Pastors Say Vote Biblical Values

Special Report - October 29, 2012
A group of North Carolina pastors in Burke County have joined the Reverend Billy Graham in encouraging Christians to vote for Biblical values in the November 6 General Election. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) released a statement from Billy Graham on October 18, which urges Christians to “vote for biblical values” and to join him in praying for America. “The legacy we leave behind for our children, grandchildren and this great nation is crucial. As I approach my 94th birthday, I realize this election could be my last,” Billy Graham states in the ad, which features his picture and signature, and is being published in newspapers in several states, as well as USA Today and The Wall Street Journal. “I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Vote for biblical values this November 6, and pray with me that America will remain one nation under God.”

The ad is the latest of a number of cultural statements the world renowned evangelist has made in 2012 alone, beginning with Reverend Graham’s public endorsement of North Carolina’s Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA), which was approved by a majority of voters in May 2012. Just days before the May 8 vote on the MPA, the BGEA ran an ad in 14 newspapers across North Carolina in which Reverend Graham urged his “fellow North Carolinians to vote for the marriage amendment.” Also in July of this year, Reverend Graham issued a statement in support of Chick-fil-A and its president, Dan Cathy, who has faced criticism over his public comments in support of the Biblical definition of marriage. The statement expressed Reverend Graham’s appreciation for “the Cathy family's public support for God's definition of marriage.”

According to the Baptist Press, the BGEA released a statement about the “vote Biblical values” campaign on October 18, explaining that Reverend Graham has “recently expressed a desire to publicly call America back to God and to prayer, and to draw attention to moral issues that are clearly addressed in the Bible and have increasingly become part of a national political dialog.” The BGEA statement also emphasized that, “The ads intentionally do not mention any candidate, political party, or contest, urging instead for readers to cast votes for candidates—at all levels—based on their support for biblical values.”

Similar to Reverend Graham, several North Carolina pastors recently issued a public statement that declares their intention to cast their vote based on Biblical principles, not political affiliation. The “Burke Pastoral Declaration,” was published in The News Herald on October 21. Signed by Pastors David Doster, Glenn Kerstetter, Scott Moneyham, Philip Oakley, Bud Jernigan, and Dave Kistler, the declaration details the “Biblical worldview” on the issues of abortion, marriage, education, religious freedom and limited government, and the importance of “Christians voting Biblical values above political affiliation.” It ends with the following statement: “Believing the truth of the Scriptures that, ‘Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people,’” (Prov. 14:34), we the undersigned do solemnly state our enduring commitment to a Biblical world view as detailed above. We are unequivocally committed to voting for individuals who most clearly embrace these Biblical principles, regardless of political party, so help us God! Amen.”

According to the signers of the “Burke Pastoral Declaration,” they hope the statement will be “a challenge to all pastors in every county across our state to join them in standing boldly for the Lord by developing their own declaration for their community and posting it in their local newspaper, prior to this critical election.”

Related resources:
Billy Graham Endorses Chick Fil-A - July 30, 2012
Rev. Billy Graham Endorses Marriage Amendment - May 4, 2012

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