ron Maxwell that portrays the faith of the generals leading the Civil War in such a positive light-especially in a historical, almost documentary-type film that, by its very nature, isn’t destined to top the box office. Turner said his image of ignorance and impiety to Christianity is inaccurate. “That’s the rap on me-that I’m impious. (But) I’ve read the Bible from cover to cover twice.” Turner is a natural debater. He spouted off a list of religious activities of his childhood to prove his knowledge of Christianity. He said that while he attended a Christian school in Chattanooga, he was required to study the Bible in class each semester for six years. He even volunteered for a Billy Graham crusade and “was born again seven times.” He said he was in the habit of praying an hour a day in his teens. What shook his devotion (and with this revelation, Turner turned quiet and lowered his head), was the sickness and death of his younger sister. When he was 15, his 12-year-old sister developed terminal lupus, which over the course of five years, destroyed her body and her mind. “I prayed for [her] an hour a day,” Turner said. “She used to go around the apartment and run into the padded walls and say, ‘God, I’m in such pain; please let me die.’ My family broke apart. I prayed so much. She said, ‘God, please let me die.’ She couldn’t say a whole lot of things, but she would say, “Teddy, you’re my brother. I know you.’” His voice oozed hurt and anger. “I said, ‘How could God let my sister suffer so much? She never did anything wrong. She was 12 years old. At that time, I was going to be a missionary. I was going to dedicate my life to what I really believed … But my religious faith got shaken. I mean, I prayed an hour a day for my sister.” Turner’s pain has gone unhealed. The famous atheist indeed believes in God. And he is very angry with Him. Rod Dreher of National Review Online noted, “It's not so much that Turner doesn't believe in God as he doesn't want to give God, who allowed his sister to be crushed by disease, the satisfaction of recognition.” Despite his losses (his father’s suicide when he was 24, his sister’s suffering and the recent divorce to third wife, Jane Fonda, after she converted to Christianity), Turner’s brilliant entrepreneurship and philanthropy has placed him as one of the world’s most influential people. He directs most of his philanthropic activities through Turner Foundation, Inc., which grants up to $50 million to hundreds of organizations, mostly for environmental conservation. His unparalleled success comes from an almost supernatural drive. It’s as if his lust for power, money, and fame is in direct proportion to the pain and anger he’s escaping. A gaping void is evident in his life. It’s audible in his voice. Sad as it is, his sister’s death is not unlike Paul’s unknown “thorn in the flesh.” Through his pain, Paul chose to cling to the promise he received from God: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (II Corinthians 12:9). Somehow Turner has no concept of grace. It was odd sitting three feet away from one of the richest men in the world and knowing that all the power and money can't replace the need for a relationship with God. It’s as if he knows works don’t bring salvation (Matthew 7:21-23), but he’s hoping he’ll get an exemption. “Look at my philanthropy,” he pointed out. “I mean, that’s something that every religion, particularly Christianity, places as a top priority for everybody during their lifetime. Contribute as much as you can to help those less fortunate than yourself. Well, I’m living like a Christian.” Turner said these good works will be enough to get him into heaven. “I guarantee you I’ll see you there,” Turner joked. “I’m going to be like the guy who has the last two tickets in the stadium. But I’ll be there.” ninetyandnine.com © 2003, Cara Baker -------- Associate Editor Cara Baker interviewed Ted Turner in Washington D.C. on February 9, 2003. |
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