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
margarita ley
October 18th, 2012
4:43 pm
MORMONISM IS A CULT…..SHAME ON BILLY GRAHAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
margarita ley
October 18th, 2012
4:46 pm
MORMONISM IS A CULT SHAME ON YOU bILLY !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve Stenhouse
October 18th, 2012
4:48 pm
To this Glenn Dowell Ed.D and other blinded by the smile of Barrack Obama. It’s not Rev Grahams decision nor is it ours to Label L.D.S. as a cult. I am not a mormon ,but know one thing for sure ,they are generally good business people with extremely good family values ,both of which this country is lacking, and for GOD”s sake and this country ,dont you think we deserve a president that doesnt want to compare himself to an impeached Bill Clinton. We also need a president that knows there are 50 states not 57 in the 50 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA> And one more humble than the 2 obnoxious ones now in office. And Mr Dowell and others speaking badly of the Rev Graham who has given his life for God, I wish you well and advise you to stay indoors during any lighting storm
margarita ley
October 18th, 2012
4:52 pm
I TYPE IN ALL CAPS SO PEOPLE WILL PAY ATTENTION TO ME BUT REALLY I ACTUALLY KNOW MORMONS AND THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE
Rival
October 18th, 2012
4:59 pm
Steve,
So God causes lightning and uses that power to smite those who speak ill of members of a particular brand of faith? Does he smite those who disparage Catholics? What about priests charged with sexual abuses – does their faith guard against God’s wrath? I just want to know, because I continue to find it odd that one man can receive such protection simply by retelling old tales and taking money from people who think he will save them from something anyone could possibly foresee.
I do look forward to any evidence you can present. I was foolish to think that lightning is caused by electrostatic discharge in the atmosphere.
Rival
October 18th, 2012
4:59 pm
*couldn’t possibly foresee
Bob
October 18th, 2012
5:00 pm
The almighty dollar has spoken!
Just a comment
October 18th, 2012
5:03 pm
Interesting how on the tray of refreshments there is Coke, Diet Coke, and maybe tea all caffeinated beverages against the Mormon beliefs….Maybe there is some water on there..
George
October 18th, 2012
5:09 pm
@Just a comment, small correction, the Mormon church does not prohibit caffeinated beverages:
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormonism-news–getting-it-right-august-29
Richie
October 18th, 2012
5:20 pm
Good lord Billy Graham looks like he’s clinging on to life.
Real Athens
October 18th, 2012
5:38 pm
Billy Graham is a businessman; nothing more, nothing less. I see no difference between he and P.T. Barnum.
DebDoes
October 18th, 2012
5:39 pm
I was raised Southern Baptist and we were taught as small children–Mormonism is a cult! I don’t separate people from the faith. I do know and respect some Mormon people, but still view their religion as a cult. I’m sorry, I can’t vote for Romney….first as a Mormon, secondly as a Republican with so much wealth he is out of touch with middle America.
DebDoes
October 18th, 2012
5:41 pm
Hello…the Mormon Church does not condone any caffeine…visit mecca in Salt Lake City and you will hear ‘their truth’. I’ve been there.
Richard
October 18th, 2012
5:50 pm
Why are Christian fanatics so intolerant of others religious beliefs?
not Obamacare
October 18th, 2012
7:45 pm
You’ll accept a Muslim but reject a Mormon? Sheesh….
Tom
October 18th, 2012
8:06 pm
FYI, it appears the “Tom” at 3:57 was attempting to post as me….the “Tom” at 3:49 & 3:51. “Fake Tom” comment at 3:57 was rather nonsensical.
fuhgeddaboudit
October 18th, 2012
8:55 pm
Did anyone notice all the Coke’s these guys are drinking?
Tim
October 18th, 2012
11:11 pm
Most of you are so full of scrap! Go back to the holes that you crawled out of! You low life scum!
Tim
October 18th, 2012
11:15 pm
WHY are liberals so brainless when it comes to developing concrete and coherent thoughts?
Tim
October 18th, 2012
11:17 pm
And as for you so-called “Christ lovers” who discriminate against Mormons, I hope you like hell you petty selfish souls!
Cancer removes AIDS from list of diseases | Life Sucks Donkey Dick
October 19th, 2012
4:11 am
[...] That’s the headline that should have been used for the following article – Billy Graham group removes Mormonism from list of cults [...]
Heavenly Bound
October 19th, 2012
4:18 am
Whether people agree or disagrees with Billy Graham,that is their choice. He is right and he’s standing by his beliefs like anybody else would. I admire this man because of what he stands for. I have never heard any scandal on him like I have on others. I totally admire this man and he has been a inspiration to many people including me and my family.
Oldman45
October 19th, 2012
7:37 am
A Muslim or a Mormon…not much for a Christian to get excited about. Sorry Billy, the Bible hasn’t changed. America is under attack. We are truly wandering in the wilderness now. I fear what my children and grandchildren will face in the future.
Tom
October 19th, 2012
9:47 am
Q: Name the religions that are not also cults.
A: Trick question……there are none.
Howie Gardner
October 19th, 2012
9:56 am
I for one have supported the Billy Graham Association for many years. But this is over the pale. There are thousands of X-Mormons out there who have seen their lives demolished by this cult. God is a spaceman from the planet Kolob? Jesus is Lucifer’s brother? Of course it is a cult.
God Must Be Laughing
October 19th, 2012
10:49 am
I get a kick out of reading all these comments in which various posters judge one another and denigrate each other’s beliefs. God who created everything and is the Supreme Archetict of the universe must be laughing at the foolishness of us silly humans who pretend to know it all..