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
Gail
October 18th, 2012
11:22 am
I cannot believe this……NOW after all these years, we change what we believe to vote for a white Republican. Racism is alive and well……..I always loved you Billy…..now you must be getting senile.
ACTUALLY it is not just Billy, I have heard several people over the years that cannot stand Mormons, who now thinks MITT is the greatest. What hypocrites.
Booby
October 18th, 2012
11:22 am
@SplavisticFake Cognitive dissonance is not measured as an ‘amount’. Plain ole don’t make no sense, boy!
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:23 am
@fakeSplavistic you are pathetic
Tom
October 18th, 2012
11:25 am
It is ashamed that Franklin will ultimately destroy the Graham name and association. Were it not for Reberend Graham’s dementia this would not have happened. When Reverend Graham was of sound mind he distinctly defined cults and listed Mormons among them. About 15 years ago an evangelist made the rounds to many southern Baptist churches preaching against these cults and the Mormons in particular. I can’t remember his name but it was totally sanctioned by the Southern Baptist.I as a Southern Baptist personally have found Mormons to be pleasant,nice people. I just don’t agree with their theology. I’m guessing the game changer for Southern baptist, though they will not admit it,was the election of a black President. This has led to a change of theology apparently. We should be ashamed.
Joe Blow
October 18th, 2012
11:25 am
Very interesting, opportunistic, and so on……. He cooked his goose with me when he came out of his royalness to garner support to write the homosexual population out of the state constitution in North Carolina on Amendment One. So….if I read a report that he held up a bank or liquor store, chances are that I wouldn’t even flinch. He showed his true colors that day, so much for a legacy….. Usually, if you give them enough rope, they will hang themselves. No surprises where this racket is concerned.
Booby
October 18th, 2012
11:25 am
@SplavisticFakeSplavistic Now THAT is cognitive dissonance.
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:26 am
I have complete command of the English language. This makes my arguments impervious to assault. My wisdom is unmatched by any other mere mortal.
LanFan
October 18th, 2012
11:27 am
This is a question I have been wondering for a long time, how evangelicals could have been good with Mitt. I now see we are just supposed to overlook it. They still meet there definition of cult just not to calling it that. Still not changing my mind. But in Georgia my vote will not matter. But it still gets me Sunday knowing that most of the people around us will be voting for a cult leader.
jhette
October 18th, 2012
11:28 am
for those who don’t know, mormon’s believe we all can become God and will become God with our own kingdom. people should research the mormon belief system.
ironically, the antichrist is said to call himself God. just saying…
do your own research.
Gregory Pressley
October 18th, 2012
11:28 am
You know, it is reall amazing to me how evangelicals want something to fit their needs they decide it is not a cult anymore. I wonder if the evangelicals really know what a cult is.
Rick
October 18th, 2012
11:29 am
LanFan, you are part of the problem.
Unashamed of JC
October 18th, 2012
11:29 am
I John 4:1 of the Bible says “…do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God…” Grahams, don’t be deceived. Mormonism is a cult because it believes the Bible is incomplete and that errors have been introduced. It has therefore taken the liberty to create other so called “sacred” texts to “add to” the Bible. I John 2:22, 23 says “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either.” Mormons don’t believe Jesus is divine so why would you all feel at ease to suport Romney and take Mormonism from your website listing of cults??! Are you now diluting the gospel you have preached for years?? You denounce the ways of Islam, are you now cowarding down to a wealthy politician because it looks bad? President Obama is not perfect but he has been baptized into Christ and believes Jesus is God – and is working hard to turn this nation right side up. Economically and with regards to protection from extremists. What is your problem? Anything you preach in a crusade from here forward means nothing to God if you don’t repent. I am a fellow Christian sister and according to the word of God I can judge you. So take heed “brother” and don’t sell out.
Clark (that is my real name)
October 18th, 2012
11:29 am
It’s about time. Mormonism is not a ‘cult’ any more that Jehovah’s witnesses are ‘cults’. I hate the term simply because AMERICANS CAME HERE TO PRACTICE RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS!! doesn’t matter if they are mormon, hindu, buddhist or muslim. The idea that somehow evil has come from a protestant rhetoric having to ‘eat crow’ and vote for the guy they have labeled for years is poetic justice. Their basic beliefs are the same as every other church. Christ is Lord, God is our Father in heaven and The Holy Spirit confirms the first two. Some of you people really need to learn how to read!!
Booby
October 18th, 2012
11:32 am
@fakeSplavisticFakerThanFake You sound like you just got back from DragonCon. You don’t have to speak like a SciFi nerd to sound intelligent. Just sayin’.
George
October 18th, 2012
11:34 am
That is a dam shame only a fool would believe it though .Any educated person knows that Mormons are a cult and a racist group.Graham should be ashame of himself.
Mike
October 18th, 2012
11:36 am
So much hate for Rev. Graham. Sounds like all the condemnation of
Pres Obama and the wonderful Rev Wright for his holy teachings. Oh, wait that didn’t happen.
Jenna
October 18th, 2012
11:36 am
Obama is a Muslim, so why are we even debating whether being a Mormon is a questionable religion for our country’s leader? The nitwits of this country had no problem electing Obama even though he is most definitely NOT a Christian, so this is a non-issue really.
Booby
October 18th, 2012
11:36 am
In case you couldn’t figure it out, I am really Splavistic. (I’m sure you didn’t know that you fake idiot.)
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
11:38 am
@fakeSplavisticFakerThanFake You sound like you just got back from DragonCon. You don’t have to speak like a SciFi nerd to sound intelligent. Just sayin’.
Pot, meet Kettle.
RCB
October 18th, 2012
11:38 am
When “pastors” live like royalty with mansions, multiple cars, flashy clothes and jewelry, etc, while collecting tens of thousands of dollars from congregations living at/near the poverty line, I call THAT a cult. Depends on what your definition of “is” is.
Miss J
October 18th, 2012
11:39 am
Wow…..now that Mormanism is removed from the cult list does that mean it’s a legitimate religion?
Ok…Whew now I can go out and vote for Mitt.
Al Oliver
October 18th, 2012
11:41 am
>“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.”
Looks like Graham Incorporated are also fine with deception. Help me now, who was the first deceiver according to the Bible?
Oh right. Satan. And they follow right along in his footsteps. I’m guessing these words no longer have any meaning for them-
“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. ………Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” -J.C.
I voted for Ralph Nader
October 18th, 2012
11:41 am
Christianity is a total fraud. For centuries the Christians have used their religion to support the slave trade, to take away women’s right, and to ultimately wage war against anyone who holds different beliefs than they do. More wars have been fought over Christianity than for any other reason. And America is more segregated at 10 AM on a Sunday morning than at any other time of the week. I spit on Christianity and its evil influences.
Mahopinion
October 18th, 2012
11:42 am
Christianity is a cult.
GaBlue
October 18th, 2012
11:43 am
Yes, how convenient.
**snore**
I voted for Ralph Nader
October 18th, 2012
11:44 am
And, this should go without saying, but voting for Ralph Nader should make you think I am extremely intelligent, and so you should listen to everything I say.
Tony
October 18th, 2012
11:44 am
All religions are cults and all cults are religions. The main difference between a religion and a cult is a religion is accepted and a cult isn’t. If you believe that God resides on a planet near the star Koloff in faraway solar system….you’re are a fool. If you believe that Native Americans are a lost tribe of Israel….you’re a fool. If you believe in magic underwear….you’re fool. If you believe that St. Peter and Joseph Smith will be there to usher you through the pearly gates….you’re a fool. If you believe that black people wear the mark of Cain…you’re a fool. So by definition if you are a Mormon you are a fool!
jf
October 18th, 2012
11:45 am
It is so sad that people feel the way they do about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am here to tell you that religion in itself will send you straight to hell. The Bible does not mention, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Jehovah Witnesses and so forth. It does tell us to beware of false teachers. With this being said, the Bible tells us that the only way to the Father is thru Jesus, His Son. The Bible says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except by Me”. These words were spoken by Jesus, who came to give His life so that we might have life eternal when we die, if we believe and confess with our mouth that He is Lord. Also, notice that the Bible didn’t say a way, but the Jesus is THE Way!!!! I am sorry that the Grahams felt the need to do what they did. I don’t share Romney’s faith and convictions, but at least he does have convictions and I can just pray for him. The reason that our world is in the mess that it is in now is because our lack of convictions and lack of Godly men to lead us. If you remember, the reason our forefathers came to America in the first place was to worship God. Read your history!!!
can't believe it
October 18th, 2012
11:45 am
lost all respect for Billy Graham
Tony
October 18th, 2012
11:48 am
My life is miserable.
itamazesme
October 18th, 2012
11:50 am
AMEN!!! JF – God wants a relationship NOT a religion and it seems that most if not all in politics and some in ministry are missing that relationship.
Billy Graham
October 18th, 2012
11:50 am
Everybody, I respect your opinions. Look, I can’t say this on my website, but I still think it’s a cult. We just can’t have four more years of this buffoon in office. So just vote for Mitt and let’s get our country back on track. Then we can go back to hating Mormons.
Memaw
October 18th, 2012
11:50 am
If taken off a cult list, why NOW. Doesn’t make sense, Romney stops and makes a visit to the Rev. G and changes immediately start happening, so what was promised on that mountaintop???? Hope those men realize that our Lord is an all knowing God and can listen in on all conversations eve one about the 47% and birther issues….
drew
October 18th, 2012
11:51 am
Ghandi once said, “The only thing wrong with being a Christian…are other Christians.” So true…Religions love to put each other down. Wonder what God thinks about that?
The real truth
October 18th, 2012
11:51 am
What coincidental timing.
AJC.com Moderator
October 18th, 2012
11:53 am
Splavistic, please read our terms of use. Thank you.
That's the way it is
October 18th, 2012
11:54 am
As a man I’d love to have a different woman in bed everynight to lay the pipe to… Now I ask how many of you women are willing to share your husband or boyfriend with many other women?? That’s kinda what mormons do… So yeah it’s a cult but who cares let’s all convert! I mean hey I love women!!!! As for who is president… I’d vote for any Idiot as long as the current Idiot is gone… Why should I care if he is qualified to run the country.. Those who voted for obama 4 years ago didn’t care… (little o was used on purpose as I have Zero respect for it) Watch I’ll show you how it works… Bush.. Did ya’ll see that? There’s the respect…
A Bible Reader
October 18th, 2012
11:56 am
Wilson: The bible is very clear that Jesus is not in fact God, rather, his only begotten son whom he sent forth to the Earth. There are countless scriptures that back up this fact. So called “christian” churches have lied to their members for generations. These lies, along with the idea that God would act along with Satan to punish people in a fiery hellfire forever are not backed up by the bible. I don’t expect you to agree, nor do I expect you to ever accept the truth about these matters. Just had to go on record since you were pretty blatant about this fact-wrong as you are.
Big Al
October 18th, 2012
11:59 am
If Jesus and all his disciples actually existed then where are they buried? Why is it that religious figures that existed thousands of years before Jesus have actual burial places that people can visit, yet you can’t find the burial places of anyone mentioned in the Bible? And why is the Bible the only mention of Jesus life. There were other writers who lived in the Middle East at the same time as Jesus yet none of them wrote about him and his supposed miracles. If Jesus was running around raising the dead and turning wine into water then you would think other people would write about it, but nobody did. The lack of proof makes you question the entire validity of the Christian religion.
Are you serious?
October 18th, 2012
12:04 pm
Just in time for the election. I guess it’ll go back on the list after the election if President Obama wins.
BobDog
October 18th, 2012
12:12 pm
@ Glenn Dowell Rev, Graham may have dementia, but I remember quite well his silence during the Civil Rights movement
——————————————
I wondered about Graham’s civil rights record, especially knowing he grew up in North Carolina. Here is something I found on him on Wikipedia. Wrong?
From the mid-1950s on, Graham became increasingly opposed to segregation and racism, while keeping his eye on public opinion. For instance, in 1957 he invited Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. to join him in the pulpit at his 16-week revival in New York City, where 2.3 million gathered at Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, and Times Square to hear them.[3] Graham never appeared publicly again with King, but he posted bail for the minister to get him released from jail in 1963 during the civil rights protests in Birmingham
Karen Rust
October 18th, 2012
12:12 pm
we are choosing a president not a pastor……………….look at the fruits from the last four years without casting blame and condemnation.
kray
October 18th, 2012
12:13 pm
This really surprise me that the Grahams’s would endorse Mitt Romeny and Mormanism. How can a Bible Believing Christian vote for Mitt who is apart of an Occultist Religion. However, I guess any ole White Person will do and I have no respect for Franklin Graham and I”m sure he had a lot to do with his Father making that statment along with the check that was written for the Graham cause, or should I say the Franklin Graham cause.
Bob Barker
October 18th, 2012
12:14 pm
Can’t we all just get along???
That's the way it is
October 18th, 2012
12:15 pm
@ a bible reader… so the holy trinity is a lie huh? Jesus is God in the flesh you idiot.. Satan used a serpant back in Genisis and God had Jesus in the new tesiment…
@ big al.. Jesus was placed in a tomb and rose on the third day.. There is no body…
and my great great great great great great great great great great great great great Grandfather wrote about it… In fact Mark, Luke, James, Matthew and many others wrote about it too…..
Reggie
October 18th, 2012
12:15 pm
It is what it is! Now, look who is trying to be politically correct! The ultra conservative right, trying to hide Romney’s background so he can gain. If you literally think about it, America is suppose to be a country with freedom of religion. Therefore, we should not try to force our views on religion toward others. Unfortunately, that is what the ultra conservative right wingers try to do. What is going to happen in 12-20 years when Obama is no longer in the picture and you have someone who is not a christian either president or about to become president? Are we going to attack them based on religion, call them a Muslim, Buddist, or whatever? As stated earlier, it is what it is! Mormonism is about many marriages, hatred, racism, and other bigotry. But, to be politically correct, or to keep a good black man out of office who is trying to better America for ALL Americans, Graham and others choose to hide behind their ignorance!
kray
October 18th, 2012
12:15 pm
Also, the way the Billy Graham is looking in that photograph, I’m sure he doesn’t know what today’s date is or the year we are current in or what day of the week is today. Shameful!
Patty
October 18th, 2012
12:16 pm
Every religion has believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as well as non-believers on the rolls of their church. It’s a personal relationship with Christ that matters, not the branding of a religion that makes a person a ‘Christian.’
That's the way it is
October 18th, 2012
12:17 pm
And for those who keep saying black… obama is half n half morons… I wouldn’t vote for the black half or the white half…
BigAintheBigA
October 18th, 2012
12:20 pm
This really isn’t much in the way of news. The Grahams are good folks but they’re not the Baptist Popes or anything.