Franklin Graham not only lacks the fire that his evangelist father had, he also lacks the basic comprehension of what his father was about. Billy Graham used to preach a day when people would come together, out of their belief in Jesus, and Franklin Graham doesn’t want anybody to come together. He wants people whose behavior doesn’t match his to just up and disappear. Tolerance and inclusivity might be principles Christ preached, don’t look for them from Graham the younger.
Isn’t that cheerful? Analogizing being gay to murder, lying or adultery? Maybe we should call it Gay Shame month, ya think?
The brand of Xianity is shrinking. It’s no wonder. No uplifting message here. This is doom, gloom, naysaying and bible thumping at it’s lowest.
It’s funny that Franklin would say that “God defines [being gay] as sin” when *God* says absolutely nothing on the subject. He’s right that “God says” things like “lying, adultery or murder” is a sin (of course, *God* doesn’t mention a single thing with regard to abortion–not once in the entirety of the Bible) because those were all mentioned in the Ten Commandments among all the “Thou shall nots.” The only condemnations of homosexuality came from MEN who decided that it was an abomination. You’ll notice there’s never any reference to it in the Old Testament outside the Book of Leviticus (and then the repetitive mention in Deuteronomy); in fact, in the story of the youthful future king, David, the Bible describes his relationship with Jonathan (King Saul’s son) as “passing the love of women” (in 2 Samuel 1, after learning of the death of both Saul and Jonathan; interestingly, David’s lament commands everyone, including women, to mourn Saul but seems to suggest his lament for Jonathan is one for himself only).
And, of course, Jesus hung around a whole lot of single men (none of his disciples are described as married) but He *never* mentions homosexuality in any regard; the first mention of the subject in the New Testament doesn’t happen until Paul takes “center stage” and some reputable Biblical scholars suggest the condemnation of homosexuality was ONLY in regard to temple prostitution (a very common practice among many pagan temples). But, if you’re going to give Paul that much power in defining your anti-gay beliefs, then give Paul’s dictate on marriage as much (Paul believed that TRUE Christians shouldn’t engage in any carnal activities but *IF* they weren’t able to control their base desire, then they should direct that lust to one partner through marriage).
Actually homosexuality was mentioned in Genesis (the story of Lot). Strangely enough, while Lot wasn’t willing to hand over his two male guests to the mob for sex, he was perfectly willing to hand over his two virgin daughters instead (but the even jellies sort of miss that particular bit)
Peter was married. Jesus healed his mother-in-law. (Luke 4:38+)
Statistically, it’s likely (though far from certain) that all were married except maybe the two youngest, John and IIRC Philip. Cultural pressures. But none of that means they weren’t also gay.
Why not start with “thou shall not kill”? The Jews ignore their sacred Torah. The Christians ignore Jesus’ commandments which go further by asking us to love our neighbors & enemies. The Muslims ignore the headings of the Koran about God’s compassion & mercy by calling for death if one tries to leave the faith. America is full of barely educated folks who haven’t studied anything in depth, but are experts on everything. Hypocrisy. The golden calf of our species.
Says the guy who has never understood any religion but Mammon. Franklin Graham is a liar and a thief.
Sometimes around 11:30 or later the TV stations play an ad by this guy, mouthing the same religiosity-speak garbage. I rarely use the mute button, but deploy it when this xtian hack comes on.
Billy quite likely shared many if not most of Franklin’s beliefs. But Billy understood the principle of separation of church and state. I don’t know whether Billy had actually looked at history and realized that all theocracies are essentially criminal, or whether he just understood the Constitution better. But he certainly failed to communicate that to Franklin.