CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) removed language labeling Mormonism a “cult” from its website after the famed preacher met with Republican nominee Mitt Romney and pledged to help his presidential campaign.
Ken Barun, the BGEA’s chief of staff, confirmed the removal Oct. 16.
“Our primary focus at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has always been promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Barun said in a statement. “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.”
Surveys show that most evangelicals do not consider Mormons to be Christian.
Romney met with Graham and his son, Franklin, in the elderly evangelist’s North Carolina home earlier in the month. After the meeting Graham said he was impressed by Romney’s business career and his “strong moral convictions.”
Meanwhile, however, the BGEA’s website continued to call Mormons members of a “cult” along with Unitarians, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientologists, Spiritists and members of the Unification Church. The features of a cult, according to website, are acceptance of revelations outside the Bible, a belief in salvation through good works and unorthodox doctrines on the Trinity.
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