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 Franklin Graham's has previously raised doubts about President Obama's Christianity.
February 28th, 2012
10:38 PM ET
Franklin Graham apologizes for questioning Obama's faith commitmentBy Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor (CNN) - The Rev. Franklin Graham on Tuesday apologized for publicly raising questions about President Barack Obama’s Christian faith, saying “I regret any comments I have ever made which may have cast any doubt on the personal faith of our president, Mr. Obama.” The statement from Graham came in response to a letter from faith leaders associated with the NAACP that said Graham’s statements “have enormous negative effects for America and are especially harmful to the Christian witness.” In a television interview last week that provoked huge media attention, Graham appeared to question the sincerity of Obama’s Christian commitment. "You have to ask him,” Graham said, pondering whether Obama is Christian. “I cannot ask that question for anybody." CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories In the February 21 interview on MSNBC, Graham repeated earlier statements about Obama’s ties to Islam, while denying that the president is a Muslim. "Under Islamic law – Sharia law – Islam sees him as a son of Islam," Graham said. “Because his father was a Muslim, his grandfather was a Muslim. ... That's just the way it works." In their Tuesday letter to Graham, the NAACP faith leaders, which included the presidents of the National Baptist Convention USA and the National Baptist Convention of America, took aim at the MSNBC interview. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter “We were disturbed and disappointed by statements … that questioned whether President Obama is a Christian,” the letter said. “Rev. Graham also seemed to imply that the president may be a Muslim, despite the fact that the president has repeatedly expressed his faith and belief in Jesus Christ.” In his statement on Tuesday, Graham said, “The president has said he is a Christian and I accept that (and have said so publicly on many occasions).” “I apologize to him and to any I have offended for not better articulating my reason for not supporting him in this election—for his faith has nothing to do with my consideration of him as a candidate,” Graham’s statement continued. Graham, an evangelical Christian who is the son of evangelist Billy Graham, also rejected the idea of voting for a candidate on the basis of a shared religious faith. “I would support a Mormon or a Jew who supported the defense of marriage defined as being between a man and a woman over a Southern Baptist or Presbyterian who did not,” he said. In the MSNBC interview, Graham said most Christians would "not recognize Mormonism" as part of Christianity in response to a question about whether Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a Mormon, is a Christian.
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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The only reason this dufuss has an audience at all is because of the work his father did before him. He is a disgrace to his fathers memory. It's funny how he can make proclamations which call into question President Obama's faith publicly and in front of cameras, but can only bring himself to release a written statement of regret when people of his own faith balk at his idiocy. I wish he would just go away.
I hate it that Franklon caved in to the pressure of the hypocritical and corrupt voices behind the National Baptist Convention of America / USA ! If one examines the history of many of the leaders of these organizations, one would also have to question the so-called Christian values of these pseudo-religious mentors and scolars. And for Tim ~ harping about missing fathers of GOP'er's – – the one without any father influence was the "BIG O", now occupying the post like an empty suit ! And for the record – – he stated himself, He is a muslim, It's on tape ! Google it !
I thought that the foundation of Christianity was to LOVE everyone and let God judge.
To some perhaps, for most it is about strengthening the feeling of "moral superiority" they feel so compelled to elevate.
Christianity, Yes. Christians, no.
It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where the dentist converted to Judaism for the jokes; except this is for the votes.
Franklin - shame on you! Your father taught you to respect people of all backgrounds. You dishonor him with this type of conduct!
Why is this clown even in the news?
Then perhaps if it is a sin or a crime to be Muslim or to have Muslim heritage, then why isn't the Unites States rounding up millions of Muslim-Americans all across this country and detaining them and trying them for being Muslim? If it is a crime to be a Muslim-American, then should I tell my local police that Muslim-Americans reside on my street and in my neighborhood?
OK, it only took him a week to extract his foot from his mouth. But how long will it take for him to become decent human being? i.e. non-hypocrite!
I listened to the interview on MSNBC. I agreed with Franklin G. The President joined a Church because it was a requirement for his job in the community in Chicago. This doesn't make him a Christian. The President has never said when he gave his heart to the Lord. Ask any Christian when they were saved and they can give you a date.
The President himself has said he never listened while in Church, he never heard the things Rev. Wright said.
Get a grip... this guy is not saved! Pray for him, I do.
John Riggs, How can you say the president is not a christian, and want people to believe you, but when the president himself say he's a christian your holier than tho self say he's not, and pray for him. No pray for yourself to accept peoples confession to being a christian. The right wing repub's get me with this nobody but them know the Lord/God.
Whats makes one a Christian? The Christian religion has been converting Muslims, Atheists, Aminalists and any other 'Non believer' for thousands of years now. I thought that the premise is that once one accepts Christ as your savior them you are a Christian, regardless of your background. So if that is correct and if Obama's father or even Obama himself was a Muslim, the fact that he has accepted Christ, according to Christianity, He is a CHRISTIAN.
*** The President has never said when he gave his heart to the Lord. Ask any Christian when they were saved and they can give you a date.
That would be between the President and the lord,
that is NONE of your business.
"The President has never said when he gave his heart to the Lord. Ask any Christian when they were saved and they can give you a date."
Just because you and those of your ilk feel the need to brag about your Christianity (like the Pharisees) doesn't mean that all other Christians are required to act in your un-Christian manner. You feel that God has granted you the right to judge others based upon your perceived righteousness. You're a failure as a person and a Christian.
These leaders sneakily put these things out in public and apologize for them over and over all the while knowing what effect it is having on their scared followers. They'll never say out loud, "Obama is a Christian with a crazy preacher, a Muslim, and an atheist all at the same time!" or that "Obama is a socialist hellbent on crashing our economy!" Instead, they'll simply hint at it, apologize for hinting at it, and do nothing when the crazy people take over the message. It's a cheap way of trying to win an election, and it's wrong. Democracy doesn't work if you don't tell the truth.
The republicans complain that Obama has staged a war against religion, not true. If people are wondering why religion is much less popular with young adults today than a before, they only need to see people who promote religion today. They appear as racist, blabbering idiots, against women's rights to her own body under the guise of religion, hatred against gays and other distasteful expressions. It appears that these religious leaders really get there hatred on against people they don't like....and that's really unappealing.
I was thinking the same thing before I read the posts. I agree with you 100% These slime balls will say anything to stir up their mindless followers, then after the damage is already done, they apologize!
Because your father and grandfather were Muslim doesn't make you Muslim. First of all, Obama basically had no father to raise him so even if that was true it wouldn't be true in this case. Second, it's saying the Shahada that makes one a Muslim. Islam is not like Judaism it is like Christianity, anyone of any ethnic stock or family is welcome, it is not by lineage.
He took a shot and pandering to racism and just disgraced himself instead.
Usually when GOP resorts to racism, they just double down on it, because it's all they have to begin with.
The president's ways must be really contagious. Mr. Graham, why apologize for speaking the truth?
Just asking?!
Because he wasn't.
Franklin Graham is an enormous a$$hat. He tarnishes his father's legacy.
By not lying?
Muslims believe that Jesus the son of Mary was a prophet and nothing more, someone needs to ask the president if he believes Jesus was the son of God.
Who cares. There are bigger issues at hand.
WHY? What difference does it make?
Why must anyone prove they are a Christian? This is America, folks – Home of the free! I served 20 years in the military supporting this basic freedom. Vote on the man's values and political agenda.
Freaking Christians.....
The presidents beliefs are NONE of your business.
apple doesn't fall far from the tree
I'm a Christian and my kids and I pray for Obama and his family every day. He says he is a Christian, he just has a funny way of showing it. But, it is not us to judge his eternity. We can only judge his behavior. Most Christians I know, do not support late term abortions or watch Modern Family with their 10 year old daughters, But that does not mean he is not a Christian
HAHAHHAHAHAH. foxnews.com is thataway, Grand Dragon.
Franklin should not be apologizing for pointing out the obvious. If it smells like a pig and oinks like a pig, it's a pig.
What kind of American would say that about your Commander in Chief? You are not patriotic
Racist pig is an apt description of what you are.
Could the same be said about you and your beliefs? Learn to coexist.
The President of the United States deserves some respect. Leave your hate at the pulpit for those who want to hear it. I think our President has done a fine job. Soldiers have come home, Obama is dead and I feel a bit safer because of it. Evangelicals should practice what they preach as far as respect goes. How can you teach your children to respect their schoolmates when you don't even respect the elected leader of our country?
Omegitrising, if it smells like a Racist pig, Oinks like a Racist pig, it is a Racist PIG! That's what you smell , and Oink like!
Typical christian response.
This is just swell. Mr. Obama's rather fuzzy religious background now qualifies him as a Christian, apparently. Will Mr. Graham now apologize to Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) for saying that they are not "Christian"? I'm not holding my breath.
I don't think bigoted, hate filled, racist remarks about the President qualifies as Christian behavior. Do you honestly believe Jesus Christ would behave in the same way as many Professed Christinas behave?
He certainly does not carry on the bipartisanship of his father. His father also wasn't a bigot.