Franklin Graham: Who Says Christians Can’t Be Involved in Politics?

 Should people of the Christian faith be involved in the politics of America? Or, should they stick to church work? And, what about the “separation of church and state”?

Noted evangelist, minister, head of Samaritan’s Purse Ministries, and son of Billy Graham, Rev. Franklin Graham, weighed in on these matters while he was speaking to the Oklahoma State Evangelism Conference recently.  CNS News reports:

Reverend Franklin Graham, son of world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham, urged Christians “to get involved in government” and “in politics,” noting that “gays and lesbians are in politics” and “all the anti-God people are” as well.

Brushing aside any secular objections to people of faith exercising their Constitutional rights, Graham boldly urged Christians to get engaged in government and the political process.

“Get involved in government,” he said. “Get involved in politics. Who says we can’t be in politics?”

“Why shouldn’t the church be there?” said Graham.  “Who says we can’t speak up?  Who says our voice can’t be heard? Get involved.”

But, Graham also warned his listeners that there will be a price to pay for such involvement.  It will not be easy.

““Let me tell you something, there is a price to be paid,” said Rev. Graham. “There is a cost and you better understand it. Because if you accept Christ, there are people that will mock you. There are other people when you go to school or you go to work, they’ll go, ‘Oh, you’re one of those Bible thumpers now.’  Right?”

“They’re going to mock you and they’re going to turn their back on you, and they’ll be neighbors that may have been your friends that are not going to be your friends anymore.,” he said. “There is a price to be paid. Count the cost.”

Graham did emphasize that Christian involvement is not simply trusting in one particular political party.  His remarks were strictly non-partisan.

“I’m here to tell you that the only way, the only hope is not a Republican, it’s not a Democrat or whoever,” said the reverend.  “The only hope is that this country repents of its sins and turns once again to the God of our fathers, and to His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ — [otherwise] there is no hope.”

His remarks are sure to drive atheists and liberals mad.  They have bought in to such a tortured revision of the 1st Amendment that they believe no person of the Christian faith has any place in government.

But, that is not what the Constitution or the 1st Amendment says. In fact, the 1st Amendment was designed to keep the government out of mandating what churches could or couldn’t do; not keep people of faith out of government leadership or involvement.

 A radical progressive political agenda and left-wing educational ideology implemented over the past seven decades has led to this notion that faith has no place in government.

 But, the absolute historical truth is that faith, specifically the Christian faith, has been at the heart of American culture from its very beginnings. To object to Christian involvement in government is to deny our history and heritage. Rev. Graham is exactly right. Christians have just as much right to participate in government and politics as any other citizen of America. To think differently is to be an anti-religious bigot!