Franklin Graham, left, with his late father Billy Graham. Photo | Courtesy.
LGBTQ+ campaigners want top officials in the UK to deny a visa to Franklin Graham, son of famous televangelist Billy Graham who died in 2018.
The group seems disgruntled at the preacher who took a strong Biblical stance against homosexuality, calling it “a sin” and warning those engaging in homosexual acts about the judgment of God.
Franklin Graham will be sharing the hope of Jesus Christ in an eight-city tour across the United Kingdom in June 2020.
According to the BBC, the protest letter said: “Franklin Graham has repeatedly publicly promoted his homophobic beliefs.”
Sent to the Sheffield City Trust, which runs one of the venues Graham will hold his meetings, it was signed by 22 representatives of the city’s LGBT+ community.
Uganda Christian News understands that Graham’s conference venue in Liverpool was cancelled. Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson tweeted that the cancellation was the “right” decision.
“Our city is a diverse city and proud of our LGBTQ+ community and always will be,” he added.
“We can not allow hatred and intolerance to go unchallenged by anyone including by religious groups or sects.”
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association UK’s website said the tour meant “the truth of Jesus Christ will be preached amongst a nation searching for answers”. Other listed venues are in Glasgow, Newcastle, Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Birmingham and London.
“I am coming to the UK praying that many, young and old, will find new life through faith in Christ. We are joining scores of evangelistic initiatives taking place in the UK in 2020. This clearly is the year that the Lord has independently laid upon the hearts of many. We are humbled to be part of what He is doing at this historic time. I ask the churches of the UK to join with me to evangelize another generation,” Franklin Graham said on 26 January 2020.
Adding,” It has been suggested that our upcoming Graham Tour across the UK later this year might be a risk to the “social cohesion” of communities. The Gospel is always a risk to social cohesion because it demands a change. It demands a decision. A response is required to the Cross and the shed blood of Jesus our Savior—His death, burial, and resurrection.”
Franklin Graham observed that Church membership has declined in the UK, morality is falling, the institution of marriage is at risk, and that godless secularism is permeating all levels of society, including, some churches.
“Though much has changed, the solution to our world’s problems hasn’t changed—it lies in faith in God through His Son, Jesus Christ. That is the timeless hope of the Gospel,” he said.
A few years back, He has called Christians to boycott businesses that promote the LGBT agenda. He criticized Disney in 2017 for its remake of Beauty and the Beast that promotes homosexuality. “They’re trying to push the LGBT agenda into the hearts and minds of your children,” he said. “Watch out!”
