Yes, a renowned humanitarian who earns over a million dollars per year in combined salaries from both organizations. A few years back it was reported that Graham was earning $880,000 in combined salary from these two charities. When he received criticism for this, he petitioned the government to change their tax classification to a "association of churches." Now obviously they were not an association of churches but this allows him now to not have to disclose his salaries anymore. Praise Jesus, pass the offering plate. This is not to diminish the efforts of the workers for each charity but as the key verses teach us today that when you do your good deeds to be seen by man then you have already received your reward. He is an outspoken defender of the Republican Party, not biblical values. Back in 1998 Graham was quite vocal about the sins of Bill Clinton but fast forward to today and we see someone who looks the other way regarding the sins of Donald Trump. The hypocrisy is staggering. Put all of that aside however and we are still left with someone who aided and abetted the big lie that led to the events of January 6, 2021. So no, I do not stand with Franklin Graham. Charisma Now reprints the original article about the Graham protests.
'Thousands have signed a petition calling for the termination of Franklin Graham from his positions at Samaritan's Purse and at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The reason? His supposed encouragement of the Capitol riots by way of showing his support for former President Donald J. Trump. The Faithful America petition likens Graham to "blasphemous preachers" who "must be held accountable for their deadly dishonesty." The assertive language expressed in the letter goes so far as to say Graham's actions have soiled his family's legacy. "Graham gets away with his hatred and conspiracy-theories by hiding behind the humanitarian work of Samaritan's Purse and his late father's name. It's time for Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) to realize that by propping up Franklin's unchristian extremism, they are abandoning their Gospel missions, undermining democracy, and helping incite white-nationalist sedition."' - Charisma News
The truth hurts. Graham does hide behind the righteousness of charity work while furthering his idolatry. Unfortunately, a board member from both organizations has already responded that Graham has denounced the violence of January 6 and never encouraged anyone to go to DC on that day. Those are irrelevant to the matter at hand. No one is suggesting that Graham encouraged anyone to go the insurrection and what do you expect him to say in light of the violence? This was the actual statement from the group "Faithful America"
"As long as Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association stand by Franklin Graham, it must be said that these once-vaunted organizations have forgotten their original Christian missions, abandoned the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and are complicit in the spread of dishonest, discredited election conspiracy theories and the deadly, unpatriotic, white-nationalist terrorism at the U.S. Capitol incited by those lies," - Faithful America
The issue is not whether Graham literally invited people top storm the Capitol. The issue is that in the wake of the election results Graham kept siding with Trumps absurd and lethal assertions of election theft. He had tweeted that he agreed with Trump that the election as stolen. Charisma thinks it has a point by then posting these two Graham quotes:
'In a comment to the Associated Press, along with other faith leaders, Graham condemned the violence. "I do not support violence from the right or the left," he said. "Our country is in trouble. We need God's healing and we need God's help."' - Charisma News
"The division in our country is as great as any time since the Civil War. I am calling on Christians to unite our hearts together in prayer for President-elect @JoeBiden and Vice President-elect @KamalaHarris, and for the leadership in both parties. -- Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) January 7, 2021" - Charisma News
Except this was the day after the siege on Washington. The first quote is couched language that is typically used by defenders of the indefensible. Denouncing violence on both sides when there is only violence on one side is splitting the bill to ease the pain. If you truly wanted to denounce the events of January 6th, you would direct your attention to the events of that day. When you place these quotes in context what you are left with is Graham pouring gasoline on a raging fire for two months and then incredulously demanding that someone put the fire out. Calling for peace and unity? It is a little late for that Mr. Graham.
