Billy Graham’s daughter: ‘I would not vote for an atheist’

[DavidDvorkin]

The daughter of televangelist Rev. Billy Graham says that it’s important to discriminate against candidates who are atheists because politicians “should have a fear for almighty God.”

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/04/08/billy-grahams-daughter-i-would-not-vote-for-an-atheist/

What a Neanderthal.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. Obama is safe

meaning he is not an atheist!

[freshwest]

25. You didn't hear the list on Obama from Glenn Beck? He's a godless commie, you know!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

45. Glenn Beck

should exorcised

[freshwest]

46. The entire GOP should be exorcised! Thom Hartmann does it here:

[Justice wanted]

32. Fox "NEWS" reported that the Obama family DID NOT attend easter services.

So you have Graham's daughter-his successor- saying She would not vote for an atheist and than you have FAUX saying Obama Family didn't attend mass...


Let's see... What are the FAUX views religious followers of Graham going to believe?

[Iggo]

2. I wouldn't vote for you either, ya punk-ass.

[KG]

3. what they want is a politician who has a fear for an almighty televangelist.

[elleng]

4. Be afraid, be very afraid.

[MineralMan]

5. That's OK. I sure as hell wouldn't vote for Franklin Graham, either.

Or you, Ann Moron Franklin.

[Control-Z]

6. Wasn't she

the creepiest? People like that from my childhood still haunt me.

[customerserviceguy]

47. Looked like Billy Graham with a blonde wig on

Not attractive inside or out.

[Generic Other]

7. Well, I would not vote for a fundie evangelist or his daughter

And I think I am making the more rational choice.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Subtext. This is a Christan nation

Right wing to English translation is always important.

[LeftishBrit]

9. Well, I would not vote for her!

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Watching her now

Stepford comes to mind.

[RZM]

11. Eh, who cares? It's her vote and she can cast it how she likes

I'm not going to vote for a conservative evangelical, so my vote will likely cancel hers out.

[zappaman]

16. +1 Exactly. nt

[provis99]

12. the article notes most Americans would not vote for an atheist.

Atheists are prohibited from running for office in several state constitutions anyways.

[freshwest]

26. That's silly. Many of the worst fundies are atheists. Because by what JC said, they're toast!

Won't they be surprised when they end up in the place where they feel comfortable wanting others to go?

Their Divine Justice will find them, already has them on a List, that is to say, The Book of Life.

I do believe it works that way with the commandment to 'Do unto others...'

Just look what they'e been doing to others.

[rustydog]

13. She is entitled to her belief (no pun intended) and can vote any way she pleases

Unless the GOP has it's way, her being FEMALE and everything...

[treestar]

20. It's funny how she says she would not vote for a man who is an atheist.

So she might vote for an atheist woman. Queen Victoria-like.

[Angry Dragon]

14. sure sounds like she has a messed up view of god and religion

[Journeyman]

15. Huh. Wonder if her bigotry extends to Mormonism and other non-Judeo-Christian religions?. . .

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Ya think?

[treestar]

18. How far does this go?

Why just the President? Does she feel the same way about all offices? How about her dentist? Does she want someone of no faith doing her fillings? God forbid!

[no_hypocrisy]

19. Analyzing her quote

“I would not vote for a man who is an atheist,” she declared. “Because I believe you need to have an acknowledgement, a reverence, a fear for almighty God. And I believe that’s where wisdom comes from.”

Does this mean that:
1. She'd vote for a woman who was an atheist? (Unlikely, unless that woman had that requisite "fear for almighty God".)
2. She'd vote for a Muslim man or woman
3. She'd vote for a Pagan?

[lunatica]

21. What's so glorious about a religion that demands fear of God?

Evangelicals sure love them a nasty, angry, fearful God who hates with an Almighty Wrath don't they?

Meh.

[proud2BlibKansan]

22. She is free to vote for whomever she wants to vote for.

Personally I wouldn't vote for anyone who places religion at the top of their list.

[Dawson Leery]

23. I would never vote for a Jew hating televangelist.

[LiberalFighter]

24. I would never

have sex with that woman.
ride in the same vehicle with her.
give her the time of day.
loan her any money.

[Tom Ripley]

27. I wouldn't vote for the spawn of a grifter

I guess we're even

[hobbit709]

28. If they really had a "fear of god"

Most of the GOP wouldn't be doing what they're doing.

[JDPriestly]

29. So she can't imagine being good without fear of punishment.

That's her problem.

Parable against Persecution or Parable on Brotherly Love

"Abraham sheltered a man, 198 years old. When Abraham learned that the man admitted he did not believe in Abraham's God, Abraham threw him out --
'And at midnight God called upon Abraham, saying, Abraham, where is the stranger?

And Abraham answered and said, Lord, he would not worship thee; neither would he call upon thy name. Therefore have I driven him out before my face into the wilderness.

And God said, Have I borne with him these hundred ninety and eight years, and nourished him, and clothed him, notwithstanding his rebellion against me, and couldst thou not, that art thyself a sinner, bear with him one night?"

From none other than Benjamin Franklin, "A Parable on Brotherly Love," 1755, Papers 6:124, as quoted in Benjamin Franklin, An American Life, by Walter Isaacson, Simon & Schuster 2003 at page 196.

[bathroommonkey76]

30. A majority of Americans wouldn't elect an atheist as President.

There will only be Christian candidates on the ballot that have a chance. The minority atheist voting bloc doesn't matter to the serious candidates.

[DavidDvorkin]

37. That's the real scandal.

[bathroommonkey76]

44. I wouldn't call it a "scandal"

You have to look at this from the point of view of the average American. They see politicians as someone they can relate too. The majority aren't going to see someone like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, or Bill Maher as someone they look up too.

I personally have problems with all three of the ones that I mentioned. Anyone who tells me what to think, or gives me an opinion that disagrees with my faith usually aren't going to make it past my Tivo fast forward button. I'm not saying that I don't respect their opinions; I just don't want to be bullied by some overinflated ego. That's my only gripe with Maher. He seems like a very smart, clever man. I would say that I agree with at least 85% of what he has to say on his show; it's his constant bashing of organized religion that irks me the most. Same could be said for Dawkins and Hitchens (when he was alive). Their egos and intellect are overbearing to the point of me dry heaving.

I will admit that I am a Christian; I'm not ashamed of that fact at all. Heck, all of the candidates that I have voted for in my life claimed to be Christians.

President Obama is on the opposite side of what George Dubya was all about. Dubya seemed to make his Christian beliefs part of his policy; Prez. Obama has never made those statements.

That video is a testament of the deadly ways a Christian radical can influence the American people and world with his policies. Now if President Obama started declaring wars against countries because "God told him too" then I would be reluctant to vote for him again. I doubt that will ever happen. (fingers crossed) lol



I do know that the Grahams are an interesting part of my home state's history. Billy has admitted to being a Democrat in the past. Franklin is the lone rebel of Billy's family. His daughters usually don't have the spotlight, so I have nothing to say about them. Who is it hurting if she let's her opinion out into the public courtyard? If my grandmother told me the same thing would I be offended? Probably not. I would respect her and not bash her for being a close-minded person. It's probably because she is the offspring of Rev. Graham.

I have always liked Billy. My grandmother would read his newspaper column religiously over the years. He has helped bring peace to a lot of people's hearts; that reason alone makes him a decent human being in my book.

[a la izquierda]

31. Oh good. Glad that's settled.

[RainDog]

33. she rode the gravy train of her snake-oil salesman daddy

she knows religion is good for her $oul.

[ladywnch]

34. yeah, and I wouldn't vote for you or any family member so I guess we're even. WHO CAERS? n/t

W

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

35. Neither would I..if he/she were a Republican.

[Raine]

36. Her vote, her choice ... I have a bias on who my vote will never go to myself.

[bowens43]

38. Christians are the biggest threat faced by our nation

we should not be afraid to ridicule the nonsense they spread.

[RebelOne]

39. Well, considering today's views on religion,

it will be sometime far in the future that an atheist will run for president. Unfortunately, it will not be in my lifetime because I would cast my vote for him or her.

[malaise]

40. And I wouldn't vote for a Graham

Why does her opinion matter again?

[Spirochete]

41. I doubt she'd vote

for any non-fascist candidate.

[lynne]

42. That's her choice. Guess some might call it discrimination -

- but if we're going to start calling acting upon personal belief and opinion "discrimination" then we're all guilty of it on a daily basis.

Waters down the intent and importance of the word, IMO.

[RagAss]

43. Who gives a flying shit what this moron has to say !

[Ter]

48. So what, that doesn't make her a "Neanderthal"

Millions wouldn't, including many here.

[DavidDvorkin]

53. Australopithecine, then

And that applies to all of those millions, including the ones here.

[The Straight Story]

49. And I am sure there are folks on DU who wouldn't vote for a fundie of some faith

What does that make them?

As mom used to say "What's good for the goose is good for the gander"

[RainDog]

55. The reasons for various statements matter

If someone would not vote for a fundamentalist because this person chooses to deny scientific reality - that's a rational reason not to vote for someone - why would you think this person would make solid decisions on important issues when he or she is either too uneducated or too indoctrinated to accept what is, without doubt, the most solid and tested theory about the origins of humans?

the person who takes the job of president takes on responsibility for many things but has to rely on trusted advisers b/c complex issues need experts - so, this person who denies science would lead me to think this person would not select worthy advisers.

Graham's statement said she would not vote for anyone who was not in fear of an all-mighty god - a belief that has no empirical evidence to support it. Her statement talks about an "in" group and and "out" group - science is open to anyone, is testable by anyone, needs no special revelation to be shown to be true.

She does note that both Carter and Bush Jr. were "fundamentalists," so actions matter. Carter's actions include leaving the SBC because its policies are so sexist.

Graham remains attached to this pov. Her entire statement is wedded to the sexism Carter disavowed - but that's just part of the issue.

Bush Jr. lied and caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands (at least) Iraqis. But, no matter. He was a "professing Christian."

Graham's standard doesn't require any action to back up a claim, just a profession in a belief. No knowledge is required, no humility before that "all mighty god," no respect - in fact, her RECENT family background within religion is firmly attached to racism, sexism, to an anti-science, pro-ignorance belief system.

but, yeah, it's all the same.

[Skip Intro]

50. She has as much right to believe what she believes -

- and act accordingly, as you do...

Who the hell are you to call her a Neanderthal?

[DavidDvorkin]

54. She has a right to her shameful attitudes

And I have a right to point out that she's a Neanderthal.

[RainDog]

57. as I noted above - reasons matter

her beliefs are grounded in lies.

if you want to talk about how those things are lies, okay by me.

but there is plenty of evidence to dispute her literalist beliefs.

[NoodleyAppendage]

51. Well, a big F----U----

Why is this delusional woman even relevant? Who gives a flip what she thinks? It's high time to call out these dumbasses for what they are. It should be a point of shame to be so publicly stupid.

J

[aquart]

52. She's standing up for the family business. This is her INCOME.

That comment was all bread and butter.

[RainDog]

56. exactly. religious charlatans rely on a gullible public

she's just advertising.

her father was no role model, if you know his history related to politics.