Rev. Franklin Graham. (BGEA)
Commenting on the persecution of Christians around the world, evangelical leader Franklin Graham said it was imperative to also shine a light on persecution in the United States, where many Christians are under attack because "they do not support the gay-lesbian agenda."
During a May 2 interview on Washington Watch, hosted by Family Research Council Tony Perkins, Graham and Perkins talked about the estimated 90,000 Christians worldwide who are killed because "of their faith."
“We need to not only put a spotlight on what’s happening around the world but we need to put a spotlight on what’s happening here in this country, where Christians are being persecuted but in a different way," said Rev. Graham, head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).
"Like you said, it’s not with a gun or a sword but they’re being forced out of businesses because they do not support the gay-lesbian agenda," said Graham.
Washington Watch host Tony Perkins. (FRC)
"You take the bakers, the Kleins who had the little bake shop in Oregon," he said. "The family in Washington state that had the Christian pharmacy but they refused to carry the morning-after pill because they felt that was abortion, they were a Catholic family – and they lost their case before the courts."
"It’s over and over and over again across the country where Christians are being singled out, their businesses, because they won’t support the agenda of another group of people," said Rev. Graham, son of pastor Billy Graham.
"We need to protect them," he said. "We need to protect the Christians in this country and abroad."
"If I put it in the spotlight, Tony, it’s going to help," said Graham. "It’s not going to hurt. It’s going to help get the word out and the voices of those who have suffered, to give them a platform to speak.”