Has Billy Graham Suddenly Turned Political?
Has Billy Graham Suddenly Turned Political?
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) launched a major ad campaign last week encouraging Americans to "vote for biblical values" this November.
The ads convey one of two messages from evangelist Billy Graham:
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.
Or:
On November 6, the day before my 94th birthday, our nation will hold one of the most critical elections in my lifetime. We are at a crossroads and there are profound moral issues at stake. I strongly urge you to vote for candidates who support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and woman, protect the sanctity of life, and defend our religious freedoms. The Bible speaks clearly on these crucial issues. Please join me in praying for America, that we will turn our hearts back toward God.
The ad campaign is the latest in a series of public statements this year that have prompted questions on whether they truly reflect Billy Graham's concerns or whether they were initiated by his son Franklin Graham, who has been more outspoken than his father on political matters in recent years.
Earlier in the week, the BGEA removed an article listing Mormonism as a "cult" from its website. The move came after Graham welcomed Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney at his home and reportedly promised, "I'll do all I can to help you." (An official statement followed.)
In July, Graham pledged to participate in former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee's "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" when restaurant chain president Dan Cathy's comments on marriage drew a media firestorm. And in May, Graham urged North Carolina residents (in full-page newspaper ads) to vote for a state constitutional amendment on marriage.
In a press statement, the BGEA said the new ads "intentionally do not mention any candidate, political party, or contest, urging instead for readers to cast votes for candidates, at all levels, based on their support for biblical values. [Billy Graham] recently expressed a desire to publicly call America back to God and to prayer, and to draw attention to moral issues that are clearly addressed in the Bible and have increasingly become part of a national political dialog."
But Graham himself has earlier expressed wishes that he'd been more politically neutral and nonpartisan throughout his ministry.
When asked by CT in 2011 if he would "go back and do anything differently," Graham, whose relationship with President Richard Nixon drew considerable controversy, replied:
I also would have steered clear of politics. I'm grateful for the opportunities God gave me to minister to people in high places; people in power have spiritual and personal needs like everyone else, and often they have no one to talk to. But looking back I know I sometimes crossed the line, and I wouldn't do that now.
Similarly, in a 2008 CT interview, Graham said,"I'm not making any [political] endorsements, and I'm staying out of partisan politics. I'm grateful for our system of government, and I strongly urge people to vote—but I don't endorse any candidate."
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Claire Guest
Paul - In light of the fact that you have continued to ignore my questions (which I even re-posted to make that easier for you), I think it wise to ditto your words: "I feel no further need to respond to you."
Paul Schryba
Claire: You restate yet again your allegation that the budget during Clinton hurt military families (some), resulted in base closings (some) [that is the nature of budget cuts] and hurt our national security (unsubstantiated opinion). I responded by referring you to the article referenced in my posts that shows that in 2012 dollars our spending level has remained high, which you make no comment on. I feel no further need to respond to you.
Claire Guest
Paul, you didn't answer my questions below, so I'm reposting them here. A lot of things which did not come out in the media were well-known to guys in the military, and I had relatives in the military during the Clinton years. Clinton did initiate huge military cuts which hurt military families and closed a number of military bases (this was common knowledge in the news), which endangered our national security. He hadn't even been out of office one year on 9/11. As I understand it, Obama wants to follow this model and also drastically reduce our nuclear capabilities. Are you in favor of this? BTW, you also didn't answer my earlier questions: Why does/should Obama get a pass for doing even WORSE than Bush? Why should he have been returned to office since he didn't follow through on his 2008 statement? Are you in agreement with Obama's stands on public policy relating to moral and Biblical issues (clearly seen, plus more, at the DNC) which do in fact contradict God's Word?