Westboro Baptist Church protests Billy Graham

Westboro Baptist Church, led by Fred Phelps, protested evangelical leader Billy Graham for two-days.

On Tuesday, the Topeka, Kansas-based group said it was picketing a “false prophet” and further accused Graham, who has retired, of preaching for money and influence.

Jael Phelps picketing Trinity Episcopal Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma October 2005 Source/WBC All original material on this web site is © 1955-2006 Westboro Baptist Church. You may use any of our material free of charge for any reason."

“When they began preaching in the 1940’s, Billy Graham & WBC pastor Fred Phelps taught the same doctrine. Yes! But as soon as it became unprofitable to preach God’s standards (Repent! Obey or perish! Salvation is by God-given faith & grace, and ‘free will’ is a soul-damning heresy.), Graham started preaching sugary Arminian lies, thereby becoming ‘America’s preacher,'” Westboro argued.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association released a statement Monday, maintaining that their message has never changed over the past 70 years.

That message, the organization said, is “of God’s love for all people and the hope that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

“While they (WBC) have the right to express themselves, we don’t share their opinions or condone their methods.”

Westboro is a small church that is not affiliated with any Baptist denomination. It is made up primarily of the family of its head pastor, Fred Phelps. The church has drawn controversy for its messages of hate and protests at military funerals.

Westboro denounced Graham’s message that “God loves everyone” and accused him of being silent on issues such as homosexuality.

While Graham has in large part avoided political hot-button issues, earlier this year, the evangelist voiced his support for an amendment in North Carolina that would protect the traditional definition of marriage.

“At 93, I never thought we would have to debate the definition of marriage,” Graham said in May. “The Bible is clear – God’s definition of marriage is between a man and a woman. I want to urge my fellow North Carolinians to vote for the marriage amendment on Tuesday, May 8. God bless you as you vote.”

Members of Westboro Baptist Church demonstrate at the Virginia Holocaust Museum on March 2, 2010. Photo/JC Wilmore via wikimedia commons