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
pm
October 18th, 2012
2:22 pm
that is a crying shame. Joseph Smith and some buried plaques?! No.
Sometimes I ask myself WHY I believe in Christianity; I believe I believe it because God has written The Truth in our hearts. Catholicism, no. Hindu, no. Buddha, no. Mormon, no.
Jesus, yes, it’s there. Mormonism is a lie and I just have to consider the culture (what a shame) why Mr. Graham would go with such.
HRPufnstuf
October 18th, 2012
2:22 pm
Ok Franklin, you want to be in the political arena? Then start paying taxes like the rest of us!
Jed
October 18th, 2012
2:24 pm
Joanne32a,
You’re correct in pointing out that Jesus prophesied the fall of Jerusalem at the hands of the Romans.
But that doesn’t discount the other scriptures, some of which I specifically mentioned to you, that cite Jesus Christ WILL physically return one day.
To say that Israelites circa AD 70 were “the only generation that deserved judgement” has got to be one of the silliest, most ignorant things I’ve ever heard. Since you (sort of/thinly/out of context) use the Bible to support your statements, what do you think about the fact that “there is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10) and “there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23)?
Yeah, “the only generation that deserved judgment.” That’s hilarious.
Church Goer
October 18th, 2012
2:27 pm
Oh, how convenient!
Joanne32a
October 18th, 2012
2:31 pm
That “generation” deserved the judgment it had coming and it came. You are right there is none righteouse… no not one. However, “that generation” …not ours was a very special generation that was receiving tribulation…. not ours. We have the ability of having Christ living in us… as He did within the first generation of believers.
However, the generation Jesus clearly referred to when He walked out of the temple .. was the generation living at the time He spoke it to. NOT OURS……
Each Christian has to walk out their own salvation… having Jesus living within them right now. Not having to WAIT ala Billy Graham… the Apostle Paul taught “Christ in you.. the hope of glory” … not having to WAIT for a physical second comingof Jesus. Paul even taught in 2Cor 13:5 … that Jesus Christ was living IN those believers… just like He lives in believers today.
Billy Graham and his futuristic buddies have been wrong. The only generation that had that kind of judgment coming to it was the generation Jesus said it would happen to…. NOT OURS
Mike E
October 18th, 2012
2:33 pm
The folks within the Baptist Convention know exactly what a CULT is because they run one.
Ask all those good ole boys….or read some about what they do at the below link. These are what you Ga Baptist follow.
CULT
http://thecultbuster.blogspot.com/
MW
October 18th, 2012
2:34 pm
From the Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” I’m wondering how this is resolved by the extreme conservative/fundamentalist Christians that are supporting the actions of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Mario from Snellville
October 18th, 2012
2:38 pm
He sent us an email asking us to support the candidate that will stand up for the biblical definition of marriage. I can tell that old age is getting to him. Support the candidate who believes in a religion that encourages polygamy? Yeah, that’s it.
That's the way it is
October 18th, 2012
2:41 pm
I bet Billy just made that statement to get the word of God out there and some of you are getting it done…. Bless all of you for spreading the word to the non believers…
May Jesus watch over and keep you…
Manny
October 18th, 2012
2:49 pm
First of all, as a Christian, Mormonism is an affront to authentic Christianity. For instance, Jesus supposed to have visited America and hung out with folks right after the Resurrection. And I guess He revealed himself to a multitude of Native Americans, yet only LDS people have any record of this. Oh, and that there are 3 heavens, not one. Oh, and God rules the universe, but there are many universes and many gods- each ruling their own universe.
As a Christian, Yikes! And this is what concerns me. You can vote for a guy that believes this, if you think that he’s the right man for the job. I’ve known Mormons and they are cool. But to discount their bizarre theological practices and thoughts in order to make it OK for Christians to vote for a guy in a political campaign is simply deception for political gain.
I would rather have Billy Graham’s organization to simply say that it’s Ok to vote for Romney as Christians. And the reason why is because what politician will totally satisfy all religious mandates in a Democratic Republic?
older1
October 18th, 2012
2:49 pm
Your will never have to worry about a J.W. running for president. We have Jesus as our king and savior and JEHOVAH as our God. I guess you could say we are of that sect spoken against at ACTS chapter 28 verse 22. and that’s good company. And of course we don’t charge to preach.
Pat
October 18th, 2012
2:54 pm
Mormons believe in Jesus Christ so that is all that matters.
Bob
October 18th, 2012
2:54 pm
Joanne32a
And which cult do you belong to the Church of everthing already happened, so there is no hope in Christs return….lol
None of the Mainstream Christian Denominations, would agree with anything you are spouting.
Because Israel rejected Christ, God allowed the Romans to destroy Jerusalem in 70 A.D., and the Jews were dispersed among the Gentile nations of the world. Since then they have wondered from nation to nation suffering bitter persecution. However, in the late 1800’s a remarkable thing started happening. In large numbers, the Jews began returning to Palestine, and in 1887 they made formal statements that they intended to REPOSSESS THEIR HOMELAND!
When World War I began in 1914, there were 80,000 Jews living in Palestine. England’s Balfour Declaration of 1917 gave strong approval for the Jews to establish a national homeland, but England reneged due to Arab pressure. Nevertheless, 400,000 Jews had settled in the homeland by 1939.
Satan saw what was happening. He knew that the Lord was regathering the Jews for a reason, and he knew the reason: the Second Coming of Christ. So Satan raised up Adolph Hitler to murder six million of God’s chosen people as an outright act of hate and revenge. This massive slaughter created enough sympathy for the Jews that the United Nations granted 5000 square miles of Palestinian land to them after World War II. Then in 1948 Israel became an independent nation for the first time in many centuries! The Arabs have fought viciously to destroy Israel, but with no success. God wants His people IN PALESTINE (Amos 9:14-15), because the Lord Jesus Christ is coming very soon. During the Six Day War of 1967, Israel even gained possession of the ancient temple sight, and plans are currently underway to rebuild the temple.
Jesus likens Israel unto a “fig tree” in Matthew 24:32-34, and He likens the restoration of Israel unto a fig tree putting forth leaves. He said that He would return during the same generation which witnesses Israel putting forth leaves as a nation. We are living in that generation! There are some four million Jews living in Palestine today. We have seen the Jews return to Palestine, and we have seen the nation of Israel prosper.
Friend, there’s a reason for all of this: the Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon!
Rival
October 18th, 2012
3:00 pm
If I had known better, I would have trained to be an evangelical minister in the south. That is the quickest way to make loads of money.
Bob
October 18th, 2012
3:00 pm
@ Pat – The Mormans believe Jesus Christ and Satan are Brothers, that them and all the Angels and human Beings were conceaved by “heavenly Father and Mother,”
Not In The Bible, NO
Who Are The Real Holy Men?
October 18th, 2012
3:01 pm
“That’s the way it is
October 18th, 2012
2:41 pm
I bet Billy just made that statement to get the word of God out there and some of you are getting it done…. Bless all of you for spreading the word to the non believers…
May Jesus watch over and keep you…”
Yes and I bet you are an idiot.
I respect the Cathy family and their Chik Fil A policies. They don’t do business on Sundays due to their religious conviction. Think about how much more money they could make if they did Sunday business? I don’t necessarily agree with the Cathy families’ politics, but they stand by their beliefs and they are due all the credit in the world for not selling that out.
Billy and Franklin Graham? That’s another story. They just sold their souls for politics which makes them no better than the politicians.
Ruben
October 18th, 2012
3:03 pm
“…we do not wish to participate in a theological debate about something…”
I thought that was your job!!! Leadership and courage is dead in America. Call Mormonism for what it is.
Mr. Right
October 18th, 2012
3:04 pm
Since the Indians was some of the first people here anyway, lets ask them what america faith should be. We all come from different places and have receive faith through our generations, so who’s to say anybody right about the right faith. There is a greater power bigger than all of us and we call it GOD. You can believe what you want to believe. I do believe if you are a woman and not rich it’s no way you can vote for Mitt and if you are rich and hate muslim or people who look BLACK but has other racial make-up vote for Mitt. Nobody votes for the right reason anyway, so vote for the person that could help YOU and YOUR FAMILY the most. I LOVE AMERICA but hate people who believe this country is theirs and only theirs. How can you find a country that was already found? This is the LAND OF THE FREE, not whites, blacks, Indians(maybe:-), or any other race.
Rival
October 18th, 2012
3:06 pm
Well, I guess there’s no reason to go to back to work. Bob says Christ is coming soon.
I prefer to believe that if you’re going to make unfalsifiable claims, make them spectacular:
http://www.venganza.org
Just as plausible as all the other myths…
Manny
October 18th, 2012
3:09 pm
Pat,
Belief in Jesus isn’t enough. Muslims believe in Jesus- they call him Imam Isa. Satan believes in Jesus and tremble, according to Scripture.
But belief in Jesus for what? That is the question. As Christians, we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for our sins- my own personal sins. We believe that without that belief, we wouldn’t receive eternal life in Heaven. We believe that only through Him, mankind can be saved. And we believe that His Word is eternal, everlasting and without rival.
Salvation through Grace is what Christians believe in- not salvation through obedience.The reason why is because we cannot achieve righteousness on our own strength. We strive to obey God, but we will always fall short. So we are saved on the credit of Jesus’ death.
Oh, and no baptisms of dead people. Baptizing a corpse is silly.
Doris M
October 18th, 2012
3:09 pm
How much did Mitt pay to have the Grahams take Mormonism off the Cult List?
pm
October 18th, 2012
3:16 pm
My gosh. Do the American people need always to be told by another how they should proceed? That is very sad.
Observe the debate, think, and vote for Obama, the one with the honesty and integrity and care for people in general.
Alternatively, you could vote for Romney, who doesn’t answer questions, won’t tell how his ‘plan’ will work, may consider you part of the unimportant throw-away 47%, and so on. But, come on, people, can’t you decide. Do you need Billy Graham, at the behest of his son, telling or suggesting to you what to do? Think!!! (gosh, this is really sad….!
arlene
October 18th, 2012
3:20 pm
…and to all of the idiots who think Mr. Obama is a Muslim: do not let the name fool you; HE IS A CHRISTIAN. Do not label him because of his color and his name!
BOB
October 18th, 2012
3:21 pm
seems every time a democrat rises to power in the US, atheists feel emboldened to surface from their hideout to bad mouth the bible and those that hold it sacred.
GT
October 18th, 2012
3:22 pm
When they backed Newt all religious affiliations were gone. Who would you rather have someone who does believe in the trinity or someone who is married more times than a Mormon?
Waiting Patiently
October 18th, 2012
3:23 pm
Bob
of more than 200 posts your post gives the most HOPE! That’s the Hope and Change I’m looking for!
Rev. John Johnson, Jr.
October 18th, 2012
3:25 pm
Fortunately, just because Billy and Franklin choose to take down information on their website (and sell out!) doesn’t suddenly change the fact that Mormonism is, indeed, still a cult in the sense that it is outside the tenets of orthodox and historical Christianity. Billy and Franklin do not speak for all Evangelical Christians. This is nothing more than shameful pandering at the expense of truth. They have no credibility.
Rick
October 18th, 2012
3:29 pm
arlene, it’s all about skin color? How did Obama ever get elected the first time then? Oh that’s right, his skin color.
billy's legacy
October 18th, 2012
3:30 pm
Southern evangelical philosophy – I might be able to convert a Mormon, but Obama’s always going to be half black.
Rev. John Johnson, Jr.
October 18th, 2012
3:32 pm
But if I’m being honest, I have no ground to stand on, because I am paid for my ministry, which Jesus taught against. Therefore I am a hypocrite.
Manny
October 18th, 2012
3:36 pm
Rev. John Johnson,
Where did Jesus teach against vocational ministry?
Joanne32a
October 18th, 2012
3:37 pm
Hey Bob …. ya been reading too many Hal Lindsey books, brother. You are taking Jesus’ words right out of context .. just like Graham and his futuristic buddies have done over the years … and try to prove something that is just not going to happen. The judgment genreration Jesus spoke to was the one living at the time He walked the earth. You have to twist and turn the Bible to prove your point…. which is what Graham and his buddies have done …
Look…. ‘Jesus is coming!! …. He is over there… no He is over here …. However… the Kingdom of God is within you. Christ lives now…. IN His believers…. and no one has to wait for a “second coming” when that is not even in the Bible …. “the second coming of Jesus Christ” is not in the bible anywhere.
Jesus comes… into anyone who opens the door to their hearts and He comes into…. Right now… it has happened millions of times over these past generations…. Our generation is just another generation… even if Israel has its land back … the only reason they were allowed to keep it in the first place was if they were obedient to God. Just look what happened when they were disobedient…
You can go on believing in Billy and his buds… looking at Israel for whatever you think is going to happen there … However…. you make a mockery out of what Jesus said was going to happen to “this generation” … the generation that He dealt very seriously with in AD70….
Pat
October 18th, 2012
3:45 pm
I want to know what Romney believes about the blood of Jesus Christ? Let’s ask him that question openly. He would run faster away than how is dodging the tax question. He is a shameless liar, and if he is so religious what has he read in his word about liars? The Mormon Church will run the country. He will keep them tax- exempt and tax every other non-profit group. Everyone is God’s creation, but not everyone is a child of God. People, do not be fooled, Romney answers questions like he believes he is the Messiah. He will create some things by giving his friends the go ahead to stop holding back and do the right thing now.
Rival
October 18th, 2012
3:46 pm
To Bob and all those that irrationally use religion to explain everything:
I don’t think that just because something is explained using religion that it is exempt from criticism or scrutiny. Religion is not a free pass for crazy ideas and crazy actions. This applies to a range of things from christians attempting to teach their gospel in public schools to muslims seeking to kill in the name of their god.
I’m not judging those who see the world through religious lens. But I can’t ignore when personal belief becomes public action. And for too long this country has made public laws based on personal religious beliefs. And I can come up with some fairly screwy beliefs and call it religion just as easily as anyone else. If public officials then push for those ideas to bear on 100% of the population through laws, then it is not a question of respecting personal religious beliefs.
Rational-minded people aren’t anti-religion. If there are sides to be taken and we have to divide ourselves, I’d wish that line could be drawn between reasonable and unreasonable people, rather than the religious and the non-religious.
Keep your religions out of my life. I wish I could vote for candidates that looked at things rationally and using empirical evidence…
Tom
October 18th, 2012
3:49 pm
Wonderful. It’s the 21st century, our economy is in the crapper, and we’re still having to put up with “my mythology’s better than your mythology’ arguments from the Bronze Age.
Rev. John Johnson, Jr.
October 18th, 2012
3:49 pm
“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.” – 1 Peter 5:2
Pat
October 18th, 2012
3:51 pm
I am completely crazy.
Tom
October 18th, 2012
3:51 pm
Unlike theists and other mythologists, I choose to have my “personal relationship” with reality.
FP
October 18th, 2012
3:55 pm
When it gets down to it- We rather have a Mormon over the Muslin..a Christian- Catholic , Pres & VP team-over the Islamic, anti Jewish, Atheist team-
Tom
October 18th, 2012
3:57 pm
Theists believe in those things which they feel through faith in God. Faith is completely dead to me. If I cannot experience or test something through my five natural senses, then it must not exist. This is a completely rational way to view the world. A way which deprives of knowledge which may be gained only through faith.
Glenn Dowell, Ed.D.
October 18th, 2012
3:59 pm
@BobDog….As a moderate, Graham deplored civil rights activists who participated in protests and acts of civil disobedience. Graham’s critics point to this contradiction — while Graham supported equality, he denounced the activists and protesters who forced the social and legal changes that made equality for African Americans possible.
Splavistic
October 18th, 2012
4:09 pm
Why does Romney’s religion matter? He could believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster for all I care. I just want someone who will honor and uphold the Constitution and restore our nation’s greatness.
CL
October 18th, 2012
4:11 pm
Flying Spaghetti Monster, thats a good one
Obama
October 18th, 2012
4:12 pm
Guys you better vote for me. This is 2012, not voting for someone because of their religion is perfectly acceptable.
Gloria Randolph
October 18th, 2012
4:29 pm
I am disheartened/disappointed … I’m a Romney supporter & find pushing this into the mix doesn’t help him. Any one who has sat under evangelical biblical teaching know the Graham Assoc is wrong. And I always thought Bob Jones was wrong when he called BG a liberal … live & learn
John
October 18th, 2012
4:30 pm
People, just read “Billy Graham and His Friends: A Hidden Agenda?” and you will see who is really the charlatan called Billy Graham.
Willard the Baptist
October 18th, 2012
4:33 pm
I don’t care what religion Willard embraces, but I don’t have to want someone who’s out on the fringe being president. I’ve been able to excuse mainstream religious beliefs because a) they’re politically expedient and b) the “miracles” happened so long ago that you can forgive the scribes for thinking that an earthquake was the wrath of God. I have a lot more trouble voting for someone who believes that Joseph Smith found golden tablets in upstate New York – golden tablets that only he could see and read – and they told him to start a religion, have multiple wives, not to have multiple wives (later interpretation), baptise the dead, etc. I really don’t want someone who believes that controlling the nuclear weapons stockpile or impacting the economy. Now, I would have no problem hiring a Mormon to be my doctor, CPA, etc. – just not president of the USA.
Rival
October 18th, 2012
4:35 pm
CL, have you now been touched by His Noodly Appendage?
Praise be to Him who boiled for all our sins and created all that is, beginning first with a mountain, trees, and a midget.
Carbo diem and R’amen
Boss Hawg
October 18th, 2012
4:37 pm
Graham is not the only Christian I know who has sold out their values in support of this Romney character. This guy has a background just as if not more shadier than the sitting president. I’d rather give see Jimmy Carter Jr get a 2nd term than go down the path Romney will take us.
Jack
October 18th, 2012
4:39 pm
@Willard the Baptist, but if the President believes that Moses parted the Red Sea, or that God spoke out of a burning bush, or that Abraham and many other prophets in the Bible had multiple wives, that is ok right? If something sounds weird but it was a (relatively) long time ago then it’s ok? Just want to make sure I understand.