Posted on 10/20/2012 8:05:33 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Why, three weeks prior to one of the most hotly contested presidential elections in modern history, does America’s Evangelist need to suddenly declare Mormonism no longer a cult? Has there been an unreported change in theology or practice?
My maternal grandmother thought Billy Graham was a saint above all others. You simply could not say anything negative about the evangelist in her presence. She held the same regard for Jimmy Carter, because she considered him a godly man and a faithful Sunday school teacher -- even if not an effective president. She also was convinced Henry Kissinger was the anti-Christ, but that’s another story.
I’m glad she didn’t live long enough to see Billy Graham and his family descend into the arena of secular politics. It would have broken her heart. And it should be sad for the rest of the Christian world as well.
The latest news came last week, when the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association made a slight change to the content of its website right after a visit from Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Prior to Romney’s visit, the evangelist had defined Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, the Unification Church, Unitarians, Spiritualists and Scientologists as “cults” and therefore not Christian. Several news outlets reported that after Romney’s visit to Graham, the page with that content was removed from the Graham website; then later, a Graham spokesman confirmed it.
Now before some of you, dear readers, start heating your branding irons to label me a partisan heretic, please keep reading. I’m not saying you should or shouldn’t vote for Mitt Romney or Barack Obama. What I do want to say is that you shouldn’t vote for either candidate just because you have been cleared to do so (or been encouraged to do so) by a preacher, pastor or evangelist. You should vote for one or the other because you are convinced in your own mind that person is the best for the job. God gave you a brain for a reason; use it.
Nor should you require Romney to be a Christian before you vote for him, just as you shouldn’t spread the lie that Obama is a closeted Muslim in order not to vote for him. There is no religious test for office in the United States.
So why, three weeks prior to one of the most hotly contested presidential elections in modern history, does America’s Evangelist need to suddenly declare Mormonism no longer a cult? Has there been an unreported change in theology or practice? What purpose could there be other than removing a barrier that might keep some evangelical Christians from voting for a Mormon? Especially when the evangelist, to the best of my knowledge, never has repudiated his own son’s statements from February, implying that Obama may not be a Christian but is likely a secret Muslim. Why is Billy Graham taking sides in a presidential election?
Some will say he has every right to take sides and should make his views known. Here’s why I think he shouldn’t and why his son, Franklin, is single-handedly undoing his father’s legacy: The gospel of Jesus Christ transcends political parties and labels. Jesus is neither Republican nor Democrat. And the moment we put God in a political box is when we alienate half the population from hearing the good news of redemption through Christ.
No person in our lifetime has done more to proclaim this message of salvation for all than Billy Graham. And he was heard because he appeared to care about all people without regard to race, creed or color. To make any other agenda -- abortion, gay marriage, economic policy or whatever -- more important than the universal call to redemptive faith is to lose sight of the cross of Christ. Ironically, it is Billy Graham who most clearly and consistently has called America to fix our eyes only upon Jesus. And now his own vision seems to be fading. Woe to us.
Sounds pretty partisan to me. Obama clearly is a closeted Muslim.
No, but it is entirely possible for one or the other party to become anti-Christian.
“...just as you shouldn’t spread the lie that Obama is a closeted Muslim...”
No bias there.
/sarcasm
This slide has been going on since the fight about who would take
the place of Billy Graham. At that point Billy wanted his son. This has happened all over America with men leaving their status and churches to sons. I never noticed that happening in the Bible, but it is so in America.
“Why is Billy Graham taking sides in a presidential election?...Here’s why I think he shouldn’t....”
1) He’s an American, and that is his Constitutional right.
2) Nobody cares what you think.
3) Get lost.
The legacy we leave behind for our children, grandchildren and this great nation is crucial. As I approach my 94th birthday, I realize this election could be my last. I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Vote for biblical values this November 6, and pray with me that America will remain one nation under God.
Billy Graham
Choice between a viper and a garden snake.
(Not that Bath-House is a viper-—he doesn’t have the brain; it’s “above his paygrade”; but he’s surrounded by vipers.)
Good God—give Graham kudos for seeing the difference.
I venture that the state of this nation and the beliefs of Bh0 are beyond anything your grandmother knew and worse than she could ever fear. My grandmother died in 1982 and that is my point of reference for comparison. The USA under President Reagan vs the USA under Messiah Bh0.
Billy Graham realizes that fact and that we are in having to trust in Jesus for our souls and show our votes to expell one who is against everything that this country has stood for and who favors those who work to rid the nation of visible signs of Christianity.
I was watching the movie “Sergeant York” tonight and realized that there is no one in Hollywood who would make that movie today. And that the atheists would attack its references to York’s Christian beliefs. Watch the section where Pvt York is with his company and battalion commander, talking about his pacificism through where he is sent home on 10 furlough and then comes to his conclusion over what is the right thing to do; and that is within scriptural bounds.
It’s simple.
Christians know that religious liberty is important. We stand with those who will protect it.
Obama’s regime is trying to destroy it.
Get off of Billy Graham, He works within sight of the Lord.
It’s not whose side God is on. God is a side. A person/party can choose to be on His side or not.
I have no disagreement with Rev. Graham’s plea that we vote for Biblical Values.
What concerns me is this — why did he have to go so far as declare Mormonism no longer a cult?
This is going too far.
Anyone who believes Billy Graham hasn’t weighed in on politics before has no clue.
It was only a few months ago when you couldn’t open a thread on this forum without having to deal with trolls like this dude telling us why we should just stand down and let Obami do us. Then a couple more would show up and take over the thread. Thank God that’s over but I still kept the list of those troll bastards.
This is the question that bothers me, not his endorsement of Romney ( from the article ):
So why, three weeks prior to one of the most hotly contested presidential elections in modern history, does America’s Evangelist need to suddenly declare Mormonism no longer a cult? Has there been an unreported change in Mormon theology or practice?
Obama isn’t the democrat your grandma knew.
VOTE Myth Romney OR there WILL NOT BE an America..
ONLY Myth can UNSEAT Obama.. did I say ONLY?..
More important than MYTH as President is a VETO proof Congress.. to get it you must elect Myth..
I wasn’t at that prayer meeting they had together. Do tell....
Obama is NOT my "brother". And if this verse isn't "political", I don't know what is.
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