Billy Graham's organization removes Mormonism from its list of cults

Influential pastor Billy Graham is signaling to evangelical Christians that they shouldn't hesitate to vote for Mitt Romney because of his Mormon religion, further cementing Romney's strong standing with the key Republican voting bloc.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association this week removed Mormonism from its list of religious cults, the Charlotte Observer reports. Mormons consider themselves Christians, though not all of their beliefs align with mainstream Christian doctrine.

The association dropped the label after Romney visited Graham and his son Franklin Graham, who now runs the organization, last week. In his six decades of ministry, Billy Graham has served as a spiritual adviser to several presidents, though he's never formally endorsed a presidential candidate.

Ken Barun, chief of staff for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, told the Observer in a 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."

Meanwhile, the organization today ran a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal with a direct appeal from Billy Graham to vote for socially conservative politicians.

"As I approach my 94th birthday, I realize this election may be my last," Graham says in the ad. "I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman."

In a column last month, Franklin Graham wrote, "So, can an evangelical Christian vote for a Mormon? My answer is yes, for if a biblically faithful evangelical could only vote for a candidate who was perfectly aligned theologically, he or she would be unable to cast a vote for president on November 6."

He called Mitt Romney's father George Romney "one of the great governors of Michigan." George Romney's religion, he wrote, "never interfered with governing but his personal faith did define his strong marriage, family values, and personal integrity. I believe the same to be true for Governor Mitt Romney." Franklin Graham went on to criticize President Obama's "plan to rebuild America."

Romney's religious affiliation was once considered a potential liability as he pursued the presidency, but surveys show it isn't a concern for voters. A Pew Research Center survey from July showed that just 60 percent of voters were aware Romney is Mormon, and the vast majority of those who were aware said it didn't matter. Another Pew poll from August showed that Romney's religion is no longer his defining characteristic.

Romney did have some trouble winning over evangelicals during this year's Republican primaries. Now that he's the nominee, however, Christian conservatives have gotten behind him. A Quinnipiac national poll released Oct. 2 showed 77 percent of voters who identify as white born-again evangelicals support Romney while just 18 percent back President Obama.

Romney has appealed to the group by, among other things, charging that President Obama has waged a war against religion. He also delivered the commencement address this year at Virginia's Liberty University, the largest evangelical college in the country.

Christian Heinze at the Hill points out that white evangelical voters are highly mobilized and could play a critical role in certain swing states like Virginia, Florida and Colorado.

[davidjones022]

Do you find it absurd that I have placed the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association on my Cult list?
"Cults tend to have several characteristics in common (one of which I just mentioned: They claim they alone have the truth, and everyone else is wrong). Cults also often have a strong leader who demands total and absolute obedience; some cults even require their members to cut themselves off from their families. Another characteristic of many cults is that they reject the Bible, or claim their founder's writings are also divinely inspired" Billy Graham

[OklaChristian]

An editorial that I wrote about Separation of Church and State: God made us each unique—as different as Adam and Eve. When religion and government become one, Pilgrims cross the ocean. When religion and government become one, we look at the Middle East where Freedom of Speech is limited by Religion.

The Church is the moral compass, not government. Our government cannot replace the Church to teach personal value in Jesus Christ. I do not believe one political party owns Christian values. There are Republicans called Tea Party and there are Democrats called Christian Democrats. The Church lets us have that diversity. God has made us unique, yet in his image.

Churches are not set up to take care of the disabled long term, nor senior citizens, nor abandoned or foster children, nor the military, or a lot of other issues. After a natural disaster, we don't demand the Church come to the rescue (although we do), yet we expect it of our government. Why is that?

Government is by the people, for the people, and of the people—Christian and non-Christian. Is the Church going to let government determine what is sin? Keep in mind that we have 3 branches of government and governing individuals isn't easy—not to mention trying to write a law that is enforceable.

Sin is sin. Government doesn't demand someone get an abortion, use abortion pills, etc. It does recognize criminal acts that take away other people's individual rights. Is Freedom the ability to impose our beliefs or ways upon another? Does the government force you as an individual to break any of God's laws such as abortion, same-sex marriage, etc? If so, turn to Romans Ch 13 and 14 and hear God speak.

Do we get to choose which sin we hold greater than the other? Do we ignore Romans 13 by ignoring the laws of our government when we don't like them.

Sin is sin. Do I want to give the government power to determine sin that affects an individual body? At what point would I lose my power of speech or some other freedom? If I make government my moral compass, they will govern inside my body. We create more government when we give them permission to control the individual in their bedroom.

God writes that we are to keep the Sabbath Holy. If on that day, the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me" is being broken, I make a choice to stay or run. Inside the sanctuary, will it be God or the Government held up as my purpose for being there? During worship at that time more than any, I recognize my citizenship is in Heaven, not in the world and its diverse governments. Jesus Christ held righteous anger when the sanctuary became a bidding place, not a house of prayer. Will the Church become a place to bid for votes of government officials?

I can decide God just isn't doing his job well enough as a Judge. I need to help Him along. I have to look at my own sin of passing judgment on a fellow Christian, my sin of gossip, and my sin of not letting God convict me in my thoughts before I sin in action. Mostly I have to look at how small I make God in my own eyes by not trusting that He is the one at the top--the buck does stop with Him.

Ability to discern is not power to judge. Christians claim to hate sin, yet the world sees us simply as people who hate. Romans 14:4 We are killing ourselves from the inside out trying to control sin thinking God's conviction isn't enough. A child is credited for saying "To judge someone is to judge God."

How is it that two Christians will go to the ballot box and vote for different candidates? Each may be asking God a different question. Whose going to win? Who should I vote for? What is your Will? Who do you want in this position? Regardless of the question, I will be held accountable for my vote—regardless of who I choose to listen to.

Cheryl Drabek

[truetoHim]

The truth is the Light.

What this article reveals is that they HATE him more than they LOVE Him!

[zimbahal]

We have to remember why the forefathers of this country put in place a separation of church and state. Many of them were very familiar with how the "church" in Europe controlled the courts of the kings and queens of the various nations in Europe throughout the centuries. The Vatican collected money from the commoners via their governments. The church of England separated from the Vatican because Henry the VIII wanted to remarry and the Vatican wouldn't grant approval. So the Anglican church was formed but then the monarchy made everyone become Anglicans. Those who didn't, such as the Puritans, were persecuted.

I can't believe BG is siding with Romney. He supported Nixon but was burned. Graham felt that siding with a politician will compromise one's witness for Jesus. So subsequently, he never publicly endorsed anyone. I think this was his son, Franklin's doing. Very sad.

In the 70's, Christian organizations felt that this country was becoming too liberal, socially. They questioned why Christians should stay out of politics. Thus, the Christian Right movement was born. I was in college during part of that time and part of a Christian group. Speakers came and spoke to us. They said "vote your values." I've always questioned that. Just because someone is a Christian doesn't mean they are necessarily equipped to be president. With the way the Christian Right has gone, I'm very disappointed. They've gone political and lost sight of God. God addressed that in the Bible, warning us to not lose sight of Him and the trap of falling for another god.

[God_Voter]

http://pastors4huckabeeblog.com/the-biblical-case-against-voting-for-a-mormon-for-president-why-christians-who-support-romney-actualy-violate-scripture/

http://www.godvoter.org/can-christian-vote-mormon.html

[RKirt2]

I never thought separation of church and state was a good idea until recently. The church hasn't helped the state. The state has surely corrupted the church at all levels.

[zimbahal]

We have to remember why the forefathers of this country put in place a separation of church and state. Many of them were very familiar with how the "church" in Europe controlled the courts of the kings and queens of the various nations in Europe throughout the centuries. The Vatican collected money from the commoners via their governments. The church of England separated from the Vatican because Henry the VIII wanted to remarry and the Vatican wouldn't grant approval. So the Anglican church was formed but then the monarchy made everyone become Anglicans. Those who didn't, such as the Puritans, were persecuted.

I can't believe BG is siding with Romney. He supported Nixon but was burned. Graham felt that siding with a politician will compromise one's witness for Jesus. So subsequently, he never publicly endorsed anyone. I think this was his son, Franklin's doing. Very sad.

In the 70's, Christian organizations felt that this country was becoming too liberal, socially. They questioned why Christians should stay out of politics. Thus, the Christian Right movement was born. I was in college during part of that time and part of a Christian group. Speakers came and spoke to us. They said "vote your values." I've always questioned that. Just because someone is a Christian doesn't mean they are necessarily equipped to be president. With the way the Christian Right has gone, I'm very disappointed. They've gone political and lost sight of God. God addressed that in the Bible, warning us to not lose sight of Him and the trap of falling for another god.

[Ali_Cat_VC]

http://saintsalive.com/resourcelibrary/mormonism/mormonism-christian-or-cult

[mjohnson_0406]

SMH! I'm not sure who I am voting for at this point, but one thing for sure, I will not compromise by belief in the word of God under any circumstance. If Billy Graham chooses to support Romney; so be it, he has that right. But for him to go to the extreme of removing/altering his position for the sake of man is wrong. Perhaps Billy Graham has forgotten that there are consequences for making compromises when it comes to the word of God...there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:7,8). By removing the Mormons from the list is definitely a compromise, I will not be lured into it. It just isn't worth it. I will be praying my way all the way to the polls. And mark my word, as powerful of a man Billy Graham may think he is, God is the sovereign one, and HIS will shall be done, not Billy Graham's.

[WillysWoodPile]

Excellent post MJohnson. Never move off of your Biblical Foundation.

[JBARKER7323]

How incredibly convenient for Mr.Romney right before the big election that one of the most recognized Christian ministries in this Nation would suddenly change their stance on Mormonism. It really doesn't matter who wins this election, because GOD is not in the running in either case. This country is not in need of a Christian looking president it is in need of the Savior Jesus Christ which neither candidate brings to the table.
Election aside, I am disappointed with the decision that the Billy Graham Ministry has made here. The differences between Mormonism and Christianity are not small doctrinal issues. This is not a difference that can just be swept under a conveniently placed political rug. Mormonism and Christianity, when compared honestly, are completely different at every turn. Different Jesus, different God, different holy spirit, creation, pre-exicstance, virgin birth, after life, heaven, hell, forgiveness, conditions of salvation, gospel, origin of the Lord, holy trinity, and much much more. The comparison of Mormons and Christians to each other is like mayonnaise to chocolate pudding. Substitute mayonnaise in your chocolate cream pie this thanksgiving and let me know how that turns out.
The late LDS President Gordon B Hinkley was very clear on June 4, 1998 in Paris France when he said (on the topic of Christan vs. Mormon) "The traditional Christ of whom they (christians) speak is not the Christ of whom I speak. We do not believe in the traditional Christ" Thank you Mr.President.
In Joseph Smith Religious History 1:19 in The Pearl of Great Price, the founder of the *CULT* records that all Christians confessions were an abomination and that all Christians (professors) were corrupt.
When I drive by the LDS temple everyday, I am sure that the God of Mormonism and the God of Christianity are NOT the same, nor will they ever be, and I tell my children that there in that temple is where many fallen angels come to prey.
It is critical that we know which Jesus we believe in, and stand FIRM, UNWAVERING, and TRUE to the very end. Shame on those that would simply brush it under the rug for the sake of politics. Vote for whoever you want in a few days, does it really even matter? But make sure that you are not duped by the false prophets and their political agendas when it comes to what is and isn't a house of God.

[BornAgainLady]

I'm going to vote for Romney because he'll make a better president! I'm a Christian and disagree with Mormonism. But Romney is best for America IMHO. I might even vote for an atheist if they have conservative, small-government values and good morals.

For Obama to vote for partial-birth abortion on 3 occasions is truly not right. Many people want to adopt newborns, but most mothers don't want to wait to deliver & give them up. I'm not even for overturning RvW, just limiting abortion, requiring counseling/ultrasounds, etc. to reduce them.

[myoleman]

Our Lord Jesus Christ was so careful not to get involved in the politics of His time. Many tried to make Him say something against the Romans that had control of the nation at the time. Others tried to make Him king. Still others hoped that He would be the political rebel who would restore the kingdom of Israel to its former glory. But He wisely rejected all those attempts, and said, instead, that His Kingdom was not of this world, and to give to Caesar what's Caesar's, and to God what's God's. None of the writers of the New Testament ever got involved in the politics of the time either. Paul wrote that a soldier of the Lord should not get involved in civilian affairs, but give his whole attention to his comanding officer, God Himself. Any preacher or purported worker of the Kingdom of God who gets actively involved in any politics of any country renders himself unusable to God. You cannot serve two masters. Either serve God, or serve Caesar. If you pretend to serve both, you're just deceiving yourself and those who are ignorant. If you're ready to surrender the sound doctrine of the Bible for the sake of some political alliance, then you've wrecked your ministry and are a diservice to the Kingdom. It is not a matter of which political party you choose. You should choose none, but serve God only. God and Caesar do not mix. Heed the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. What He bought with His precious blood, don't you sell out for your political ambitions. Finish the race well. Keep the faith to the end. Only those who persevere faithful to the end will receive the reaward.

[zimbahal]

So true. If only believers can keep that in mind.

Nothing created by people can be perfect. People are sinners. So anything they create will be imperfect. That means all political parties are imperfect.

God is God. God is above any political party. God allowed governments to take place but all governments are imperfect.

Considering all the trappings and temptations involved in power and politics, it really takes a person of very strong character and integrity to do well in that world.

What troubles me is that many Christians believe that if you're a Christian, you should vote Republican. They've lost sight of God.

[willardfrank]

Awesome rcomment! You bear fruit of wisdom and knowledge!