Franklin Graham Calls on Christians to Battle Culture; Stand for God, Biblical Values

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The Rev. Franklin Graham recently reiterated his remarks from earlier this year, calling on Christians in America to stand for biblical values despite social opposition.

In a column published in the July-August edition of Decision magazine, the head of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, declared that "Heaven is not for cowards!"

"Christians cannot ignore parts of God's Word because they are unpopular or cause division. Our commission is to proclaim Christ and all He stands for," wrote Graham.

"This is what the church's presence in the world is all about. We cannot sincerely proclaim the truth of God's love while ignoring what He hates, and God hates sin."

Graham also stressed the need for "godly courage" and for Christians to speak out against abortion and homosexuality.

"We are soldiers in God's army, and we cannot stand down on biblical issues out of fear of being labeled a homophobe or judge," wrote Graham.

"People make judgments every day. The world's system passes judgments accepted by governments and citizens. But the world considers Christian judgment to be biased, judgmental and intolerant," he added.

Graham's column for Decision magazine echoes comments he made in May at the Family Research Council's Watchmen on the Wall conference held in Washington, D.C.

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For his speech, Graham preached around Revelation 21:8, wherein God lists eight groups of people who will be "in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

The first group listed in the verse are the "cowardly;" this led Graham to declare in his remarks that "God hates cowards."

"The definition of a coward: a coward will not confront an issue that needs to be confronted due to fear," said Graham, whose speech was titled "Standing Strong on the Controversial Issues."

"God hates cowards. And the cowards that the Lord is referring to are the men and women who know the truth but refuse to speak it."

As with his more recent column, Graham argued that churches need to speak out on the moral issues, including abortion and homosexuality.

"We have a responsibility to speak on the moral issues. Abortion, homosexuality, these are moral issues. This is a free country, you can do what you want to do, but I want you to know it's a sin against God," Graham asserted.

"Could we get our heads chopped off? We could, maybe one day. So what? Chop it off!"

In recent years, Franklin Graham has garnered controversy for his comments on same-sex marriage, President Barack Obama, and the religion of Islam.

Some have contrasted Franklin Graham with the comparably less controversial nature of the ministry of his father, renowned preacher the Rev. Billy Graham.

"Franklin has always leaned toward being more political than his father," wrote Sally Quinn, founding editor of the site OnFaith.

"Where Billy Graham has always been a voice for inclusion, even of religions other than his own, Franklin has not."