Watch: Billy Graham’s Son Franklin “Cannot Say” If Obama Is A Christian

Franklin Graham, the son of Evangelical leader Billy Graham, dropped a bombshell today on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” strongly questioning President Barack Obama‘s faith as a Christian, and suggesting that Mormons, in fact, are not Christians at all. The younger Graham very clearly proclaimed GOP frontrunner Rick Santorum as a Christian, but played the Muslim card directly when it came to President Obama.

“Islam sees him as a son of Islam because his father was a Muslim, his grandfather was a Muslim, great grandfather was a Muslim and so under Islamic law, the Muslim world sees Barack Obama as a Muslim,” said Franklin Graham, who refused to state whether or not he truly believed Obama was a Christian, suggesting that Obama may secretly be a Muslim. “I can’t say categorically,” Graham answered, “because Islam has gotten a free pass under Obama.”

New York Magazine journalist John Heilemann at the end told Franklin Graham he was applying “an incredible double standard” in determining who is and who is not a Christian.

That’s an amazing double standard. Your reaction to the difference. The question about Rick Santorum and President Obama, I think, just exposes an incredible double standard you’re applying to the two people. They’re exactly the same situation.

Franklin Graham’s father, Billy Graham, is seen as a celebrity among Evangelicals, having been an advisor to several presidents, and having counseled or met with at least 12 during his lifetime. The elder Graham is now 93. In 2002, Billy Graham’s lifetime audience was estimated at over 2 million people.

Franklin Graham was vehement in stating that the United Stated should work harder to protect minorities around the world, withholding foreign aid to countries that do not protect their minorities, although didn’t directly demand the use of military force, but said Obama “could be demanding they protect Christians in those countries.” Of course, Graham was referring to Christians as the minority — not gays or lesbians, or bisexual or transgender peoples.

Graham also told Michael Steele that “I’m afraid the government is going to come and tell me who I can hire.” He added there were many people he didn’t want working for him, and that he is afraid he “won’t be able to discriminate against people who believe the way I believe.”

“There’s a lot of people that I don’t want woking for me, because they don’t have a faith in Jesus Christ and their moral standards are not going to be the same as my standards.”

Graham pointed to Santorum as one who shares his moral values.

Franklin Graham, according to a report minutes ago in Politico, “gave sharply different answers Tuesday when asked whether he believed Rick Santorum and Barack Obama were Christians.”

Via Politico:

• ON OBAMA: “You have to ask him. I cannot answer that question for anybody. All I know is I’m a sinner, and God has forgiven me of my sins… You have to ask every person. He has said he’s a Christian, so I just have to assume that he is.”

Pressed as to whether Obama had “accepted Jesus Christ,” Graham said, “I don’t know,” recounting a conversation with the president over how Obama came to accept Christianity.

…

• ON SANTORUM: “Do you believe Rick Santorum is a Christian?” asked Geist. “I think so,” responded Graham.

“How do you know, if the standard is: only the person knows what’s in him when you apply it to the president, why is it different for Rick Santorum?” replied Geist.

“Well, because his values are so clear on moral issues. No question about it. I just appreciate the moral stances he takes on things. He comes from a Catholic faith… I think he’s a man of faith,” said Graham.

• ON ROMNEY: “Most Christians would not recognize Mormons as part of the Christian faith,” said Graham. “They believe in Jesus Christ. They have a lot of other things they believe in too, that we don’t accept, theologically.”

“I like him,” Graham conceded. “He would be a good president… He’s a sharp guy.”

• ON GINGRICH: “I think Newt Gingrich is a Christian, at least he told me he is.”

Graham continued to say that Obama seemed more concerned with Muslims than Christians.

“Under President Obama…the Muslims of the world, he seems to be more concerned, than Christians who are being murdered in Muslims countries,” said Graham.

…

The “Morning Joe” panelists and others challenged Graham’s comments.

“That’s an amazing double standard,” panelist John Heilemann. “It’s an incredible double standard that you’re applying to the two people.”

“Franklin Graham, there’s a couple of pages missing from his bible that happen to be in most other people’s bibles,” said Barnicle later.

“Franklin Graham has a lot to learn from his father,” tweeted Chuck Todd after the segment.

Franklin Graham is currently trending on Twitter, which has lit up in fury over his comments.

Keith Boykin tweeted:

“How can Rev. Franklin Graham say for sure that Rick Santorum is a Christian but can’t be sure about Barack Obama’s faith? This is nonsense!” and, “Who made Rev. Franklin Graham the decider on who is or is not a Christian? I’m sick of this stuff!”

New York Times’ Op-Ed writer Charles M. Blow added, “To paraphrase the old folks: these “Christians” are going to make me lose my religion. #FranklinGraham”

 

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