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The outspoken Rev. Franklin Graham claimed today that the “majority of Christians” did not vote.
“We know that from of the statistics that I’ve heard that the majority of Christians in this country just did not vote for whatever reason,” he told the Christian Broadcasting Network’s David Brody. “The vast majority of evangelicals did not go to the polls.” He added, “God is in control, and if Christians are upset, they need to be upset at themselves. We need to do a better job of getting our people- the church to vote. Now, I’m not trying to tell you how to vote, you can vote, but vote, my goodness, and vote for candidates that stand for Biblical values.”
But Graham’s assertion -- and implication that had white Christian evangelicals just showed up in bigger numbers, President Obama would have lost -- is off base.
In fact, white evangelicals/born-again Christians made up the same percentage of the electorate as they did in 2008 – 26%. They voted for Mitt Romney, a devout Mormon, by a wider margin than they did for Sen. John McCain four years ago.
And, they made up a larger share of the electorate in 2012 than in 2004, when the Christian Right supposedly fueled George W. Bush’s reelection. They also voted for Romney with the exact same margin as for Bush in 2004, 78%-21%.
Not to mention, Obama won the 48 percent of the electorate that was Christian and not Protestant or Mormon -- 50%-48% among Catholics (25% of the electorate) and 50%-49% of "Other Christians" (23% of the electorate).
In Ohio, they were 1 point more of the electorate than 2008; in Colorado, 4 points higher; in Iowa, up 7 points; in Nevada, up 2.
White evangelical voters in select swing states
CO: 25%, 76-22 Romney; 2008: 21%, 76-23 McCain
FL: 24%, 79-21 Romney; 2008: 24%, 77-21 McCain
IA: 38%, 64-35 Romney; 2008: 31%, 65-33 McCain
NV: 18%, 69-28 Romney; 2008: 16%, 72-27 McCain
OH: 31%, 69-30 Romney; 2008: 30%, 71-27 McCain
They did decline as a share of the electorate in North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. But the drops in states like North Carolina (Graham’s home state) and Virginia likely have less to do with apathy and more to do with demographic changes – transplants in North Carolina’s Research Triangle and growth in the Washington, D.C., suburbs of Northern Virginia, for example.
The fact is, Virginia and North Carolina are looking less and less like the Old South and more and more like Mid-Atlantic states.
White evangelical voters in the South (where exit polls are available)
MS: 50%, 95-5 Romney; 2008: 46%, 94-6 McCain
AL: 47% , 90-10 Romney; 2008: 47%, 92-8 McCain
NC: 35%, 79-20 Romney; 2008: 44%, 74-25 McCain
VA: 23%, 83-17 Romney; 2008: 28%, 79-20 McCain
Are there Christian evangelicals who did not vote? Certainly. But that’s true every year and of every demographic group.
Evangelicals make up 26 percent of adults in the country, according to a major 2008 Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life survey. They matched that this election.
The U.S. Census says there are more than 311 million people in the United States. If evangelical adults are 26 percent of them, then there would be 80 million potential voters.
So far, 123 million votes have been counted in this election – and that number will get higher by the millions as votes continue to be counted like in 2008. Evangelicals made up 26 percent of them, therefore, about 32 million evangelicals voted – less than half of their population.
But there’s a need for context here: (1) They make up just 14 percent of the registered-voter base in the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll. They outpaced that percentage in the presidential election, (2) This is true every other demographic group in the country as well.
Latinos, for example, according to the U.S. Census, are nearly 17 percent of the country, but only made up 10 percent of the 2012 electorate. They make up just 8 to 9 percent of the registered-voter base of the NBC/WSJ poll.
That would mean just 12 million of the 52 million adult Hispanics voted.
If this was Australia, and the U.S. had compulsory voting, Graham’s argument that evangelicals would have tipped the balance would not hold up very well.
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It wasn't because Christians didn't vote that Romney didn't win. It was because Graham and those like him preached hatred, and white, back, yellow or brown people don't like hatred and never will. And doesn't Graham know that religion and politics should be kept separate? Apparently he doesn't, but most people do, and it's worked for a long, long time. Graham should be out tending to the poor, sick, and hungry instead of spreading hatred and lies if indeed he is truly called to be a religious leader. And another thing, he should know he's far too old to still hang to his father's coattails. In other words, F. Graham, get a life and keep your long ugly nose out of people's vote.
Rev Graham, I am a Christian and I voted for the president. I remember the Democratic convention when the president was the Democrats choice and some ministers were praying for rain to occur during the convention. Well, it didn't rain and the convention was a big success. Do you remember what happened...during the start of the GOP convention?.
I don't believe in everything the president has done. I don't believe in same sex marriage or abortion but I am not also in the position to judge anyone.
Rev. Graham you should know your heavenly father better than I. Don't you know if he had wanted Romney to win he would have. It is no accident that the president won.
What Graham should have said is that the majority of Christians who do not share his views of God and God's teachings didn't vote. How outrageous for him to suggest that Christians who don't share his form of Christianity aren't Christians. How dare him to think that he's speaking for the rest of us! I have to wonder if his Hell is different from the Hell those non-Christian Christians he carelessly dismisses.
As far as I can tell, he didn't say any such thing. It isn't in the article. It isn't anywhere. Why do you feel such a compulsion to lie?
I am a Christian who is heartbroken that such racism, ignorance and vitriol is put forth in the name of Christianity. I voted for Barack Obama for a great many reasons, not the least of which was that I felt his programs embodied the teachings of Christ far more than did Romney's. We were instructed to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and help the poor. We were not instructed to line the pockets and bank accounts of the already wealthy. We were not instructed to blame the poor and sick for their plight.
Franklin Graham is not nearly the man his father is. He appears to be a right wing fringe nut with a large microphone who uses the name of Christ to further his own and his rich friends' agenda.
Hi MarriedAHoosier...thank you for being Christian and kind. That is how I believed Jesus was, too. I have chosen not to be part of any religion although I was born and raised Catholic. I still believe Jesus was a good person and I aspire to be like him. But I cannot belive that he would believe what Christianity has turned into by using his good name. I feel that Gandhi was right when he said:
“I like your Christ, I do not like your
Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Go Hoosiers!
As someone that is Agnostic, I can say that you are the kind of Christian I think of when I hear the term Christian.
Both Franklin Graham and the writer of this article have bought into the falsehood that all Christians are Fundamentalist/Jerry Falwell/Pat Robertson zombies. There's this thing called "Orthodox Christianity" - Lutherans, Episcopalians, Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, etc. - that wants nothing to do with personality-driven authority and political "power".
If Jesus is Lord, then Franklin Graham - and the candidates he insists that we vote for - aren't, and that's a good thing.
Friar Tuck: Hate to burst your bubble, but in the months leading up to the election, the Catholic Pastor of my church harped on abortion and contraception week after week in his sermons. Each sermon included his repetitious statement to be careful who we vote for in the election. How blatant can you get?!!! His sermon was followed by reading of petitions. The first petition each week would ask for wisdom for officials of our government who approve of abortion and contraception. I'm certain that wasn't aimed at the town mayor.
I studied Catholic ways every day for 12 years in school and felt I didn't need a thorough refreshing week after week in 2012. I do have to say that I was dumbfounded over the Pastor's blatant attempts to steer my vote to his liking.
the truth is the majority of churches are secular, they are more involved in their entertainment and programs, than they are in the blood of Jesus Christ. The very idea that a christian calls a mormon christian is called compromised. mormons believe another gospel by another angel with another prophet and just because they are moral does not make them saved. it makes quote christians who pushed to vote for romney compromiser, the bible said how can two walk together unless they be agreed. i think the best thing a christian could have done that day was to stay out of it and let God set up who he wanted. apparently that is exactly what happen, people had romney a sure win, but God had other plans. the bible does say that he sets up rulers, and he puts them down, and we who grumble against it find ourselves grumbling against God. i would not want the very one who holds my breath as my enemy.
I don't care to degrade anyones religion because of differences of beliefs. To me, the most important thing in any religion is the belief that there is a power greater than anything on earth... a Creator. I believe that power is God, the Creator of the universe, all things in it, which includes us.
This old white lady (born 1948) who has been a Christian since 1957 voted for Mr. Obama. I love Billy Graham but Franklin is no Billy Graham. And, I'm afraid that Billy has been unduly influenced in his old age.
I am truly ashamed of christians who have turned the love of Christ into hate.
Let me quote a commenter from another post - "I'm for the separation of church and hate."
Franklin needs to stick to only his religion and away from others' religion, of which he clearly demonstrates he is woefully ignorant. As far as politics, of which he only knows how to spout the GOP party line, his '50's rhetoric is clearly outdated. He does have the baility to cling to his father's coattails though. Is it any wonder the GOP is in such dire shape with supporters like him?
"Now, I’m not trying to tell you how to vote, you can vote, but vote, my goodness, and vote for candidates that stand for Biblical values.” Do these people ever READ the US Constitution? Do they care? It was not Christians fault because they did not vote. They did vote. The problem is, for the Republicans, is that they think the religious nutcases are a lot ore numerous than they actually are. They are not numerous, just loud. The problems for Republicans began when they invited them to take a leading role in the Party in 1980. Ever since then the Party has been moving further and further to the extreme right. Think about this. Republicans proposed a number of anti-abortion bills during the last two years that shattered all previous records. But NOT ONE jobs bill. But no...Christians had nothing to do with that. ROFL!!!!
Carlo: The Roe v. Wade case on abortion paved the way to legal abortion. Check out the US Supreme Court Justices who decided that case.
The majority of Justices were appointed by republican presidents. Seven of the nine were appointed by republican presidents and two were appointed by democratic presidents. Only one republican appointed Justice dissented, William Rehnquist. So what's my point? Its no secret that US presidents appoint judges who are of the same political persuasion as their own.
The White race is on the suicidal road. The White race is so mixed up it does not know what is good for them. The Yellow races and Black races have their roads well marked. They want to survive. White race has wrong political ideologies that are detrimental to its existence.
The percentage of White race is coming low due to two reasons: (i) the other races are producing more (ii) white race is producing few children. The reason for the second is because White Race is so selfish it wants its personal gratification more than general welfare. White people are the foremost in Gay marriages knowing that will not produce offspring. It is against evolution. In evolution, the species will generate means through which its kind will be produce more and survive. The minute one is against natural propagation of the species, he is against evolution. It is not a theological question.
It is the story of evolution. Even in hermaphrodite species, there are bisexual organs to reproduce. There are separate and different organs!. The gay proponents are defying evolution. They are the "freaks" !
gudprsn - Your hate is sad.
I hate no one. I write the truth. I did not condemn anyone. I said that the White race is dwindling in numbers and it is not good. They have contributed much to humanity. It is their ideologies that are taking them on suicidal road.
About gays, it is against evolution. Period. No moral or theological arguments.
And I'm sure gudprsn is a student of evolution. Show us, dude, explain even the most basic concepts of evolution so we can be convinced you are right. HA!
Gudprsn--You know there's just the human race, right? As you aware that DNA studies show that a "white" Greek has more DNA in common with a "black" Ethiopian than the Greek has in common with a "white" Norwegian?
All you folks who are idolizing Billy Graham. Did any of you see the full page ads he ran in some of the largest newspapers in the nation? Full page ad exhorting people to vote for "traditional biblical values." Sorry folks, but that was a thinly disguised ad to vote for all Republicans. Graham may be considered to be an "icon" but I'd argue that is only because he has been around forever.
So now being a Christian means you have to espouse the politics of hatred and discrimination? To deny women the rights of control over their OWN BODIES? To advocate STARVING the poor, ABANDONING the elderly, IGNORING the sick and infirm, and serving and enriching the WEALTHY?
You know, I'm starting to understand WHY Jesus ran the peddlers and the money lenders out of the Temple. Too bad we can't get the hypocrites who claim to be "RELIGIOUS" leaders out of our government affairs as easily.
Anyone who says you're a sinner because you don't VOTE that way they want you to vote is no Christian. Kudos to Cardinal Jenke for showing what a phony, self serving , piss poor excuse for a Holy man he is. Anybody who buys into this Bulls#!t might very well believe they are truly doing GOD's will. The question I have for you is...which GOD?
Nowhere in MY Bible does it say: "THOU SHALT BE GULLIBLE." However it does mention false prophets who shall come to me in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves. And I know them by their works, because they offer thorns in place of grapes and thistles in place of figs.
No, I'm not buying it. The GOD that I worship, and his son Christ Jesus, give us the gift of free will, and they protect our interests AND our nation. I honestly believe that. And if the guy who defends women, and the elderly, and the poor, and the infirm...WON the election...then there's probably a reason for that. And all the hate mongering, and condemnation in the world won't make these religious fakes right, and most certainly not "Righteous".
Good post and I agree completely, especially about the false prophets.
James Griffin: I agree. My faith is between me and my God. My faith is not between me and my religious leaders. Religious leaders have respect and value but that value ceases when they try to influence my vote in the name of religion.
The election is over... Everyone shut your yapping mouths...
Wow really?.. why don't you tell that to MSNBC that seems to want to harbor on for days even weeks on end about how the election was won or lost.
Folks, ol' frank is a money-grubbing con man duping people out of cash for the Graham Association...this miserable excuse for clergy takes in a salary of, get this, a reported $600,000...again, $600,000...per year...all of you who donate to this organization with the promises of salvation and saving the world need to realize that franklin graham takes his take off the top of your donations before anything else gets a cut. I don't give a flip what this man says...he is an opportunist along the lines of old time oral roberts...send me your money and I'll send you a prayer cloth annointed with holy oil (crisco, probably)...graham used his father's fame to all but demand evangelicals vote for willard...and this after willard's "religion" had been considered a cult for years by the Graham Assoc. Wonder what little monitary donation willard made to that group to get an instant atta-boy and a full page spread in newspapers?
600K may be Franklin's official salary, but I have no doubt that this weasel socks away at least ten times that amount every year in hidden and third party accounts.
Someone reported in an earlier post that Mr. Graham collects over $500,000 from a second organization, bringing his total salary to over one million.
Romans 13, nuff said.
Get rid of all tax exemptions for any religious organization. That would shut their mouths up real fast.
Hey Franklin Graham: Jesus called and wants you to stop calling yourself a Christian because you're making him look bad.
Obama is your president now, so all you Repugnants and Tampon Baggers can quit your whining and belly aching, we don't need any crybabies in our country, so pull up your diapers, put that pacifier in your mouth and wipe those tears away on your blankie, if you don't like it self deport yourself, because that secede notion not going to work......
How mature. Quit being hateful, mature a little bit, get educated and don't be so gullible and then try to have an intelligent conversation with someone.
God wanted Obama to win re-election. That's why He let Romney win the GOP nomination. In his infinite and infallible wisdom, God knew Mitt couldn't win and as usual, He was spot on correct.
Evalgelics have never been deterred by the facts. If they were, they wouldn't be evangelics.
Oh dear. Is this guy serious? I'm a Christian and I voted. And who I voted for is none of Mr. Graham's business. This kind of thing makes me sad because it reinforces the belief that all Christians are nutjobs or that TRUE Christians vote Republican all the time and that's simply not true.
I can't speak for anyone other church, but in my home church, my pastor NEVER tried to tell his congregation who to vote for. In fact, he made a point to say that he wouldn't say who he was voting for nor would he discuss politics in service because he believed that it was an abuse of his position to use it to sway votes one way or another. Thank God for Christian leaders like this.
Shame on you, Mr. Graham.
Did you read the article? Graham didn't tell his congregation who to vote for either. He said they should vote, and vote for the candidate that best exemplifies the teachings of God. Please look at the facts.
I did read the article and I didn't say that he told his congregation. The article implied that Graham believes that Romney lost because evangelical Christians didn't vote. Which implies that if they HAD voted, they would have voted Republican. I restate my point that Christianity and Republicans are not synonymous.
Thoughts: You have a very wise pastor who respects your precious right to vote for the candidate of your choice. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case in many American churches. I'm sure that some Christians voted for Obama in sheer retaliation of religious leaders who overstepped the bounds of their churches...
Render to Caesar the things that are Ceasar's (meaning government) and to God, the things that are God's.
LOL....Another "holy" man gone NUTS!!!!!!
Today, in my backwardass, racist, red state, of Mississippi, I've noticed most of my neighbors who had their "Romney/Ryan" signs proudly displayed on their front lawns/acres, are now proudly displaying "U PRAYED YET" signs.
I thought, YEAAAA, I prayed President Obama would win, and he did!!!!
Anyone else see these signs yet?
Aren't we missing something here? Obama won which means God favored him over Romney. Is Rev. Graham insinuating that the Christians could out vote God? Couldn't God have gotten Mitt Romney elected if he so desired? Work backward. Obama got elected, then it stands to reason that God liked him better than Mitt Romney for the job. Just apply a little logic and it will all come clear for you.
Nothing of the sort. He is saying that God is still in control. End of story.
Put--If God is in control, it logically follows that God assured and desire an Obama victory.
Elvis: Nah, I don't think it happened that way. The Creator gave all his people 'free will."
The voters used their 'free will' and picked Obama. Simple as that!
This so call man of God, is just another "Dumb Ass White Wing Freak" who is full of "Hate" for Mr. Obama.
Sounds like you are the one full of hate for your fellow man.
isn't this just too much fun! The Republicans think that God did not instruct them to vote for their prophet Mitt and it didn't work out so Mitt must not be the prophet. Therefore using their stilted logic Obama must then be the prophet. The Republicans have lost their mind.