Franklin Graham Agrees With Trump on Muslim Ban

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Thursday, December 10, 2015

The Rev. Franklin Graham. | (Photo: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)

Franklin Graham agrees with Donald Trump that all Muslims should be banned from entering the United States.

In remarks posted on his Facebook page, Rev. Graham argued that Trump was advocating for something "similar" to what he has been proposing for some time.

"For some time I have been saying that Muslim immigration into the United States should be stopped until we can properly vet them or until the war with Islam is over," wrote Graham.

"Donald J. Trump has been criticized by some for saying something similar. The new Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said yesterday that he disagrees — saying that 'such views are not what this party stands for and more importantly it's not what this country stands for.' Politicians in Washington seem to be totally disconnected with reality."

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump points to a supporter at a Pearl Harbor Day rally aboard the USS Yorktown Memorial in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, December 7, 2015. Trump on Monday called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States in the most dramatic response by a candidate yet to last week's shooting spree by two Muslims who the FBI said had been radicalized. 'We have no choice,' Trump said at a rally in South Carolina, warning of more Sept. 11-style attacks if stern measures are not taken. — U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump points to a supporter at a Pearl Harbor Day rally aboard the USS Yorktown Memorial in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, December 7, 2015. Trump on Monday called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States in the most dramatic response by a candidate yet to last week's shooting spree by two Muslims who the FBI said had been radicalized. "We have no choice," Trump said at a rally in South Carolina, warning of more Sept. 11-style attacks if stern measures are not taken. | (Photo: REUTERS/Randall Hill)

To justify his position, the head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association cited data from the Center for Security Policy, a conservative think tank often accused of being Islamophobic and using shoddy research.

"51% of Muslims living in America believe 'Muslims in America should have the choice of being governed according to sharia' (Islamic law) instead of the U.S. Constitution," continued Graham.

"29% agree that violence against those who insult Mohammad is acceptable, and 25% agree that violence against America can be justified as part of global jihad. Among males under the age of 45, that number rises to 36%."

Earlier this week, billionaire real estate mogul and Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump argued that the United States needed a temporary ban on Muslim travel to the country.

"Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred [of American] is beyond comprehension. Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine," stated Trump.

"Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life."

Trump's comments were denounced by both Republicans and Democrats and seen as the latest in a long line of inflammatory statements the candidate has made since entering the race.

Posted to Facebook on Wednesday, Graham's comments agreeing with Trump have garnered more than 88,000 likes and over 59,000 shares.