CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The son of Evangelist Billy Graham questioned President Barack Obama’s religious views in a controversial appearance on MSNBC Tuesday morning.
Evangelist Franklin Graham, Billy’s son, is the CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the Samaritan’s Purse.
He was asked during an interview if he believes America’s President is a Christian.
“I think you are going to have to ask President Obama,” Graham replied. “I think people have to ask Barack Obama. He’s come out saying that he’s a Christian. The question is, what is a Christian?”
When pressed on the question a second time, Graham said, “I cannot answer that question for anybody….I accept him at what he says. If says he’s a Christian, I accept that. I’m not going to say he’s not.”
But while Graham was hesitant to opine about Obama, he had no issues with saying Republican Presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich are Christian.
"I believe so," Graham said of Santorum's views. "His values are clear."
Rev. Graham also opined about Egypt's turmoil, Obama’s Islamic background and other political issues.
Political experts say it was a depature from how the elder Graham advised presidents without becoming politically partisan.
"A lot of us who grew up in the Carolinas saw an immediate contrast between how Franklin handles wading into politics and religion, and how his father Billy Graham waded into politics and religion," said Withrop University professor Scott Huffmon.
Click the video player below for the entire interview.
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