Q & A: Franklin Graham on Obama's Birth, Trump, & Faith
Samaritan's Purse president Franklin Graham addressed questions from ABC's Christiane Amanpour about President Obama's birthplace and religious beliefs. The White House fought back yesterday, calling his remarks "preposterous." This morning, Graham spoke with CT about the administration's response, Obama's birth, his faith and who he likes among the candidates considering a run in the 2012 presidential race.
How would you respond to the White House spokesperson who said, "I would just say I think it's unfortunate that a religious leader would choose Easter Sunday to make preposterous charges"?
First of all, they made a point that I would choose Easter to make these statements. I didn't make these statements on Easter. I taped that a week prior, on Monday that week. It was ABC that [broadcast] this on Easter. I responded to a question. I'm not going out making speeches about where the President was born. I could care less. But when asked, I told Christiane Amanpour that the President has a problem that he could probably address by answering that. How come he doesn't come out at a news conference and hold up his birth certificate? I don't know. I'm only responding to what she asked me. She asked me about Donald Trump. When I first heard about him entering, I thought it was a joke. The more I listen to him, the more I say, "Maybe he's right." She asked, "Could you vote for him?" Vote for him as compared to what? Depends on who else is running. Certainly, America needs somebody like a Donald Trump who's got business experience to get us out of the mess that Republicans and Democrats alike have gotten us into.
Several fact checkers have agreed that Obama was born in the U.S. What would it take to convince you?
I don't care. I'm not the person raising these issues. You need to ask Donald Trump those questions. I'm just saying, for me it looks like it's a headache for the President. If I were the President, I would try to find a way to get rid of this headache. That's all. I'm just giving some advice to the President. Do yourself a favor. It'll shut Donald Trump up. I really don't care where he was born. That's not an issue. I've never made this an issue, never have.
Richard Land says that the idea that Obama is a Muslim or is not born in the U.S. is "flat nuts"? How would you respond to his comments?
There are two issues. I do not believe for an instant that Obama is a Muslim. He has said he's not a Muslim. I take him at his word. People say he's not born in the United States. I take it on the word that they properly vetted him before they swore him into office. I'm sure somebody had to look at his credentials. I'm not saying the President is a Muslim, never said he's a Muslim. He says he's a Christian.
There is the issue of his birth. Under Shari'ah law, Islamic law, which is not legal in the United States, he was born a Muslim because his father is a Muslim. That's why [Muammar al-Gaddafi] calls him "my son." The President has renounced Islam. He says he believes in Jesus Christ. To the Muslim world that's under Shari'ah law, which we're not, they see him as a lost son. They see him as a wayward child. Shari'ah law is not legal in the United States. You cannot beat your wife. If you think your daughter has been immoral, you cannot kill her. Shari'ah law is the law of Islam and it is not recognized in this country.
You're saying he was born a Muslim because his father is a Muslim?
All throughout the Muslim world, every person whose father is a Muslim is recognized under Islamic law as a Muslim.
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Jack Vale
This is why nepotism is a bad thing. Franklyn Graham isn't equipped to have conversations that require thoughtful responses. He actually equates opposing Gay Marriage to following Christ's commands. I've never seen Jesus say anything about homosexuality in the gospels. Paul made a few stray comments here and there, but Paul also said "Don't be as dumb as a box of rocks when talking to unbelievers." (My paraphrase). WE MISS YOU BILLY.
Valentine Williams
I cannot read this article without feeling how strongly Republican Franklin Graham is . I can see him trying to be objective with President Obama but his personal convictions won't allow him to. Based on this interview his position on the President and Politics alienate me from him although we are both born again believers. I don't believe Franklin Graham defines issues of morality the way Jesus does in Matth. 5- 7. I no longer identify him as more in line with biblical views but with Republican views and they are not the same. I wish that he had more of the God given wisdom of his dad who was often baited into condemning homosexuals but recognized that he was called to preach the gospel to homosexuals so alienating them with public comments was not wise. Will Franklin Graham appease or identify with people of a particular political spectrum and in the process alienate some of those who need to hear the gospel most? Are your comments in the best interest of the Gospel, or you?
Juanita McGinnis
I appreciate Franklin Graham's comments very much, and will definitely share this article. I don't understand how anyone can anyone disagree with what he has said--it is very balanced and non-confrontive.