Has Billy Graham Turned Political?

BGEA’s “Vote Biblical Values” ad

Christianity Today explores the growing political involvement of the 93-year-old Billy Graham. They detail his recent political activism, including offering to help Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, running ads calling for Americans to vote for biblical values, supporting Chick-fil-A during the recent media storm over gay marriage and then supporting an anti-gay marriage amendment in North Carolina in May.

The article goes so far as to wonder whether Billy Graham is even making these statements or if he’s being influenced by Franklin Graham, as has been suggested by several sources.

The article talks to a biographer, historian and Graham’s spokesman.

William Martin, author of A Prophet With Honor: The Billy Graham Story, said:

I have been repeatedly surprised this year by the active political involvement of Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, and, by extension, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

He goes on to suggest that Billy Graham should speak to reporters to clear up the confusion about who is really speaking for him.

Historian Michael S. Hamilton says it’s clearly statements that represent the organization, but perhaps not the man:

The BGEA’s new ‘Vote Biblical Values’ campaign repeats the slogans of the Religious Right in a way that Graham himself has never done before—at least not before the death of his wife and recent health problems left him all but incapacitated. … while it is possible that Graham has recently changed his approach to politics, it would be more responsible for the media—and readers—to treat these statements as the position of the BGEA rather than the position of Graham himself.

Finally, Billy Graham spokesman A. Larry Ross confirms these are the opinions of Graham himself:

Throughout his public ministry spanning more than six decades, the evangelist has been careful to remain non-partisan, but has been a consistent advocate for a biblical worldview and taken a strong stand for biblical values with respect to political issues. … Billy Graham’s message hasn’t changed, but obviously our society and culture have—which is his concern.