Franklin Graham says Castro regime is example of why Christians should vote

Samaritan's Purse CEO Franklin Graham said that the authoritarian rule of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro is an example of why it is important for Christians to vote.

Castro died at the age of 90 last Friday, prompting mixed reactions from world leaders. U.S. President Barack Obama extended his condolences to the family and expressed his hopes that the relations between Cuba and United States will improve. President-elect Donald Trump, on the other hand, labeled Castro as a dictator who oppressed the Cuban people.

Graham noted in a Facebook post that Castro deposed a dictator only to impose his own totalitarian rule.

"Loved by few, hated by millions, his communist revolution deposed a dictator, but ushered in a socialist police state that drove the entire Cuban nation into complete poverty and oppression. And to think that Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Keith Ellison and others wanted socialism as a model for our country today!" the evangelist wrote.

"And why didn't they win? God—that's why. The church prayed and came out by the millions and voted. Praise God! And may we all as free Americans give Him glory, great things He has done! This is why it is so important to vote," he continued.

He reminded Christians that an election is coming up in two years and encouraged them to run for office. He also warned that socialists are growing in number and they are becoming more determined and organized.

Other Christian leaders and American politicians have also reacted to the news of Castro's death. Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, urged Christians to pray for the religious freedom of the Cuban people.

Pastor Ed Stetzer expressed his disappointment that Obama offered condolences to the Castro family but not the families of the Cuban leader's victims.

U.S. senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, who are both Cuban-Americans, denounced Castro and his regime.

Cruz referred to the Cuban leader as a "murderous Communist dictator" and criticized Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for "celebrating Fidel Castro."

Rubio stated that nothing has changed in Cuba even after Castro's younger brother Raul took over as president. He pointed out that over six million Cubans have been forced to flee from the country and those who were accused of opposing the regime were either jailed or killed.