The great evangelist—who became famous for stadium-filling crusades and became a close friend and adviser to multiple presidents—issued the following statement:
“It was an honor to meet and host Governor Romney in my home today, especially since I knew his late father former Michigan Governor George Romney, whom I considered a friend. I have followed Mitt Romney’s career in business, the Olympic Games, as governor of Massachusetts and, of course, as a candidate for president of the United States.
“What impresses me even more than Governor Romney’s successful career are his values and strong moral convictions. I appreciate his faithful commitment to his impressive family, particularly his wife Ann of 43 years and his five married sons.
“It was a privilege to pray with Governor Romney—for his family and our country. I will turn 94 the day after the upcoming election, and I believe America is at a crossroads. I hope millions of Americans will join me in praying for our nation and to vote for candidates who will support the biblical definition of marriage, protect the sanctity of life and defend our religious freedoms.” [Highlights mine -MS]
There’s no way to read this other than as a very definite (if implicit) endorsement of Mitt Romney. Obama has launched unprecedented assaults on the sanctity of human life, the definition of marriage, and the rights of religious believers to help the suffering while abiding by their consciences.
This, along with Graham’s longstanding commitment to building interreligious understanding, is why it’s not surprising to see a great Evangelical leader endorse a Mormon candidate. I’m also struck by Graham’s sober acknowledgment of his old age. It’s a fact I’d rather forgot. We’ve already lost Evangelical lions like Chuck Colson, Richard John Neuhaus, and John Stott, and we’ll be poorer still without Graham.
October 12th, 2012 | 2:09 am
Just finished watching the debate. It goes without saying that we will have a “Catholic” VP for the next 4 years. While both candidates agree that life begins at conception, apparently one of them is unwilling to impose any restraints on a mother who is predisposed to murder her own unborn US citizen with a proceedure some folks like to call “family planning”. In other words, even though he believes it is a human life, it’s just not one Biden thinks our Nations laws should protect or one he would intervein in, in order to save.
October 12th, 2012 | 2:15 am
Recognizing the concern many evangelicals have in voting for a Mormon candidate, I am very relieved to hear of this endorsement and hope all believers will carefully consider its implications. I just finished watching the VP debate. It goes without saying that we will have a “Catholic” VP for the next 4 years. While both candidates agree that life begins at conception, apparently one of them is unwilling to impose any restraints on a mother who is predisposed to murder her own unborn US citizen with a proceedure some folks like to call “family planning”. In other words, even though he believes it is a human life, it’s just not one Biden thinks our Nations laws should protect or one he would intervein in, in order to save.
October 12th, 2012 | 4:23 am
I don’t believe we have become poor or will become poorer when God calls home and has called home mighty men and woman of Faith in Christ Jesus, but to see the legacy they have left behind that has enriched, encouraged and empowered many lives. This makes me think of what legacy will I leave behind, for God has numbered all our days, for each of us are accountable to God the Father in doing what he asks us to do, to Run our race of Faith to the finishing post, the greatest legacy that has been left behind by one man Jesus Christ is eternal Life still available today, so poor or poorer to be,No! Enriched, encouraged, empowered by the Holy Spirit yes and by Gods generals of Yesterday and Today, Thank-you, God.
October 12th, 2012 | 8:12 am
Would that be the same Bill Graham who palled around with Richard Nixon and was caught on tape telling him that Jews control the media? He is a testimony to the fact that you can get away with anything as a preacher, if nothing else. Ironic that the first person you mention in comparison is Chuck Colson.
And what exactly is the unprecedented ‘assault’ on human life carried out by Obama? I’ve been rather disappointed by his weakness. He could probably have passed the Freedom of Choice Act in his first term, wiping out all state restrictions on abortion, but he chose to pander to people who wouldn’t vote for him anyway.
October 12th, 2012 | 10:07 am
There’s no way to read this other than as a very definite (if implicit) endorsement of Mitt Romney.
But Billy Graham doesn’t endorse candidates.
Shortly before the 2000 election, Graham did something similar:
October 12th, 2012 | 10:40 am
David:
I’m not sure if your point is that he actually doesn’t endorse candiates, or if you’re making the point that he’s violating IRS rules by actually doing so. If it’s the former, well that’s true in the same sense one can say that we haven’t been in a war since 1945 as there’s been no formal declarations. Technically true perhaps, but…
October 12th, 2012 | 10:52 am
Testify: While both candidates agree that life begins at conception, apparently one of them is unwilling to impose any restraints on a mother who is predisposed to murder her own
A while ago, we had something similar. You had Mohammad Morsi and Ahmad Shafik, two Muslims who believed the same things, but only one of whom wanted to force Sharia law on the Copts.
Testify: unborn US citizen
That’s a contradiction in terms. Citizenship is not issued before birth.
Testify: In other words, even though he believes it is a human life
It’s a religious belief. A Muslim may think that you are going to hell for not believing in his prophet, but he would not be doing you any favors by forcing conversion on you.
David: “You can guess who I voted for,” said Graham, who has acknowledged being a lifelong Democrat.
Born in 1918… came of voting age in 1936 in the South, one can only guess at why he has been a lifelong Democrat.
October 12th, 2012 | 10:53 pm
So has Billy changed his mind regarding Mormonism as a cult?
October 16th, 2012 | 6:45 pm
[...] online magazine “First Things” discussed Graham’s endorsement of Mormon Mitt Romney for president: It was an honor to meet and host [...]
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