I think he is secular/non-religious. He might believe in God but is not deeply moved by the faith of Christianity or Islam. The United Church of Christ, to which Rev. Wright belongs, is an extremely liberal church that does not follow orthodox theology or practice. (for the record, most of what Wright got flack for is factually correct, so I am not being a right-wing shill, only saying his church is of questionable Christian credentials)
I do not think it is correct for you to bias the coverage here by qualifying the allegation that Obama is Muslims as “incorrect”. It is clear that he must have been Muslim for a fair part of his life. But again, both the naive position that he is a true believing Christian and the conspiratorial position that he is a secret Muslim working against “American” (read: neocon) interests are incorrect. He just belongs to a secular liberal cosmopolitan class that is anti-religion, untraditional, and anti-worker (really anti-people).

Sorry for making a second point in succession, but I want to urge readers to look at the details of the Pew poll you reference. Only 34% of respondents are sure that Obama is a Christian, and I think the number of Democrats who believed this was even under 50%. While most of the 18% who think he is a Muslim are Republicans, this does show general doubt as to whether Obama is religious at all is widespread and that, if anything, should be what you take from this poll.
The more remarkable point was that there is a general majority continuing from the more publicly religious Bush who think the president is talking about his faith “the right amount”. Since the mid-2000s, the US has been in a secularising period. I don’t know why, but I assume it has to do with the religious-right-Bush association.
That is unfortunate. Religious activity in the US does not equal, nor is it really dominated by, white evangelical Protestant Republicans. The Catholics, mainstream Protestants, Orthodox, etc., should be more outspoken and brave on all issues, including economic and foreign policy where the churches are more on the “Left” than the Democratic Party. This could create a force to counterbalance the banker-supported Democratic Leadership Council and Soros-Democrats who are pro-Wall Street and anti-religion, which I think is still the secret position of the Wall Street-friendly GOP leadership.
So, yes, there should be sorts of religious litmus tests, but it is not so much that Muslims should be banned from the presidency. We need presidents who support the religious traditions of our civilisation, the bonds that hold us together, that form the basis for our values, that really shapes our entire language. I have voted for atheists before, and would rather have an honest Marxist (no, nutters, Obama is not one of those) than a Wall Street Republican or Wall Street Democrat (

The problem that I have with Franklin Graham is that obviously he DOESN’T believe in the power of the BLOOD OF JESUS! So, Franklin Graham is the anti-Christ because he is speaking that the seed has more power than Christ Jesus! This makes Franklin Graham an ANTI-CHRIST! He doesn’t believe in the redemptive power of the Jesus’s Blood on Calvary. We are all EX-SOMETHINGS…ex sinners, ex fornicators, ex liars, ex lovers of greed…we all are ex something!
Franklin you are showing your heart. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Franklin knows what the bible says about honoring those who are in authority over you. It’s unfortunate that he will speak such anti-American words against the leader of the free world! How sad this is the legacy that he is leading for his family name. He should repent to the Lord for this, as I pray and fast for the President and His family who are coming up against such evil WOLVES IN SHEEPS CLOTHING…
Oh, but Franklin probably also doens’t believe in Women being Pastors too, but I am and before anything is said…”Remember there is neither male nor female yet we are all one in Christ Jesus…”
Peace In

This statement by Franklin Graham is irresponsible. He is only stoking the fires of those who want to think the President is a Muslim (and by the way, that would be fine). To hedge like he did is ridiculous. And why does the President need to “prove” he is a Christian. Everything he does proves he has a faith that sustains him, no matter what that faith might be. Quit adding fuel to the fire. Franklin Graham should just stop talking.

First, there is no “seed of Islam” for a father or mother to pass on in the Islamic tradition. The concept is foreign to Islam. Rev Graham is trying to islamicize I Jewish concept.
Secondly President Barack Obama does not have a “muslim” name, what he has is an Arabic name. “Arabic” and “muslim” are in no way synonymous. There have been Arab Christians since before the advent of Islam.

I’m sure Mr. Graham enjoys his father’s created celebrity status. Unfortunately, name recognition and a big mouth don’t equate to truth, conscience, respect or love. Mr. Graham symbolizes an ego run riot. To whom much is given, much is expected, but Franklin Graham went beyond any expectation for one who proclaims to be a purveyor of holiness.

I want to respect all Franklin Graham has done in the service of the church and his community but really do wish he had exercised more restraint and thoughts in his public utterances.
Pastor Robinson (commentator above) is right. Paul declared in 2 Cor. 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”
Even though I’m not a pastor nor trained in any seminary, Apostle Paul’s statement demonstrates the total and absolute redeeming quality of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. There is no seed of past association or family ties that could ever account for a believer in Christ. Indeed, “ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW”.
Franklin Graham’s statement cheapens Jesus’ experience on the cross and is a great dis-service to christian missionaries who have dedicated their lives to winning souls in regions of the world (Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia, Egypt, Turkey e.t.c) where christians and muslims have co-existed for centuries.
It is also disappointing that he missed the opportunity to educate Americans who have tended to secularism over the years on the eternal merits of having a personal relationship with Christ and showing faith through works and not, obviously, having an anglo-saxon sounding name like “Graham”.
I am a Christian and Franklin Graham does not speak for me. Please pardon my hesitation to refer to him as a “Pastor” at this moment.

I was disapointed in Rev.Franklin Grahams comments. He should have
said our President is a Christian and has been for several yesrs.
He is not a muslim. Rev.Graham could have been much more postive
in what he said, instead of leaving one with the feeling that he
was saying “I believe him but——”