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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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Quite honestly the stupidity of the G0P added to the stupidity of the religious leader Graham makes the States look very uneducated and silly.
There are too many people in the GOP who do not want to look at what has happened and to admit they failed. Their failure was mainly due to the nomination of Romney and then adding Ryan was not a good idea. The GOP far right stations such as Fox and Limbaugh did not add to the intelligence factor. Not once during the campaign did any of the GOP come out and say that the nasty remarks being made by many of the GOP were out of line. Now, after the campaign and Obama's win they are still acting like nasty kids in the playground and talking out of their "rear ends".
It is about time that they grew up and acted like politicians - How can the young generation have any respect for people such as Romney and McCain when all they hear is drivel !!!! Smarten up or get out of politics !!!!
Those of us who are Christian, but not freaks, are quite fed up with Franklin Graham and the rest of the Graham sponger-offspring. Franklin Graham poses as a doer of good (see "Samaritan's Purse") but in reality the good he might have done by stepping out of the limelight is breathtaking. And missing. It is painful to see Franklin Graham, having put his aging and failing father Billy into a virtual cocoon of alternate reality, now ruin the good name of Billy Graham Ministries. Franklin, go get a real job. And a life.
What Graham should have said is that the majority of Christians who do share his views of God and God teachings did not vote. How outrageous it is 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!
If the Rev. Mr. Graham is a proponent of Mitt Romney, he obviously does not understand Christianity. Mormons are not Christians!
What the heck does this guy do for a living? Does he get paid to go around saying stupid stuff? Maybe, if he has some free time, he should study the bible.
.
More whiny nonsensical excuses from the right.
You cannot claim to be a Christian and vote for Obama.
Jesus never condoned murdering innocent babies
Jesus never condoned sexual perversion as normal and equal to heterosexual marriage
Jesus never called for us to surrender our personal responsibilities to care for those in need to govt and thus give glory to man rather than God.
Jesus never called for stealing from those who produce and give to those who haven't
Jesus never called for enslaving people to govt instead of liberty.
Reverend Larry Robinson
Hey Larry, you claim to be a Christian? "Reverend" you are a nit wit. Romney/Ryan had every intention of improving the lives of their own class of people by stripping the poor of any meager relief that they do receive. What exactly is your church again? The right to choose is not Obama condoning murder of babies. Isn't God supposed to be the judgmental one? You need to be a bit more humble, or don't they teach that in seminary any more? Leave the judgement to God, we will all be better off. Especially your parisheners.
The democratic party is much more in line with christian values if you take an objective look at both parties and the bible, Big Bird. But then, objectivity is definitely not your strong suit...
Jesus never talked to Larry Robinson about abortion cause it was not an issue in Jesus' lifetime.
Jesus never spoke to Larry Robinson about gay marriage.
Jesus spoke to Larry Robinson about personal responsibilities and giving glory to man instead of god.
Jesus said nothing to Larry Robinson about stealing from those that produce and giving to those that don't.
Jesus condoned slavery and enslaves Larry Robinson.
Irreverent/Irrelevant Larry Robinson
interesting to have the Godless try and tell God's people what He says to us.
interesting to have any person try to speak for god...
This is exactly like the far right conservatives thinking if they were only more conservative, more would vote for them. Somehow these people keep wanting to believe there are more like themselves out there, wherever that might be. Hate to tell y'all, no there isn't.
I believe at one time Rev. Graham was a respected religious figure... but then I was only a few years old then and didn't know any better. Now I am 55 and find myself wondering why this man seems to think that christianlty (or any religion for that matter) has anything to do with the White House or government in general.
Wonderful observation. Would Jesus Christ behave in such a manner? Sadly, Relgions and the Religious stray so very far from what Chrisianity really means. Very sad.
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. -John Adams, Address to the Military, October 11, 1798
“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." -John Jay, Constitutional Framer and 1st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Can you imagine any of today's Democrats including Obama making speeches like these?
President Harry Truman was not only proudly proclaiming his faith, but speaking prophetically in this 1950 speech.
"The fundamental basis of this nation's laws was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings we get from Exodus and Saint Matthew, from Isaiah and Saint Paul. I don't think we emphasize that enough these days. If we don't have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State!"--President Harry Truman February 15, 1950 Speech at the Department of Justice http://churchmousec.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/president-truman-on-the-importance-of-morality-and-education/
"America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness, which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scriptures. Part of the destiny of Americans lies in their daily perusal of this great book of revelations. That if they would see America free and pure they will make their own spirits free and pure by this baptism of the Holy Spirit." From his famous address: "The Bible and Progress," ~ President Woodrow Wilson, May 7. 1911, Denver, Colorado.
tell us empathy&karma what Christianity "really means"?
Poor Larry [Big Bird] Robinson. The talking snake has him deceived.
Gee, they will let anybody preach, won't they Larry? I have heard of laymen at the pulpit but you are a real gem!
I'm afraid leroy you are the one worshipping the devil.
well upstate John, I'm not a layman. I have a degree in theology, am ordained and serve as senior pastor over a global ministry (4 countries) and as a theologian.
Break out the party poppers!
Hello again Reverand, I'll pray for your enlightenment.
I wish all these so-called Christians would shrink back to the Hell they created with Tea Partyers, John Birchers, Evangelical hate mongers and SHUT THE ____— UP. They forged "The Southern Strategy" and it turned out to be doubling-down on stupidity. Aren't you jerks tired of being the party of the stupid? No facts, no science, no education just war and more war. What did you think would evolve from that? And stop wrapping your failure in the flag and in Christianity. You can't hold a candle in either camp!!!!
Ok, I know I am going to get in all kinds of trouble saying this, but I am a committed Christian, and I voted for Obama. I could not vote for someone who is not a Christian, could not vote for someone whose priorities revolve so much around money, and I could not vote for someone who isn't looking out for the poor, weak, and downtrodden. We should all study our history, and realize that this country is founded on our freedoms, not on our beliefs. Laws allowing someone to sin is giving them free will, just as God gave us all freewill. It is not requiring them to sin, just giving the choice, Laws preventing gay marriage will not prevent homosexuality, as much as some of you might like it to. Laws will not stop abortions, women will still have them, and have always had them. Try as we might, we cannot legislate morality. That is putting the responsibility that Christ gave us, on the government instead of on us as Christians. It would be easy to put that burden on the government, but Christ said WE are the light of the world, WE are to go forth and proclaim His way, in faith, not sit back and let the government do it for us. Ok, now let me have it!
rumpus- you contradict yourself
You claim Christians must go forth and meet these needs, that we should not sit back and let govt do it for us; Yet you say you voted for the man who holds an ideology exactly opposite of what you are saying.
You support a man who seeks to have everyone not only enslaved to the state, but worshipping the state as our provider. You support a man who's moral values Jesus said are an abomination.
The Bible calls out a terrible promise for those who take the path of promoting immorality, Obama and those like him who call themselves Christians are instead uniting themselves with sin and ungodliness. The reward for that rebellion against God is hell, both for the sinners and those like Obama who are supporting their sins.
How horrible it will be for those who call evil good and good evil,
who turn darkness into light and light into darkness,
who turn what is bitter into something sweet and what is sweet into something bitter.
How horrible it will be for those who think they are wise
and consider themselves to be clever.
Isaiah 5:20,21
Jesus declares “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:13-16
Jesus- “But cowardly, unfaithful, and detestable people, murderers, sexual sinners, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
God calls to Obama and any other Christian who seeks approval by the world rather than God to repent and separate yourself before your day of judgment
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?
15 What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor,
18 And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Rev Larry Robinson
Humans wrote the bible, after they created god(s).
Reverend, I suppose I am having a bit of a religious crisis at the moment. Perhaps you can help me. I certainly cannot speak to my own pastors. I have been a Christian, perhaps in my own opinion, if not in yours, for fifty years. I have seen my church, and other churches alienate minorities, frighten away people who cannot afford to dress up, refuse membership to divorced people, and turn our youth off to the point they no longer attend, or give up and live an immoral life style. I am not unequally yoked, as I do not approve nor do I partake in these behaviors, but at this point I also cannot see how Christianity is helping the people we are supposed to reach. The Bible also says that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. Also from what I understand of the Mormon faith, they do not take Christ's sacrifice on the cross to be an atonement for sin. Christ is just a prophet. They also have added other books to the Bible that the Bible clearly states we should not do, and that if we do, our part will be taken away in the kingdom of heaven. How can a Christian reconcile these things and then vote for either man? I am not trying to debate, as trying to understand what to believe any more!
Rumpus-funny post. Of course Mormons believe Christ's sacrifice on the cross to be part of the atonement for our sins. He took upon our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and blood came from every pore of his body as he took on the sins of the world. What books have been added to the Bible? That's news to me. If you think the Book of Revelations was the last book written you are sorely wrong. Date wise it is in the middle of the Bible so using your logic every book in the Bible written after Revelaltions we should just throw away. Christ was the Son of God. Where are you getting this false information? You don't understand so I invite you to do so.
"Part" of the atonement of our sins? Part? Why do we need the Book of Mormon in addition to the Bible? Jesus said "it is finished" on the cross. God thought that was all we needed to know, regardless of the order the books are in. So who was it that needed another book?
In the mouth of two or more witnesses shall all my words be established. The Book of Mormon his a record of God's dealings in the new world. 400 bc to 600 ad. It actually begins in Jerusalem, but you probably knew that as you have actually read it, right? What was finished on the cross? The Bible was not compiled for how many hundreds of years later? Part of the atonement took place in the garden and part on the cross. Spiritual & Physical.
I am a Born Again , Spirit Filled Christian and I voted for Obama. Proud of it!!!!Prayed hard about this election and I made the right choice.
You cannot claim to be a Christian and vote for Obama.
Jesus never condoned murdering innocent babies
Jesus never condoned sexual perversion as normal and equal to heterosexual marriage
Jesus never called for us to surrender our personal responsibilities to care for those in need to govt and thus give glory to man rather than God.
Jesus never called for stealing from those who produce and give to those who haven't
Jesus never called for enslaving people to govt instead of liberty.
Reverend Larry Robinson
A vote for Obama is a vote for anti-Christian totalitarianism.
Amen Larry, do you think that the shepherds are not doing their jobs, if one of their flock can be so misguided? It is so sad that someone could actually believe that they prayed to God/Jesus and heard that it was OK to vote for murder of the innocent unborn, and Gay marriage which could lead to the adoption of an innocent child by two men, meaning that child would never feel the loving arms of a mother figure. Could the pastor of beairdboy possibly be in touch with the Holy Spirit and have this element in his pews.
So now that after fifty years of church attendance, I have been condemned from the pulpit that I am "outside the flock", where do I go to church now? I thought we were supposed to have faith, and now I wonder. What church should I go to where I will not receive condemnation?
When Bobby Jindal says that the Republican party has problems and needs to refocus - that pretty much says it all. I have gained new respect for Republican leaders that want to fix their problem - which is rich white men putting their heads in the ground and not recognizing America for the melting pot it is. If they keep it up, the 2014 election will just mean more dems in Congress unless EVERYONE CAN WORK TOGETHER. Why is this so hard?? They really don't play well with others.
I still want to know what happened to Pat Robertson. A few years ago he claimed his prayers made a hurricane avoid his home. I guess New Jersey is not close enough to his home to merit any prayers. A few words about god and weather and nature from a Pat Robertson might soothe some folks.
Christians didn't vote? Really???? Render under Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God what is God's. I'm a Christian and I voted. I'm a Republican and I voted. For the Democrat. Because the good 'ole boy mentality of the Republican party has to go. Because Evangelism does not belong in politics. Because a true Christian would not preach intolerance and hatred and promote the polarization of the American people. If you want to practice your faith in your personal life, that is your right. Please, do not continue force it on the rest of us by trying to use it to shape American policy. If you don't like gay marriage, don't engage in it. If you do not support a woman's right to make decisions regarding her health, keep in mind that it's her life and her decision to make; it does not affect you. You do not have to agree with it, but it is none of your business. Let our Creator be the judge for only she/he knows the mind and heart of another human being. Jesus taught us to love one another. Perhaps you could try that for a change. Even with regard to illegal immigrants. And any other person you consider to be less than you. Or, perhaps you simply use your religion as a means for power and control. In any event, President Obama won re-election and as Americans we need to work to find the middle ground to ensure a strong and prosperous country going forward. Namaste.
Maybe Romney lost because the GOP brand didn't resonate well outside their base?
Maybe Romney lost because the GOP brand didn't resonate well outside their base?
Uncle, you are right... Romans 13, anybody who calls themselves a Christian and somehow thinks God is able to do all the things they want to believe in, and then says he did not allow Obama to be elected is absolutely wrong. That book also says that the Church will become laodecian/lukewarm. How do you get lukewarm, ad cold, or non/christian's to hot/full believing ones. The church will let anyone sit in the pews to get their cash. I went to the police station today, does that make me a cop, I will lay under my Christmas tree this year, does that make me a present, or a man under a Christmas tree. Going to church or saying you are a Christian is not what makes you one. This is where we are, but there is peace, Sweet Peace for those of us who believe, and no slanderous remarks about us can tick us off or take that God given peace from us, elect whomever you want. Our God is an awesome God He reigns from Heaven above
With wisdom power and love Our God is an awesome God, And yes he has allowed All Things, even Obama to happen to this once great nation that was founded on His principles to become what it is today.
Wow. Just think of it. 53% of the country are nothing but a bunch of non-Christian heathen devil worshipers!
I knew all those stories about the Christian latinos and their huge churches were a bunch of lies.
Graham should know. There's probably no holier than thou person in the whole world.
What a pompous self-righteous ass. Who the hell made him the judge of all those people?
I'm positive that God has a special gold toilet just for him when he arrives in heaven.
to "GETREAL 3327"
You misquoted the First Amendment by leaving out that Congress could make no law prohibiting "the free exercise" of an individual's religion. Why would you ignore the portion that protects individuals this Constitutional right? The only reason I can see is to mislead readers so that no one realizes they have this right to argue and vote for their values especially if they arise from of their religious beliefs. That is called freedom.
Wow! You got it all figured out, don't you?
hmmm...don't see jacksonhole spouting his/her pearls of wisdom anymore...wonder why? hmmm
He had to go to work, LOL
I answered you twice and you didn't comment. You just posted your same rant that I corrected again for you. Want to go three for three?
Why didn't Christians vote for Romney??? Because Graham Sr. said that Mormonism was a cult - he even had it on your website before "God" spoke to him and told him to take it down...
I take offense to this! I am a christian! I voted for the right man, President Obama! He has good christian values...I haven't seen a republican that is in office, yet, that know what they are!
Poor Granny, you voted for murder, of the unborn, and marriage of 2 men. No Christian, who has the presence of the Father, The Son, and THE HOLY GHOST could ever push a button that leads to these things. God Bless you Granny, You are still very Lost.