Tributes have poured in from around the world in the days since the Rev. Billy Graham died, but a Teen Vogue columnist has blasted the evangelist in a series of tweets, including one describing him as "evil."
She followed that one with a post reading, "'Respecting the dead' only applies to people who weren't evil pieces of (expletive) while they were living, thanks," and then a comment saying her tweets have sparked threats.
The Billy Graham Evangelical Association site includes a topic page on homosexuality.
"From Genesis on, the Bible praises the marriage of a man and a woman, but it speaks only negatively of homosexual behavior whenever it is mentioned," it reads. "The Old Testament states, 'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable' (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13). The New Testament agrees, listing 'homosexual offenders' among a list of people who 'will not inherit the kingdom of God' unless they are cleansed through Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Other passages are Genesis, chapter 19; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; and Jude, verse 7. However, it is important to note that the Bible speaks only of homosexual behavior (which would include lust—choosing to fantasize about behavior), not unchosen feelings. God will not judge a Christian guilty for his or her involuntary feelings."
Duca (and thousands of others) retweeted this statement from feminist writer Ana Mardoll :
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The remarks contrast with tributes coming from a host of prominent voices.
"He was a model for all of us to try to follow," Rabbi Murray Ezring of Temple Israel in Graham's native Charlotte told WBTV .
Memorial arrangements were announced yesterday . At 11:25 a.m. on Saturday, a motorcade will depart the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C., and is expected to arrive in Charlotte by about 2:20 p.m. At 3 p.m. that day, there will be an arrival ceremony in front of the Billy Graham Library.
On Monday and Tuesday, Graham’s body will lie in repose inside the Graham Family homeplace on the Billy Graham Library grounds. Each day, the line will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. This schedule may be adjusted as necessary.
MORE: Billy Graham's final crusade was in 2005. AJC reporter Bo Emerson was there
There will be no on-site public parking during this period of lie in repose. All public parking will be accommodated at the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center, 7100 Forest Point Blvd., a few miles from the Billy Graham Library and at the Charlotte Business Valet, Lot 2 at 5613 Wilkinson Blvd. Free public shuttle buses will run continually from these lots to and from the Graham Family homeplace.
Graham will lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda from Feb. 28-March 1.
A private funeral service will be held March 2. Graham will be buried beside his wife, Ruth, at the foot of the cross-shaped brick walkway in the Prayer Garden, on the northeast side of the Billy Graham Library.
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