Franklin Graham offers hope to Ashley Madison users: 'Your sins can be forgiven'
A lot of people are currently in distress following the hacking of the cheating website Ashley Madison. In fact, some people have already been driven to suicide because of it.
Reaching out to people who committed adultery as facilitated by the website, Reverend Franklin Graham said God can still forgive their sins.
"Ashley Madison, the cheating website, continues to be in the news. Their slogan is 'Life is short. Have an affair.' This is partly true—life is short! Much shorter than imagined for some," he wrote on his Facebook page.
Graham was referring to the reported suicide of some of the 37 million users of the website after the hack, for fear of being caught and the shame and embarrassment their indiscretions would inevitably bring them and their families.
"The ripple effect of this disclosure has been multi-faceted, including scams and extortion of clients desperate to stop the exposure of their infidelity. If you are living in fear because of your sins, I want you to know that your sins can be forgiven," he said. "God can take away your guilt and shame and give you a new life. But you have to be willing to turn from your sin and put your faith in His Son Jesus Christ—to trust Him as your Saviour and follow Him as your Lord."
Graham quoted a biblical passage: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
One of the most shocking revelations brought by the hack was the disclosure of the two paid Ashley Madison accounts of former "19 Kids and Counting" reality star Josh Duggar, who is married to Anna. They have four kids.
After the millions of Ashley Madison accounts were leaked online following the hack, Duggar quickly apologised for being a "hypocrite" and sought prayers for his wife, who is undoubtedly troubled by the news.