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Subscribe to RSSGOP candidate Rick Santorum's recent comments on President Obama's "theology" continue to generate conversation, and the Rev. Franklin Graham joins Morning Joe to discuss whether the president is a Christian, Christianity in the Middle East, government overreach with religious institutions, and why he thinks Santorum is a Christian.
Rev. Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham and a prominent evangelical leader in his own right, waded into contentious waters Tuesday when asked for his views on the religious beliefs of President Obama and the GOP hopefuls.
Graham, the CEO and president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, told a Morning Joe panel he couldn't say for certain that Obama is a Christian.
“You have to ask him. I cannot answer that question for anybody. All I know is I’m a sinner, and that God has forgiven me of my sins," Graham said. "You have to ask every person. He has said he’s a Christian, so I just have to assume that he is.”
But Graham also said he couldn't "categorically" say Obama wasn't a Muslim, in part, because Islam has gotten a "free pass" under Obama. Graham also said the Muslim world sees Obama as a "son of Islam," because the president's father and grandfather were Muslim.
According to Edina Lekovic, director of policy at the Muslim Public Affairs Council, being born in a Muslim family doesn't make one a Muslim. A person has to make an active choice to become a Muslim, Lekovic said.
Obama has said again and again that he is a Christian, both as a presidential candidate and as president.
“I’m a Christian by choice,” Obama told a group of New Mexico voters last September, answering a question from a member of the audience. He said he has embraced his faith even though growing up, “my family didn’t, frankly. They weren’t folks who went to church every week.”
In Chicago, Obama was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ for years, but he quit in May 2008 after videos of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s racially-divisive sermons surfaced on the Web.
“Our relations with Trinity have been strained by the divisive statements of Reverend Wright, which sharply conflict with our own views,” Obama and his wife Michelle wrote at the time.
The debate over the president's faith was brought up again on the campaign trail this Saturday, when Rick Santorum told a Tea Party crowd in Columbus, Ohio, that Obama's agenda is "not about you. It's not about you. It's not about your quality of life. It's not about your job. It's about some phony ideal, some phony theology. Oh, not a theology based on the Bible, a different theology, but no less a theology."
Related: Santorum defends 'theology' remark, Hitler inference; blames media
When pressed by reporters after Saturday's comments, the former Pennsylvania senator said he did not imply the president is not a Christian, but said the president was trumping religious freedoms.
Graham told the Morning Joe panel that he and Santorum share the same moral beliefs, and that he's confident Santorum is a fellow Christian.
"His values are so clear on moral issues, no question about it," he told the Morning Joe panel.
Graham spoke with a little less confidence about Gingrich's faith, and cast doubt on whether Romney's Mormonism is compatible with Christianity.
"I think Newt is a Christian, at least he told me he is," Graham said. He added that Romney's Mormon faith is not recognized as part of the Christian faith by most Christians, but he wouldn't give his own view.
Romney has stood by his faith, saying Mormonism's values are "as American as motherhood and apple pie."
"I believe in my Mormon faith," Romney said in a 2007 speech, "and I endeavor to live by it. My faith is the faith of my fathers. I'll be true to them and to my beliefs."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
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Um - it seems that Mr Graham is not a christian. As I understand the faith, one christian would not go into a public forum like this with the purpose of airing potentially negative information. He's no more a christian than my box of tools at home.
Graham is a tool alright.
Franklin, Franklin, Franklin......WWJD? Not this I can safely say. No wonder so many of us have left the so called "Christian" faith. The whole situation of religion in this country just hurts my heart.
I think I had got it wrong, I didn't realize until now that the GOP was choosing their candidate for the next Pope!
It is people like this, coupled with pedophailic priests, and other used car salesmen that have so bastardized faith as to render it a negative rather than a positive influence on the human race. It is most unfortunate so many people feel, due to their brainwashing, they have to buy their way into the afterlife by contributing to these money changers and perverts. Which is why I have one absolute belief and that is that man made religion is the work of the devil and should be treated as just another money making business taxed at the top corporate level. At least some good would then be derived from their existence.
Just one more reason I am One Really Fed Up Boomer!
Son of Islam? Muslims have gotten a "free pass" under Obama? The core problem with your assertions, Graham, is that facts do not parallel with your claims. You are correct that you are no judge of Obama's Christian faith. You are diametrically out of sync with the rest of the world in claiming him to be a Son of Islam. That is your opinion. There is no proof of that outside your rather Pharisaical belief structure with which some will agree. The depth of belief will be determine by the measure of hate the individual has for Obama and apparently yours, preacher, is in the upper extremes. Your father is a wise man ~ he kept himself away from the allure of political commentary. That is why he is revered and you are held in spiteful contempt by so many.
According to the title, one would think Graham viewed Obama as the "son of Islam". He did nothing of the kind! (But MSNBC covered themselves, for the title did not really say that....it just implied it.)
This is an absolutely incredible interview! News Sharks at their best looking for someone to devour! Watch the facial expressions of the interviewers, especially the lady. The inteviewers are relentless in trying to get Graham to put Obama down! Graham continually says he believes Obama when Obama states he is a Christian, yet they are not satisfied!
The interviewers sound like they are part of Obama's administration defending him, rather than being a staff of unbiased News reporters. What a farce of a so-called "news" organization!
FDJ: You must have watched a different interview than idea. Ever heard of inuendo or a "dog whistle"???
The "Reverend" did everything but come right out and say Obama was not a Chrisitian. When asked, a simple "yes I believe he is" would have sufficed. Instead he chose to muddy the waters. And if you're that simple minded that you cannot discern the difference than you have no place even commenting on this.
"When Facism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the Flag and carrying the Cross".
FDJ, you are sooooo wrong. Graham did not say that he believes that Obama is a Christian, merely that he Obama says he is, but he - Graham - didn't know. As for his "son of Islam" contention, research his inverview with John King.
Nor is Graham ~ and the huge host of evangi-fundies because Obama does not "conform" to their self-designed Christian lifestyle. Were this not so, comments such as the ones Graham offered in the interview would never be made. Now if Obama were to hold some form of public circus and call it a "Prayer Rally" like Rick Perry, he would be canonized as a saint by Graham and his following. But since Obama chooses to practice his faith in a private, personal manner, there is no showmanship for Graham and his evangelical acolytes to latch on to for personal aggrandizement. Obama is cheating them out of some very high profile propaganda and promotional material.
Nor is Graham ~ and the huge host of evangi-fundies because Obama does not "conform" to their self-designed Christian lifestyle. Were this not so, comments such as the ones Graham offered in the interview would never be made. Now if Obama were to hold some form of public circus and call it a "Prayer Rally" like Rick Perry, he would be canonized as a saint by Graham and his following. But since Obama chooses to practice his faith in a private, personal manner, there is no showmanship for Graham and his evangelical acolytes to latch on to for personal aggrandizement. Obama is cheating them out of some very high profile propaganda and promotional material.
Ozzie and Rick, no one knows what is in someone else's heart. So no one can say he/she knows someone else is a Christian. If we say, "he is a Christian", or we say, "he is not a Christian", then we are being judgemental because we are claiming to know what is deep within someone's heart. All we can say is that we will take someone at his/her word that he/she believes what they say they believe. Graham did precisely what he should have done. He did not "judge" Obama, but said repeatedly that he takes him at his word.
On the other hand, there are quite a few people on this post who had no problem in judging what is in Graham's heart. Who's the real judgemental hypocrite?
When pressed, he said that Muslims who believe in Sharia Law (Spelling?) will view Obama as a Muslim, and that is a true statement. Remember: the penalty for leaving the Islam faith is death. That is according to the Quran, not according to me.
Problem is there, FDJ, Frankin did say that he believed Santorum and Gingrich are Christians, based on Santorums beliefs and Gingrich's word. (But not Obama's word). Obama was never a Muslim.
So the larger question is - what if he is? Does being a Muslim preclude one from being the President of the United States? Does it preclude you from being an American citizen? Does it mean that contributions of Muslims to our country as members of the military, as leaders in business and in their community, and as responsible parents is discounted? Among my co-workers is a Muslim woman who is one of the kindest, most warm and friendly people on the face of the earth. She clearly is among the most popular people on our staff and none of us would stand aside and allow her to be attacked by others on account of being raised in a different faith tradition. That's what being an American is supposed to be about - and frankly that is what being a Christian is supposed to be about.
"I will stand with my Muslim brothers, if the winds of political change take an ugly turn..." - Obama, Audacity of Hope (Page 261)... Perdy much says it all right there....
And Muslims are not our brothers exactly why????
But you didn't "say it all," Carter. The quote you offer is an excerpt ~ it in no way conveys the full context of Obama's commentary from which it is extracted. Next time have the guts to print the entire comment, not just that which supports your highly tilted views.
So, when Jesus was talking about his brothers and sisters on earth he was only talking about Christians, right? Or anyone but Muslims, right? Because that's how Jesus rolled?
Are "We the people..." only "We the Christian people"?
Not to say Obama IS or ISN'T a Muslim or a three legged billy goat or whatever else they want to throw at him...I don't give a damn. He's far better than anything the right has EVER had in there.
Apparently Christianity in this country is dividing into at least two different camps--those that see the Bible as a guide book and define themselves by who they love and those that see the Bible as an instruction manual (some parts may be ignored) and define themselves by who they hate.
By their actions you shall know them.
Why should anyone be forced to have the same views as everyone else? How about freedom to believe without ostracism? What a bunch of arrogant hot heads. Commenters on this blog too. How about it? Shall we just jump into the weethink tank and just accept everything common thought teaches us today? People soup we're just all one soul. No thanks!
Wow. This issue again? Let me say this. Even if President Obama was muslim (he is not), so what? The constitution the conservatives are always referring to guarantees freedom of religion. Funny, I don't see where being a christian is a qualification.
Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the Constitution sets the principal qualifications one must meet to be eligible to the office of president. A president must:
EARTHLY: I agree completely. Suppose he was a Buddhist monk, would that mean he was unqualified for the office? Or even more of a heresy, suppose he were an Atheist? It's not supposed to matter in our country and our political discourse.
How do we know that Gingrich and Santorum are Christians, because the are constantly telling us they are. Basically to me , they protest too much. As for Billy Graham, he's just an old feeble man who is a bit affected by old age.
People are finally waking from the spell Obama has put on them.
OH really? Is that why he's up in the polls? And since when did someone's religion have any place in our politics? I thought in this country it didn't matter what color your skin and what religion, if any, you practiced. I can see you must be an extremely "devout Christian" LOL
He's gaining in nationwide popularity
OBAMA-BIDEN 2012
So you believe in witchcraft? Facepalm.
So now some preacher famous only for being the son of a famous preacher is the the final judge of everyone else's religious conviction? Unbelieveable hypocrisy with a clearly partisan influence. Many religious leaders are quick to scream when politicians try to influence religion but they can't resist pushing religion into politics at every opportunity. It is these "holier than thou" religious egomanics that make religion as a whole subject to criticism and, when deserved (as in this case), scorn and redicule. And shame on Morning Joe for giving this idiot a platform to deliver his decrees about everyone else's faith.
NC .....I almost completely agree. But you should thank Joe for allowing us to see how "Real Christians" lol act.
Once people see the opulent lifestyle of these evangelicals, it would appear that the Republican brand of capitalism works very well. But, does that make comments from these evangelicals relevant? If that dogma they preach works, why aren't they sharing that wealth with the less privileged? Is it because the money they make preaching (derived from donations of the poor) gives them a place on a podium to spew their charity? Graham should be ashamed of his comments, it makes his father's legacy seem so cheap.
And Graham is the son of Satan. This is just another member of the Christian Taliban who are trying to replace the constitution with the Bible.
Nobody is trying to replace the constitution with the bible. Thats the problem with you over-zealous big mouthed atheists: Whenever someone dares speak out against something, you call them terrorists and say they need to be exterimnated. Whats more dangerous in this country? Radical religious people, or radical atheists? I'd go with the latter.
The real Antichrist in the world today is this kind of person who drives the masses away from the church with their lies and deceits.
I'm not an atheist, Indy. I am a practicing and professing Christian since my teenage years. And I agree that the radical actions of some professing born-again Christians are a direct and distinct parallel with those of non-Christian zealots. Idiots like evangelical Pat Robertson praying for the demise of our president; morons like professing Christian Rush Limbaugh praying for the failure of our president. There's not a Hell of a lot of difference between Islamic extremists and Christian extremists ~ except the Muslims have the courage to act on their beliefs while the Christians try to enlist an entourage of bobble-headed dolls for agreement.
Interesting spin by Graham on Santorum vs. Obama. Seems he is riding the fence now so that he can align himself with whomever occupies the White House post 2012 election.
"By your works you will know them." Few have worked so tiredless for the many... all around the world. This world is not an easy place to be a leader. It is a public service that requires a bit of appreciation for extra-ordinary effort. The civis needs more suffering servants not insufferable pandering. More thought and prayer on yes another of your sins. And yes we ALL are in need of redemption for what we do and say. Go and sin no more.
Be part of the solution not part of the problem.
Billie Graham never involved himself in politics. Where is that pesky "honr thy father and mother" verse fit into his christianity?
Life's too short.
This discussion should not be about Christianity or religion period. It should be about what our Founding Fathers wished for when they wrote our Constitution: the separation of church and state. Until Christian fundamentalists can grasp the importance of this, our discussion will continue to be along those lines dictated by the likes of extremists like Rev Graham.
He might be Billy's kid, but he is nothing like his father. The media keeps injecting religion into politics. Enough already. Talk about the real issues: jobs, the economy, the environment and keep the tabloid junk out of the real "news". You people waste valuable on-air time interviewing idiots. Starting to sound like Faux news.
So now we are supposed to accept the idea that a presidential candidate must be Christian. What we have is a Constitution that prohibits the establishment of a recognized religion, and an electorate that has decided it will do through the ballot box, that which the Constitution prohibits. Jews....do not apply for the job
Where do I sign up for my snake oil salesman license like Franklin Graham did? He is no "Man of God". He didn't get baptised until nearly his mid twenties and now he thinks he can decide who is Christian. I pray for anyone who allows this clown to minister over them.
I have some information on what Graham is a son of.........