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."