Franklin Graham Joins Call To Remove Confederate Flag

Franklin Graham has angered some followers this week by calling for the removal of a Confederate flag on government property. The Confederate flag on the South Carolina State House’s Civil War Memorial has been the subject of debate and controversy, and some surprising voices have weighed in for the removal. Now, a well-known Carolina-based Evangelical pastor has joined them.

The Confederate flag’s removal has been called for by NASCAR, and by numerous politicians, including several Republicans. Franklin Graham joined those improbable voices this week. At the same time, companies like Amazon and Wal-Mart have shown solidarity by announcing a removal of the flag from their stores. While some of the removal of the Confederate flag are being called bans, it should be understood that there are no official bans. Private citizens are allowed to have Confederate flags, and to deny that would violate the First Amendment

However, some called Franklin Graham a traitor when he posted this on his Facebook page.

“My great-great-grandfathers fought for the South under the Confederate flag during the civil war–both were wounded at Gettysburg and lost limbs. Growing up, many people in the South flew the Confederate flag; but I believe that it’s time for this flag to be set aside as a part of our history. We are all Americans, and we need unity today more than ever. Through faith in Christ we can have love and reconciliation with one another—regardless of race. Jesus Christ can change the human heart and take away the prejudice, racism, and hatred that lies within.”

Graham’s call for placing unity over enmity, and America over the Confederacy, drew strong criticism — including a comment suggesting that, when Graham reaches Heaven, his great-grandfathers should take him behind the woodshed to administer celestial discipline — but a number of his followers also supported the statement, calling for Confederate flag supporters to “just put yourself in a black person’s shoes for a minute” and for the flag to be burned, once and for all.

There has been significant opposition to the Confederate flag from many sides — an activist even climbed the flagpole and cut the flag down, though she was immediately arrested and the flag replaced.

However, opposition to the flag is now coming even from unexpected voices. No one could have expected a Southern Cononservative like Franklin Graham to call for it to be removed! With calls for removal from even the most conservative of voices, it’s clear that the the of public opinion has turned, and the Confederate flag’s (at least, government endorsement of it) days are numbered.

[Photo by:Win McNamee/Getty Images]