Franklin Graham: Romney's Mormonism Doesn't Bother Me
Evangelical minster Franklin Graham said voters should look past a candidate’s personal religion when considering whom they should support for office. Graham offered his advice in a recent interview with The Christian Broadcasting Network when asked if Christians could vote for someone who is a Mormon.
Yes, the fact that Mitt Romney is a Mormon doesn’t bother me at all,” Graham told CBN.
Two candidates seeking the GOP nomination for president who are Mormons are Romney and Jon Huntsman. They are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Graham said voters should select a candidate who is most qualified, beyond anything else.
“You can have the nicest guy and he can be a Christian and just wonderful but have absolutely no clue as to how to run a country, you don’t want that … Mitt Romney is a very capable fellow, I know him. I know Newt Gingrich, another capable person; Michele Bachmann, a very capable lady; Rick Santorum, I like a lot, very gifted guy, a very sharp person and so there are some good candidates out there.”
Graham’s primary concern about the 2012 election is that he feels the country is heading in the wrong direction, saying the next election is “the most critical election of my lifetime.”
The evangelist sees the direction of the country as the number one priority for the next president.
“Our country is heading on the wrong course,” said Graham. “There are millions and millions of people out there that are out of work and there are people out there now that have been out of work so long they are not even looking for work because they are so discouraged.”
Praying for our leaders and our country is what Graham suggested of Christians, saying that irrespective of political party, the country needs elected officials “who will put God’s standards above everything else and who will take us back to the God of our fathers.”
“[O]ur country is going in the wrong direction and we need to make a change.”
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Why should it bother Mr. Graham?
His gospel has been watered down and compromised. At one point he denied that the acceptance of Christ was the way to salvation, then after a flood of complaints (and lost revenue), he reversed his statement. Nobody has a really really clear picture of where he stands any more. The man is more into marketing of his 'ministry' than actually holding up a standard.
Then again that's typical for the day isn't it? The rule is - don't make any hard statement and don't really stand up for something. Even the good folk in church don't like that sort of thing. It's too controversial. It makes too many waves. It makes people think unsettling thoughts. Can't have that, you know.
What Mr. Graham does in the voting booth is inconsequential. His opinion is his own right, but when he acts as if he's giving or withholding an endorsement then one must consider his position seriously.
Personally, I'm disappointed in it.
* * *
Personally, I don't pray for our leaders any more. Haven't in years.
Why?
They have sold us out. They have destroyed the finest republic in the history of mankind and I'm supposed to ask for their blessing? I will not.
Listen.
I've heard the clarion call for national prayer for over forty years, give or take a few. Has God answered them according to our intent? Are things today better or worse?
Answer truthfully now, don't just give a knee jerk response.
What do you SEE happening to our country? Liberty or repression? Prosperity or deep depression (denied by the aforementioned politicians BTW), wisdom or foolishness in Washington, DC? Peace or constant war? War is not a blessing from God, I don't care what definition you use, but it DOES benefit the military industrial complex. It doesn't do anything to reward those innocent young men who enter service believing they are doing good - and end up trained murderers in unjust wars - if not something worse. Is this a BLESSING? Answer truthfully.
God has indeed answered the prayers. He has given us the leadership we deserve. You've no doubt heard or read that line before. It's true, though and if you're honest you'll acknowledge it.
If God has not become mean and cruel, then what has changed?
Perhaps it is us. The Great Apostacy is upon us. We care not for the underprivileged among us and because of that our "leaders" are destroying the middle class. The devil rules the media and the entertainment industry. America isn't "amber waves of grain and purple mountain majesties" any more. It's all bombs and guns and war and usurpation of power by crooked politicians and bankers.
At the head of the spiritual flock we have leaders like Mr. Graham who are more than willing to yield the firm gospel position for the sake of political and marketing expediency. Is there a single church leader in this country who has not corrupted himself with money, sex and a "vision" for his ministerial empire. Is there anyone who just cares for God's people? Some, I admit, but they are few -very few- and far between.
Does it matter if Mitt or Newt or Barak is elected? The democrats and republicans are two heads of the same snake. It matters not. What does matter is Jesus Christ and Him crucified...and a firm resolve to follow Him no matter what. People need to hear that, for in that is the only hope we may find in these increasingly dark days.
Consider that, Mr. Graham.
