From the Christian Post:
Evangelist Franklin Graham began year 2010 by declaring he is not ashamed of the Gospel as he predicts greater obstacles for Christians who want to share their faith.
“I believe that a time is fast approaching – I think it will be in my lifetime – when the preaching of the Gospel is referred to as hate speech,” Graham wrote in a commentary posted on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association web site.
He predicts a time when public statements about what the Bible says regarding homosexuality, abortion and other moral issues will be banned by “politically correct cultures,” and when preachers could be imprisoned for following the teachings of the Bible.
“It is already happening in some countries,” Graham noted.
But the BGEA president declared, “I am not afraid or ashamed of the Gospel. We will proclaim the Gospel of Christ’s sacrificial death for sin and His triumphant resurrection as long as we have breath.”
Graham’s declaration of his commitment to preaching the Gospel was partly triggered by the recent climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The American evangelist said that while there is “legitimate concern” for the stewardship of resources, he finds it “frightening” that those concerns have shifted to “a radical, godless worldview that elevates the creation to idolatrous status.”
“People who have rejected God – and the idea that man is made in His image – are worshiping and serving creation, rather than the Creator,” Graham, who also heads the humanitarian relief agency Samaritan’s Purse, contended.
“I feel that our responsibility is greater than ever to preach the saving Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he stated.
10 Comments
Grahams, Please keep bringing the gospel and do not water it down to scratch those itching ears…..By what I’ve read in the media, seen on TV, read in these comments it only lets me know in which times we are living in….I pray that God will open our eyes(spiritual) and give us new hearts for Him…I thank you for all that you do and all that you’ll will continue doing for the Lord Jesus Christ!!!! May God Bless all of you!!!!
"He predicts a time when public statements about what the Bible says regarding homosexuality, abortion and other moral issues will be banned by “politically correct cultures.”
When the Bible is used to instigate hate and dictate public policy (hello, Sarah Palin!) then the "politically correct" get understandably angry. Fortunately for Franklin Graham, we have the First Amendment and Fox News.
The topic isn’t about Tax exempt status the topic is about the Gospel turning into Hate speech, stay on subject please. If it doesnt exist and these folks are full of it for believing then why do you care if you don’t believe in it?
Please stay on topic and stop trying to deflect and using a weak defense.
I think any tax payer has every right to discuss religion since we are forced to subsidize churches through their tax exempt status.
Atheists do like to talk about God alot Ceicil why do those that dont believe in god (Christianity) talk about something they don’t believe in, NON STOP.
Being an Atheist doesnt make it a religion, its not like being Catholic.
But its ok you are open minded/progressive so its ok so you can attack those that don’t agree with you. Thats the pot calling the kettle black if you didnt know you all are doing the same thing, might want to look in the mirror
As I noted in my book on the Grahams, "Franklin has been widely quoted calling Islam ‘a very evil and wicked religion,”’
Also, Franklin said in his autobiography, "War satisfies my need for danger.”
Also: In his autobiography Franklin cast an indigenous shaman as a “witch doctor” and “could sense the evil presence.” In India, he confronted “hundreds of millions of people locked in the darkness of Hinduism.” He experienced the “eye-opener” of “how pagan religion blinds and enslaves people.”
Guess hate speech is in the eyes of the beholder.
No, get used to Christianity not being able to say they are the only religion in a sea of many religions. Remember, we live in a country that allows religious freedom, and not the ability to judge others for their beliefs.
I wonder where does Mr Graham stand on Leviticus as he seems so intent on taking the Bible literally; does he ostracize his menstruating wife and other women in his life? Does he abstain from the surf and turf entrees? How surprising he would consider environmental stewardship idolatry.
maybe Franklin can lead the no pants ride!
Unfortunately its true, the way that it stands in Asheville is "Be Tolerant of other religions just not any Christian ones" So open minded.