Ken Ham challenges media to show evidence that he blamed homosexuality for hurricanes

Ken Ham, the president of creationist organization Answers in Genesis, has denounced a newspaper's claim that he blamed homosexuality for the recent hurricanes that hit the U.S.

"The @heraldleader lies about me and others once again in their attempts to sell their failing newspaper," Ham tweeted, referring to an op-ed article from the Lexington-Herald Leader.

The op-ed article claimed that Ham, along with other evangelical figures such as Franklin Graham, Jerry Falwell Jr., Pat Robertson, Mike Huckabee, had stated "without reservation" that natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma are "God's punishment for homosexuality."

The article had not provided any links to what the evangelical leaders have allegedly said on the matter, and Ham had insisted that he never made such a connection.

"I defy @heraldleader to show where I specifically connected Irma and Harvey with homosexuality," Ham wrote in another tweet.

In an earlier post, Ham said that hurricanes serve as a "reminder we live in a fallen groaning world as a result of our sin against a Holy God."

Graham, the president of Samaritan's Purse, which is one of the relief groups helping those affected by the hurricanes, stated in a Facebook post on Sept. 10 that the Bible predicts that there will be an increase in natural disasters before the Jesus Christ returns.

He noted that nobody knows the exact day when Jesus will return, but he warned that the hurricanes should serve as a "reminder to all of us to be ready — to repent and confess our sins, and ask for God's forgiveness."

Hurricane Harvey has devastated thousands of homes in Houston area and has left at least 70 people dead, while Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever recorded, has killed at least 23 people and devastated several islands including Barbuda, Turks and Caicos, Anguilla, the Virgin Islands and Cuba.

"Growing Pains" star and evangelical Christian actor Kirk Cameron had also drawn controversy for his comments about the hurricanes.

In a recent Facebook video recorded from an airport in Orlando, the 46-year-old actor contended that the hurricanes are "a spectacular display of God's immense power" and that there was a purpose for the natural disasters.

He said that people may not know what the exact purpose is, but it should "cause us to respond to God in humility, awe and repentance."

His comments have drawn more than 3,000 public comments, with some criticizing him and others coming to his defense.

"Kirk, with all due respect, you are out of your ever lovin mind!!! Absolutely NUTS!!! CLIMATE CHANGE!!!" one person wrote.

The 46-year-old actor asked his followers to use his comments as a way to respond to children's questions about the natural disasters, and remind them that "God is the blessed controller of all things."