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Franklin Graham Accused of Intolerance after Muslim Immigration Comment

  • Carrie Dedrick Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Jul 20, 2015

Franklin Graham is being accused of intolerance after suggesting that America should not let Muslims immigrate within its borders in a Facebook post.  

After four U.S. Marines were gunned down in Chattanooga, Tennessee by a Muslim man, Graham wrote, “We should stop all immigration of Muslims to the U.S. until this threat with Islam has been settled. Every Muslim that comes into this country has the potential to be radicalized--and they do their killing to honor their religion and Muhammad.” 

The president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse went on to compare the Japanese and Germans of World War II to the Islamic extremists of today. 

“During World War 2, we didn't allow Japanese to immigrate to America, nor did we allow Germans. Why are we allowing Muslims now?” Graham wrote. 

In response to Graham’s words, Religion News Service columnist Jonathan Merritt said that the Evangelical leader is creating a pattern of “political paranoia.” 

According to Merritt, Graham previously voiced support for Vladimir Putin’s regime against LGBT rights. Putin’s campaign has sparked violence, beatings and abductions of LGBT people. 

Graham said, “Putin is right on these issues. He has taken a stand to protect his nation’s children from the damaging effects of any gay and lesbian agenda.”

Graham also offended several black Christian leaders by suggesting that “blacks, whites, Latinos, and everybody” else obey the orders of police officers. Merritt says the comment was made of the death of Eric Garner. 

Though Graham undeniably has impacted thousands of people through his humanitarian work with Samaritan’s Purse, Merritt says Graham is “more likely to be remembered as a soldier in the 21st-century culture war.”

Publication date: July 20, 2015