Graham’s crusade could be lonely one

Published 12:00 am Sunday, June 14, 2015

From an editorial in The News & Observer:

Franklin Graham has decided to put his mouth where his money is.

The son of the Rev. Billy Graham has announced he’s moving all the bank accounts from his two ministries out of Well Fargo because the bank has run ads featuring a lesbian couple.

“This is one way we as Christians can speak out. We have the power of choice,” Graham said on Facebook. …

Graham, who serves as CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Charlotte and of the charity Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, is already finding it hard to promote his cause without bumping up against businesses that support gay rights. BB&T sponsored a gay pride festival reception this year in Miami Beach. His logical option for a bank would be Charlotte-based Bank of America, which has advertised in programs in LGBT publications and was an early supporter of corporate policies barring discrimination based on sexual orientation. Meanwhile, Graham is trumpeting his campaign on Facebook, another gay-friendly company.

Businesses are shifting along with the public, and even evangelicals are beginning to discuss the issue of same-sex rights. Public opinion is moving so fast on gay rights that Graham may soon find himself leading a crusade without crusaders.