Evangelist Franklin Graham has condemned political correctness and argued that American citizens need truth - particularly in light of the upcoming presidential election.
In a Facebook post shared shortly after the latest GOP debate, Graham, who is the president of both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's purse, wrote, "I agree with Donald J. Trump and Dr. Ben Carson on this issue - political correctness is not what we need. We need truth."
Graham encouraged Christians to instead focus on spiritual issues this election season: "Many Americans, and I am one of them, are fed up with political correctness," the 64-year-old evangelist continued. "Our society had better stop being so concerned about being politically correct and start being concerned about being spiritually correct!"
Billy Graham's son also said that citizens and the country need to turn their "hearts to almighty God."
"We need to understand that God's laws and his standards never change, and he will hold us accountable. But God is also willing and eager to forgive us, if we repent and trust in His Son Jesus Christ," he said. "The Bible says, 'For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You' (Psalm 86:5)."
In his closing statements during the 3rd Republican Presidential debate on Thursday night, Carson, a retired neurosurgeon and current GOP frontrunner, vowed to fight "political correctness" and praised his competitors for not falling into "traps" from the media panel.
"This is what I'm finding throughout America: People are waking up because it is us who will determine the fate of this great nation," he said, arguing that Americans shouldn't give up their traditional values "for the sake of political correctness."
Trump has also routinely condemned the "PC culture." During the first GOP debate in August, the billionaire businessman stated, "I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct. I've been challenged by so many people and I don't, frankly, have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn't have time, either."
While Graham, who in April was ranked the most influential Christian leader in the U.S., has not endorsed any particular candidate, he has in the past praised Trump for "shaking up" a typically corrupt political process.
"And it needs shaking up!" the evangelist wrote. "Washington has become so corrupt and off-focus. We have some great individuals running for president in 2016. My advice to them? Stop taking cheap shots at each other and get back to telling the American people what you can do for this country and how you're going to do it. It is my prayer that God will give us a president who will look to Him for wisdom and direction as he or she leads this great nation."
