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Graham seems to back Romney

26 October 2012

A view: the ad that has been published in US newspapers

A view: the ad that has been published in US newspapers

A SERIES of newspaper adverts published by Dr Billy Graham, the American evangelist, have been interpreted as lending tacit support to the Republican candidate for the presidency, Mitt Romney, who is a Mormon.

In a full page advert, which was published last week in USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, Dr Graham, who is 93, stated: "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 biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman."

A spokesman for Dr Graham, Larry Ross, said that the adverts did not amount to an endorsement of Mr Romney. Mr Ross told the Christian Post yesterday that the ads had been "consistent with his [Dr Graham's] personal methodology throughout his public ministry to diligently and consistently remain politically neutral and non-partisan".

Nevertheless, Mr Romney opposes same-sex marriage, unlike his opponent, President Barack Obama, who has publicly endorsed it.

Earlier this month, Mr Romney visited Dr Graham's home in North Carolina. After the meeting, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association removed a reference on its website to Mormonism as a "cult".

Dr Graham's son, Franklin Graham, who is president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, wrote in USA Today last month: "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."

The tacit endorsement of the Grahams will be welcomed by Republicans, who have feared that Mr Romney's Mormonism has put off Evangelical voters. In an interview with the magazine of Washington National Cathedral, Cathedral Age, in August, Mr Romney steered clear of talking about his Mormon faith, saying: "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Saviour of mankind. . . Faith is integral to my life" (News, 31 August).

Churches of all denominations are being encouraged to hold communion services on the evening of the election day, next Tuesday. They can sign up to do so at the website electiondaycommunion.org.

The site states: "If you're a church member who's tired of politics dividing the Church, help us get the word out. Talk with your congregation about holding a communion service on Election Day. . . Let's come together in our respective churches, regardless of party, political affiliation, or denomination."

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