Franklin Graham Blasts NFL's 'Blitz' on Religious Liberty

Franklin Graham is taking a stand against the NFL for threatening to boycott the state of Georgia over a religious exemption bill.

The Georgia Legislature recently passed the religious freedom bill which protects clergy, churches and religious schools who are opposed to same-sex marriage.

Religious liberty supporters say the bill is already watered down and offers weak protections, yet a business coalition called Georgia Prospers is mounting an aggressive campaign to defeat it.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, Graham urged supporters to "stand up against this NFL blitz."

CBN News spoke with Sen. Greg Kirk more on the topic, click play to watch.

"LGBT forces and corporate super powers are using this threat to try to stop the bill that would protect pastors from performing same-sex marriages and give faith-based organizations permission to deny use of their facilities for things outside their religious beliefs," wrote Graham.

"It does not legalize discrimination as opponents are trying to say, rather it helps contain the growing discrimination against Christians who simply want to live out their faith," he said.

The NFL, Disney, Marvel and AMC are all threatening to boycott the state if the governor signs the religious liberty measure into law.

The league is warning that the measure could hurt Georgia's chances to host an upcoming Super Bowl.

"Disney and Marvel are inclusive companies, and although we have had great experiences filming in Georgia, we will plan to take our business elsewhere should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law," a Disney spokesperson said.

CBN News' Charlene Aaron spoke with Sen. Greg Kirk, R-Americus, the bill's co-sponsor, who said the measure does not affect businesses, only religious organizations.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has until May 3 to sign or veto the bill.