Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of famed evangelist Billy Graham, appeared on right wing radio show this week to tell listeners that God has forsaken the U.S. because of transgender rights
She said God has abandoned Americans because of their attitude towards transgender rights, evolution and the separation of church and state and further claimed that the 9/11 terrorist attacks and bad weather were both “evidence that God has backed away,” as a result of policies in the US.
The Telegraph reports:
Mrs Graham Lotz, 67, who runs AnGeL Ministries, a church in North Carolina, added that the transgender row in her own state was an example of the “chaos”.
North Carolina’s governor ruled that people must use the bathroom corresponding to the gender on their birth certificate – sparking a wave of anger from gay rights groups and boycotts by businesses, entertainers and tourists. But Mrs Graham Lotz said the gay rights protest was an example of the “craziness” which was angering God.
“There is silliness, there is craziness, there’s the most illogical rulings,” she said, speaking on a right wing radio talk show.
“The one in North Carolina on HB2, which is to protect our children in bathrooms and locker rooms, has become something where the justice department is suing us for something that’s just common sense.
“To me it’s evidence that God has backed away.”
She went on to suggest that God let terrorists win because of the “craziness” in the US.
On Friday the Obama administration told all public schools that transgender students must be allowed to use the bathroom of their choice – an announcement which angered Republicans and raised the likelihood of fights over federal funding and legal authority.
“Our nation seems to be shaking its fist in God’s face, we’re abandoning God as a nation,” she continued.
“What happens then is God abandons us and backs away, he takes his favour and blessing away from us.
“I think that’s why God allows bad things to happen. I think that’s why he would allow 9/11 to happen, or the dreadful attack in San Bernardino. To show us we need him.”
Her brother Franklin Graham, founder of the charity Samaritan’s Purse, has previously accused President Barack Obama of spreading “immorality,” while praising Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, for instituting a ban on “gay propaganda”.
Mr Graham also claimed in a recent Russian newspaper interview that homosexuals steal children.
“Homosexuals cannot have children, they can take other people’s children,” he said.