God, not politics, must guide voters, Graham tells rally

The Rev. Franklin Graham encouraged Hawaii residents to let biblical principles — not loyalty to political parties — serve as their guide when they cast their ballots.

“We need men and women who will honor God,” Graham said at a rally on the lawn of the state Capitol. “America is being stripped of its biblical heritage and God-inspired foundations.”

Stressing that he was not endorsing any candidate or political party, Graham said, “I have zero hope in the Democratic Party — but before you Republicans start high-fiving each other, I have zero hope with the Republican Party.” He added, “I have zero hope in the tea party or anybody else. The only hope for the United States is the almighty God.”

He urged people in the crowd to do their own research on candidates, and noted that individual ballots matter because elections are sometimes decided by a slim margin.

Graham — son of evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham — spoke to about 2,500 people Wednesday as part of his 50-state Decision America Tour, which aims to get evangelical Christians excited about participating in the political process.

Graham also led a three-part prayer modeled after a passage in the Bible’s book of Nehemiah, asking those present to pray for the sins of the country, their own personal sins and the sins of their family and ancestors.

Graham’s message resonated with many who were in attendance, including Brooks Infante, 30, of Mililani.

“I really think that it’s our responsibility, as an individual, to make our choice properly and not fill in a circle randomly, as if it were a last-minute SAT question,” Infante said. “For most of us that are Christians, we really have to try and think upon the biblical values and try to evaluate the candidates through that way, and not based off on how entertaining they are.”

Bob Hanus, 50, who traveled from Utopia, Texas, to see the event, said, “You can’t complain about the way the direction our country is going if we’re not going to stand up with integrity and take charge.”

While Billy Graham served as a counselor to presidents of both parties and largely avoided the perception of being a partisan, his son’s conservative leanings are apparent.

According to Associated Press reports, Franklin Graham used Facebook this month to criticize the news media’s coverage of President Barack Obama’s visit to a mosque in Baltimore and has previously described Islam as “a very evil and wicked religion.”

At Wednesday’s rally a small group consisting of Episcopal, Methodist and Roman Catholic churchgoers took issue with some comments Graham has made and wanted to provide an alternative opinion.

“We weren’t for or against the rally,” said Rev. David Gierlach of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal. “We had concern that Rev. Graham has said a number of things that are hurtful to our Muslim and gay brothers and sisters. We wanted to be there to remind people that God is far bigger than we are. The central truth of the gospel is that God loves humanity and that we shouldn’t be pitting us against them.”