Billy Graham Evangelistic Association sues UK venues over cancellations

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) has launched legal proceedings after a series of venues cancelled its bookings.

BGEA is taking legal action against venues in Glasgow, Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool and Newcastle for breach of contract and/or discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.

Billy Graham’s son Franklin was due to preach at eight venues across Britain this summer. All eight cancelled the gospel events because of opposition to his views on sexual ethics.

Gospel under attack

Shortly after the cancellations, and before COVID-19 restrictions were introduced, Mr Graham told supporters: “We are going to preach this message in all the cities we planned to visit.”

He also said: “We are dedicated to pursuing a legal resolution with the venues that were scheduled to host the Tour.”

The evangelist stated that the meetings had been cancelled: “because we preach a message of God’s love, stand uncompromisingly on traditional Biblical beliefs about human sexuality, and share with all people that Jesus Christ is the only way they can be forgiven of sin and have a right relationship with God.”

Glory to God

Mr Graham expressed concern over “the rise of secularism and the potential suppression of religious freedom and freedom of speech in the U.K.”

He said: “I will never sit back quietly and let the government—or any other power—silence the church and prevent the preaching of God’s Word.”

Graham concluded: “Even though we face obstacles, our eyes are on the Lord, who ‘is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us’ (Ephesians 3:20, ESV). To God be the glory!”