A controversial American preacher has defended his views on subjects like abortion and homosexuality ahead of his tour in New Zealand.
Franklin Graham is the son of Billy Graham, an Evangelical preacher who came to New Zealand in the 50s and 60s to preach the word of God to huge crowds of people.
Franklin Graham has followed in his father's footsteps and is here on his God Loves You tour.
The 70-year-old preacher has been criticised for his opinions on things like Islam, abortion and homosexuality.
After 9/11 Graham said Islam was "wicked and evil" and in 2010 he said true Islam could not be practiced in the United States because "you cannot beat your wife or murder your children".
On Saturday when asked by Newshub Nation host Simon Shepherd if he still held those views, Graham said he believed that some countries could not practice true Islam.
"There are some parts of the world where true Islam can not be practiced [because] of multiple marriages, honour killings and those kinds of things that happen in some countries."
The preacher has also made abundantly clear he does not support homosexuality and considers it a sin.
Graham told Shepherd he doesn't mention LGBTQ+ issues in his preaching but believes God created marriage between heterosexual couples.
"God gave us sex and it's to be used in marriage between a man and a woman, that's what the Bible teaches," Graham said.
When asked if his preachings were culturally up to date, Graham said he didn't want to be.
"I am not trying to be up to date with culture. I am trying to preach a message that is a 2000-year-old message, it doesn't go by culture - it's God's word."
Graham's tour begins on Saturday in Christchurch and will continue in Wellington before finishing up in Auckland on November 19.
Watch the full interview above.
