Liverpool is known as the home of famed Reformed preacher, R.C. Ryle, who was the first Anglican Bishop of Liverpool. Ryle was a staunch conservative preacher with solid biblical values who was celebrated for his ‘putting it like it is’ sermons and writing. Things have changed, however, as a prominent Liverpool venue just canceled American evangelist, Franklin Graham, for preaching “hate.”
By “hate,” the ACC Liverpool venue means Graham’s preaching of the Bible when it comes to various sin issues like homosexuality.
The venue claims that Graham’s freedom of speech has a “divisive impact on [their] community.”
Over the past few days we have been made aware of a number of statements which we consider to be incompatible with our values.
In light of this we can no longer reconcile the balance between freedom of speech and the divisive impact this event is having in our city. We have informed the organisers of the event that the booking will no longer be fulfilled.
The BBC lines out, in the words of an LGBT advocacy group, what the actual problem with Graham’s opinions is.
Franklin Graham has repeatedly publicly promoted his homophobic beliefs including, but not limited to, branding homosexuality a “sin’, claiming Satan was the architect of same-sex marriage and LGBT rights, claiming gay people existing are causing a “moral 9/11”, declared that gay people are “the enemy” of civilization and advocates for the highly damaging abusive practice of gay conversion therapy.
The mayor of Liverpool took to Twitter to rub it in.
Franklin Graham is the son of the famous evangelist, Billy Graham, who was warmly welcomed in the United Kingdom throughout his ministry career. The younger Graham’s beliefs regarding homosexuality are identical to his father’s.
