Support Grows For Billy Graham National Holiday Petition

CHARLOTTE, NC — Just days after his memorial, evangelist and Charlotte native, Rev. Billy Graham is back in the news and the center of a petition to create a national holiday in his name. The petition, which was posted on change.org, had nearly 94,000 signatures as of Tuesday evening.

The petition was started by Kyle Siler, whose change.org profile describes him as an "earthmoving contractor" based in North Carolina. Graham lived out his final days in North Carolina and died in Charlotte on Feb. 21 at 99.

In the Billy Graham holiday petition, which seems to appeal directly to Donald Trump, Siler cites Graham's global influence as inspiration for the proposed holiday:

"Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Mr. Graham's counsel was sought by presidents, and his appeal in both the secular and religious arenas is evidenced by the wide range of groups that have honored him, including numerous honorary doctorates from many institutions in the U.S. and abroad."

SEE ALSO: Evangelist Billy Graham, 'America's Pastor,' Dies At 99

He's seeking 150,000 signatures. Of the 94,000 people who have signed so far, many added personal comments about why they support the idea of a Billy Graham national holiday.

One supporter wrote, "A man that has changed millions of lives and has made such an impact on the world deserves a national Holiday."

Another wrote, "This man of God should truly be honored."

SEE ALSO: Evangelist Billy Graham To Lie In State At US Capitol: Report

The petition drew opposition online from social media users who called Graham "homophobic" and sought a counter petition. The proposal for a holiday in his honor comes close in on the controversial decision to allow him to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C.

“While it would be fitting for evangelical Christian organizations to honor him, it is not appropriate for our federal and state governments to do so,” The Freedom From Religion Foundation said in a statement March 2. “Despite supporters' insistence that Graham is a universally beloved figure, he had a checkered history, including anti-Semitism, disdain for atheists and other alienating and divisive views,” the organization said.

Do you think Billy Graham should get a national holiday in his honor? Let us known in the comments.

I would be all for a national holiday for Billy Graham in exchange for all religious institutions in America pay taxes.
— Rich Mohn (@Rmohny) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/Rmohny/sta... 6, 2018

Original story by Lisa Marie Farver

PHOTO: NEW YORK -Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 24, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham's sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian televangelist's final crusade. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)