June 6, 1997 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - The following exchange occurred in an interview on the 20/20 television program, May 2, 1997:

HUGH DOWNS: "I'd like to get your opinion also about homosexuality, what do you feel about that?"

BILLY GRAHAM: "Yes, well I think that the Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin, but the Bible also teaches that pride is a sin, jealously is a sin, and hate is a sin, evil thoughts are a sin, and so I don't think that homosexuality should be chosen as the overwhelming sin that we are doing today."

This a very weak response in light of the Bible's teaching on the subject. It makes me very sad to have to say these things, but I must, because it is the truth and Dr. Graham has a vast influence. Men who claim to speak in the name of God but who lead people astray should be exposed publicly. When Dr. Graham has an opportunity to give a plain Bible answer to a difficult question, he almost invariably gives a dodging, compromising, political-type statement rather than a clear "Thus saith the Lord." The wickedness of this apostate hour cries out for a prophet of the Lord to "lift the voice and spare not," to call black black and white white, but Billy Graham is not that kind of man. The Lord Jesus Christ warned, "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets" (Luke 6:26). Billy Graham is one of the most popular men in the world, but the true prophets of old were never popular.

While it is true that there are many sins other than homosexuality and all sin is wicked before God, and while it is true that any sin can be forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Bible does not say that all sin is the same in its effect in this world. God did not pour out fire and brimstone upon Sodom because of its jealousy or covetousness or lack of hospitality. He did not pour out fire and brimstone upon Sodom even because of its adultery. It was specifically because of its homosexuality (Genesis 19; Jude 7). Though all moral sins are evil in God's eye, homosexuality is especially corrupt because it is a sin against nature itself. It destroys the very fabric of society, which is the family as defined biblically--a man and a woman united in holy matrimony rearing children to fear God and to be productive citizens. Homosexuality is to "change the natural use into that which is against nature" (Romans 1:26). In Romans chapter one, homosexuality is called "vile affections" (v. 26), "against nature" (v. 26), "unseemly" (v. 27), "a reprobate mind" (v. 28), "not convenient" (v. 28). Contrary, therefore, to what Dr. Graham says, homosexuality IS an "overwhelming" sin.

Friends, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20).