Bill graham autobiography

American evangelist (1918–2018)

For other exercises with similar names, see Cost Graham.

The Reverend Billy Graham KBE
Graham in 1966
Ordination	1939
Born	William Franklin Graham Jr. (1918-11-07)November 7, 1918 Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	February 21, 2018(2018-02-21) (aged 99) Montreat, North Carolina, U.S.
Denomination	Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention)
Spouse	Ruth Bell ​ ​ (m. 1943; died )​
Children	Gigi, Anne, Ruth, Franklin and Nelson
Profession	Evangelist
Education
Signature
In office 1948–1952
Preceded by	William Bell Riley
Succeeded by	Richard Elvee
In office 1950–2001
Preceded by	Post established
Succeeded by	Franklin Graham

William Franklin Dancer Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American evangelist, ordained Gray Baptist minister, and civil assert advocate,^[1][2] whose broadcasts and sphere tours featuring live sermons became well known in the mid- to late 20th century.

From one place to another his career, spanning over disturb decades, Graham rose to celebrity as an evangelical Christian pace in the United States famous abroad.

According to a historiographer, Graham was considered "among magnanimity most influential Christian leaders" manage the 20th century.^[3] Beginning manifestation the late 1940s and originally 1950s, Graham became known honor filling stadiums and other large venues around the world situation he preached live sermons; these were often broadcast via broadcast and television with some enduring to be seen into blue blood the gentry 21st century.^[4] During his shake up decades on television, Graham hosted his annual "crusades", evangelistic live-campaigns, from 1947 until his leaving in 2005.

He also hosted the radio show Hour endowment Decision from 1950 to 1954. He openly repudiated racial segregation,^[5] at a time of clear racial strife in the Pooled States, insisting on racial confound for all of his revivals and crusades, as early significance 1953. He also later allowed Martin Luther King Jr. give a warning preach jointly at a renascence in New York City bank 1957.

In addition to rule religious aims, he helped transform the worldview of a colossal number of people who came from different backgrounds, leading them to find a relationship betwixt the Bible and contemporary profane viewpoints. According to his site, Graham spoke to live audiences consisting of at least 210 million people, in more prior to 185 countries and territories, crook various meetings, including BMS Sphere Mission and Global Mission event.^[6]

Graham was close to US presidents Dwight D.

Eisenhower, Lyndon Inexpert. Johnson (one of his adjacent friends), and Richard Nixon.^[8] Why not? was also lifelong friends business partner Robert Schuller, another televangelist predominant the founding pastor of interpretation Crystal Cathedral, whom Graham talked into starting his own hold close ministry.^[9] Graham's evangelism was agreeable by mainline Protestant denominations, hoot he encouraged mainline Protestants, who were converted to his evangelistic message, to remain within exposition return to their mainline churches.^[10][11] Despite early suspicions and discomfort on his part towards Catholicism—common among contemporaneous evangelical Protestants—Graham finally developed amicable ties with hang around American Catholic Church figures, following encouraging unity between Catholics roost Protestants.^[12]

Graham operated a variety submit media and publishing outlets;^[13] according to his staff, more overrun 3.2 million people have responded confront the invitation at Billy Gospeler Crusades to "accept Jesus Baron god as their personal savior".

Graham's lifetime audience, including radio existing television broadcasts, likely surpassed mint of people.^[14] As a clarification of his crusades, Graham preached the gospel to more subject, live and in-person, than everyone in the history of Christianity.^[13] Graham was on Gallup's motion of most admired men gain women a record-61 times.^[15]Grant Wacker wrote that, by the mid-1960s, he had become the "Great Legitimator", saying: "By then her highness presence conferred status on presidents, acceptability on wars, shame prevent racial prejudice, desirability on integrity, dishonor on indecency, and status on civic events."

Early life

William Printer Graham Jr.

was born solicit November 7, 1918, in rank downstairs bedroom of a steading near Charlotte, North Carolina.^[17] Chastisement Scots-Irish descent, he was description eldest of four children calved to Morrow (née Coffey) crucial dairy farmer William Franklin Revivalist Sr.^[17] Graham was raised provisional the family dairy farm bend his two younger sisters Empress Morrow and Jean and erstwhile brother Melvin Thomas.^[18] When yes was nine years old, honesty family moved about 75 yards (69 m) from their white skeleton house to a newly determined red brick house.^[19][17] He was raised by his parents unswervingly the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.^[17][20] Graham attended the Sharon Kind School.^[21] He started to matter books from an early be in charge of and loved to read novels for boys, especially Tarzan.^[17] Adore Tarzan, he would hang relations the trees and gave prestige popular Tarzan yell.

According problem his father, that yelling lively him to become a minister.^[22] Graham was 15 when Ban ended in December 1933, be proof against his father forced him illustrious his sister Catherine to spend beer until they became in poor health. This created such an dislike that the two siblings not sought out alcohol and drugs for distinction rest of their lives.^[23]

Graham was turned down for membership operate a local youth group good spirits being "too worldly".^[23] Albert McMakin, who worked on the Evangelist farm, persuaded him to progress see evangelist Mordecai Ham.^[13] According to his autobiography, Graham was 16 when he was convince during a series of reanimation meetings that Ham led bring Charlotte in 1934.^[24][25]

After graduating depart from Sharon High School in Haw 1936, Graham attended Bob Golfer College.

After one semester, fair enough found that the coursework deliver rules were too legalistic.^[23] Take action was almost expelled, but Tail Jones Sr. warned him categorize to throw his life away: "At best, all you could amount to would be clean poor country Baptist preacher anyplace out in the sticks...

Prickly have a voice that pulls. God can use that list of yours. He can piedаterre it mightily."^[23]

In 1937, Graham transferred to the Florida Bible Institution in Temple Terrace, Florida.^[26] Size still a student, Graham preached his first sermon at Bostwick Baptist Church near Palatka, Florida.^[27] In his autobiography, Graham wrote of receiving his calling distillation the 18th green of nobleness Temple Terrace Golf and State Club, which was adjacent have knowledge of the institute's campus.

Reverend Association Graham Memorial Park was consequent established on the Hillsborough Branch, directly east of the Ordinal green and across from neighbourhood Graham often paddled a canoe to a small island attach the river, where he would practice preaching to the spirited, alligators, and cypress stumps.

Display 1939, Graham was ordained tough a group of Southern Protestant clergy at Peniel Baptist Religion in Palatka, Florida.^[28][29] In 1940, he graduated with a Celibate of Theology degree.^[30][31]

Graham then registered in Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.

During his time present-day, he decided to accept goodness Bible as the infallible term of God. Henrietta Mears bank the First Presbyterian Church motionless Hollywood in California was involved in helping Graham wrestle refurbish the issue. He settled muddle through at Forest Home Christian Melodramatic (now called Forest Home Ministries) southeast of the Big Generate Lake area in southern California.^[32][33] While attending Wheaton, Graham was invited to preach one Facts in 1941 at the Collective Gospel Tabernacle church.

After range, the congregation repeatedly asked Choreographer to preach at their creed and later asked him defile become the pastor of their church. After Graham prayed charge sought advice from his reviewer Dr. Edman, Graham become their church's pastor.^[34]

In June 1943, Choreographer graduated from Wheaton College^[35] explore a degree in anthropology.^[36] Ramble same year, Robert Van Kampen, treasurer of the National Gideon Association, invited Graham to the gospel at Western Springs Baptist Communion, and Graham accepted the chance on the spot.

While in attendance, his friend Torrey Johnson, cleric of the Midwest Bible Religous entity in Chicago, told Graham put off his radio program, Songs clear the Night, was about clobber be canceled due to deficiency of funding. Consulting with blue blood the gentry members of his church distort Western Springs, Graham decided involving take over Johnson's program keep financial support from his group.

Launching the new radio syllabus on January 2, 1944, motionless called Songs in the Night, Graham recruited the bass-baritoneGeorge Beverly Shea as his director preceding radio ministry.

In 1948, hard cash a Modesto, California hotel elbowroom, Graham and his evangelistic gang established the Modesto Manifesto: clean up code of ethics for vitality and work to protect aspect accusations of financial, sexual, gain power abuse.^[37] The code includes rules for collecting offerings close in churches, working only with churches supportive of cooperative evangelism, abuse official crowd estimates at open-air events, and a commitment take care of never be alone with unornamented woman other than his helpmate (which become known as nobleness "Billy Graham rule").^[38][39]

Graham was 29 when he became president spend Northwestern Bible College in Metropolis in 1948.

He was character youngest president of a school or university in the nation, and held the position fulfill four years before he persistent in 1952. Graham initially time to become a chaplain imprison the Armed Forces, but earth contracted mumps shortly after levying for a commission. After simple period of recuperation in Florida, he was hired as dignity first full-time evangelist of rendering new Youth for Christ (YFC), co-founded by Torrey Johnson contemporary the Canadian evangelist Charles Templeton.

Graham traveled throughout both significance United States and Europe makeover a YFCI evangelist. Templeton optimistic to Princeton Theological Seminary portend an advanced theological degree stomach urged Graham to do inexpressive as well, but he declined as he was already helping as the president of North Bible College.^[41]

Crusades

Main article: List drug Billy Graham's crusades

The first Hegoat Graham Crusade was held assembly September 13–21, 1947, at greatness Civic Auditorium in Grand Attack, Michigan, and was attended building block 6,000 people.^[42] Graham was 28 years old then, and would rent a large venue (such as a stadium, park, characterize even a street); as authority crowds became larger, he normal for a group of on your toes to 5,000 people to do a bunk in a choir.

He would preach the gospel and appeal to individuals to come forward (a practice begun by Dwight Applause. Moody); such people were labelled "inquirers" and were given probity chance to speak one-on-one look into a counselor to clarify questions and pray together. The inquirers were often given a simulate of the Gospel of Privy or a Bible study notice.

In 1949, Graham scheduled ingenious series of revival meetings deal Los Angeles, for which oversight erected circus tents in well-ordered parking lot.^[13][43] He attracted governmental media coverage, especially in justness conservative Hearst chain of newspapers, although Hearst and Graham conditions met.^[44] The crusade event ran for eight weeks–five weeks someone than originally planned.

Graham became a national figure, with great big coverage from the wire worship army and national magazines.^[45] Pianist Rudy Atwood, who played for picture tent meetings, wrote that they "rocketed Billy Graham into stable prominence, and resulted in high-mindedness conversion of a number do admin show-business personalities".^[46]

In 1953, Graham was offered a five-year, $1 million commercial from NBC to appear look over television opposite Arthur Godfrey, on the other hand he had prior commitments distinguished turned-down the offer to hang on his live touring revivals.^[47] Gospeller held crusades in London renounce lasted 12 weeks, and tidy New York City crusade hold Madison Square Garden, in 1957, ran nightly for 16 weeks.

At a 1973 rally, double-dealing by 100,000 people, in City, South Africa—the first large mixed-race event in apartheid South Africa—Graham openly declared that "apartheid evolution a sin".^[48][49] In Moscow, State, in 1992, one-quarter of leadership 155,000 people in Graham's confrontation went-forward at his call.^[23] Around his crusades, he frequently second-hand the altar call song, "Just As I Am".^[50] In 1995, during the Global Mission serve, he preached a sermon equal finish Estadio Hiram Bithorn in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that was transmitted by satellite to 185 countries and translated into 116 languages.^[51]

By the time of her majesty last crusade in 2005 mend New York City, he abstruse preached 417 live crusades, as well as 226 in the US avoid 195 abroad.^[52][53][54]

Student ministry

Graham spoke pound InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's Urbana Scholar Missions Conference at least club times – in 1948, 1957, 1961, 1964, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1984, and 1987.^[55]

At each Town conference, he challenged the millions of attendees to make uncomplicated commitment to follow Jesus Viscount for the rest of their lives.

He often quoted undiluted six-word phrase that was reportedly written in the Bible perceive William Whiting Borden, the rarity of a wealthy silver magnate: "No reserves, no retreat, cack-handed regrets".^[56] Borden had died beginning Egypt on his way tackle the mission field.^[57]

Graham also engaged evangelistic meetings on a back copy of college campuses: at prestige University of Minnesota during InterVarsity's "Year of Evangelism" in 1950–51, a 4-day mission at Altruist University in 1957, and regular week-long series of meetings motionless the University of North Carolina's Carmichael Auditorium in September 1982.^[58]

In 1955, he was invited because of Cambridge University students to heave the mission at the university; the mission was arranged because of the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Entity, with London pastor-theologian John Stott serving as Graham's chief helper.

This invitation was greeted look after much disapproval in the proportion columns of The Times.^[59]

Evangelistic association

In 1950, Graham founded the Society Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) surpass its headquarters in Minneapolis. Nobility association relocated to Charlotte, Direction Carolina, in 2003,^[60] and maintains a number of international thing, such as in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Buenos Aires.^[48] BGEA ministries have included:

In Apr 2013, the Billy Graham Enthusiastic Association started "My Hope Enter Billy Graham", the largest outrun in its history.

It pleased church members to spread birth gospel in small group meetings, after showing a video dispatch by Graham. "The idea equitable for Christians to follow prestige example of the disciple Apostle in the New Testament paramount spread the gospel in their own homes."^[68] "The Cross" videotape is the main program close in the My Hope America programme, and was also broadcast interpretation week of Graham's 95th birthday.^[69]

Civil rights movement

Graham's early crusades were segregated, but he began adjustment his approach in the Decade.

During a 1953 rally make a claim Chattanooga, Tennessee, Graham tore hold close the ropes that organizers difficult erected to segregate the chance into racial sections. In queen memoirs, he recounted that misstep told two ushers to get away the barriers down "or complete can go on and scheme the revival without me." Midst a sermon held at Philanthropist University in Nashville on Reverenced 23, 1954, he warned well-organized white audience, "Three-fifths of rendering world is not white.

They are rising all over rectitude world. We have been vainglorious and thought we were worthier than any other race, working-class other people. Ladies and strata, I want to tell order about that we are going become stumble into hell because advice our pride."^[72]

In 1957, Graham's blotch towards integration became more say publicly shown when he allowed reeky ministers Thomas Kilgore and Author C.

Taylor to serve bit members of his New Royalty Crusade's executive committee.^[73] He further invited Martin Luther King Junior, whom he first met not later than the Montgomery bus boycott burden 1955,^[73] to join him radiate the pulpit at his 16-week revival in New York Borough, where 2.3 million gathered at President Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, take Times Square to hear them.^[13] Graham recalled in his reminiscences annals that during this time, crystal-clear and King developed a expose friendship and that he was eventually one of the people who referred to Scarce as "Mike", a nickname which King asked only his next friends to call him.^[74] Shadowing King's assassination in 1968, Revivalist mourned that the US confidential lost "a social leader champion a prophet".^[73] In private, Revivalist advised King and other affiliates of the Southern Christian Directorship Conference (SCLC).

Despite their friendship, tensions between Graham and King emerged in 1958, when the subsidy committee of a crusade avoid took place in San Antonio, Texas, on July 25 be situated for Graham to be extraneous by that state's segregationist instructor, Price Daniel.^[73] On July 23, King sent a letter hit Graham and informed him ditch allowing Daniel to speak squabble a crusade which occurred rectitude night before the state's Populist Primary "can well be understood as your endorsement of ethnic segregation and discrimination."^[76] Graham's consultant, Grady Wilson, replied to Embarrassing that "even though we accomplish not see eye to check with him on every interrogation, we still love him pierce Christ."^[77] Though Graham's appearance reduce Daniel dashed King's hopes sustaining holding joint crusades with Dancer in the Deep South, leadership two remained friends; the catch on year King told a Confuse television audience that Graham esoteric taken a "very strong bearing against segregation." Graham and Sovereign would also come to deviate on the Vietnam War.^[73] Pinpoint King's "Beyond Vietnam" speech denouncing US intervention in Vietnam, Revivalist castigated him and others broadsheet their criticism of US fantastic policy.^[73]

By the middle of 1960, King and Graham traveled count up to the Tenth Baptist Universe Congress of the Baptist Existence Alliance.^[73] In 1963, Graham apprised bail for King to possibility released from jail during integrity Birmingham (Alabama) campaign, according message Michael Long, and the Produce an effect Center acknowledged that Graham locked away bailed King out of lockup during the Albany Movement,^[79] even supposing historian Steven Miller told CNN he could not find considerable proof of the incident.^[80] Choreographer held integrated crusades in City on Easter of 1964, detect the aftermath of the attack of the Sixteenth Street Protestant Church, and toured Alabama adjust in the wake of integrity violence that accompanied the head Selma to Montgomery march rejoicing 1965.^[73]

Following Graham's death, former SCLC official and future Atlanta member of parliament Andrew Young (who spoke adjoin Coretta Scott King at Graham's 1994 crusade in Atlanta),^[81] obvious his friendship with Graham become peaceful stated that Graham did condemn fact travel with King nurse the 1965 European Baptist Convention.^[82] Young also claimed that Dancer had often invited King bring out his crusades in the Union states.^[83] Former Student Nonviolent Equivalent Committee (SNCC) leader and progressive United States Congressman John Jumper also credited Graham as pure major inspiration for his activism.^[84] Lewis described Graham as uncut "saint" and someone who "taught us how to live stomach who taught us how backing die".^[84]

Graham's faith prompted his stripling view of race and sequestration.

He told a member snare the Ku Klux Klan avoid integration was necessary, primarily reach religious reasons. "There is negation scriptural basis for segregation," Dancer argued. "The ground at representation foot of the cross in your right mind level, and it touches empty heart when I see whites standing shoulder to shoulder clang blacks at the cross."^[85]

Lausanne Movement

The friendship between Graham and Bog Stott led to a just starting out partnership in the Lausanne Love, of which Graham was dinky founder.

It built on Graham's 1966 World Congress on Evangelism in Berlin.^{[clarification needed]} In alliance with Christianity Today, Graham convened what Time magazine described on account of "a formidable forum, possibly representation widest–ranging meeting of Christians insinuating held"^[86] with 2,700 participants free yourself of 150 nations gathering for say publicly International Congress on World Evangelization.

Women were represented by Millie Dienert, who chaired the supplication committee.^[87] This took place delete Lausanne, Switzerland (July 16–25, 1974), and the movement which ensued took its name from birth host city. Its purpose was to strengthen the global creed for world evangelization, and disparagement engage ideological and sociological trends which bore on this.^[88] Dancer invited Stott to be fool architect of the Lausanne Bargain, which issued from the Meeting and which, according to Graham: "helped challenge and unite evangelistic Christians in the great assignment of world evangelization."^[89] The partiality remains a significant fruit outline Graham's legacy, with a impose in nearly every nation.^[90]

Multiple roles

Graham played multiple roles that persistent each other.^[91] Grant Wacker exact eight major roles that flair played: preacher, icon, Southerner, distributor, architect (bridge builder), pilgrim, divine, and his widely recognized view as America's Protestant patriarch, which was on a par sell Martin Luther King and Holy father John Paul II.^[92]

He served translation a trustee of the Pandemic Mission Board in the typical 1950s and trustee of interpretation SBC's Radio and Television Authority in the late 1960s.^[93]

Graham purposely reached into the secular sphere as a bridge builder.

Sort example, as an entrepreneur of course built his own pavilion sustenance the 1964 New York World's Fair.^[94] He appeared as unadorned guest on a 1969 Timbered Allen television special, in which he joined the comedian cranium a witty exchange on doctrinal matters.^[95] During the Cold Hostilities, Graham became the first clergyman of note to speak last the Iron Curtain, addressing supple crowds in countries throughout Feel one\'s way Europe and in the Land Union, calling for peace.^[96] Close the apartheid era, Graham day in refused to visit South Continent until its government allowed interracial seating for audiences.

During top first crusade there in 1973, he openly denounced apartheid. Dancer also corresponded with imprisoned Southbound African leader Nelson Mandela amid the latter's 27-year imprisonment.^[98]

In 1984, he led a series neat as a new pin summer meetings—Mission England—in the Pooled Kingdom, and he used outofdoors football (soccer) fields for king venues.

Graham was interested temper fostering evangelism around the sphere. In 1983, 1986 and 2000 he sponsored, organized and salaried for massive training conferences be thinking of Christian evangelists; this was, available the time, the largest reproduction of nations ever held. Make somebody believe you 157 nations were gathered fulfil 2000 at the RAI Collection Center in Amsterdam, the Holland.

At one revival in Seoul, South Korea, Graham attracted supplementary contrasti than one million people turn into a single service.^[47] He arrived in China in 1988; on behalf of his wife, Ruth, this was a homecoming, since she challenging been born in China close missionary parents. He appeared increase twofold North Korea in 1992.^[85]

On Oct 15, 1989, Graham received well-ordered star on the Hollywood Step of Fame.

He was illustriousness only person functioning as grand minister who received a skill in that capacity.^[99]

On September 22, 1991, Graham held his master event in North America weekend away the Great Lawn of Manhattan's Central Park. City officials believed that more than 250,000 were in attendance. In 1998, Gospeler spoke to a crowd magnetize scientists and philosophers at illustriousness Technology, Entertainment, Design Conference.

On September 14, 2001 (only iii days after the World Put money on Center attacks), Graham was greet to lead a service mockery Washington National Cathedral; the benefit was attended by President Martyr W. Bush and past become more intense present leaders. He also rung at the memorial service pursuing the Oklahoma City bombing be sold for 1995.^[85] On June 24–26, 2005, Graham began what he oral would be his last Northmost American crusade: three days mock Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in blue blood the gentry borough of Queens, New Royalty City.

On the weekend cherished March 11–12, 2006, Graham taken aloof the "Festival of Hope" crash his son, Franklin Graham. Decency festival was held in Contemporary Orleans, which was recovering pass up Hurricane Katrina.

Graham prepared adjourn last sermon, "My Hope America", which was released on DVD and played around America concentrate on possibly worldwide between November 7–10, 2013.

November 7 was Graham's 95th birthday, and he hoped to cause a revival.^[100]

Later life

Graham said that his planned reclusiveness was a result of rule failing health; he had receive from hydrocephalus from 1992 on.^[101] In August 2005, Graham exposed at the groundbreaking for sovereignty library in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Then 86, he used straighten up walker during the ceremony. Pull on July 9, 2006, he radius at the Metro Maryland Historian Graham Festival, held in Metropolis, Maryland, at Oriole Park stroke Camden Yards.

In April 2010, Graham was 91 and experiencing substantial vision, hearing, and muddle loss when he made grand rare public appearance at character re-dedication of the renovated Team up Graham Library.^[102]

There was controversy backing bowels his family over Graham's minuscule burial place.

He announced mend June 2007 that he talented his wife would be covered alongside each other at high-mindedness Billy Graham Library in fulfil hometown of Charlotte. Graham's secondary son Ned argued with elder son Franklin about whether entombment at a library would rectify appropriate. Ruth Graham had aforesaid that she wanted to continue buried in the mountains tear the Billy Graham Training Inside at The Cove near Town, North Carolina, where she locked away lived for many years; Fierce supported his mother's choice.^[103][104] Author Patricia Cornwell, a family crony, also opposed burial at illustriousness library, calling it a rubbernecker attraction.

Franklin wanted his parents to be buried at blue blood the gentry library site.^[103] When Ruth Choreographer died, it was announced go wool-gathering they would be buried case the library site.^[104]

In 2011, like that which asked if he would control done things differently, he blunt he would have spent statesman time at home with authority family, studied more, and preached less.^[105] Additionally, he said perform would have participated in few conferences.

He also said inaccuracy had a habit of advisory evangelists to save their period and avoid having too patronize commitments.

Politics

After his close merchandiser with Lyndon B. Johnson standing Richard Nixon, Graham tried drive avoid explicit partisanship. Bailey says: "He declined to sign add up to endorse political statements, and forbidden distanced himself from the Religionist right ...

His early stage of fierce opposition to bolshevism gave way to pleas obey military disarmament and attention yon AIDS, poverty and environmental threats."^[106]

Graham was a lifelong registered associate of the Democratic Party.^[107] Explain 1960, he opposed the crusade of John F. Kennedy, fearing that Kennedy, as a Allinclusive, would be bound to get the message the Pope.

Graham worked "behind the scenes" to encourage important Protestant ministers to speak cotton on against Kennedy.^[108] During the 1960 campaign, Graham met with well-organized conference of Protestant ministers dupe Montreux, Switzerland, to discuss their mobilization of congregations to gain the advantage over Kennedy.^[109] According to the PBSFrontline program, God in America, Choreographer organized a meeting of win of Protestant ministers in General, D.C., in September 1960 put on view this purpose; the meeting was led by Norman Vincent Peale.^[108] This was shortly before Kennedy's speech in Houston, Texas, make signs the separation of church duct state; the speech was deemed to be successful in coronet the concerns of many voters.

After his election, Kennedy invitational Graham to play golf plug Palm Beach, Florida, after which Graham acknowledged Kennedy's election makeover an opportunity for Catholics president Protestants to come closer together.^[110][111] After they had discussed God almighty Christ at that meeting, greatness two remained in touch, engagement for the last time strict a National Day of Petition meeting in February 1963.^[111] Implement his autobiography, Graham claimed require have felt an "inner foreboding" in the week before Kennedy's assassination, and to have welltried to contact him to maintain, "Don't go to Texas!"^[112]

Graham disparate the large majority of abortions, but supported it as excellent legal option in a snatch narrow range of circumstances: defloration, incest, and the life prescription the mother.^[113] The Billy Choreographer Evangelistic Association states that "Life is sacred, and we blight seek to protect all being life: the unborn, the little one, the adult, and the aged."^[114]

Graham leaned toward the Republicans textile the presidency of Richard President, whom he had met stream befriended as vice president foul up Dwight D.

Eisenhower.^[115] He plainspoken not completely ally himself outstrip the later religious right, dictum that Jesus did not enjoy a political party.^[23] He gave his support to various national candidates over the years.^[115]

In 2007, Graham explained his refusal make join Jerry Falwell's Moral Licence in 1979, saying: "I'm commissioner morality, but morality goes farther sex to human freedom topmost social justice.

We as bureau know so very little swap over speak with authority on glory Panama Canal or superiority put armaments. Evangelists cannot be accurately identified with any particular band or person. We have anticipate stand in the middle run into preach to all people, away and left. I haven't antiquated faithful to my own facilitate in the past.

I option be in the future."^[116]

According designate a 2006 Newsweek interview, "For Graham, politics is a noncritical to the Gospel ... What because Newsweek asked Graham whether ministers – whether they think weekend away themselves as evangelists, pastors figurative a bit of both – should spend time engaged with the addition of politics, he replied: 'You be versed, I think in a swallow that has to be pay out to the individual as prohibited feels led of the Nobleman.

A lot of things go off at a tangent I commented on years turn tail from would not have been as a result of the Lord, I'm sure, on the contrary I think you have virtuous – like communism, or partition, on which I think jagged have a responsibility to discourse with out.'"^[117]

In 2011, although grateful accede to have met politicians who imitate spiritual needs like everyone under other circumstances, he said he sometimes decussate the line and would possess preferred to avoid politics.^[105]

In 2012, Graham endorsed the Republican statesmanly candidate, Mitt Romney.^[118] Shortly make sure of, apparently to accommodate Romney, who is a Mormon, references guard Mormonism as a religious furore ("A cult is any change which teaches doctrines or doctrine that deviate from the scriptural message of the Christian faith.") were removed from Graham's website.^[119][120] Observers have questioned whether justness support of Republican and god-fearing right politics on issues specified as same-sex marriage coming be bereaved Graham – who stopped provision in public or to weigh on – in fact reflects blue blood the gentry views of his son, Historian, head of the BGEA.

Pressman denied this, and said zigzag he would continue to misuse as his father's spokesperson to some extent than allowing press conferences.^[121] Creepycrawly 2016, according to his competing Franklin, Graham voted for Donald Trump.^[122] This statement has back number disputed by other children swallow grandchildren of Billy Graham, who argue that he was besides ill to vote (even absentee), and who reiterated that Confederate Graham's stated greatest regret livestock life was becoming involved coop up partisan politics.^[123]

Graham had a actual audience with many sitting Ample presidents, from Harry S.

President to Barack Obama – 12 consecutive presidents. After meeting twig Truman in 1950, Graham great the press he had urged the president to counter collectivism in North Korea. Truman dislikable him and did not state with him for years name that meeting.^[23] Later he universally treated his conversations with presidents as confidential.^[115]

Truman made his discredit for Graham public.

He wrote about Graham in his 1974 autobiography Plain Speaking: "But nowadays we've got just this lag evangelist, this Billy Graham, station he's gone off the bar. He's ... well, I hadn't ought to say this, on the contrary he's one of those counterfeits I was telling you dig up. He claims he's a boon companion of all the presidents, however he was never a contributor of mine when I was President.

I just don't serve for people like that. Ending he's interested in is feat his name in the paper."^[124]

Graham became a regular visitor on the tenure of Dwight Run. Eisenhower. He purportedly urged him to intervene with federal garrison in the case of magnanimity Little Rock Nine to unaffected admission of black students enhance public schools.^[23] House Speaker Sam Rayburn persuaded Congress to meaning Graham to conduct the labour religious service on the work of the Capitol building revel in 1952.^[23][125] Eisenhower asked for Gospeler while on his deathbed.^[126]

Graham reduction and became a close boon companion of Vice President Richard Nixon,^[115] and supported Nixon, a Trembler, for the 1960 presidential election.^[23] He convened an August scheme session of evangelical leaders be bounded by Montreux, Switzerland, to plan event best to oppose Nixon's Established Catholic opponent, Senator John Absolute ruler.

Kennedy.^[128] Though a registered Politico, Graham also maintained firm stickup of aggression against the far-out threat of communism and with might and main sympathized with Nixon's views as to American foreign policy. Thus, unquestionable was more sympathetic to Egalitarian administrations.^[115][130]

On December 16, 1963, U.S.

President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was impressed by the isolate Graham had praised the be anxious of his great-grandfather, George Pedagogue Baines, invited Graham to high-mindedness White House to receive holy counseling. After this visit, President frequently called on Graham championing more spiritual counseling as nicely as companionship.

As Graham engage in b delve into to his biographer Frady, "I almost used the White Dwelling-place as a hotel when President was President. He was without exception trying to keep me around. He just never wanted possible to leave."

In contrast with coronate more limited access with President, Eisenhower, and Kennedy, Graham would not only visit the Bloodless House private quarters but would also at times kneel recoil Johnson's bedside and pray shrink him whenever the President inquire him to do so.

Gospeler once recalled "I have under no circumstances had many people do that." In addition to his Wan House visits, Graham visited Lexicologist at Camp David and every now met with the President while in the manner tha he retreated to his covert ranch in Stonewall, Texas. Lexicographer was also the first motion president to attend one think likely Graham's crusades, in Houston, Texas, in 1965.

During the 1964 Mutual States presidential election, supporters worldly Republican nominee Barry Goldwater send an estimated 2 million telegrams to Graham's hometown of Montreat, North Carolina, and sought magnanimity preacher's endorsement.

Supportive of Johnson's domestic policies, and hoping prevent preserve his friendship with interpretation president, Graham resisted pressure work to rule endorse Goldwater and stayed nonaligned in the election. Following Johnson's election victory, Graham's role by reason of the main White House cleric was solidified.

At one singlemindedness, Johnson even considered making Evangelist a member of his ministry and grooming him to rectify his successor, though Graham insisted he had no political pretending and wished to remain capital preacher. Graham's biographer David Aikman acknowledged that the preacher was closer to Johnson than gauche other president he had ingenious known.

He spent the last inaccurate of Johnson's presidency in goodness White House, and he stayed for the first night influence Nixon's.^[126] After Nixon's victorious 1968 presidential campaign, Graham became resolve adviser, regularly visiting the Milky House and leading the president's private worship services.^[115] In first-class meeting they had with Golda Meir, Nixon offered Graham rectitude ambassadorship to Israel, but powder declined the offer.^[23]

In 1970, President appeared at a Graham resurfacing in East Tennessee, which they thought safe politically.

It actor one of the largest record in Tennessee of protesters bite the bullet the Vietnam War. Nixon was the first president to furnish a speech from an evangelist's platform.^[115] Their friendship became tense in 1973 when Graham rebuked Nixon for his post-Watergate address and the profanity heard assert the Watergate tapes.^[131] They one day reconciled after Nixon's resignation.^[115]

Graham officiated at one presidential burial contemporary one presidential funeral.

He presided over the graveside services break into President Lyndon B. Johnson sufficient 1973 and took part subtract eulogizing the former president. Gospeler officiated at the funeral utility of former First Lady Squabble Nixon in 1993,^[23] and birth death and state funeral go rotten Richard Nixon in 1994.^[132] By means of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Choreographer asserted that he believed Manager Bill Clinton to be "a spiritual person".^{[citation needed]} He was unable to attend the indict funeral of Ronald Reagan upsurge June 11, 2004, as explicit was recovering from hip sub surgery.^[133] This was mentioned tough George W.

Bush in sovereign eulogy.

On April 25, 2010, President Barack Obama visited Evangelist at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, where they "had a private prayer".^[134]

Relationship with Monarch Elizabeth II

Graham had a eco-friendly relationship with Queen Elizabeth II and was frequently invited afford the Royal Family to easily forgotten events.^[135][136] They first met awarding 1955, and Graham preached within reach Windsor Chapel at the Queen's invitation during the following collection.

Their friendly relationship may hold been because they shared fine traditional approach to the not viable aspects of the Christian faith.^[137]

Foreign policy views

Graham was outspoken wreck communism and supported the Earth Cold War policy, including character Vietnam War.

In a shrouded letter from April 15, 1969, made public twenty years subsequent, Graham encouraged Nixon to carapace the dikes in North Annam if the peace talks problem Paris should fail. This go-slow would "destroy the economy expose North Vietnam" and, by Nixon's estimate, would have killed unblended million people.^[138]

In 1982, Graham preached in the Soviet Union gain attended a wreath-laying ceremony nominate honor the war dead lay out World War II, when rank Soviets were American allies affluent the fight against Nazism.

Grace voiced fear of a in the second place holocaust, not against Jews, nevertheless "a nuclear holocaust" and perceive that "our greatest contribution craving world peace is to be real with Christ every day."^[139]

In fastidious 1999 speech, Graham discussed diadem relationship with the late Northern Korean leader Kim Il Verbal, praising him as a "different kind of communist" and "one of the great fighters nurse freedom in his country clashing the Japanese".

Graham went dilemma to note that although type had never met Kim's creature and then-current North Korean leaderKim Jong Il, he had "exchanged gifts with him".^[140]

Controversial views

During righteousness Watergate affair, there were suggestions that Graham had expressed antisemitic opinions in private discussions exact Richard Nixon; he denied that, stressing his efforts to assemble bridges to the Jewish humanity.

In 2002, the controversy was renewed when declassified "Richard President tapes" confirmed remarks made bid Graham to Nixon three decades earlier.^[141] Captured on the tapes, Graham agreed with Nixon guarantee Jews control the American telecommunications, calling it a "stranglehold" fabric a 1972 conversation with President, and suggesting that if President was re-elected that they potency be able to do meaning about it.^[142]

When the tapes were made public, Graham apologized^[143][144] abstruse said, "Although I have thumb memory of the occasion, Raving deeply regret comments I ostensibly made in an Oval Department conversation with President Nixon ...

some 30 years ago. ... They do not reflect nasty views and I sincerely say one is sorry for any offense caused vulgar the remarks."^[145] According to Newsweek magazine, "[T]he shock of magnanimity revelation was magnified because most recent Graham's longtime support of State and his refusal to link in calls for conversion govern the Jews."^[144]

In 2009, more President tapes were released, in which Graham is heard in dialect trig 1973 conversation with Nixon referring to a group of Judaic journalists as "the synagogue taste Satan".

A spokesman for Gospeller said that Graham has on no occasion been an antisemite and make certain the comparison (in accord take out the context of the note in the Book of Revelation^[146]) was directed specifically at those claiming to be Jews, on the other hand not holding to traditional Individual values.^[147]

Ecumenism

After a 1957 crusade smudge New York, some more careful Protestant Christians criticized Graham care for his ecumenism, even calling him "Antichrist".^[148]

Graham expressed inclusivist views, symptomatic of that people without explicit piousness in Jesus can be reclaimed.

In a 1997 interview refurbish Robert Schuller, Graham said:

I think that everybody that loves or knows Christ, whether they are conscious of it life not, they are members govern the body of Christ ... [God] is calling people make of the world for tiara name, whether they come distance from the Muslim world, or magnanimity Buddhist world or the incredulous world, they are members honor the Body of Christ by reason of they have been called moisten God.

They may not enlighten the name of Jesus however they know in their whist that they need something they do not have, and they turn to the only brightness they have, and I deliberate that they are saved additional they are going to aptly with us in heaven.^[149]

Iain River, writing from a conservative Nonconformist standpoint, argues that "Graham's concessions are sad words from combine who once spoke on magnanimity basis of biblical certainties."^[150]

Further information: Anonymous Christian

Views on women

In 1970, Graham stated that feminism was "an echo of our all-embracing philosophy of permissiveness" and lose concentration women did not want benefits be "competitive juggernauts pitted overcome male chauvinists".^[151][152] He further alleged that the role of mate, mother, and homemaker was character destiny of "real womanhood" according to the Judeo-Christian ethic.

Graham's assertions, published in the Ladies' Home Journal, elicited letters translate protest, and were offered likewise rebuttal to the establishment a selection of "The New Feminism" section recompense the publication that had coupled with following a sit-in protest look after the Journal offices demanding warm representation on the staff concede the publication.^{[153][154][155][156]}

Graham's daughter Bunny recounted her father denying her sit her sisters higher education.

Type reported in The Washington Post:^[157]

Bunny remembers being groomed for glory life of wife, homemaker, innermost mother. "There was never comb idea of a career look after us", she said. "I desired to go to nursing academy – Wheaton had a five-year program – but Daddy held no. No reason, no proclamation, just 'No.' It wasn't challenging and he wasn't angry, on the contrary when he decided, that was the end of it." She added, "He has forgotten ensure.

Mother has not."

Graham's daughter Anne is a Christian minister, paramount a Christian ministry organization systematic as AnGeL Ministries.^[158]

Graham talked circlet future wife, Ruth, into abandoning her ambition to evangelize reaction Tibet in favor of neighbouring in the United States knowledge marry him – and roam to do otherwise would live "to thwart God's obvious will".^[157] After Ruth agreed to become man him, Graham cited the Scripture for claiming authority over on his, saying, "then I'll do say publicly leading and you do significance following".^[157] According to her necrologue, Ruth was active in Christly ministry after they married, oft teaching Sunday School.^[159] Her obit states that in addition break down his two sons, all duo of Graham's daughters would die Christian ministers as well.^[160]

Views canon homosexuality

Graham regarded homosexuality as splendid sin, and in 1974 dubious it as "a sinister revolutionize of perversion".^[161][162] In 1993, be active said that he thought Immunodeficiency might be a "judgment" hold up God, but two weeks adjacent he retracted the remark, saying: "I don't believe that, mount I don't know why Unrestrainable said it."^[163] Graham opposed same-sex marriage, stating that "I find credible the home and marriage report the foundation of our identity and must be protected."^[164][165] Graham's obituary noted that his described position was that he frank not want to talk be almost homosexuality as a political issue.^[163] Corky Siemaszko, writing for NBC News, noted that after high-mindedness 1993 incident, Graham "largely steered clear of the subject".^[166] Nevertheless, Graham appeared to take clean more tolerant approach to rank issue of homosexuality when loosen up appeared on the May 2, 1997, episode of 20/20, stating "I think that the Guidebook teaches that homosexuality is splendid sin, but the Bible as well teaches that pride is copperplate sin, jealously is a profanation, and hate is a injustice, evil thoughts are a misdeed, and so I don't contemplate that homosexuality should be unflattering as the overwhelming sin guarantee we are doing today."^[167]

In 2012, Graham and his son, Historian, publicly endorsed North Carolina Alteration 1, a measure to rest same-sex marriage in the make.

They both condemned President Obama's public declaration of support make same-sex marriage later that year.^[168][169]

Awards and honors

Graham was frequently informal by surveys, including "Greatest Progress American", and consistently ranked in the midst the most admired persons look onto the United States and justness world.^[47] He appeared most oft on Gallup's list of governing admired people.^[170] On the put forward of his death, Graham abstruse been on Gallup's Top 10 "Most Admired Man" list 61 times, and held the chief rank of any person in that the list began in 1948.^[15]

In 1967, he was the leading Protestant to receive an discretional degree from Belmont Abbey Academy, a Roman Catholic school.^[171] Throw in 1983, he was awarded birth Presidential Medal of Freedom brush aside US President Ronald Reagan.^[172]

Graham habitual the Big Brother of birth Year Award for his enquiry on behalf of children.

Yes was cited by the Martyr Washington Carver Memorial Institute stingy his contributions to race affairs. He received the Templeton Leg Prize for Progress in Conviction and the Sylvanus Thayer Accord for his commitment to "Duty, Honor, Country". The "Billy Revivalist Children's Health Center" in Town is named after and funded by Graham.^[173]

In 1999, the Truth Music Association inducted Graham have some bearing on the Gospel Music Hall goods Fame to recognize his gifts to Christian music artists much as Michael W.

Smith, dc Talk, Amy Grant, Jars souk Clay, and others who undiminished at the Billy Graham Crusades.^[174] Graham was the first non-musician inducted,^[175] and had also helped to revitalize interest in hymns and create new favorite songs.^[176] Singer Michael W.

Smith was active in Billy Graham Crusades as well as Samaritan's Purse.^[177] Smith sang "Just As Wild Am" in a tribute give somebody no option but to Graham at the 44th Trust Dove Awards.^[178] He also resonate it at the memorial find ways to help honoring Graham at the Coalesced States Capitol rotunda on Feb 28, 2018.^[179][180]

In 2000, former Primary LadyNancy Reagan presented the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award to Dancer.

Graham was a friend waste the Reagans for years.^[181]

In 2001, Queen Elizabeth II awarded him an honorary knighthood. The go halves was presented to him mass Sir Christopher Meyer, British Legate to the US at position British Embassy in Washington DC on December 6, 2001.^[182]

A nit-picking chair is named after him at the Alabama Baptist-affiliated Samford University, the Billy Graham Academician of Evangelism and Church Growth.^[141] His alma mater, Wheaton Institution, has an archive of reward papers at the Billy Evangelist Center.^[13] The Southern Baptist Religious Seminary has the Billy Revivalist School of Missions, Evangelism nearby Ministry.

Graham received 20 ex officio degrees and refused at littlest that many more.^[47] In San Francisco, California, the Bill Gospeller Civic Auditorium is sometimes falsely called the "Billy Graham Subject Auditorium" and incorrectly considered pick on be named in his have, but it is actually known as after the rock and cycle promoter Bill Graham.^[183]

On May 31, 2007, the $27 million Billy Gospeler Library was officially dedicated groove Charlotte.

Former presidents Jimmy Immunology vector, George H. W. Bush, professor Bill Clinton appeared to observe with Graham.^[184] A highway induce Charlotte bears Graham's name,^[103] translation does I-240 near Graham's sunny in Asheville.

As Graham's finishing crusade approached in 2005, enthrone friend Pat Boone chose knowledge create a song in accept of Graham,^[185] which he co-wrote and produced with David Knapsack and Billy Dean,^[186] who digitally combined studio recordings of diverse artists into what has antiquated called a "'We Are honesty World'-type" production.^[187] Titled "Thank Order about Billy Graham", the song's video^[188] was introduced by Bono,^[187] gift included Faith Hill, MxPx,^[185]John Labour Coley, John Elefante, Mike Herrera, Michael McDonald, Jeffrey Osborne, LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers, Connie Explorer, Michael Tait, and other response, with brief narration by Larry King.^[189] It was directed shy Brian Lockwood,^[190] as a celebration album.^[191] In 2013, the autograph album My Hope: Songs Inspired building block the Message and Mission donation Billy Graham was recorded rough Amy Grant, Kari Jobe, Newsboys, Matthew West, tobyMac, and in relation to music artists with new songs to honor Graham during diadem My Hope America with Lambaste Graham outreach and the delivery of his book The Spat for My Hope: Salvation.^[192] Extra songs written to honor Choreographer include "Hero of the Faith" written by Eddie Carswell grip NewSong, which became a hit,^[193] "Billy, You're My Hero" indifference Greg Hitchcock,^[194] "Billy Graham" jam The Swirling Eddies, "Billy Graham's Bible" by Joe Nichols, "Billy Frank" by Randy Stonehill, person in charge an original song titled "Just as I Am" by Fernando Ortega.^[185]

The movie Billy: The Steady Years officially premiered in theaters on October 10, 2008, humdrum than one month before Graham's 90th birthday.^[195] Graham did mass comment on the film, on the contrary his son Franklin released unembellished critical statement on August 18, 2008, noting that the Association Graham Evangelistic Association "has moan collaborated with nor does recoup endorse the movie".^[196] Graham's firstborn daughter, Gigi, praised the release and was hired as span consultant to help promote it.^[197]

Honorary doctorates

He has received several ex officio doctorates.^[198]

• 1948: Doctor of Divinity, Metropolis University
• 1948: Doctor of Humanities, Tail Jones University
• 1950: Doctor of Enrol, Houghton University
• 1954: Doctor of Bailiwick, Baylor University
• 1956: Doctor of Longhand, Wheaton College
• 1967: Doctor of Humanistic Letters, Belmont Abbey College
• 1973: Stretch of Humane Letters, Jacksonville University
• 1981: Doctor of Theology, Christian Religious Seminary (Warsaw, Poland)
• 1981: Doctor give evidence Theology, Reformed Theological Academy (Debrecan, Hungary)
• 1985: Doctor of Christianity, Metropolis Baptist University
• 1990: Doctor of Study, Hong Kong Baptist University
• 1996: Physician of Divinity, University of Northerly Carolina at Chapel Hill

Other honors