A statue of the late Billy Graham was unveiled Thursday in the U.S. Capitol. The North Carolina evangelist was known as America’s pastor.
And he will be remembered with a seven-foot tall statue in National Statuary Hall. The pedestal is engraved with Bible verses – including John 3:16.
North Carolina Senator Tedd Budd praised Graham’s lifelong commitment to sharing the Gospel, fighting for civil rights and opposing Communism.
“The legacy of Rev. Billy Graham is based on his simple message of forgiveness based on John 3:16. His lifelong commitment to preaching the Gospel, his fight for civil rights, his opposition to communism, and his spiritual guidance provided hope to hundreds of millions,” the Republican senator said.
Graham led hundreds of thousands of people to Christ, served as a spiritual adviser to 12 U.S. presidents and preached for more than 80 years.
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Each state is permitted two statues in the nation’s capital and Graham will replace former North Carolina Gov. Charles Aycock, a prominent segregationist.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is enraged by the statue. They accused Billy Graham of being a white Christian nationalist.
“As our nation faces unparalleled threats to our secular democracy,” said FFRF’s Dan Barker. “It’s unfortunate to see the personification of white Christian nationalism given such an honored perch inside the seat of our democracy.”
It’s true that Graham was white and he was a Christian and he loved America. But that does not make one a sinner. It makes one a patriot.