A progressive Christian group’s petition has amassed 20,000 signatures in a campaign to boycott Franklin Graham’s border tour between the U.S.
Petition Gains Momentum
Faithful America, a group advocating for social justice from a Christian perspective and opposing ‘Christian nationalism,’ initiated the petition last November. The petition targets Graham’s ‘God Loves You Frontera Tour,’ scheduled to start on February 24, spanning several southern border cities from Brownsville, Texas, to Chula Vista, California.
A Christian Divide
The group is pressing venues to reject hosting the tour due to Graham’s stance on LGBTQ issues and political violence, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating to the public and media that Graham’s conservative views don’t embody all Christian beliefs.
Love or Hate?
The petition, with a target of 25,000 signatures, criticizes Graham for misrepresenting Christian values. “Despite the tour’s deceptive name, Graham is a divisive figure who tries to hide a series of deeply hateful messages behind his father’s Christian legacy. His message is not one of Christ-like love but of anti-democracy, anti-LGBTQ, partisan bigotry and harm,” it reads.
Graham Responds
In response, Graham, son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, expressed disappointment in a statement to Newsweek, challenging the accusations of hate leveled against him by this ‘so-called Christian group.’
An Open Call
“I’m not coming to any of these cities to speak against anyone,” Graham wrote. “I’m coming with a message of hope for everyone—and I invite everyone to come. I’ll be sharing from the Bible, which tells of God’s love for us. This is Good News for all people, and this is the message that I’m coming to share on the Frontera Tour.”
He also extended an invitation to “everyone, including the LGBTQ community to come and hear for yourselves the Good News of God’s love.”
‘Rooted in Hypocrisy’
Faithful America’s digital campaigner, Karli Wallace Thompson, countered in a Newsweek statement that Graham’s tour epitomizes “hypocrisy.”
She fiercely criticized his approach as a “divisive, partisan, anti-LGBTQ, anti-immigrant, conspiracy-theory-laden, MAGA Christian-nationalist message that starkly contradicts the inclusive teachings of Jesus Christ.”
20,000+ Christians’ Concerns
Thompson highlighted the concerns of the 20,000+ Christians who signed the petition, fearing Graham’s tour might fuel hatred and division, particularly in a politically tense environment. “Venues must recognize the potential for Graham’s presence to spread division and even potentially incite political violence among MAGA supporters,” she urged.
Not All Christians Agree
In a nation where nearly two-thirds of adults are Christians, Graham’s staunch support of former President Donald Trump, a key figure among evangelical Christians and the Republican base, remains notable.
Yet, Thompson asserted that the petition’s support illustrates how Graham’s views are not universally representative of Christianity.
Gratitude for Trump’s Era
After the Electoral College officially confirmed the victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, Graham took to Facebook to express his thoughts on the 2020 election. He mentioned being questioned about disappointment but expressed gratitude towards God for the preceding four years.
‘Grateful to God’
A supporter of Trump since 2016, Graham praised the president for safeguarding religious liberties, advocating for the unborn, and appointing conservative justices to the Supreme Court. “I have to say honestly, that I am grateful—grateful to God that for the last four years,” he expressed.
Anti-LGBTQ+ Stance
The petition against Graham’s tour also highlights his past controversial comments about the LGBTQ+ community. It references a Facebook post where he reportedly called the community ‘evil and rebellious,’ and praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for his strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
Protecting Children or Promoting Hate?
In 2014, Graham commended Putin for protecting ‘his nation’s children from the damaging effects of any gay and lesbian agenda,’ echoing Putin’s sentiment that Russia needed to ‘cleanse’ itself of homosexuality, as reported by GLAAD.
Hopeful Message
Graham’s tour coincides with challenges faced by border cities dealing with a surge in migrant arrivals. Graham, promoting his tour, stated his aim to bring hope to one of the “neediest areas of our country at this time, and people need to hear a message of hope.”
Overwhelmed People
“Everyone along the border is overwhelmed—the churches, the law enforcement agencies, the residents, those there trying to help, as well as the people coming into our country,” Graham stated.
Healing Hearts at the Border?
He continued, “There are a lot of hungry hearts and hurting people, so I’m coming to the border to tell everyone about God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and how He can make a difference in our lives if we put our faith and our trust in Him.
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