FT LAUDERDALE – D. James Kennedy Ministries (DJKM) is mounting an "I'm With Franklin!" signature campaign to counter a left-wing group's attack aimed at removing Graham as President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse.
"Faithful America's" effort is just more of the radical Left's tactic to squelch the public opinion of people of faith, says Illinois Family Institute's Executive Director David E. Smith, who supports the signature campaign.
"Left-wing bullies are once again attempting to intimidate, silence and shut out anyone with whom they disagree, especially people of faith," Smith told Illinois Review. "It’s ironic the group’s name is 'Faithful America.' One has to wonder with whom they put their faith. Themselves?
"They are certainly not standing faithfully with the U.S. Constitution. 'Faithful America' and their lot need a Civics 101 lesson on the First Amendment. Rev. Franklin Graham is a bold voice of reason and truth and 'I’m With Franklin!'" Smith said.
The "I'm With Franklin!" open letter is located at DJKM.org where visitors may sign it in support of Graham.
Faithful America—a group originally founded by the National Council of Churches and funded in the past by George Soros—is petitioning for Graham's removal over an online post in which he said he tends to believe Donald Trump's claim there was fraud in the 2020 election.
"This is just one more stunning display of the left's bitter intolerance and its self-righteous determination to banish Biblically faithful voices from America's public square," said Frank Wright, Ph.D., CEO and President of DJKM.
Wright added:
"Franklin Graham is an international evangelist and a renowned humanitarian whose organization, Samaritan's Purse, delivers aid across the world to people in need. He is also an outspoken defender of Biblical moral values at a time when the left is determined to purge competing voices from American public life.
"That is why D. James Kennedy Ministries is collecting signatures on our I'm With Franklin! open letter for delivery to our friends at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse.
"We want him, as well as the boards of BGEA and Samaritan's Purse to know that faithful believers in Jesus Christ love Franklin and stand with him."