Christian singer Amy Grant made headlines recently when she revealed she was to host her niece’s same-sex wedding on her family farm.
Grant, 62, told the Washington Post at the end of November, it will be the first “bride and bride” nuptials to take place at the farm. She owns the venue with her husband, country star Vince Gill.
On hearing about her niece coming out, Grant said she felt no contradiction with her faith.
“Honestly, from a faith perspective, I do always say, ‘Jesus, you just narrowed it down to two things: love God and love each other. I mean, hey — that’s pretty simple,” she said.
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No compromise
The news of the wedding has prompted much debate among the Christian community and evangelicals. One of the most high-profile to respond is Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham.
Graham kindly suggested this week that if Grant really cared about her niece’s soul, she’d think again.
“Amy Grant announced to the Washington Post that she and her husband Vince Gill are going to host a same-sex wedding on their farm for her niece,” Graham said on social media. “Amy is quoted as saying, ‘Jesus you just narrowed it down to two things: love God and love each other.’
“Yes, we are to love God and love each other. But if we love God, we will seek to obey His Word. Jesus told us, ‘If you love Me, keep My commandments’ (John 14:15). God defines what is sin, not us; and His Word is clear that homosexuality is sin. We have all sinned, and in order to have a relationship with God and spend eternity with Him in Heaven, we must turn from our sin and put our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to earth to die for our sins.
“The Bible says, ‘Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,’ (Acts 3:19). For me, loving others also means caring about their souls and where they will spend eternity.
“It means loving people enough to tell them the truth from the Word of God. The authority of God’s Word is something we can never compromise on.”
Related: Franklin Graham says celebrating Pride Month is like celebrating murder
Franklin Graham’s criticism of Amy Grant prompts thousands of comments
Franklin Graham’s post has prompted almost 10,000 comments on Facebook and over 3,000 on Twitter. Many of his followers said they were similarly disappointed in Amy Grant, who is regarded as something of an icon on the Christian music scene.
“I am so disappointed in them!! Can see them attending but not hosting!!!” said one.
Amy, such a shame. Won’t be able to listen to your music anymore. You can love all people but you don’t condone what God clearly states is an abomination. So sad.
— Herbert Martin (@hray1959) December 19, 2022
However, many others came to Grant’s defense or called Graham out on his homophobia.
I worked an Amy Grant tour. Amy is one of the kindest, most accepting people you could ever meet. She allowed a rough around the edges New Yorker into her organization and allowed me to be part of a fantastic tour.
Jesus loved all people. Amy is just doing what Jesus would do.
— Sean Fox (@SeanFoxontheroa) December 19, 2022
It’s not a sin to be gay. Thank God for Amy Grant.
— Trey Pearson (@treypearson) December 19, 2022
Amy is right. Because Jesus is right.
— Richie Castaldo (@richiecastaldo) December 19, 2022
I’m grateful that Amy showed those who are LGBTQ they are totally worthy of Christ’s love.
“That’s why it’s so important to set a welcome table, because I was invited to a table where someone said, ‘Don’t be afraid. You’re loved.’” – Amy Grant
— Lynne Eldridge MD (@AboutLungCancer) December 19, 2022
Thanks for pointing out that Amy appears to be follow the words and examples of Jesus of Nazareth more closely than you appear to do.
Don’t you have some shoeboxes full of cheap trinkets to deliver? Or do you just skim off the money and let volunteers do all the real work?
— Ryan Cordell (@ryandcordell) December 19, 2022
Oh fuck off, Franky.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) December 20, 2022
It’s unclear if the niece’s wedding has already taken place or not, but if it has, we hope it was a beautiful day.
Related: Franklin Graham praises North Carolina Lt. Gov. who called gay people ‘filth’
Gay and Christian?
On the subject of gayness and Christianity, and just in time for the holidays, YouTube comic Michael Henry posted his own thoughts on the subject this week. In the slightly more serious-than-usual offering, he talks with two friends about whether you can be both gay and Christian. Check it out below.
abfab
“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”
Christopher Hitchens
dbmcvey
Franklin Graham is a truly horrible person.
abfab
Franklin Graham is a bullshit artist. His donars are total wack jobs and idiots. I could go on.
ZzBomb
The bible is literally not worth the paper it is printed on. Toilet paper has higher value by the sheer fact alone it actually serves a purpose for humanity.
ScottOnEarth
So true!!!
bsg1967
The big books of make believe spreading hate and fear for centuries.
Diplomat
The biblical version of the snake oil god in the Bible can be summed up in two words: FAKE NEWS
amygrantfan
Amy Grant demonstrates Christ love like no other person. She is a hero to so many of us and I hope the world can see what a true Christ follower is like. Franklin Graham sadly fell so far from the tree. I hope he finds his way back to his Fathers footsteps.
AuntieXhrist
He was the lineal descendant of BG bigotry then the descent into Marriage Equality hate repeating Son’s hate.
BTW, in 1952, BG said happiness was driving down Cali 101 in a Yellow Cadillac Convertible.
ScottOnEarth
Graham and his mindless followers are miserable people who trade in nothing but negativity, hatred and presumptuous judgment. Amy Grant has always been about kindness and love and I’m thrilled that she is being so public about her support.
Mikey
I have been a lifelong fan of Amy Grant since her Heart In Motion album was released in 1991. Since then, I have added all her albums to my CD collection both before Heart In Motion and since then. I have all her albums now, as well as several music video DVD’s and concert DVD’s as well as her book Mosaic: Pieces Of My Life So Far and her movie Song From The Heart.
When I heard that Amy was pro-LGBTQ I loved her even more, since I cannot and will not tolerate homophobia, transphobia, racism, misogyny and antisemitism. Amy is also against all these things so she is a true hero and inspiration to me.
bachy
I remember hearing some of her music when I was much younger. Amy’s sound and lyrics really deliver on joy, love – a profoundly spiritual energy. I lost track of her and sometimes wondered what became of her. Delighted to see her continuing to exhibit an unwavering spiritual legitimacy in her maturity.
rbernard
I am no Christian, but as I understand it, the Roman Flavian emperors wanted nothing to do with the angry old testament, and had the apostle Paul write new testament to pacify the Messianic Jews that was more peaceful, loving, and accepting.
Franklin Graham has an overrated opinion of his own self importance and needs to get with the program.
Jack
Who knew that a book of fairytales written several thousands of years ago, that has no evidence to support it whatsoever, would be used as a weapon to hurt and kill millions of people for the remainder of humanity. How sick.
Man About Town
I still love her laundromat video for “Baby Baby”!
Mikey
The laundromat video was actually Every Heartbeat which is an amazing song, I love both the laundromat and lady mechanic/garage scenes of the video, I always love music videos that tell a story and this video tells two.
Josh in OR
Franklin Graham is such a perfect example of everything wrong with far-right American Fundamentalism that it’s hard to believe he was born and not created in committee…
My2CentsWorth
I was told that when he was younger he lived a very rakish life that included pot (and no doubt more than one girl, or lady, who was not his wife). The thing that forever made me dislike Frank was after taking over his father’s empire he made a decision that was very wrong. His mother, Ruth Graham, wanted to be buried in Mount Treat, NC. Frank Graham wanted her buried in the amusement park he built in Mecklenburg County. That was not what his mother wanted but, apparently, the financial benefits of attracting tourist was more important than her wishes. Based upon what I read this caused a rift between Frank Graham and some of his siblings.
Of course, there is the later endorsement of Donald Trump.
Mr. Stadnick
The bible is a fable.
Mack
The only thing that Franklin Graham stands for is hate. And his followers are nothing more than pathetic haters.
Ros
for Mr Graham and all the others – a prayer
Please Deliver Us
from hate done in the name of God’s Love
from exclusion done in the name of God’s Truth
and from injustice done in the name of The-Time-Is-Not-Yet-Right.
Amen