ASHEVILLE — Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, announced on Facebook on Friday that he plans to move all of the bank accounts associated with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association away from Wells Fargo because the bank has used same-sex couples in its advertising.
Graham effectively called for a boycott of the bank "to speak out as Christians," and urged followers to stop shopping with Tiffany & Co. because the jeweler has advertised wedding rings for same-sex couples.
"Have you ever asked yourself — how can we fight the tide of moral decay that is being crammed down our throats by big business, the media, and the gay & lesbian community?" the statement on Graham's Facebook page read Friday.
"Tiffany's started advertising wedding rings for gay couples. Wells Fargo bank is using a same-sex couple in their advertising. And there are more. But it has dawned on me that we don't have to do business with them."
At the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the post said, "we are moving our accounts from Wells Fargo to another bank.
"And guess what — we don't have to shop at Tiffany & Co., there are plenty of other jewelry stores. This is one way we as Christians can speak out — we have the power of choice. Let's just stop doing business with those who promote sin and stand against Almighty God's laws and His standards. Maybe if enough of us do this, it will get their attention."
The post drew more than 50,000 likes and thousands of comments after just a few hours on Friday. Many commenters said they would heed Graham's call to move bank accounts.
Billy Graham has never taken the fervent stance his son has, though the elder Graham urged North Carolina voters in 2012 to support an amendment to the state constitution banning gay marriage, calling the "lifestyle" a sin.
Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, has been an unrelenting opponent of the LGBT "lifestyle," making headlines for years with his extreme views on the issue. Graham recently praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for criminalizing speech that is perceived as pro-gay "propaganda" directed at young people.
He also took to Facebook in April to express his outrage that the Marvel Comics character Iceman will come out as gay in a new issue of the popular comic series, saying the cartoon character's coming out is part of an ongoing effort to "indoctrinate our young people to accept this destructive lifestyle."
It's been reported BGEA has moved their accounts to BB&T, who sponsored an LGBT even in Florida in the past.
BB&T Bank released the following statement to NBC Charlotte on Tuesday afternoon:
"Our mission is to help our clients achieve economic success and financial security regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. As a company and a culture, BB&T embraces diversity and inclusion for our associates and in all aspects of our business. However, we do not take formal positions on non-banking or social issues.
"BB&T has a strong history of sponsoring various local and regional community events to help us reach prospects and clients. This does not imply endorsement of these organization's positions on any or all political or social issues."
