Franklin Graham

Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham, "has led the call to arms with blasts like his description of Islam as 'a very evil and wicked religion'," according to Nicholas D. Kristof in his June 10, 2003, Op-Ed for the New York Times. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of both Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Kristoff says that "Graham is not a nut. His Samaritan's Purse organization is an exceptionally well-managed charity that provides $150 million annually in food and medical care in some of the grimmest corners of the third world. ... Still," he adds, "he clearly subscribes to that essential human conceit that God is on the pew beside us, a member of our own sect." 

Christians and authority
On July 11, 2006 Graham stated on a CNN show that Christians are supposed to obey those who are in authority, "whoever they may be", even the North Korean dictatorial government:


 * "One of our goals is we want the government of North Korea to know and to understand that as Christians we're not enemy my and that Christians are good citizens. We're commanded by the scriptures to obey those that are in authority over us whoever they may be. We want the North Koreans to know that." Source: Nexis transcript, CNN Live Event Special, July 11, 2006, 9:30 EST, TRANSCRIPT: 071101CN.V54.

Islamophobic Views
Graham has claimed that Islam is "a very evil and wicked religion" and that "true Islam cannot be practiced in this country." He has also promoted conspiracy theories about the Obama administration,. According to the Center for American Progress, Graham believes that the Muslim Brotherhood is helping to shape US foreign policy and is convinced that Obama was "born a Muslim."

Affiliations

 * Trustee, Samaritan's Purse UK

Articles and Resources

 * "Kim Jong-il, patron saint of the Glorious Conservative Christian Cultural Revolution," Jesus' General blog, July 13, 2006.
 * Bill Berkowitz, "What in the Name of the Crusades are Tennessee Evangelicals Doing in Kurdish Iraq?", Dissident Voice, February 21, 2009.