Franklin Graham Says LGBT Rainbow-Colored White House Is 'Slap in the Face' of 'Millions of Americans;' White House Calls It 'Victory'
Evangelical leader Rev. Franklin Graham has said that President Barack Obama's decision to light up the White House with rainbow colors celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage is a "slap in the face" of "millions of Americans" who did not agree with the decision.
"This is outrageous — a real slap in the face to the millions of Americans who do not support same-sex marriage and whose voice is being ignored. God is the one who gave the rainbow, and it was associated with His judgment. God sent a flood to wipe out the entire world because mankind had become so wicked and violent. One man, Noah, was found righteous and escaped God's judgment with his family," Graham said on Facebook on Monday.
"The rainbow was a sign to Noah that God would not use the flood again to judge the world. But one day God is going to judge sin — all sin. Only those who are found righteous will be able to escape His judgment."
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The White House's Twitter account, which also changed its avatar to reflect a rainbow-colored White House, said that the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision to legalize gay marriage across all 50 states is a "victory for America."
The sentiment echoed Obama's statement following the news on Friday, when he called the decision "a victory for the allies and friends and supporters who spent years, even decades working and praying for change to come."
"This ruling is a victory for America. This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts. When all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free," Obama said.
"I know that Americans of good will continue to hold a wide range of views on this issue. Opposition, in some cases, has been based on sincere and deeply held beliefs. All of us who welcome today's news should be mindful of that fact and recognize different viewpoints, revere our deep commitment to religious freedom," Obama added.
Graham said in a separate statement following the decision that this religious freedom will now be challenged. He warned that Christians nationwide should be ready to face persecution if they do not agree with the legalization of same-sex marriage.
"Our nation has a spiritual problem and we need God's forgiveness and we need to repent of our sins and turn from our sins because I do believe that God's judgement will come on this nation," the 62-year-old said.
"When we read in the Scripture, we see how God judged Israel time and time again, when they would turn their back on Him and begin to worship other gods, foreign gods, and God would bring judgement on Israel. I believe God could bring judgment on America."
