Billy Graham ministry crosses line with 'coded' ads

[swag]

http://direct.ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/16030-billy-graham-ministry-crosses-line-with-coded-ads

October 29, 2012

The Freedom From Religion Foundation condemns as "blatant politicking" full-page ads by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which make clear whom Graham wants voters to choose for president and U.S. Senate. The ministry ran ads in Sunday's New York Times and in the Wisconsin State Journal two Sundays in a row, as well as in USA Today on Oct. 19, in the Wall Street Journal on Oct. 18, and in "more than a dozen national and battleground state newspapers before Nov. 6," according to Huffington Post.

Billy Graham met with Mitt Romney in his North Carolina home on Oct. 11, where the evangelist tacitly endorsed Romney for president. According to Huffington Post, "Although the Romney campaign stopped short of calling it an endorsement, Graham made it clear at the meeting's conclusion that Romney had his support. After leading a prayer for the Republican nominee, Graham told Romney, 'I'll do all I can to help you. And you can quote me on that.' "

Two days after the meeting, the ministry announced its "vote biblical principles" campaign.

On Sunday, Oct. 21, a full-page ad ran in the Wisconsin State Journal. Graham's face dominated half of the ad, which reproduced his signature. The text attributed to Graham read:

"On November 6, the day before my 94th birthday, our nation will hold one of the most critical elections in my lifetime. We are at a crossroads and there are profound moral issues at stake. I strongly urge you to vote for candidates who support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and woman, protect the sanctity of life and defend our religious freedoms. The Bible speaks clearly on these crucial issues. Please join me in praying for America, that we will turn our hearts back toward God."

. . . more

[rateyes]

1. Send a message

www.billygraham.org

[EC]

2. Does anyone really read those whole page ads?

I always figure whatever their selling must be a real rip off if it has to be sold so hard.

Also, on edit: What the hell good does it do him to put a full page ad in a Madison newspaper?

[Blue Owl]

3. Rev. Billy sez: "Vote for the lying, cheating, sleazy businessman"

n/t

[Squinch]

12. ..."because that's what Jesus would do."

[aletier_v]

4. Billy & Mitt already cut a deal.

Billly gets east of the Mississippi and Mitt gets everything west.

[lsewpershad]

5. IRS

Where are you??

[libdem4life]

6. The message needs to go to the IRS...tax them like they were a "real person".

I'm sure I'm not the only one here who knows about the life and fortunes of the fabulously wealthy Religious Class. I hope for a very Democratic Happy Birthday surprise ... ending state support for 4,000 year old bigotry. We've gotten past the stoning women and children and killing innocent animals to sizzle on the altar for the god's delight.

Oh, and we're sick of institutional hypocrisy, too...you know that whole web site purge for the polytheist Mormons now magically not going to hell thing. Got to admit, Mitt's one hell of a salesperson.

What is it about these people and flaunting their tax evasion ... Mitt and his secret tax history, and Graham and his 501c3 tax fraud. I am praying for America that we start obeying the tax laws.

[Bluenorthwest]

7. Graham: Vote for my fellow conman, the polytheist whose religion I called a cult

for about 80 years....
Billy is a well known racist who should have been shunned by society after his bigoted comments on the Nixon tapes came to light.

[Scuba]

13. +1

[NAO]

8. Billy Graham stumped for Nixon -nt

[Proud liberal 80]

9. Just like the Extremist Muslims

who commit suicide and believe they will be rewarded; people like Graham & Robertson, are in for a rude awakening when it is their time to go. Jerry Falwell can probably attest to that.

[dkar]

10. did not know

i did not know he was a racist. i always see him on the tv and thought he tried to do good but sounds like his charity work is bogus. i think he must be fake. if he is a racist i am not in favor of him.

[pangaia]

11. Silly Billy is a fake and always was..

He is the Elmer Gantry of the 20th, and now, the 21st centuries.

[They_Live]

14. Tax the churches.

now.