Franklin Graham Uk Tour Venues Cancelled ….

[naomi24]

… under pressure from LGBTQ+ campaigners who say statements Graham had made were incompatible with their values, and that his appearance would be divisive, could be disruptive or lead to a breach of the peace. His lawyers are trying to reverse the decision.

Franklin Graham is the son of US evangelist Billy Graham.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/07/us-preacher-franklin-graham-will-try-to-reverse-uk-tour-cancellations

Should he be allowed to speak? Your thoughts?

[Mozz71]

And I feel I would choose that the other way round Sanmac, but I wouldn't dream of suggesting either party be denied the chance to speak their piece. That's what free speech is all about.

[sanmac]

I agree with you.

[tonyav]

I would unhesitatingly chose that which was spouted by the Graham mob over that coming from the LGBTQ mob.

So would I, sanmac.

[naomi24]

Mozz, //I wouldn't dream of suggesting either party be denied the chance to speak their piece. //

And yet the people you would rather listen to have stopped him from speaking his piece. Odd.

[Mozz71]

Not odd at all. I didn't say I wholeheartedly agree with them, but I find their message far more palatable than a preacher trying to make money from gullible believers through lies and deceit.

[Theland]

Yes let him speak.
If he's anything like his Dad, he will be sucking up to the Pope.
A doomed message.

[Mozz71]

//If he's anything like his Dad, he will be sucking up to the Pope//

I thought The Vatican used altar boys for that kind of thing ;-)

[naomi24]

Theland, you've missed the point.

[Old_Geezer]

Depends on what he has to say. I suspect it's probably just legitimate views that are unpopular with some sections of the community and should be protected under free speech.

Has the LGBTQ+ campaigners realised that their views and statements are likely incompatible with others' values, and that their interference may be divisive, could be disruptive, or lead to a breach of the peace ?

[Old_Geezer]

Having now skimmed through the article one can see why there'd be a fuss.

[naomi24]

OG, I read somewhere that he is anti-same sex marriage. I think that's why he's been silenced.

[Nical]

From the link... his views and speeches on immigration, poverty, gun control and Israel are also causing concern.

[AuntPollyGrey]

I'm sure that there are many people for whom statements and speeches made by the LGBTQ are totally incompatible with their own values. Do these people campaign to stop these LGBTQ meetings, rallies etc? Do these people actually stop this community from airing their views or trying to explain why they feel the way they feel? NO they don't. It should be a level playing field and it is not. I do not agree in any area with Billy Graham nor his family, but I do believe in his right of free speech. I don't agree with most of the stuff spouted by the LGBTQ lot, but I do believe in their right of free speech. People who go to Billy Grahams 'shows' are already converted and I doubt anything he says will be disruptive or a danger to public unrest. I am truly sick of having to kowtow to the 'special' people in this world. Just get on with it luvvies, people can make their own mind up as to the validity or otherwise of nut cases like the Grahams. If these 'shows' are to be banned then ban 'Gay Pride' as I'm sure there are just as many people offended by that. Caveat: I am not offended by the LGBTQ community and know quite a few people who could be classed as a member of the community . Many of the people in this community think the actions of a minority has a negative affect on the way they are perceived .

[Nical]

APG, I think it's a lot more than the LBTQ stuff that is bothering the evangelists, those who signed the letter, about this man's visit.

[AuntPollyGrey]

nical -sorry you've lost me ( not difficult lol!) I thought the commercial venues had cancelled Grahams show because of pressure from the LGBTQ community.

[naomi24]

^They have. As far as I understand it the protest is being supported by evangelical groups.

[jim360]

The right to free speech isn't affected if a tour is cancelled. Franklin Graham can just say what he wants to somewhere else.

I'd have preferred that those who don't want to listen to what he has to say just ignore him and/or not turn up, but it's still a shame that people seem to think that free speech is threatened by this stuff. It is not.

[naomi24]

Yes - it is.

[jim360]

No -- it isn't. Nobody has a right to speak on a platform at a large entertainment venue, or at a series of such venues.

The day everybody gets invited to make such presentations, on some kind of rota, I'll rescind that. But until then, "no-platforming" doesn't undermine freedom of speech.

[jim360]

Also, wasn't the point of the Argument Clinic Sketch to serve as an example of how *not* to argue, rather than as a model to copy?