Franklin Graham banned from speaking in UK for opposing homosexuality

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Evangelist Franklin Graham has been banned from delivering sermons by all seven venues on his upcoming tour of the United Kingdom.

The cancellations, which he says will not stop him from embarking on his tour, came in response to his belief that gay and transgender behavior is immoral.

An arena in Newcastle is the latest venue to cancel on the 67-year-old son of Billy Graham. City council leader Nick Forbes said it was the right move.

[Related: ‘Demonic power’: Franklin Graham claims supernatural element behind attacks on Trump]

“Pastor Graham peddles controversial, repulsive views about LGBT people which are in direct conflict with the values we hold dear in Newcastle,” Forbes told Chronicle Live.

Almost 9,000 people signed a petition started by the activist group “All Out” to prevent Graham from speaking at an arena in London.

“Let’s send a clear message to this US hate monger that he is not welcome in London or the UK!” the petition read. Graham’s father held historic crusades in London.

The petition does not cite any specific quote of Graham disparaging a group of people or engaging in “hate speech.”

[Also read: ‘Unfathomable’: Franklin Graham slams Christianity Today for demanding Trump removal]

A similar petition gathered over 4,000 signatures in 2018 during a failed attempt to stop Graham from speaking at an event in Blackpool, England.

Graham penned an open letter to the people of the United Kingdom and assured them that he is not planning to preach hate during his visit.

“It is said by some that I am coming to the UK to bring hateful speech to your community,” Graham said. “This is just not true. I am coming to share the Gospel, which is the Good News that God loves the people of the UK, and that Jesus Christ came to this earth to save us from our sins.”

“The rub, I think, comes in whether God defines homosexuality as sin. The answer is yes. But God goes even further than that, to say that we are all sinners — myself included. The Bible says that every human being is guilty of sin and in need of forgiveness and cleansing. The penalty of sin is spiritual death — separation from God for eternity,” he said.

Graham went on to say that every member of the gay and transgender community is welcome to come and hear his message of faith.

Graham has said the tour will still take place, but the venues have not been finalized.

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