Evangelist Franklin Graham delivered a tough message over the weekend to marijuana defenders who argue that "God made it so it must be okay," explaining in a Facebook post why he patently rejects such logic.
"My last post about NFL draft choice Laremy Tunsil, received several comments from people about cannabis or marijuana not being so bad — after all, God made it," Graham wrote. "Well, God made mushrooms, but there are some types of mushrooms so poisonous that just one could make you dangerously ill or kill you."
And he wasn't done there, going on to use the debate over a bizarre incident surrounding a questionable video showing Tunsil wearing a gas mask and apparently smoking from a bong that emerged on his verified Twitter account just minutes before the NFL draft began last week as a springboard for his commentary.
"God made tobacco, but research has long proven that smoking or chewing it is very harmful to your body, even deadly," Graham continued.
The evangelist's point? Simply because God made something doesn't mean that every substance or creature in question is entirely harmless. To illustrate his point, Graham quipped that he doesn't personally plan to pick up any rattlesnakes anytime soon.
Then, he proceeded to discuss his views on the dangers of cannabis.
"Marijuana has been proven to be addictive, has many side effects, and can be harmful," he said. "We’ve all seen the results it can bring when misused."
Graham concluded his message by asking anyone who is "addicted to tobacco, marijuana or other drugs" to ask God for help and guidance in overcoming those issues.
"The Bible tells us that, 'God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life,'" Graham continued, offering to personally connect anyone who makes a decision to make a life change with one of his staff members who he said will assist with resources and information. "Just ask Him to forgive you of your sins and take your life and make it new."
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Billy Hallowell
Billy Hallowell is the director of communications and content for PureFlix.com, whose mission is to create God-honoring entertainment that strengthens the faith and values of individuals and families. He's a former senior editor at Faithwire.com and the former faith and culture editor at TheBlaze. He has contributed to FoxNews.com, The Washington Post, Human Events, The Daily Caller, Mediaite, and The Huffington Post, among other outlets. Visit his website (billyhallowell.com) for more of his work.