Franklin Graham urges Christians to vote for 'least heathen' candidate

As the Presidential race heats up, evangelist Franklin Graham has urged Christians to vote, even if it means they have to decide which is the "least heathen" candidate.

Franklin Graham addresses the crowd during his Decision America Tour. billygraham.org

In an interview with CBN News, Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, said: "There is a left movement within the evangelical community that are telling people, 'If so-and-so wins or this person wins don't vote.' I'm just saying, I don't care who wins and who's out there, you have to vote."

He continued: "And I'm not going to tell people who to vote for, I'm not going to do that – let God tell you who to vote for.

"You may have to hold your nose, you may have to decide which is the least heathen of the two heathen."

Graham is currently undertaking a 50-State tour of the US with the aim of encouraging Christians to pray, get involved in politics and vote for "candidates who support biblical values".

The Decision America Tour involves prayer rallies in each state, and has drawn crowds of thousands. On Tuesday, around 5,000 turned out to hear Graham speak in Denver.

Ahead of the tour, Graham said: "I want to stand on capitol steps and lead this nation state by state in praying for America.

"We'll be praying for our leaders and praying that God would give us politicians who will stand for biblical values. I want to challenge Christians to get involved in the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and all others to make a difference; to get engaged at every level and to vote.

"The Bible calls us to be salt and light in this world – it's time we got off the sidelines and got involved in actively working and praying to stop the moral decline of this great nation."

He has denied that he has a political motive, however, and in December announced that he was leaving the Republican Party.

"This 50-state tour is not for the Republican Party," Graham said. "I'm as disappointed in them as I am the Democrats."

related articles
Where did Franklin Graham come from?
Where did Franklin Graham come from?

Where did Franklin Graham come from?

God and the ballot box: Why candidates should be careful about claiming divine backing
God and the ballot box: Why candidates should be careful about claiming divine backing

God and the ballot box: Why candidates should be careful about claiming divine backing

Franklin Graham to start 50-State tour of US: \'Pray for America\'
Franklin Graham to start 50-State tour of US: 'Pray for America'

Franklin Graham to start 50-State tour of US: 'Pray for America'

US election: Can identifying their evangelical tribes help Republicans decide how to vote?
US election: Can identifying their evangelical tribes help Republicans decide how to vote?

US election: Can identifying their evangelical tribes help Republicans decide how to vote?

Trump, Falwell and Moore: A fight for the soul of evangelicalism
Trump, Falwell and Moore: A fight for the soul of evangelicalism

Trump, Falwell and Moore: A fight for the soul of evangelicalism

News
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame

Over 323,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to new stained-glass window designs for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God
Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God

Rapper Nicki Minaj opened up about her recently reignited relationship with God and what inspired her to speak out for persecuted Christians, suggesting that her rise in the music industry made it more challenging to maintain the spirituality of her youth. 

Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events
Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events

The Christian Institute has initiated legal proceedings against Keir Starmer in a bid to end civil service participation in controversial Pride marches. 

National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches
National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £7.3 million to help maintain four historic churches.