An article describing Mormonism as a "cult" was removed from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's (BGEA) website following Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's visit with Graham last week.
The article described The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly referred to as Mormonism, as a group that "teaches doctrines or beliefs that deviate from the biblical message of the Christian faith." Other groups identified as cults in the article include Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarians, the Unification Church, Scientologists and Spiritists.
The article was removed sometime after Romney, a Mormon, visited Graham at his Montreat, N.C., home last week. Ken Barun, chief of staff for BGEA, said in an emailed statement on Tuesday that the organization removed the article in order to avoid a debate, though he did not specify whether or not the candidate's visit had anything to do with the timing of its removal.
"Our primary focus at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has always been promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We removed the information from the website because we do not wish to participate in a theological debate about something that has become politicized during this campaign," said Barun.
Following his meeting with Romney, the 93-year-old Graham said he was honored to have met the candidate, with whom he had the opportunity to pray.
"What impresses me even more than Gov. Romney's successful career are his values and strong moral convictions," said Graham.
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SOURCE: Christian Post
Jeff Schapiro
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