Rev. Franklin Graham. (YouTube)

In reference to Democratic presidential contender Beto O'Rourke's position that he wants to remove the tax-exempt status of churches if they do not support "gay marriage," Rev. Franklin Graham said this is like what the socialists did in Eastern Europe after WWII and added that he "will not bow down at the altar of the LGBTQ agenda nor worship their rainbow pride flag."

During CNN's Oct. 10 town hall to promote homosexuality and quiz the Democratic candidates on their LGBT views, CNN's Don Lemon asked O'Rourke about his gay agenda: "This is what you write. 'Freedom of religion is a fundamental right but it should not be used to discriminate.' Do you think religious institutions like colleges, churches, charities, should they lose their tax exempt status if they oppose same sex marriage?"

Democratic presidential hopeful former Texas Representative Beto O'Rourke (L) speaks on stage with moderator Don Lemon (R) during a town hall devoted to LGBTQ issues hosted by CNN and the Human rights Campaign Foundation at The Novo in Los Angeles on October 10, 2019. (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

O'Rourke said, "Yes. There can be no reward, no benefit, no tax break for anyone or any institution, any organization in America that denies the full human rights and the full civil rights of every single one of us.

"And so as president, we're going to make that a priority, and we are going to stop those who are infringing upon the human rights of our fellow Americans," said the former congressman from Texas.

The next day, Franklin Graham posted on Facebook, "CNN hosted an 'Equality in America' town hall Thursday night focusing on gay & lesbian issues and asking questions of candidates running in the 2020 Democratic presidential race. Beto O’Rourke threatened that if any church, religious organization, university, etc. did not go along with their LGBTQ platform including same-sex marriage and gay/transgender rights, they should lose their tax-exempt status -- the audience cheered."

"This gives you a clue of what the progressive, socialist-leaning Democratic Party is going to try to force on our nation if they win any election," said Graham. "They will create laws and 'consequences' that would punish those who do not agree with them."

"These socialists in the Democratic Party are a threat to religious freedom and free speech," he said. "This would be a step toward silencing the voice of the church and the influence of Christian universities and organizations. This is what godless socialism did in Eastern Europe, shutting down the churches and imprisoning pastors who disagreed with the Communists."

"As for me, I will not bow down at the altar of the LGBTQ agenda nor worship their rainbow pride flag," said Rev. Graham. "I’m going to stand with the Word of God, the Holy Bible, which is truth from cover to cover."