Billy Graham group removes Mormonism from list of cults
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, left, meets with the Rev. Billy Graham, center, and his son Franklin Graham last week in Montreat, N.C. AP/ Evan Vucci
Evangelicals have been handed one more hint that it’s all right to vote for Mitt Romney, whose Mormon faith has long been considered beyond the pale of American Protestantism. From the Charlotte Observer:
This week, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association removed Mormonism from its list of religious cults.
The reclassification follows Romney’s visit to Graham’s mountain home last Thursday, a meeting that also included Graham’s son Franklin, who now runs the association for his 93-year-old father….
An article on the Graham website had classified Mormons, along with Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Unification Church, Unitarians, Spiritists and Scientologists, among others, as cults.
“Our primary focus at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has always been promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Ken Barun, the evangelical association’s chief of staff, said in a prepared statement. “We removed the ( cult) information from the website because we do not wish to participate in a theological debate about something that has become politicized during this campaign.”
Mark DeMoss, head of an Atlanta public relations firm and a close adviser to the Grahams, has acted as a liaison between traditional evangelicals and the last two Romney campaigns for president.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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276 comments Add your comment
Juan
October 18th, 2012
10:42 am
A lot of hate and anger from a bunch of “so called” christians. You all ought to be shamed of yourselves, and go back and study your your bibles some more. Jesus loved and died for everyone……….
Name (required)
October 18th, 2012
10:43 am
Dear Evangelicals, it’s OK to vote for Mitt Romney. Just ask yourself, do you really want another four years of Obama?
Curtis Lowe
October 18th, 2012
10:44 am
Lawd, Lawd!! Dey sho is a lot o’ hatin’ goin’ on in dis here papuh.
Mormonicus of Borg
October 18th, 2012
10:44 am
Clearly Mr. Graham got a special message from the same place the Mormons got one back in the early 80s, when they decided to stop slagging on black folks and start admitting them to their priesthood and (most importantly) to the BYU football team.
And that place the special messages came from is THE WALLET.
Tyre Taylor
October 18th, 2012
10:44 am
What a hypocrite you are.I am ashamed that you took Mormonism off as a cult.You should be ashamed.I will never have anything to do with you again!
Stan
October 18th, 2012
10:44 am
Its better than supporting a cult that has Obama as the cult leader—-rewriting the Bible for his own comfort—-taking care of himself and trashing the Faith.
Doug
October 18th, 2012
10:48 am
What a shame. He could have just as easily said “while we have significant differences on matters of theology, we believe Mitt to be the best qualified candidate.”
blackbird13
October 18th, 2012
10:50 am
How conveeenient.
Tyre Taylor
October 18th, 2012
10:50 am
Stan you are a stupid idiot!
Ronald Regan
October 18th, 2012
10:50 am
Incredible, who cares what his declaration is. It is completely obvious what their objective is. Evangelicals blindly follow the Republican agenda which is oddly in contradiction with the very beliefs they hold dear. The point is the choice is being made for you; become an independent thinker. Consider not the opinion of political groups which obscure their true agenda masking themselves as a religious organization.
Charlie Jones
October 18th, 2012
10:52 am
After reading the article, I was okay because the BGEA association simply stated, “We removed the ( cult) information from the website because we do not wish to participate in a theological debate about something that has become politicized during this campaign.” Then, I read the comments to this article…that is what makes me sad. People have no understanding or regard for the faith that made this nation great. More importantly, very little to no regard for God. Sad, very sad that we have become so jaded. Scripture speaks clearly that there will be a day like the one in which we are now living…
Titandave
October 18th, 2012
10:56 am
Who are the “Franklins”?
Let's be honest...
October 18th, 2012
10:56 am
Obama is clearly the greatest threat to the American way of life. Four more years of his corruption will have America on the quick and steady decline as a respectable nation. Let’s be honest…he is THE problem.
I love Coca Cola
October 18th, 2012
10:57 am
They maybe confused, but none of that matters they are clearly fans of Coca Cola as obvious from the Photo. Mr. Graham for this you have my deepest respect. Obama drinks Pepsi and cool aid so I am voting for Romney!
Pat
October 18th, 2012
11:00 am
Actually, the real problem is the unopen coke on the table.
Booby
October 18th, 2012
11:02 am
You Democrats quit knocking Bill Graham. When all of you Democrats end up in Hell, Billy Graham will be the only preacher willing to go down and give you ice water.
To Joanne32A
October 18th, 2012
11:02 am
Joanne,
You are correct that Jesus lives through the Holy Spirit through his followers. However, the Bible clearly mentions a 2nd coming of Christ when the world will be judged. The 2nd coming will not be like the first. Jesus will return as a king and a warrior. He will reign.
Tyre Taylor is an idiot
October 18th, 2012
11:03 am
Stan is smart
RCB
October 18th, 2012
11:05 am
Let’s see…..Rev Jeremiah Wright or Rev Billy Graham. They both claim to be “Christans”. Who cares??? Religion is a very personal thing, as it should be. If you are basing your vote on religion, then you are part of the problem.
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:06 am
repost: @tynlamzic Billy Graham does not have any “principles”, and nor does his son, save the principle of amassing influence. But I don’t see why his quiet change of direction on Mormonism should be a big deal: his career is based on the promulgation of a thing which necessarily requires extensive exegesis to square its circle, and immunity to the discomfort of cognitive dissonance. Why would he flinch at a minor adjustment to his stance on Mormonism, in that light?
RealTruth
October 18th, 2012
11:06 am
Is is not what they are really saying on their web site. http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=2077
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:06 am
Oh for a time when America’s president no longer has to say that he/she is a Christian.
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:07 am
@booby Nice name. Christian much?
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:07 am
I use big words to make people think I am smart.
Brock
October 18th, 2012
11:08 am
Mittens even got the religious nuts a flip floppin.
matt
October 18th, 2012
11:08 am
News flash: Every religion that is different than your own is a cult.
RCB
October 18th, 2012
11:09 am
Matt….that’s the truth!!!!!
Norris T.
October 18th, 2012
11:09 am
See how easy it is to ditch your convictions when you are a conservative?
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:10 am
“Romney is a Christian.”
“Obama may be a Muslim.”
Are code words for:
Romney is White.
Obama is Black.
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:11 am
Real mature. You’re not the real Splavistic.
RCB
October 18th, 2012
11:11 am
Norris T….see how easy it was for Obama to ditch his pastor when he was running for Pres?
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:11 am
I AM A HUGE RACIST
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:12 am
Yes, name poacher, I use big words. Sorry if the command of the English language makes you ’skeered’. I will try to eschew obfuscation next time.
Ryan
October 18th, 2012
11:12 am
What is baffling to me is even after slavery, the holocaust, the civil rights movement, and every other discriminatory and abhorrently ignorant displays of evil in between, we still have an abundance of people who obviously have hard and hateful hearts against a particular group of people for no other reason but they don’t understand them or are envious. This is apparent by reading any of these anti-mormon/anti-wealth posts that obviously base their assertions on their own concoctions and machinations rather than fact. All you have to do is attend a single meeting at the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints and you will quickly realize that their entire faith is centered in Christ. Whether you believe in the religion or not is one thing. But to demonize or spread falsehoods about a group of people is bigotry. Also, stop hating on Romney just because he’s been able to accumulate a great deal of wealth as a businessman. What in the world has happened to our country when wealth and success are frowned upon? Our Founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves!
John K
October 18th, 2012
11:12 am
Too funny, all through primary season the fundies were saying they couldn’t vote for a Mormon, since he wasn’t a Christian. I guess they’re willing to compromise their faith for their vote.
wonder12
October 18th, 2012
11:13 am
Must have been encouraged by his racist son Franklin.
Obama 2012
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:13 am
Oh, man, geez. Anonymous has hacked my AJC.com comment name. Whatever shall we do?
TechRon
October 18th, 2012
11:14 am
I do think that Mormonism is way off. When you look at the theology, it is so crazy that I cannot imagine that any person with normal common sense could be fooled by it. None of it adds up and some of it is downright zany. Romney believes it all, I guess. I still think he is a lot better choice for President than Obama. He has my vote. As a Christian, I find their religious beliefs strange and unsupportable, but as people, I find Mormons to be honest, hard working, moral, ethical, etc. If it comes down to Romney or Obama, I have zero problem backing Romney.
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:14 am
If I didn’t have access to a thesaurus everyone would see me for the huge fraud I really am.
Ola
October 18th, 2012
11:14 am
Anyone with any common sense can see that Franklin runs the show now and he wants you to vote Republican. Do you remember when Obama went to see Dr. Graham and prayed with him? I did not see that in Romney’s visit.
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:15 am
In light of Obama’s support for Gay marriage does Graham still think he is a Muslim?
I voted for Ralph Nader
October 18th, 2012
11:15 am
The Christian mentality is as follows:
“Your religion is different than my relgion. I know my religion is the right one because I was raised practicing my religion and I have never been exposed to other religions. Therefore, your religion must be a cult.”
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:16 am
Nobody will be fooled by you.
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:16 am
Wow, @fakeSplavistic, you know what a thesaurus is.
dotcom
October 18th, 2012
11:16 am
looks like ol mitt, is on the caffeine again…..(coke)………..sinner
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:17 am
Seriously, you need to stop.
Auntie Christ
October 18th, 2012
11:17 am
Hey, I don’t care which god we’re worshipping as long as I get to rape, kill, loot and pillage in his name and for his greater glory. But it really is confusing when these leaders keep changing the lists of people I’n supposed to hate. It’s enough to make a guy think that maybe all this religious stuff is just a racket to make some people rich, like the grahams and that mr pope in rome, and keep others ignorant and stupid.
Booby
October 18th, 2012
11:18 am
Yee haw! Spit! Jeezus is my co-pilot!
Booby
October 18th, 2012
11:19 am
Billy and his spawn, Franklin, are perfect examples of the, tax-exempt, anti-semitic KKKauKKKasian right wing and equally perfect examples of what happens when aluminum siding salesmen take up religion. I pity those who possess little intelligence and believe anything they say.
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:20 am
Mitt Romney will slowly subjugate to the will of his Church Elders, and we as a nation will transform into a theocracy. No amount of cognitive dissonance will stop our understanding of the true nature of the situation.