Is Billy Graham an anti-Semite? Was Richard Nixon?
Thursday July 2, 2009
Newly released tapes from the Nixon Library certainly make these fair questions, and not for the first time. Particularly disturbing, especially for those who have limited familiarity with the New Testament, was their conversation about those who are part of...
Filed Under: anti-semitism, bible, billy graham, new testament, politics, revelation, richard nixon, synagogue of satan
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About Windows & Doors
Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of You Don’t Have To Be Wrong For Me To Be Right: Finding Faith Without Fanaticism. Listed as one of the nation’s 50 most influential rabbis in Newsweek, and a regular commentator on Court TV, he is the creator of the popular series, Building Bridges, airing on Bridges TV, and the co-host of the weekly radio show, Hirschfield and Kula. More About Brad
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There are very few popular evangelists that I would defend, as most have wandered from teaching scripture to grabbing power, living gaudy lifestyles and are into “feel good” lucrative ministries. However, I think Rev. Graham's life speaks for itself for being a strong supporter of Israel and the plight of Jews everywhere, especially in communist countries. Unfortunately, we have all been in situations where someone has said inappropriate remarks and we have remained quite or even repeated back to them the shameful remark. A person of conscience will regret such moments. This was at a time different time and it was to the President. I think it would be difficult for anyone to scold a sitting Republican President face to face, especially since Rev. Graham has been a lifelong Democrat. Rev. Graham is at the end of his life, a life dedicated to the Lord, and by his own admission he has been a sinful person. However, being in the public spotlight for over 60 years, nearly all aspects of his life has been under a microscope with little scandal. I believe he has tried live as God would have him and I think he has done a pretty good job of that. A private remark some 30 years ago should not tarnish the whole of this man’s life, since nothing in his public life would seem to support these remarks. Let give him a little slack on this one.
Brad,
Thanks for commenting on this. I appreciate your thorough and well thought-out insights.
As you know, I am not too sure of the purpose of this information coming out decades later. It is not like President Nixon was known for his great judgement and honesty. =)
As for JanS's comments:
Because it was said in private, it does not excuse it, nor categorize it as a one-time slip.
As for his time in the public life. . . be careful what you wish for. He welcomed his public life and the riches that accompanied that. He didn't nor does he now live the modest life of a parish priest, pastor, or local rabbi. Lastly, if you are a man of conviction, it doesn't matter if the person is Republican, Democrat, President or Pastor. you stand behind your beliefs. Can't give the man a pass on this - the only time we ever heard of. You'd have to ask him if he was sorry he said it or sorry he got caught. Of course you'd have to ask him in private, because then you'd get the truth. =)
I don't know if the release of the Nixon tapes and the reporting of this anti-semitism does anything positive for interfaith harmony.
Suppose Reverend Graham had dared to disagree with President Nixon, and the president had flowin into a rage? By modern standards, Nixon certainly was an anti-Semite, although nothing compared to some other politicians of the same era. Graham? Maybe he just chose his battles.
Randy Rossilli's comments are strangely uninformed when he asserts that Mr. Graham acquired riches from his public ministry. Randy must be mixing Graham up with some other evangelist. The man lives to this day in the same ordinary house he built in the 1950s and he never accumulated personal wealth from his ministry. He did inherit a measure of financial security from his father, who owned property that grew substantially in value, but family inheritance is not the same as using ministry to acquire riches.
Brad, Mr. Graham apologized for his private remarks to Nixon about as directly as a man can apologize. In reference to his conversation with Nixon, Mr. Graham said flatly, "I was wrong ... " And he said, addressing a group of Jewish leaders, "I need to come to you on hands and knees. ..." What else would you want him to say? In your essay, you are carefully limiting yourself to citing only one part of hs apology, so as to make your point.
Just recently I've been listening to the Billy Graham classics. He's probably the greatest preacher of our times, done more good in the world then ever, Franklin Graham also. Why do you want to pick on a righteous man? This creates Anti-Semitism. I stand against Anti-Semitism always, and I've never heard any derogatory word against any group or groups of people come out of his mouth. Maybe you misinterpreted what he meant by what he said and he still apologized. Why don't you pick on someone who is selling our Nation down the river and Israel right now? Would you not agree that we have had a lot of Jewish support in making this happen? Instead of coming against each other can you not find it in your heart to think on how we do agree. We both agree that the HOLY BIBLE is the greatest book ever written and God chose the Jewish people to deliver this book to the world to change the whole world, not to keep it on the shelf. Let's dust off our Bibles and not just kiss it, but make it our daily love letter and do our best to follow it's teachings and make a difference in this sin sick world. We can change it and we must! The Muslims say we are both INFIDELS and they have targeted both Christian and Jew. Let's come together and quit bashing one another. To slander a great man of God in this way is the same as murder in my Bible.
Asking if being just a little antisemitic is akin to the only a little pregnant answer. Of course Mr. Nixon was old fashioned anti-Jewish as is/was the Grahams. Discorses about the significance of First Century Christianity masks the real issues. Of course, Dr. Kissinger. knowing full well of his "boss'" tendencies managed to play the "Court Jew" although "born again under the Cross and forgetting the "Star." They are all as one, sad, mean spirited, intellectually corrupt and should not be allowed off easily if at all.
Judging Nixon is difficult because he'd say something crude in the morning and the opposite at night. Kissinger wrote that his close aides learned to ignore the first thing that popped out of Nixon's mouth - Watergate being the most important exception.
First of all this so called "Rev. Cathy rose Cohen" isn't truely a Rev. She bought her title off some false evagelist on tv that tells everyone that god will heal them and give them all kinds of money if they give him money first. Thousands of dollars so he can buy his own personal jet! People this is not God! She lies constantly and burns bridges within her owm family while abusing her own daughter. She is just like the pharisees in the days of Jesus.Cathy you should repent to God Almighty and stop harrasing your family members.
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