BGEA Responds as More UK Venues Cancel Franklin Graham: ‘We are Pursuing Actions Based on Religious Discrimination’ by Steve Warren for CBN News
After facing discrimination in the UK because of his biblical beliefs, a spokesman for Franklin Graham tells CBN News they have decided to fight in court for their religious rights there.
“Since the original venues have broken our legal contract with them, we are pursuing appropriate actions based on grounds of religious discrimination and freedom of speech. The Gospel always faces opposition, so we will prayerfully and boldly continue to press forward so that the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness will be proclaimed in all of the cities we have planned to visit,” the Billy Graham Evangelistic Associaton (BGEA) spokesman told CBN News.
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The statement comes after another city in the United Kingdom has rejected an appearance by Graham to preach the gospel because of his views on homosexuality. However, this has not deterred the evangelist who’s still looking forward to his eight-city tour of the country.
Wales Online reported that Graham, the eldest son of American preacher Billy Graham, has spoken widely of his view that homosexuality is a “sin” and was booked to speak at the International Convention Centre Wales, Newport, in June, but the event has been canceled.
The Wales event was the fourth of the evangelist’s planned appearances to be canceled. As CBN News reported, the UK cities of Liverpool, Glasgow, and Sheffield earlier canceled their contracts with Graham.
While one venue in Liverpool has denied Graham access, the BGEA tells CBN News a Liverpool outreach will still take place at a different venue that’s still to be determined.
Over the weekend, Graham, 67, posted on social media that he’s looking forward to “preaching the Gospel across the UK in late May & June.”