Franklin Graham

{{short description|American Christian evangelist and missionary (born 1952)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{undue weight|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name        = Franklin Graham
| image       = 2021 Franklin Graham.jpg
| birth_name   = William Franklin Graham III
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1952|07|14}}
| birth_place = [[Asheville, North Carolina]], U.S.
| occupation  = [[Evangelism|Christian evangelist]]
| party       = [[Republican (United States)|Republican]] (before 2015)<br />[[Independent voter|Independent]] (2015–present)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/22/franklin-graham-quits-the-gop-over-planned-parenthood-funding/|title=Evangelist Franklin Graham quits the Republican Party over Planned Parenthood funding|date=December 22, 2015|first=David|last=Gibson|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=February 24, 2018}}</ref>
| education   = [[LeTourneau University]]<br />[[Montreat College]] ([[Associate of Science|AS]])<br />[[Appalachian State University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| spouse      = {{marriage|Jane Cunningham|1974}}
| children    = {{nowrap|4, including [[Will Graham (evangelist)|Will]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billygraham.org/biographies_show.asp?p=2&d=2 |work=Franklin Graham Biography |publisher=Billy Graham Evangelistic Association |title=Franklin Graham |url-status=dead |access-date=July 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517112930/http://www.billygraham.org/biographies_show.asp?p=2&d=2 |archive-date=May 17, 2012  }}</ref>}}
| parents     = [[Billy Graham]]<br>[[Ruth Graham]]
}}
'''William Franklin Graham III''' (born July 14, 1952) is an American  [[Evangelism|evangelist]] and [[missionary]] in the [[Evangelicalism|evangelical movement.]] He frequently engages in [[Christian revival]] tours and [[political commentary]]. The son of [[Billy Graham]], he is president and CEO of the [[Billy Graham Evangelistic Association]] (BGEA) and of [[Samaritan's Purse]], an international Christian relief organization. Graham became a "committed Christian" in 1974 and was [[Ordination|ordained]] in 1982, and has since become a public speaker and author.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://billygraham.org/about/biographies/franklin-graham/|title=Franklin Graham|work=Billy Graham Evangelistic Association|access-date=October 28, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
William Franklin Graham III was born in [[Asheville, North Carolina]], on July 14, 1952, to evangelist [[Billy Graham]] and [[Ruth Graham]]. He is the fourth of their five children.<ref name=Biography>{{cite web|url=http://billygraham.org/about/biographies/franklin-graham/|title=Franklin Graham biography |publisher=billygraham.org}}</ref> As a teenager, Graham attended [[The Stony Brook School]], a Christian private school on [[Long Island, New York]], but dropped out. He finished high school in [[North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/graham/profile.html
| title = The prodigal son comes home
| publisher = CNN.com
| access-date = July 11, 2017
}}</ref>

In 1970, Graham attended [[LeTourneau University|LeTourneau College]] in [[Longview, Texas]], and was expelled from the school for keeping a female classmate out past curfew.<ref name="nytimes.com">The Associated Press, [https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/09/us/billy-graham-chooses-son-as-likely-successor.html Billy Graham Chooses Son as Likely Successor], nytimes.com, USA, November 9, 1995</ref> In 1973, Graham joined [[Robert Pierce|Bob Pierce]], founder of [[Samaritan's Purse]], on a six-week mission to Asia. During this trip, Graham decided to focus on world relief.<ref>George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, ''Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2016, p. 2015</ref> In 1974, he graduated from Montreat-Anderson College, now [[Montreat College]], with an [[Associate of Science|A.S.]] That same year on a trip to [[Jerusalem]], he repented and experienced a [[new birth]].<ref name="Franklin Graham Timeline">Paula Zahn, [https://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/graham/timeline.html Franklin Graham Timeline], cnn.com, USA, 2001</ref> In 1978 he graduated from [[Appalachian State University]] with a B.A.<ref name="Franklin Graham Timeline"/><ref>[http://www.alumniconnections.com/olc/membersonly/APP/old/directory.cgi?FNC=viewProfile___APP___342654 "Sign In"] (members only). Appalachian Alumni Association, Appalachian State University. Retrieved November 29, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://alumni.appstate.edu/about/awards/distinguished-alumni "Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients"]. Alumni Association, Appalachian State University. Retrieved November 29, 2013.</ref>

He was ordained in 1982 by the Grace Community Church in [[Tempe, Arizona]], a [[Nondenominational Christianity|non-denominational]] church.<ref name="Franklin Graham Timeline"/>

==Ministry==
[[File:Billy Graham.JPG|thumb|right|On the left, with his father [[Billy Graham]], June 1994]]
[[File:William Franklin Graham III (evangelist).jpg|thumb|right|Graham preaching in [[Knoxville, Tennessee]]]]
In 1979, after the death of Pierce, he became the president of [[Samaritan's Purse]].<ref>Robert Wuthnow, ''Boundless Faith: The Global Outreach of American Churches'', University of California Press, USA, 2009, p.  136</ref>

In 1995, he became vice-president of the [[Billy Graham Evangelistic Association]]<ref name="nytimes.com"/> and became the [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-03-07-franklin-graham-cover_x.htm | work=[[USA Today]]| title=Billy Graham's son takes the pulpit, his own way | date=March 7, 2006 | access-date=May 2, 2010}}</ref>

=== COVID vaccination ===
Graham has said in interviews and social media posts that he believes Jesus would approve of the [[COVID-19 vaccine]], saying "that's what Jesus Christ would want us to do, to help save life. It's just a tool to help save life."<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Why "the pathway to ending the pandemic runs through the evangelical church"|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-vaccine-evangelical-church-leaders-try-to-convince-vaccination-skeptics/|access-date=2021-04-03|website=www.cbsnews.com|publisher=[[CBS News]]|language=en-US}}</ref> He has compared the vaccine to the oil and wine the [[Parable of the Good Samaritan|Good Samaritan]] used to treat the wounds of the injured traveler, saying "Now the oil and wine were the medicines of that day."<ref name=":4" /> He told [[ABC News]], "I think for a pastor to tell someone not to take the vaccine is problematic because what would happen if that person got coronavirus and died?"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chvnradio.com/articles/franklin-graham-supports-vaccines-and-says-jesus-would-too|title=Franklin Graham supports vaccines and says Jesus would too|website=CHVN Radio}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite news |last1= Vann |first1= Matthew|last2= Folmer|first2= Kaitlyn|last3= Hosenball|first3= Alex|last4= Jung|first4= Jinsol| date= March 15, 2021|title= Blessing by way of medicine: These pastors preach COVID-19 vaccination|url= https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/blessing-medicine-pastors-preach-covid-19-vaccination-gods/story?id=76367456|work=[[ABC News]] |location= |access-date=April 2, 2021}}</ref>

Graham has also cited the work of Samaritan's Purse in describing his support for the vaccine. "We have seen what COVID can do," said Graham, citing Samaritan's Purse work to help during the outbreaks in [[Cremona]], Italy; Los Angeles; North Carolina and the Bahamas.<ref name=":4" />

Graham has also spoken of seeing the effects of the virus in his own organization. "I've had some of my own staff, one of them was on a ventilator for three months, Graham said in an interview with [[CBS News]], "...from what I have seen and experienced myself, I don't want COVID and I don't want anybody else to get it."<ref name=":4" /> Graham stated that he and his wife are both vaccinated. He also stated, "I want people to know that COVID-19 can kill you. But we have a vaccine out there that could possibly save your life. And if you wait, it could be too late."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/553503-franklin-graham-presses-christians-get-vaccine-or-it-could-be/|title=Franklin Graham presses Christians: Get vaccine or 'it could be too late'|first=Morgan|last=Gstalter|date=May 14, 2021}}</ref>

=== Support of the Iraq War ===
Graham supported the [[2003 Invasion of Iraq]].

==Controversies==
[[File:Festiwal Nadziei Warszawa 2014.06.14 004.JPG|thumbnail|Warsaw (June 14, 2014)]]
{{Conservatism US|activists}}
=== Islam ===
Graham came under criticism for comments he made about [[Islam]] in the wake of the [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001 attacks]] when he referred to Islam as "a very evil and wicked religion."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/evangelist-s-views-on-islam-draw-critics-in-winnipeg-1.589396 |title=Evangelist's views on Islam draw critics in Winnipeg |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=October 22, 2006 |access-date=May 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312005525/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/evangelist-s-views-on-islam-draw-critics-in-winnipeg-1.589396 |archive-date=March 12, 2009 }}</ref> Further criticism came on April 18, 2003, when he preached at a [[Good Friday]] service at the [[The Pentagon|Pentagon]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0416-07.htm |title=Muslims at Pentagon Incensed Over Invitation to Evangelist |publisher=Commondreams.org |access-date=May 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530095017/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0416-07.htm |archive-date=May 30, 2013  }}</ref> Graham has made controversial remarks against Islam saying, "True Islam cannot be practiced in this country," to [[CNN]]'s Campbell Brown in December 2009. "You can't beat your wife. You cannot murder your children if you think they've committed adultery or something like that, which they do practice in these other countries."<ref name="CNNprayer">CNN: [http://articles.cnn.com/2010-04-23/us/graham.islam.controversy_1_wicked-religion-mr-graham-national-day?_s=PM:US Graham disinvited from prayer event over Islam comments. April 23, 2010.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307013410/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-04-23/us/graham.islam.controversy_1_wicked-religion-mr-graham-national-day?_s=PM:US |date=March 7, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/04/26/iftikhar.south.park/index.html?hpt=C2 | publisher=[[CNN]]| title=No-name radicals vs. 'South Park' just a distraction – CNN.com | access-date=May 2, 2010 | date=April 26, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/16/national/main549684.shtml | work=[[CBS News]]| title=Pentagon's Preacher Irks Muslims | date=April 16, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/04/18/graham.pentagon/ | publisher=[[CNN]]| title=Franklin Graham conducts services at Pentagon | date=April 18, 2003 | access-date=May 2, 2010}}</ref> On April 22, 2010, after objections from the [[Military Religious Freedom Foundation]] and the Muslim group [[Council on American–Islamic Relations]] (CAIR), the Pentagon rescinded his invitation from the Christian conservative [[National Day of Prayer Task Force]] to speak at a Pentagon [[National Day of Prayer]] event.<ref name="CNNprayer"/>

In the August 30, 2010, issue of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, "Does America Hate Islam?" Graham reportedly said that Islam "is a religion of hatred. It's a religion of war." Building [[Park51|the cultural center near Ground Zero]], he says, means Muslims "will claim now that the World Trade Center property...is Islamic land."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2011936-3,00.html | title=Islamophobia. Does America have a Muslim problem? | date=August 30, 2010 | access-date=December 2, 2018 | first=Bobby | last=Ghosh}}</ref>

In September 2010, Graham stated on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[This Week (ABC TV series)|This Week]]'' with [[Christiane Amanpour]] that building [[Church (building)|churches]] and [[synagogue]]s is forbidden in most countries in the [[Muslim world|Islamic world]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/oct/06/franklin-graham/rev-franklin-graham-says-churches-and-synagogues-a/ |title=Rev. Franklin Graham says churches and synagogues are forbidden in most Muslim countries |work=[[PolitiFact]]|access-date=November 29, 2013}}</ref>

=== Two salaries ===
Franklin Graham drew scrutiny in 2009 for drawing a full-time salary from Samaritan's Purse while simultaneously receiving a full-time salary from [[Billy Graham Evangelistic Association]] (BGEA). This was called into question after his 2008 compensation from both organizations totaled $1.2 million. (Most of this was the result of a new IRS rule that required him to re-report deferred retirement contributions that had already been reported over the previous three years.<ref>{{cite web|author=Associated Press, File |url=http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/10/franklin_graham_moves_to_addre.html |title=Franklin Graham moves to address concerns about his $1.2 million pay packages |date=October 8, 2009 |publisher=cleveland.com |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref>) Some experts on non-profit organisations have questioned whether one person can perform two full-time jobs leading organizations that employ hundreds and spend hundreds of millions around the world.<ref>{{Citation|author1=Tim Funk |author2=Ames Alexander |title=Franklin Graham's CEO pay draws experts' criticism |newspaper=[[Charlotte Observer]] |date=October 2009 |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2009/10/07/990049/franklin-grahams-ceo-pay-draws.html |access-date =March 1, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In response to the questions about his compensation, Graham decided to give up his salary from BGEA, stating his calling to the ministry "was never based on compensation." He also had contributions to his retirement plans suspended until the economy bounced back.<ref>{{cite web |last=Funk |first=Tim |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2009/10/11/135787/franklin-graham-gives-up-one-of.html |title=CHARLOTTE: Franklin Graham gives up one of two nonprofit salaries &#124; Religion |publisher=NewsObserver.com |access-date=August 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413133024/http://www.newsobserver.com/2009/10/11/135787/franklin-graham-gives-up-one-of.html |archive-date=April 13, 2014  }}</ref> However, Graham was again criticized in 2015 when it was revealed he had again taken up his salary from BGEA and that his annual compensation was significantly higher than that of the CEO's of similar, but much larger, non-profit organisations. <ref>{{cite web|author=Tim Funk, Ames Alexander |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article30505932.html |title=Franklin Graham takes pay he once gave up |publisher=The Charlotte Observer |date=August 8, 2015 |access-date=August 31, 2015}}</ref>

According to 2014 data, Graham is the highest paid Samaritan's Purse employee at $622,252 annually and leads other charities in compensation.<ref>Funk, Tim and Alexander, Ames. (August 8, 2015). "Franklin Graham takes pay he once gave up". Charlotte Observer. (Charlotte, NC). [http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article30505932.html Charlotte Observer website]</ref> The preacher gave up a salary at the evangelistic association during the late economic downturn,<ref>McClatchy-Tribune News Service. Funk, Tim and Alexander, Ames, contributors. (October 7, 2009). "Franklin Graham moves to address concerns about his $1.2 million pay packages" The Plain Dealer. (Cleveland, OH).[http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/10/franklin_graham_moves_to_addre.html Cleveland.com]</ref> but the leaders urged him to accept compensation again and he now receives increased retirement contributions as well as a regular salary.<ref>Wicker, Christine. (August 18, 2015). "Why Franklin Graham's salary raises eyebrows among Christian nonprofits" Washington Post. (Washington). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/why-franklin-grahams-salary-raises-eyebrows-among-christian-nonprofits/2015/08/18/023ce940-45f2-11e5-9f53-d1e3ddfd0cda_story.html Washington Post website]</ref> The evangelistic association reported 2013 revenues as $106.5 million and 2014 as $112,893,788.<ref>Funk and Alexander, 2015</ref><ref>Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Retrieved January 21, 2016. [http://www.ecfa.org/MemberProfile.aspx?ID=4764 ECFA website]</ref>

=== Barack Obama (2009–2017) ===
On August 19, 2010, when asked by CNN correspondent [[John King (journalist)|John King]] if he had doubts that President [[Barack Obama]] is a Christian, Graham stated, "I think the president's problem is that he was born a Muslim; his father was a Muslim. The seed of Islam is passed through the father like the seed of Judaism is passed through the mother. He was born a Muslim, his father gave him an Islamic name." Graham continued, "Now it's obvious that the president has renounced the prophet Mohammed, and he has renounced Islam, and he has accepted Jesus Christ. That's what he says he has done. I cannot say that he hasn't. So I just have to believe that the president is what he has said."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/19/graham-obama-born-a-muslim-now-a-christian/ | publisher=[[CNN]]| title=Graham: Obama born a Muslim, now a Christian | date=August 19, 1010 | access-date=August 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://abcnews.go.com/WN/franklin-graham-president-obama-born-muslim-pew-poll/story?id=11446462 | work=[[ABC News]] | title=The Rev. Franklin Graham Says President Obama was 'Born a Muslim' | date=August 20, 2010 | access-date=March 19, 2011}}</ref> In a March 2011 interview with the conservative Internet publication ''[[Newsmax Media|Newsmax]]'', Graham claimed officials in the [[Obama administration]] had connections to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]]:
<blockquote>The Muslim Brotherhood is very strong and active in our country. It's infiltrated every level of our government. Right now we have many of these people that are advising the US military and State Department on how to respond in the Middle East, and it's like asking a fox, like a farmer asking a fox, "How do I protect my henhouse from foxes?" We've brought in Muslims to tell us how to make policy toward Muslim countries. And many of these people we've brought in, I'm afraid, are under the Muslim Brotherhood.<ref>{{cite news|last=Corn|first=David|author-link=David Corn|url=http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/03/franklin-graham-obama-muslim-brotherhood-conspiracy-theory|title=Franklin Graham's New Obama-Muslim Conspiracy Theory|work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]|date=March 22, 2011|access-date=December 16, 2020}}</ref></blockquote>

In an open letter response, Graham apologized to President Obama, saying, "I regret any comments I have ever made which may have cast any doubt on the personal faith of our president, Mr. Obama. The president has said he is a Christian and I accept that." In the open letter closing Graham stated, "In this election season and challenging economic time I am praying for our country and for those who lead it—for we are commanded in Scripture to do so."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naacp.org/pages/franklin-graham-response-to-naacp-faith-leaders |title=Franklin Graham Response to NAACP Faith Leaders |publisher=NAACP |date=February 28, 2012 |access-date=May 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602044623/http://www.naacp.org/pages/franklin-graham-response-to-naacp-faith-leaders |archive-date=June 2, 2013  }}</ref>

Graham has commented on [[Hinduism]] as well, saying, "No elephant with 100 arms can do anything for me. None of their 9,000 gods is going to lead me to salvation."<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2010-05-05-graham05_ST_N.htm "Franklin Graham wants Obama to step in on Prayer Day slight"] ''USA Today'', May 5, 2010.</ref>

=== Opposition to indicting Sudan's Al-Bashir ===
When Sudanese president [[Omar Hassan al-Bashir]] was indicted by the International Criminal Court in March 2009, Graham argued in an [[op-ed]] in ''[[The New York Times]]'' that Bashir should not be indicted for alleged genocidal acts because the indictment would lead to the collapse of the 2005 peace agreement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/opinion/03graham.html?_r=2&scp=2&sq=franklin%20graham&st=cse |title="Put Peace Before Justice," ''The New York Times,'' 2 March 2009 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date= March 3, 2009|access-date=May 31, 2013 |first=Franklin |last=Graham}}</ref> 

=== Donald Trump (2017–2021) ===
In April 2011, Graham told ABC's ''[[This Week (ABC TV series)|This Week]]'' program that [[Donald Trump]], who had recently declared an interest in the Republican nomination for the 2012 U.S. presidential race, was his preferred candidate.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-politics/8469257/US-religious-figure-backs-Donald-Trump-White-House-bid.html | location=London | work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] | title=US religious figure backs Donald Trump White House bid | date=April 22, 2011}}</ref> During an [[MSNBC]] ''[[Morning Joe]]'' interview on February 21, 2012,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/21/10466877-rev-graham-obama-seen-as-son-of-islam | location=New York | publisher=[[MSNBC]]| title=Obama Seen as Son of Islam | date=February 21, 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224020940/http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/21/10466877-rev-graham-obama-seen-as-son-of-islam | archive-date=February 24, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Graham said that [[Rick Santorum]] was most closely aligned to Christian values in his words and deeds and that Senator Santorum was certainly a Christian at heart. On President Obama, Graham said that he is "a fine man," but could not know whether the president was a Christian in his heart. Asked about [[Mitt Romney]], Graham said that most Protestants do not view Mormonism as a Christian faith.<ref>{{cite web |title=MSNBC's most viewed in 2012: Rev. Graham says Obama seen as 'son of Islam' |url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/msnbcs-most-viewed-2012-rev-msna17249 |publisher=[[MSNBC]]| date=December 27, 2012 |orig-date=February 21, 2012 |access-date=12 October 2022}}</ref>

On February 28, 2012, Graham responded to a one-page letter sent by the [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]] (NAACP) as an: "Open Letter from Leaders of Faith Regarding Statements by Franklin Graham." In the introduction to the one-page letter, the fourteen signatories stated: "We are greatly troubled by recent attempts by some religious leaders to use faith as a political weapon. We were disturbed and disappointed by statements made by Rev. Franklin Graham during an interview on [[MSNBC]] that questioned whether President Obama is a Christian." In closing, the open-letter stated: "We call on Rev. Graham and all Christian leaders to exemplify this essential teaching of Jesus and refrain from using Christianity as a weapon of political division."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naacp.org/news/entry/naacp-faith-leaders-speak-out-on-rev.-franklin-graham |title=Faith Leaders Speak Out on Rev. Franklin Graham |publisher=NAACP |access-date=May 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602033851/http://www.naacp.org/news/entry/naacp-faith-leaders-speak-out-on-rev.-franklin-graham |archive-date=June 2, 2013  }}</ref>
In June 2016, Graham told a crowd, "I have zero hope for the Democratic Party; I have no hope for the Republican Party. I am running a campaign to put God back in the political process."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/evangelist-franklin-graham-urges-voting-even-in-disgust/383311471/|title=Evangelist Franklin Graham holds 'no hope' for either parties' candidates|first=Jean Hopfensperger Star|last=Tribune|website=Star Tribune}}</ref> Nevertheless, in November 2016, Graham told ''[[The Washington Post]]'' that God had played a role in Donald Trump's election as U.S. president, saying: "I could sense going across the country that God was going to do something this year. And I believe that at this election, God showed up."<ref name="Washington Post 10 November 2016">{{cite news |last= Bever |first= Lindsey |title= Franklin Graham: The media didn't understand the 'God-factor' in Trump's win |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/11/10/franklin-graham-the-media-didnt-understand-the-god-factor| date= November 10, 2016|newspaper= [[The Washington Post]] |location=Washington, D.C.| access-date=March 17, 2017 }}</ref> The same newspaper noted that the day after Trump's victory, Graham had posted a comment on Facebook in which he wrote, "Did God show up? […] In watching the news after the election, the secular media kept asking 'How did this happen?' 'What went wrong?' 'How did we miss this?' Some are in shock. Political pundits are stunned. Many thought the Trump/Pence ticket didn't have a chance. None of them understand the God-factor."<ref name="Washington Post 10 November 2016"/> At the [[Inauguration of Donald Trump]] on January 20, 2017, Graham chose to read a passage from Paul's [[First Epistle to Timothy]], chapter 2, which calls for prayers for all people, including "kings and for all those in authority, that we may live peacefully quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."<ref name="Charlotte Observer 20 January 2017">{{cite news |last= Funk |first= Tim|title= In prayer, Franklin Graham sees rain at inauguration as good omen for Trump |url= http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article127687134.html| date= January 20, 2017| newspaper= [[The Charlotte Observer]] |location= Charlotte, North Carolina | access-date=March 17, 2017 }}</ref>

Since the 2016 election, Graham has "become known, above all, as the most vociferous evangelical ally" of Trump.<ref name=newyorker>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/franklin-grahams-uneasy-alliance-with-donald-trump|title=Franklin Graham's Uneasy Alliance with Donald Trump|date=September 11, 2018|access-date=December 21, 2019|magazine=The New Yorker|first=Eliza|last=Griswold}}</ref> He has strongly opposed the [[First impeachment of Donald Trump|impeachment]] process, calling it an "unjust inquisition."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/pray-45-donald-trump-t-shirt-franklin-graham-advertisement-christians-prayer-abortion-1469377|work=[[Newsweek]]|title=Evangelist Franklin Graham urges Prayers for Donald Trump by Promoting T-Shirt|date=November 2, 2019|access-date=December 21, 2019|first=Benjamin|last=Fearnow}}</ref> In a November 21, 2019, interview with [[Eric Metaxas]], Graham suggested opposition to Trump was the work of a "demonic power."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/to-trumps-evangelicals-everyone-else-is-a-sinner/602569/|title=Are Trump's Critics Demonically Possessed?|first=Peter|last=Wehner|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=November 25, 2019|access-date=December 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2019/november/heads-spin-as-franklin-graham-says-demonic-activity-may-be-behind-trump-opposition|first=Deborah|last=Bunting|work=CBN News|title=Heads Spin As Franklin Graham Says Demonic Activity May Be Behind Trump Opposition|date=November 26, 2019|access-date=December 21, 2019}}</ref> In December, when ''[[Christianity Today]]'' magazine, founded by Graham's father Billy, published an editorial calling Trump "profoundly immoral" and supporting his removal from office, Graham responded by saying his father had voted for Trump and saw him as the "man for this hour in history for our nation" and that the magazine was "representing the elitist liberal wing of evangelicalism."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/billy-grahams-son-says-its-unfathomable-christianity-today-would-side-democrats-totally-1478463|work=[[Newsweek]]|title=Billy Graham's Son Says It's 'Unfathomable' Christianity Today would Side With Democrats in 'Totally Partisan' Attack on Trump|first=Jenni|last=Fink|date=December 20, 2019|access-date=December 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wvlt.tv/content/news/My-father-voted-for-Trump-Franklin-Graham-responds-to-Christianity-Todays-anti-Trump-op-ed-566374111.html|title="My father voted for Trump:" Franklin Graham responds to anti-Trump op-ed|date=December 20, 2019|access-date=December 21, 2019|publisher=WVLT}}</ref>

In mid-December 2020, Graham wrote about the [[Trump presidency]] on [[Facebook]], saying that "President Trump will go down in history as one of the great presidents of our nation, bringing peace and prosperity to millions here in the U.S. and around the world."<ref>{{cite news|last=Jenkins|first=Cameron|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/530425-franklin-graham-thanks-trump-as-we-come-to-the-end-of-this-election-season|title=Franklin Graham thanks Trump 'as we come to the end of this election season'|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=December 16, 2020|access-date=December 16, 2020}}</ref>

In January 2021, Graham compared the ten Republican members of the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] who voted to [[Second impeachment of Donald Trump|impeach]] Trump to [[Judas Iscariot]], suggesting that the Democrats had promised them "[[thirty pieces of silver]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/franklin-graham-republicans-trump-impeachment_n_6001ebb6c5b6ffcab9644320|title=Evangelist Compares Republicans Who Voted For Trump's Impeachment To Judas|author1=Carol Kurvilla|publisher=[[HuffPost]]|date=January 15, 2021}}</ref>

=== Support for conversion therapy ===
In 2017 Graham spoke against a bill proposing to ban [[conversion therapy]]. Referencing the biblical text of [[Leviticus 18|Leviticus]] 18:22, he said, "Homosexuality is defined by God as sin, an abomination to Him." He also compared conversion therapy to [[Conversion to Christianity]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/amp/franklin-graham-hits-out-at-anti-conversion-therapy-bill-calls-homosexuality-an-abomination/108087.htm|title=Franklin Graham hits out at anti conversion therapy bill, calls homosexuality an 'abomination'|last=Hartropp|first=Joseph|date=April 28, 2017|website=[[Christian Post]]|access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref>

=== North Carolina Amendment 1 ===
Graham supported [[North Carolina Amendment 1]], which was passed by a voter referendum on May 8, 2012, prohibiting [[same-sex marriage]] and all domestic partnerships.<ref>WXII12.com: [http://www.wxii12.com/news/local-news/north-carolina/Franklin-Graham-backing-N-C-marriage-amendment/-/10622650/12179220/-/yxjytm/-/index.html Franklin Graham backing N.C. marriage amendment.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030244/http://www.wxii12.com/news/local-news/north-carolina/Franklin-Graham-backing-N-C-marriage-amendment/-/10622650/12179220/-/yxjytm/-/index.html |date=December 3, 2013 }} April 28, 2012.</ref> Graham responded to Obama's May 9, 2012, statement of support for same-sex marriage, saying, "President Obama has, in my view, shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage. It grieves me that our president would now affirm same-sex marriage, though I believe it grieves God even more."<ref>Billy Graham Evangelistic Organization: [http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=8673 Franklin Graham Response to the President's Support of Same-Sex Marriage.] May 10, 2012.</ref>

In December 2017, several British [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|MPs]] urged the [[Home Secretary]] to consider refusing UK entry to Graham from speaking at an event due to take place in [[Blackpool]] in September 2018. As Graham represents the evangelical community, critics argued that those who want to ban Graham which means that individuals who have different opinions of [[LGBT rights]] would be banned in the UK. [[Gordon Marsden]], an [[openly gay]] [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] MP suggested that Graham's comments may have contravened British laws on hate speech. As of February 2018, a petition against Graham being granted a visa had gathered more than 7,500 signatures. The pastor of Liberty Church in Blackpool, who organized the petition, said: "As a Christian and as a leader of a church that particularly welcomes LGBT people, I'm horrified that other local churches are inviting someone with this record of hate speech." The pastor said that Graham's visit had triggered an "enormous amount of protest from Christians in the north-west" of England, and his presence would be "extremely destructive in the area".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/07/us-evangelical-preacher-franklin-graham-uk-critics|title=US evangelical preacher should be banned from entering UK, critics say|last=Sherwood|first=Harriet|date=December 7, 2017|website=[[The Guardian]]|language=en|access-date=February 17, 2018}}</ref>

=== Buttigieg tweets ===
After [[South Bend, Indiana]] [[mayor]] [[Pete Buttigieg]] became the first openly gay man to announce a run for the [[2020 Democratic National Convention|2020 Democratic nomination for President]] against President [[Donald Trump]], Graham attacked Buttigieg for his homosexuality and marriage to another gay man in April 2019, tweeting "Mayor Buttigieg says he's a gay Christian. As a Christian I believe the Bible which defines homosexuality as sin, something to be repentant of, not something to be flaunted, praised or politicized. The Bible says marriage is between a man & a woman—not two men, not two women." The tweet was one of three in a thread.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/franklin-graham-attacks-pete-buttigieg-gay-repent/story?id=62625378|title=Franklin Graham attacks Pete Buttigieg for being gay, says he should repent|website=[[ABC News]]|language=en|access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Franklin_Graham/status/1121070184922525701|title=Franklin Graham on Twitter: Mayor Buttigieg says he's a gay Christian.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/440500-franklin-graham-rails-against-buttigieg-for-calling-himself-gay-christian|title=Franklin Graham rails against Buttigieg for calling himself 'gay Christian'|last=Wise|first=Justin|date=April 24, 2019|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|language=en|access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/25/franklin-graham-pete-buttigieg-repent-gay/3583648002/|title=Franklin Graham calls on Pete Buttigieg to repent for the 'sin' of being gay|last=Shannon|first=Joel|publisher=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/837389/franklin-graham-says-pete-buttigieg-must-repent-being-gay|title=Franklin Graham says Pete Buttigieg must 'repent' for being gay|publisher=[[The Week]]}}</ref>

The tweet was met with a strong negative response against Graham, much of which condemned Graham as a hypocrite for selective criticism of a Democratic candidate's perceived wrongdoings while remaining silent on those perceived of the incumbent Republican. MSNBC host [[Joe Scarborough]] denounced Graham on his ''Morning Joe'' program, saying, "Just shut up Franklin Graham! You are a disgrace! You are a disgrace for normalizing Donald Trump's behavior."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.towleroad.com/2019/04/franklin-graham-pete-buttigieg/|title='Morning Joe' Blasts Hypocrite Franklin Graham for Calling on Pete Buttigieg to Repent for Being Gay: 'Just Shut Up. You Are a Disgrace' — WATCH|publisher=Towleroad|date=April 25, 2019}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' columnist [[Jennifer Rubin (journalist)|Jennifer Rubin]] rebuked Graham as a "hypocritical bigot" who "has rationalized Trump's infidelity and racism, ignored his lies, cheered his inhumane immigration policy and behaved as a political hack rather than a religious leader," also writing "Buttigieg gets the benefit of being attacked by a right-winger whom progressives revile, gets to underscore a message of generational change and acceptance and gets to demonstrate what a class act he is. The other candidates must be wondering why some GOP hatemonger doesn't attack them."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/04/26/buttigiegs-enjoys-good-fortune-hypocritical-bigots-attack/?noredirect=on|title=Buttigieg enjoys the good fortune of a hypocritical bigot's attack|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|author=Jennifer Rubin|date=April 26, 2019}}</ref> Opinion pieces in the ''[[National Review]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/04/franklin-graham-and-the-high-cost-of-the-lost-evangelical-witness/|last=French|first=David|title=Franklin Graham and the High Cost of the Lost Evangelical Witness|publisher=[[National Review]]}}</ref> ''[[The Charlotte Observer]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/editorials/article229665169.html|title=The gloriously growing irrelevance of Franklin Graham|publisher=[[The Charlotte Observer]]}}</ref> and ''[[The Arizona Republic]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/04/25/trump-shill-franklin-graham-says-buttigieg-should-repent/3575135002/|first=EJ|last=Montini|title=Donald Trump shill Franklin Graham says Pete Buttigieg should repent. HA!|publisher=[[The Arizona Republic]]}}</ref> were also critical of Graham's comments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/25/franklin-graham-pete-buttigieg-repent-gay/3583648002/|title=Franklin Graham calls on Pete Buttigieg to repent for the 'sin' of being gay|publisher=[[USA Today]]|date=April 26, 2019}}</ref>

===Commentary about Vladimir Putin===
Graham defended Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]]'s [[Russian gay propaganda law|"gay propaganda" law]] and has praised his leadership for "protecting children from any homosexual agenda or propaganda." This opinion was expressed prior to the 2014 and 2022 invasions by Russia of Ukraine. <ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=http://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/march-2014/putins-olympic-controversy/|title=Putin's Olympic Controversy|date=February 28, 2014}}</ref>  In the same article, Graham writes: "To be clear, I am not endorsing President Putin. To survive in the KGB and rise to power in Russia, you have to be tough. His enemies say he is ruthless. To some, he is a modern version of a czar. His personal life has its own controversies."

=== UK tour 2020 and 2022 ===
All venues booked for Franklin Graham's planned eight-city 2020 UK tour cancelled his booking after protests by LGBTQ+ activists, petitions and requests from local councils. Mayor of [[Liverpool]], [[Joe Anderson (politician)|Joe Anderson]], stated Liverpool is proud of its LGBT+ community and would challenge hatred and intolerance.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/franklin-graham-uk-tour-anti-lgbt-islam-trump-evangelist-a9322786.html Pro-Trump US preacher dropped by tour venues after outcry over homophobic comments] ''[[The Independent]]''</ref>  Graham's organisation said it would seek other venues.  Many opponents said statements Graham had made were incompatible with their values, and that his appearance would be divisive, could be disruptive, or lead to a breach of the peace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/07/us-preacher-franklin-graham-will-try-to-reverse-uk-tour-cancellations|title=US preacher Franklin Graham tries to reverse UK tour cancellations|date=February 7, 2020|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=February 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-51255414|title=Liverpool venue cancels Franklin Graham event|date=January 26, 2020|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=February 9, 2020|language=en-GB}}</ref> After threatening legal action for breach of contract and giving assurances to venues that his preaching would not be discriminatory, Graham's tour was rescheduled for mid-2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-17 |title=Franklin Graham announces UK tour after 'promising venues not to discriminate' |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/11/17/franklin-graham-uk-tour/ |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=PinkNews |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Graham married Jane Austin Cunningham of [[Smithfield, North Carolina]], in 1974.<ref name="Franklin Graham Timeline"/> They have four children: [[Will Graham (evangelist)|William Franklin Graham IV]] (Will), born in 1975, Roy Austin Graham (b. 1977), Edward Bell Graham (b. 1979) and Jane Austin Graham Lynch (Cissie) (b. 1986). Graham and his wife have twelve grandchildren. He now lives in the mountains of [[Boone, North Carolina]], with his wife.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/franklin-graham-biography/ | website=samaritanspurse.org | title=Franklin Graham - Biography | access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref>

Graham underwent heart surgery in November 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mynorthwest.com/3226420/franklin-graham-undergoes-heart-surgery-at-mayo-clinic/|title=Franklin Graham undergoes heart surgery at Mayo Clinic|date=November 8, 2021}}</ref>

==Published works==
* ''Bob Pierce: This One Thing I Do'' (1983)
* ''Rebel With A Cause: Finally Comfortable Being Graham'' (1995), autobiography
* ''Miracle in a Shoe Box'' (1995)
* ''Living Beyond the Limits: A Life in Sync with God'' (1998)
* ''The Name'' (2002)
* ''Kids Praying for Kids'' (2003)
* ''All for Jesus'' (2003), with Ross Rhoads
* ''A Wing and a Prayer'' (2005)
* {{cite book|title=The Sower|year=2012|publisher=[[Worthy Publishing]]|isbn=9781617951114|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/sowerfollowinhis00fran}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{C-SPAN|52537}}
* [https://billygraham.org/about/biographies/franklin-graham/ Franklin Graham on Billy Graham Evangelistic Association]
* [https://samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/franklin-graham/ About Franklin Graham on Samaritan's Purse]
* [http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/graham/timeline.html ''People'' magazine – timeline history]
* [http://www.religionnews.com/2015/08/18/franklin-grahams-salary-raises-eyebrows-among-christian-nonprofits/ Religionnews.com ]

{{S-start}}
{{s-rel}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Robert Pierce]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=President of [[Samaritan's Purse]]|years=1979–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Billy Graham]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=President of [[Billy Graham Evangelistic Association]]|years=2001–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{S-end}}

{{Billy Graham}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Graham, Franklin}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
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[[Category:20th-century Baptists]]
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[[Category:American anti-abortion activists]]
[[Category:American critics of Islam]]
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:American evangelists]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American anti-same-sex-marriage activists]]
[[Category:Appalachian State University alumni]]
[[Category:Baptists from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Baptists from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Baptist writers]]
[[Category:Christian critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Editors of Christian publications]]
[[Category:Graham family]]
[[Category:LeTourneau University alumni]]
[[Category:Montreat College alumni]]
[[Category:North Carolina Independents]]
[[Category:North Carolina Republicans]]
[[Category:People from Boone, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Southern Baptists]]
[[Category:The Stony Brook School alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from Asheville, North Carolina]]