Franklin Graham has praised a group of students from Duke University who refused to read an assigned novel because its pro-LGBT, pornographic content violated their Christian beliefs. He has also warned parents to be aware of the LGBT community's attempts to push their "propaganda on America's young people."
Earlier this year, Duke University announced that the book, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, an autobiographical novel by Alison Bechdel about her relationship with her father, was the one book selected from a list of six titles to be the class of 2019's "Common Experience" summer reading book.
However, as the book was written by a lesbian and carries LGBT undertones, some some students were shocked to discover it included two graphic sex scenes between women as well as cartoons depicting women engaging in other forms of sexual activity.
In response, a group of freshmen voiced their disapproval of the book in statements posted on the Duke University Class of 2019 Facebook page.
"I feel as if I would have to compromise my personal Christian moral beliefs to read it," student Brian Grasso wrote, citing the book's "graphic visual depictions of sexuality."
Grasso - who also wrote a Washington Post op-ed explaining his stance - and several others subsequently refused to read the controversial book, drawing harsh criticism from many in the secular media.
However, Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, took to Facebook to praise the students and encourage parents to speak out against universities encouraging their students to read inappropriate material.
"Thank God for the Duke University students who had the guts to stand up to the school's administration and refuse to read the assigned gay- and lesbian-themed book 'Fun Home,'" he writes. "The images in the book were called pornographic. Isn't it a shame that universities all across the country are allowing the LGBT community to push their propaganda on America's young people! Parents, this should greatly alarm you-and I hope you will make your voice heard. I pray that more students will take a stand like this and refuse to read such immoral and inappropriate material."
As of Tuesday morning, Graham's post had been "liked" over 63,000 times and shared another 14, 643 times, with many commenters extending words of encouragement and prayer for the Duke students.
"Courage is what you have displayed. Good for you! The boldness to stand up for what you know to be true & for your beliefs is a breath of fresh air!" wrote one commenter.
Added another, "God bless and continue to lead the students into continuous victory in Christ! I pray their strength, courage and love for Jesus Christ spreads like wildfire throughout all campuses and ignites a new passion for the kingdom of God!"
