Ashley Madison, the paid, online service that connects people looking to cheat on their spouses, recently experienced a scare when it was revealed the website had been hacked, threatening to reveal the identity of its 37 million subscribers.
As widespread panic ensued, evangelist Franklin Graham took to Facebook to remind members of the "adultery site" that it is futile to run and hide, as God already knows about their sins.
"The Bible says, 'be sure your sin will find you out,'" Graham wrote. "I have news for all those worried cheaters out there wringing their hands-God already knew!"
The security breach at Ashley Madison, which boasted "Over 37,890,000 anonymous members!" was first reported late Sunday by Brian Krebs of KrebsonSecurity, a website focusing on cyber security.
Hackers, who call themselves "The Impact Group", threatened to reveal the identities and personal data of the users of Ashley Madison, which features a slogan on its homepage claiming that it's "the world's leading married dating service for discreet encounters." The website's motto is more blatant, reading, "Life is short. Have an affair."
As of Thursday morning, hackers had only leaked the identities of the website's first two subscribers-a man from Canada and the other from Brockton, Massachusetts.
However, what was revealed is intensely personal, notes CBSNews. Among the data released about the Brockton client of Ashley Madison: His user ID is "Heavy73;″ he listed himself as "married/attached;" he joined the site the day after Valentine's Day, 2014; he likes "cuddling & hugging" and is into "discretion & secrecy."
In continuing his comments, Rev. Graham, who is also the president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, lamented that immorality has become "such big business." He charged, however, that while times may have changed, God's laws and standards remain the same--and those who violate such laws will have to pay for their sins in the end.
Graham then quoted the Bible verse Hebrews 4:13 which says, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
In an op-ed for conservatie website juicyecumenism.com, journalist Rachel Williams encourages the church to use the Ashley Madison scandal as an "opportunity for the church to foster a dialogue about adultery, lust and the root issue of selfishness."
"It's an uncomfortable conversation but a necessary one," she writes. "Let's hope churches can utilize the hack of Ashley Madison as an occasion not to cast stones but instead come together and facilitate a vulnerable and transformative discussion about sexual brokenness. Perhaps then the gospel will be center stage as the church works towards wholeness in the pursuit of the life Christians are called to lead. This is a moment in time for honest conversations, accountability, forgiveness, the importance of repentance, submission to God and letting the Lord's grace transform us from the inside out."
