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11:35 a.m. • 5-25-13

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Graham ad backs marriage amendment

By Mark Binker

Posted: May 2, 2012

Raleigh, N.C. — This is probably not a surprise: Billy Graham, the evangelist and icon of the religious right, favors the constitutional amendment that would put a definition of marriage into the state constitution.

The association that bears his name put out a news release today saying that a full page ad that bears Graham's picture is due to run in 14 newspapers across the state.

“At 93, I never thought we would have to debate the definition of marriage,” Graham says in the ad. “The Bible is clear—God’s definition of marriage is between a man and a woman. I want to urge my fellow North Carolinians to vote for the marriage amendment on Tuesday, May 8. God bless you as you vote.”

The news release also says, "The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, headquartered in Charlotte, has mounted a state-wide campaign to draw awareness to this moral issue and encourage people to vote."

10 Comments

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How is Billy Graham getting away with spending religious contributions on political ads? Rev. Graham certainly has the right to make public comments on political issues but he shouldn't spend donations intended for evangelistic work and charitable relief. This may endanger his tax deductible status.

djcshc
May 7, 2012 1:03 p.m.

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Well Dude, What, are we hashing out OT/NT? In the '6 pages' that I have read, the 10 Commandments are in the OT too. Are those just for the jewish folks who agree with Graham? It is certainly true that a lot of 'good christians' ignore a lot of those commandments. If people really wanted to 'protect marriage,' they'd actually pay attention to the 'Thou shalt not commit adultery,' commandment instead of claiming as always that it is someone else's problem.

Come On_Seriously
May 7, 2012 9:11 a.m.

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How does passing this amendment protect marriage? Protect it from what? We already have a law not recognizing same sex marriage. If we want to protect marriage then you need to have an amendment stating the State of North Carolina does not recognize divorce between married couples. Then have a law making it against the law to get a divorce. Problem solved.

iwishihadariver
May 5, 2012 7:50 p.m.

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Flow- have you ever read more than 6 pages of the Bible? If so, you'd know that you'd only be talking about the jewish folks who agree with Graham.

FOR or AGAINST the Amendment...I just hate ignorant know-it-alls.

TheDude abides...
May 4, 2012 2:41 p.m.

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So the bible is also clear in its condemnation of eating or even touching pork. Are all the marriage amendment backers also going to vote for the upcoming Constitutional Ban on BBQ and Constitutional Amendment declaring that footballs in NC may no longer be made of pigskin? They are just the same.

So the good reverend along with most of his flock have decided to ignore what's inconvenient and harp on what makes them feel more comfortable. Almost every church allows women to speak inside and neither men nor women are forced to cover their heads when praying(these are also condemned by the bible). So where do you stop cherry-picking the passages that back up your own prejudices and ignoring the inconvenient ones?

It's a mighty slippery slope. Be informed, thoughtful, and fair. Vote against the Ban on BBQ- I mean the Discrimination Amendment.

Come On_Seriously
May 4, 2012 11:57 a.m.

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House bill HR 998 and Senate Bill 555-The Homosexual Classroom act is another battle b/c it will force the classroom to teach a pro-homosexual agenda. This is already a problem in California. Many believe Obama will simply mandate it.

Danny22
May 3, 2012 12:19 p.m.

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Good for him to speak up for what he believes! Vote FOR next week!!

BaseBallMommy
May 3, 2012 12:02 p.m.

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Had Rev. Graham lived 200 years ago, he would also support slavery and the subordination of women, both supported by the Bible.

scottfree123
May 3, 2012 11:22 a.m.

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Good for Dr. Graham. And yes, he's right, it's a sad day when we have to amend the state constitution to protect marriage. But, it must and will be done. Vote FOR Marriage!

NC Dawg
May 3, 2012 10:07 a.m.

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"icon of the religious right" I'm so sick of the left's hate speech.

s.wake.co
May 3, 2012 9:54 a.m.

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