Franklin Graham Defends Describing Transgender People As 'Weirdos' - 'Jesus Wasn't Real Loving Sometimes'

Franklin Graham has defended his judgmental language towards Muslims, gay people and political opponents by saying Jesus himself used harsh words sometimes.

In an interview with WBTV – a South Carolina based channel – Graham described transgender people as 'weirdos that want to force themselves into girls' locker rooms and to women's bathrooms' and called on Trump not to tone down his rhetoric towards immigrants.

Franklin Graham says people should 'pray for law enforcement as they try to find those guilty' of terrorism in America. (Facebook/Franklin Graham)

'Jesus wasn't real loving sometimes. He called the Pharisees vipers, snakes, whitewashed tombs,' he said.

'So, you have to understand the world in which we live is dangerous.'

Asked whether Trump should tone down his aggressive rhetoric to unite America, Graham disagreed and said the country should 'look to God for healing' instead.

'No, I'm not going to tell him to tone it down,' Graham said. 'I mean, my goodness, he got to where he is by being who he is.'

The son of evangelist Billy Graham also repeated his attacks on former President Barack Obama for not backing police 'the way he should have' in the Black Lives Matter protests.

And he seemed to repeat Donald Trump's call for tougher police action.

'It sends a message that 'I'm not going to stand by and let y'all do this. Y'all want to riot and burn your streets? Well guess what? We're going to come in there with federal officers if need be and we're going to put a stop to it.''

But in a softer moment he admitted his 98-year-old father struggles to hear or see well.

'Communication is very difficult with him,' Franklin Graham said.

'He kind of shuts down. Maybe one or two word kind of sentences.'

He added: 'Of course, you'd like to see him like he was 20 years ago. But this is part of life.'

News
Archbishop of Canterbury calls for peace in first Easter sermon
Archbishop of Canterbury calls for peace in first Easter sermon

Dame Sarah Mullally has used her first Easter Day sermon as Archbishop of Canterbury to renew calls for peace in the Middle East. 

Easter Sunday and the hope of resurrection
Easter Sunday and the hope of resurrection

The hope of the resurrection is especially precious in a world filled with grief, violence, uncertainty, and pain.

Activists warn Syriacs being erased in Syria
Activists warn Syriacs being erased in Syria

The Syriacs are mostly Christian.

New Iraq report urges stronger action to protect Christians and other religious minorities
New Iraq report urges stronger action to protect Christians and other religious minorities

Jim Shannon MP said the report records both “the progress observed” and “the ongoing challenges” that remain for religious minorities seeking to live in safety and freedom in Iraq.