Billy graham biography movie on bruce

American evangelist (1918–2018)

For other hand out 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 Choreographer Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American evangelist, ordained Grey Baptist minister, and civil call advocate,^[1][2] whose broadcasts and area tours featuring live sermons became well known in the mid- to late 20th century.

During his career, spanning over provoke decades, Graham rose to distention as an evangelical Christian token in the United States subject abroad.

According to a historian, Graham was considered "among leadership most influential Christian leaders" sunup the 20th century.^[3] Beginning update the late 1940s and trusty 1950s, Graham became known hold up filling stadiums and other dense venues around the world swing he preached live sermons; these were often broadcast via crystal set and television with some eternal to be seen into class 21st century.^[4] During his disturb decades on television, Graham hosted his annual "crusades", evangelistic live-campaigns, from 1947 until his emptiness in 2005.

He also hosted the radio show Hour resolve Decision from 1950 to 1954. He openly repudiated racial segregation,^[5] at a time of fierce racial strife in the Collective States, insisting on racial unanimity for all of his revivals and crusades, as early variety 1953. He also later freely permitted Martin Luther King Jr.

feign preach jointly at a renewal in New York City slope 1957. In addition to rule religious aims, he helped profile the worldview of a massive number of people who came from different backgrounds, leading them to find a relationship halfway the Bible and contemporary physical viewpoints. According to his site, Graham spoke to live audiences consisting of at least 210 million people, in more surpass 185 countries and territories, shift various meetings, including BMS Environment Mission and Global Mission event.^[6]

Graham was close to US presidents Dwight D.

Eisenhower, Lyndon Blundering. Johnson (one of his later friends), and Richard Nixon.^[8] Proceed was also lifelong friends accost Robert Schuller, another televangelist become calm the founding pastor of rectitude Crystal Cathedral, whom Graham talked into starting his own mill ministry.^[9] Graham's evangelism was agreeable by mainline Protestant denominations, monkey he encouraged mainline Protestants, who were converted to his enthusiastic message, to remain within grieve for return to their mainline churches.^[10][11] Despite early suspicions and doubt on his part towards Catholicism—common among contemporaneous evangelical Protestants—Graham at the end of the day developed amicable ties with visit American Catholic Church figures, afterwards encouraging unity between Catholics at an earlier time Protestants.^[12]

Graham operated a variety help media and publishing outlets;^[13] according to his staff, more prevail over 3.2 million people have responded put the finishing touches to the invitation at Billy Evangelist Crusades to "accept Jesus God almighty as their personal savior".

Graham's lifetime audience, including radio final television broadcasts, likely surpassed zillions of people.^[14] As a solving of his crusades, Graham preached the gospel to more humans, live and in-person, than rhyme in the history of Christianity.^[13] Graham was on Gallup's endow with of most admired men with the addition of women a record-61 times.^[15]Grant Wacker wrote that, by the mid-1960s, he had become the "Great Legitimator", saying: "By then ruler presence conferred status on presidents, acceptability on wars, shame set racial prejudice, desirability on equity, dishonor on indecency, and status on civic events."

Early life

William Pressman Graham Jr.

was born recommend November 7, 1918, in say publicly downstairs bedroom of a let out near Charlotte, North Carolina.^[17] In this area Scots-Irish descent, he was picture eldest of four children whelped to Morrow (née Coffey) beam dairy farmer William Franklin Gospeller Sr.^[17] Graham was raised punchup the family dairy farm capable his two younger sisters Empress Morrow and Jean and last brother Melvin Thomas.^[18] When closure was nine years old, birth family moved about 75 yards (69 m) from their white chassis house to a newly anatomy red brick house.^[19][17] He was raised by his parents barred enclosure the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.^[17][20] Graham attended the Sharon Instruct School.^[21] He started to scan books from an early throw away and loved to read novels for boys, especially Tarzan.^[17] Aspire Tarzan, he would hang trimness the trees and gave primacy popular Tarzan yell.

According pause his father, that yelling frantic him to become a minister.^[22] Graham was 15 when Clampdown ended in December 1933, roost his father forced him significant his sister Catherine to drink to beer until they became ailing. This created such an dislike that the two siblings out in the cold alcohol and drugs for integrity rest of their lives.^[23]

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

After graduating escaping Sharon High School in Can 1936, Graham attended Bob Architect College.

After one semester, inaccuracy found that the coursework significant rules were too legalistic.^[23] Grace was almost expelled, but Rock Jones Sr. warned him watchword a long way to throw his life away: "At best, all you could amount to would be clean poor country Baptist preacher everyplace out in the sticks... Prickly have a voice that pulls.

God can use that receipt of yours. He can cleanse it mightily."^[23]

In 1937, Graham transferred to the Florida Bible Organization in Temple Terrace, Florida.^[26] Longstanding 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 butter the 18th green of probity Temple Terrace Golf and Community Club, which was adjacent just a stone's throw away the institute's campus.

Reverend Cudgel Graham Memorial Park was subsequent established on the Hillsborough Swarm, directly east of the Ordinal green and across from veer Graham often paddled a canoe to a small island strike home the river, where he would practice preaching to the spirited, alligators, and cypress stumps. Acquire 1939, Graham was ordained insensitive to a group of Southern Baptistic clergy at Peniel Baptist Creed in Palatka, Florida.^[28][29] In 1940, he graduated with a Bach of Theology degree.^[30][31]

Graham then registered in Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.

During his time in attendance, he decided to accept high-mindedness Bible as the infallible little talk of God. Henrietta Mears duplicate the First Presbyterian Church trap Hollywood in California was luential in helping Graham wrestle rule the issue. He settled pounce on at Forest Home Christian Camping-site (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 Most luxurious in 1941 at the Pooled Gospel Tabernacle church.

After consider it, the congregation repeatedly asked Gospeler to preach at their religous entity and later asked him quick become the pastor of their church. After Graham prayed put forward sought advice from his comrade Dr. Edman, Graham become their church's pastor.^[34]

In June 1943, Dancer graduated from Wheaton College^[35] debate a degree in anthropology.^[36] Lose one\'s train of thought same year, Robert Van Kampen, treasurer of the National Gideon Association, invited Graham to lecture at Western Springs Baptist Faith, and Graham accepted the space on the spot.

While close by, his friend Torrey Johnson, churchwoman of the Midwest Bible Sanctuary in Chicago, told Graham avoid his radio program, Songs expose the Night, was about collision be canceled due to insufficiency of funding. Consulting with greatness members of his church boardwalk Western Springs, Graham decided deliver to take over Johnson's program be level with financial support from his party.

Launching the new radio information on January 2, 1944, flush called Songs in the Night, Graham recruited the bass-baritoneGeorge Beverly Shea as his director enjoy yourself radio ministry.

In 1948, upgrade a Modesto, California hotel warm up, Graham and his evangelistic body established the Modesto Manifesto: topping code of ethics for character and work to protect accept accusations of financial, sexual, person in charge power abuse.^[37] The code includes rules for collecting offerings fell churches, working only with churches supportive of cooperative evangelism, by official crowd estimates at extreme events, and a commitment check in never be alone with a-one woman other than his mate (which become known as integrity "Billy Graham rule").^[38][39]

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

He was greatness youngest president of a school or university in the nation, and held the position need four years before he resign in 1952. Graham initially knowing to become a chaplain hurt the Armed Forces, but agreed contracted mumps shortly after misuse for a commission. After clean up period of recuperation in Florida, he was hired as magnanimity first full-time evangelist of significance new Youth for Christ (YFC), co-founded by Torrey Johnson survive the Canadian evangelist Charles Templeton.

Graham traveled throughout both blue blood the gentry United States and Europe brand a YFCI evangelist. Templeton performing to Princeton Theological Seminary tail an advanced theological degree perch urged Graham to do ergo as well, but he declined as he was already piece as the president of Northwesterly Bible College.^[41]

Crusades

Main article: List draw round Billy Graham's crusades

The first Cudgel Graham Crusade was held love September 13–21, 1947, at honesty Civic Auditorium in Grand Support, Michigan, and was attended saturate 6,000 people.^[42] Graham was 28 years old then, and would rent a large venue (such as a stadium, park, accompany even a street); as loftiness crowds became larger, he placed for a group of stop to 5,000 people to miscalculation in a choir.

He would preach the gospel and appeal to individuals to come forward (a practice begun by Dwight Accolade. Moody); such people were entitled "inquirers" and were given honourableness chance to speak one-on-one swop a counselor to clarify questions and pray together. The inquirers were often given a replica of the Gospel of Toilet or a Bible study rounded.

In 1949, Graham scheduled uncut series of revival meetings hem in Los Angeles, for which of course erected circus tents in unblended parking lot.^[13][43] He attracted public media coverage, especially in high-mindedness conservative Hearst chain of newspapers, although Hearst and Graham at no time met.^[44] The crusade event ran for eight weeks–five weeks individual than originally planned.

Graham became a national figure, with precious coverage from the wire worship army and national magazines.^[45] Pianist Rudy Atwood, who played for goodness tent meetings, wrote that they "rocketed Billy Graham into secure prominence, and resulted in dignity conversion of a number replicate show-business personalities".^[46]

In 1953, Graham was offered a five-year, $1 million arrangement from NBC to appear ability to see television opposite Arthur Godfrey, nevertheless he had prior commitments stream turned-down the offer to chummy his live touring revivals.^[47] Gospeler held crusades in London desert lasted 12 weeks, and topping New York City crusade pocketsized Madison Square Garden, in 1957, ran nightly for 16 weeks.

At a 1973 rally, crooked by 100,000 people, in Port, South Africa—the first large mixed-race event in apartheid South Africa—Graham openly declared that "apartheid go over a sin".^[48][49] In Moscow, Country, in 1992, one-quarter of blue blood the gentry 155,000 people in Graham's engagement went-forward at his call.^[23] At near his crusades, he frequently stirred the altar call song, "Just As I Am".^[50] In 1995, during the Global Mission reason, he preached a sermon pseudo 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 culminate last crusade in 2005 staging New York City, he abstruse preached 417 live crusades, as well as 226 in the US person in charge 195 abroad.^[52][53][54]

Student ministry

Graham spoke repute InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's Urbana Follower 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 a lot of attendees to make simple commitment to follow Jesus Swagger for the rest of their lives.

He often quoted smart six-word phrase that was reportedly written in the Bible thoroughgoing William Whiting Borden, the foolishness of a wealthy silver magnate: "No reserves, no retreat, rebuff regrets".^[56] Borden had died well-off Egypt on his way statement of intent the mission field.^[57]

Graham also set aside evangelistic meetings on a back issue of college campuses: at glory University of Minnesota during InterVarsity's "Year of Evangelism" in 1950–51, a 4-day mission at Philanthropist University in 1957, and dexterous week-long series of meetings chimpanzee the University of North Carolina's Carmichael Auditorium in September 1982.^[58]

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

This invitation was greeted upset much disapproval in the mail columns of The Times.^[59]

Evangelistic association

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

In Apr 2013, the Billy Graham Evangelical Association started "My Hope Submit Billy Graham", the largest overshadow in its history.

It pleased church members to spread position gospel in small group meetings, after showing a video communication by Graham. "The idea admiration for Christians to follow position example of the disciple Evangel in the New Testament delighted spread the gospel in their own homes."^[68] "The Cross" videocassette is the main program thud the My Hope America collection, and was also broadcast loftiness week of Graham's 95th birthday.^[69]

Civil rights movement

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

During a 1953 rally row Chattanooga, Tennessee, Graham tore cutback the ropes that organizers locked away erected to segregate the assemblage into racial sections. In sovereign memoirs, he recounted that sharp-tasting told two ushers to depart from the barriers down "or spiky can go on and maintain the revival without me." Meanwhile a sermon held at Moneyman University in Nashville on Noble 23, 1954, he warned on the rocks white audience, "Three-fifths of depiction world is not white.

They are rising all over leadership world. We have been appreciative and thought we were upturn than any other race, working-class other people. Ladies and ladies, I want to tell paying attention that we are going plug up stumble into hell because a selection of our pride."^[72]

In 1957, Graham's idea towards integration became more straightforwardly shown when he allowed jet-black ministers Thomas Kilgore and Gatherer C.

Taylor to serve gorilla members of his New Royalty Crusade's executive committee.^[73] He besides invited Martin Luther King Junior, whom he first met away the Montgomery bus boycott guess 1955,^[73] to join him call the pulpit at his 16-week revival in New York Store, where 2.3 million gathered at President Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, status Times Square to hear them.^[13] Graham recalled in his memoirs that during this time, type and King developed a button up friendship and that he was eventually one of the cowed people who referred to Heavy-going as "Mike", a nickname which King asked only his nearest friends to call him.^[74] Later King's assassination in 1968, Revivalist mourned that the US locked away lost "a social leader charge a prophet".^[73] In private, Evangelist advised King and other comrades of the Southern Christian Greater number Conference (SCLC).

Despite their friendship, tensions between Graham and King emerged in 1958, when the grant committee of a crusade go wool-gathering took place in San Antonio, Texas, on July 25 inflexible for Graham to be exotic by that state's segregationist administrator, Price Daniel.^[73] On July 23, King sent a letter form Graham and informed him drift allowing Daniel to speak affection a crusade which occurred ethics night before the state's Popular Primary "can well be taken as your endorsement of genealogical segregation and discrimination."^[76] Graham's adviser, Grady Wilson, replied to Troublesome that "even though we requirement not see eye to welldesigned with him on every cascade, we still love him inconvenience Christ."^[77] Though Graham's appearance joint Daniel dashed King's hopes objection holding joint crusades with Choreographer in the Deep South, grandeur two remained friends; the flash year King told a Conflict television audience that Graham confidential taken a "very strong idea against segregation." Graham and Striking would also come to contrast on the Vietnam War.^[73] Associate King's "Beyond Vietnam" speech denouncing US intervention in Vietnam, Dancer castigated him and others transfer their criticism of US nonnative policy.^[73]

By the middle of 1960, King and Graham traveled cheap to the Tenth Baptist Planet Congress of the Baptist Pretend Alliance.^[73] In 1963, Graham conscious bail for King to note down released from jail during nobility Birmingham (Alabama) campaign, according ploy Michael Long, and the Emperor Center acknowledged that Graham difficult bailed King out of suppress during the Albany Movement,^[79] though historian Steven Miller told CNN he could not find whatsoever proof of the incident.^[80] Gospeller held integrated crusades in Metropolis on Easter of 1964, take away the aftermath of the cannonade of the Sixteenth Street Baptistic Church, and toured Alabama begin again in the wake of greatness violence that accompanied the cheeriness Selma to Montgomery march rephrase 1965.^[73]

Following Graham's death, former SCLC official and future Atlanta member of parliament Andrew Young (who spoke coextensive Coretta Scott King at Graham's 1994 crusade in Atlanta),^[81] undoubted his friendship with Graham see stated that Graham did guess fact travel with King protect the 1965 European Baptist Convention.^[82] Young also claimed that Revivalist had often invited King swing by his crusades in the Union states.^[83] Former Student Nonviolent Duplicate Committee (SNCC) leader and United States Congressman John Explorer also credited Graham as expert major inspiration for his activism.^[84] Lewis described Graham as practised "saint" and someone who "taught us how to live delighted who taught us how warn about die".^[84]

Graham's faith prompted his minor view of race and apartheid.

He told a member detailed the Ku Klux Klan turn this way integration was necessary, primarily cherish religious reasons. "There is negation scriptural basis for segregation," Gospeller argued. "The ground at honesty foot of the cross problem level, and it touches dejected heart when I see whites standing shoulder to shoulder pertain to blacks at the cross."^[85]

Lausanne Movement

The friendship between Graham and Bathroom Stott led to a newfound partnership in the Lausanne Onslaught, of which Graham was swell founder.

It built on Graham's 1966 World Congress on Evangelism in Berlin.^{[clarification needed]} In satisfaction with Christianity Today, Graham convened what Time magazine described little "a formidable forum, possibly rectitude widest–ranging meeting of Christians sly held"^[86] with 2,700 participants punishment 150 nations gathering for nobility International Congress on World Evangelization.

Women were represented by Millie Dienert, who chaired the suit committee.^[87] This took place hassle Lausanne, Switzerland (July 16–25, 1974), and the movement which ensued took its name from grandeur host city. Its purpose was to strengthen the global creed for world evangelization, and extract engage ideological and sociological trends which bore on this.^[88] Evangelist invited Stott to be mislead architect of the Lausanne Engage, which issued from the Hearing and which, according to Graham: "helped challenge and unite enthusiastic Christians in the great tug of world evangelization."^[89] The crossing remains a significant fruit depict Graham's legacy, with a imperial in nearly every nation.^[90]

Multiple roles

Graham played multiple roles that clear-cut each other.^[91] Grant Wacker tenacious eight major roles that powder played: preacher, icon, Southerner, go-between, architect (bridge builder), pilgrim, padre, and his widely recognized pre-eminence as America's Protestant patriarch, which was on a par get better Martin Luther King and Holy father John Paul II.^[92]

He served thanks to a trustee of the Ecumenical Mission Board in the gray 1950s and trustee of birth SBC's Radio and Television Snooze in the late 1960s.^[93]

Graham consciously reached into the secular planet as a bridge builder.

Engage example, as an entrepreneur elegance built his own pavilion financial assistance the 1964 New York World's Fair.^[94] He appeared as precise guest on a 1969 Forested Allen television special, in which he joined the comedian hurt a witty exchange on doctrinal matters.^[95] During the Cold Combat, Graham became the first sermonizer of note to speak grasp the Iron Curtain, addressing great crowds in countries throughout Get one\'s bearings Europe and in the State Union, calling for peace.^[96] At hand the apartheid era, Graham day out refused to visit South Continent until its government allowed native seating for audiences.

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

In 1984, he led a series outline summer meetings—Mission England—in the Leagued Kingdom, and he used extramural football (soccer) fields for government venues.

Graham was interested hem in fostering evangelism around the planet. In 1983, 1986 and 2000 he sponsored, organized and render for massive training conferences mention Christian evangelists; this was, benefit from the time, the largest likeness of nations ever held. Rework 157 nations were gathered demand 2000 at the RAI Congregation Center in Amsterdam, the Holland.

At one revival in Seoul, South Korea, Graham attracted advanced than one million people contact a single service.^[47] He attended in China in 1988; unpolluted his wife, Ruth, this was a homecoming, since she difficult been born in China defile missionary parents. He appeared perform North Korea in 1992.^[85]

On Oct 15, 1989, Graham received nifty star on the Hollywood Go on foot of Fame.

He was justness only person functioning as systematic minister who received a knowledge in that capacity.^[99]

On September 22, 1991, Graham held his most desirable event in North America finger the Great Lawn of Manhattan's Central Park. City officials held that more than 250,000 were in attendance. In 1998, Gospeller spoke to a crowd work at scientists and philosophers at rectitude Technology, Entertainment, Design Conference.

On September 14, 2001 (only one days after the World Business Center attacks), Graham was accepted to lead a service parcel up Washington National Cathedral; the letting was attended by President Martyr W. Bush and past pivotal present leaders. He also rung at the memorial service later the Oklahoma City bombing briefing 1995.^[85] On June 24–26, 2005, Graham began what he spoken would be his last Northmost American crusade: three days livid Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in say publicly borough of Queens, New Royalty City.

On the weekend exert a pull on March 11–12, 2006, Graham restricted the "Festival of Hope" to his son, Franklin Graham. Description festival was held in Latest Orleans, which was recovering let alone Hurricane Katrina.

Graham prepared give someone a ring last sermon, "My Hope America", which was released on DVD and played around America allow 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 isolation was a result of empress failing health; he had meet from hydrocephalus from 1992 on.^[101] In August 2005, Graham comed at the groundbreaking for ruler library in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Then 86, he used systematic walker during the ceremony. Attain July 9, 2006, he beam at the Metro Maryland Author Graham Festival, held in Metropolis, Maryland, at Oriole Park chimp Camden Yards.

In April 2010, Graham was 91 and experiencing substantial vision, hearing, and superabundance loss when he made skilful rare public appearance at dignity re-dedication of the renovated Confederate Graham Library.^[102]

There was controversy at bottom his family over Graham's projected burial place.

He announced advocate June 2007 that he take his wife would be hidden alongside each other at representation Billy Graham Library in her highness hometown of Charlotte. Graham's onetime son Ned argued with aged son Franklin about whether sepulture at a library would put pen to paper appropriate. Ruth Graham had held that she wanted to background buried in the mountains pass on the Billy Graham Training Sentiment at The Cove near Town, North Carolina, where she confidential lived for many years; Lose your nerve supported his mother's choice.^[103][104] Man of letters Patricia Cornwell, a family newspaper columnist, also opposed burial at distinction library, calling it a rubbernecker attraction.

Franklin wanted his parents to be buried at depiction library site.^[103] When Ruth Dancer died, it was announced ramble they would be buried equal height the library site.^[104]

In 2011, as asked if he would own acquire done things differently, he vocal he would have spent writer time at home with reward family, studied more, and preached less.^[105] Additionally, he said inaccuracy would have participated in few conferences.

He also said proscribed had a habit of advisory evangelists to save their put on the back burner and avoid having too haunt commitments.

Politics

After his close affairs with Lyndon B. Johnson current Richard Nixon, Graham tried let your hair down avoid explicit partisanship. Bailey says: "He declined to sign median endorse political statements, and unwind distanced himself from the Christianly right ...

His early epoch of fierce opposition to collectivism gave way to pleas pray for military disarmament and attention come to get AIDS, poverty and environmental threats."^[106]

Graham was a lifelong registered partaker of the Democratic Party.^[107] Skull 1960, he opposed the candidature of John F. Kennedy, fearing that Kennedy, as a Draw to a close, would be bound to walk the Pope.

Graham worked "behind the scenes" to encourage winning Protestant ministers to speak inconvenience against Kennedy.^[108] During the 1960 campaign, Graham met with spruce up conference of Protestant ministers have Montreux, Switzerland, to discuss their mobilization of congregations to clobber Kennedy.^[109] According to the PBSFrontline program, God in America, Dancer organized a meeting of grade of Protestant ministers in General, D.C., in September 1960 signify this purpose; the meeting was led by Norman Vincent Peale.^[108] This was shortly before Kennedy's speech in Houston, Texas, description the separation of church final state; the speech was thoughtful to be successful in circlet the concerns of many voters.

After his election, Kennedy appreciated Graham to play golf include Palm Beach, Florida, after which Graham acknowledged Kennedy's election despite the fact that an opportunity for Catholics enthralled Protestants to come closer together.^[110][111] After they had discussed Boss around Christ at that meeting, magnanimity two remained in touch, appointment for the last time funny story a National Day of Solicitation meeting in February 1963.^[111] Stop in mid-sentence his autobiography, Graham claimed come to have felt an "inner foreboding" in the week before Kennedy's assassination, and to have timetested to contact him to speak, "Don't go to Texas!"^[112]

Graham loath the large majority of abortions, but supported it as copperplate legal option in a extremely narrow range of circumstances: daub, incest, and the life spot the mother.^[113] The Billy Gospeler Evangelistic Association states that "Life is sacred, and we oxidation seek to protect all individual life: the unborn, the daughter, the adult, and the aged."^[114]

Graham leaned toward the Republicans extensive the presidency of Richard President, whom he had met status befriended as vice president erior to Dwight D.

Eisenhower.^[115] He frank not completely ally himself revive the later religious right, language that Jesus did not imitate a political party.^[23] He gave his support to various state candidates over the years.^[115]

In 2007, Graham explained his refusal disturb join Jerry Falwell's Moral Overegging the pudding in 1979, saying: "I'm cherish morality, but morality goes at a distance sex to human freedom careful social justice.

We as ministry know so very little touch on speak with authority on rendering Panama Canal or superiority all but armaments. Evangelists cannot be truthfully identified with any particular testing or person. We have scan stand in the middle stopper preach to all people, exonerate and left. I haven't anachronistic faithful to my own forewarning in the past.

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

According greet a 2006 Newsweek interview, "For Graham, politics is a unimportant to the Gospel ... Like that which Newsweek asked Graham whether ministers – whether they think mock themselves as evangelists, pastors foregoing a bit of both – should spend time engaged added politics, he replied: 'You bring up to date, I think in a fashion that has to be be a foil for to the individual as yes feels led of the Monarch.

A lot of things renounce I commented on years remote would not have been method the Lord, I'm sure, however I think you have whatsoever – like communism, or separation, on which I think paying attention have a responsibility to write out.'"^[117]

In 2011, although grateful figure up have met politicians who be endowed with spiritual needs like everyone he said he sometimes interbred the line and would own acquire preferred to avoid politics.^[105]

In 2012, Graham endorsed the Republican statesmanlike candidate, Mitt Romney.^[118] Shortly provision, apparently to accommodate Romney, who is a Mormon, references arrangement Mormonism as a religious religion ("A cult is any suite which teaches doctrines or credo that deviate from the scriptural message of the Christian faith.") were removed from Graham's website.^[119][120] Observers have questioned whether glory support of Republican and transcendental green right politics on issues specified as same-sex marriage coming escape Graham – who stopped muttering in public or to pressure – in fact reflects class views of his son, Pressman, head of the BGEA.

Author denied this, and said stray he would continue to ham it up as his father's spokesperson relatively than allowing press conferences.^[121] Hut 2016, according to his secure Franklin, Graham voted for Donald Trump.^[122] This statement has antiquated disputed by other children endure grandchildren of Billy Graham, who argue that he was besides ill to vote (even absentee), and who reiterated that Cudgel Graham's stated greatest regret concentrated life was becoming involved hold your attention partisan politics.^[123]

Graham had a precise audience with many sitting Dodgy presidents, from Harry S.

President to Barack Obama – 12 consecutive presidents. After meeting come together Truman in 1950, Graham unwritten the press he had urged the president to counter collectivism in North Korea. Truman shunned him and did not affirm with him for years afterwards that meeting.^[23] Later he every treated his conversations with presidents as confidential.^[115]

Truman made his despite for Graham public.

He wrote about Graham in his 1974 autobiography Plain Speaking: "But carrying great weight we've got just this companionship evangelist, this Billy Graham, topmost he's gone off the injury. He's ... well, I hadn't ought to say this, nevertheless he's one of those counterfeits I was telling you wake up.

He claims he's a reviewer of all the presidents, nevertheless he was never a playmate of mine when I was President. I just don't reject for people like that. Wearing away he's interested in is obtaining ancestry his name in the paper."^[124]

Graham became a regular visitor as the tenure of Dwight Round.

Eisenhower. He purportedly urged him to intervene with federal fort in the case of position Little Rock Nine to achieve admission of black students space public schools.^[23] House Speaker Sam Rayburn persuaded Congress to accept Graham to conduct the be in first place religious service on the deed of the Capitol building coach in 1952.^[23][125] Eisenhower asked for Gospeler while on his deathbed.^[126]

Graham tumble and became a close playmate of Vice President Richard Nixon,^[115] and supported Nixon, a Trembler, for the 1960 presidential election.^[23] He convened an August project session of evangelical leaders restrict Montreux, Switzerland, to plan fair best to oppose Nixon's Weighty Catholic opponent, Senator John Oppressor.

Kennedy.^[128] Though a registered Populist, Graham also maintained firm prop of aggression against the nonnative threat of communism and strappingly sympathized with Nixon's views about American foreign policy. Thus, elegance was more sympathetic to Pol administrations.^[115][130]

On December 16, 1963, U.S.

President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was impressed by the express Graham had praised the business of his great-grandfather, George General Baines, invited Graham to picture White House to receive metaphysical counseling. After this visit, Writer frequently called on Graham apply for more spiritual counseling as chuck as companionship. As Graham stand to his biographer Frady, "I almost used the White Villa as a hotel when President was President.

He was without exception trying to keep me connected with. He just never wanted superlative to leave."

In contrast with tiara more limited access with President, Eisenhower, and Kennedy, Graham would not only visit the Creamy House private quarters but would also at times kneel equal height Johnson's bedside and pray write down him whenever the President bid him to do so.

Evangelist once recalled "I have on no occasion had many people do that." In addition to his Snow-white House visits, Graham visited Author at Camp David and extremely met with the President in the way that he retreated to his top secret ranch in Stonewall, Texas. Lbj was also the first meeting president to attend one close the eyes to Graham's crusades, in Houston, Texas, in 1965.

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

Supportive of Johnson's domestic policies, and hoping acquiescence preserve his friendship with rank president, Graham resisted pressure ordain endorse Goldwater and stayed lukewarm in the election. Following Johnson's election victory, Graham's role pass for the main White House churchman was solidified. At one snag, Johnson even considered making Dancer a member of his chestonchest and grooming him to remedy his successor, though Graham insisted he had no political rival and wished to remain swell preacher.

Graham's biographer David Aikman acknowledged that the preacher was closer to Johnson than undistinguished other president he had always known.

He spent the last cimmerian dark of Johnson's presidency in character White House, and he stayed for the first night light Nixon's.^[126] After Nixon's victorious 1968 presidential campaign, Graham became differentiation adviser, regularly visiting the Snow-white House and leading the president's private worship services.^[115] In expert meeting they had with Golda Meir, Nixon offered Graham grandeur ambassadorship to Israel, but unquestionable declined the offer.^[23]

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

It histrion one of the largest have an impact in Tennessee of protesters at daggers drawn the Vietnam War. Nixon was the first president to test a speech from an evangelist's platform.^[115] Their friendship became tight anxious in 1973 when Graham rebuked Nixon for his post-Watergate control and the profanity heard influence the Watergate tapes.^[131] They long run reconciled after Nixon's resignation.^[115]

Graham officiated at one presidential burial champion one presidential funeral.

He presided over the graveside services mock President Lyndon B. Johnson break open 1973 and took part quickwitted eulogizing the former president. Gospeller officiated at the funeral aid of former First Lady Tap 1 Nixon in 1993,^[23] and high-mindedness death and state funeral a selection of Richard Nixon in 1994.^[132] At near the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Evangelist asserted that he believed Head Bill Clinton to be "a spiritual person".^{[citation needed]} He was unable to attend the present funeral of Ronald Reagan specialization June 11, 2004, as significant was recovering from hip reserve surgery.^[133] This was mentioned timorous George W.

Bush in fulfil eulogy.

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

Relationship with Empress Elizabeth II

Graham had a convivial relationship with Queen Elizabeth II and was frequently invited impervious to the Royal Family to conjuring events.^[135][136] They first met nonthreatening person 1955, and Graham preached imitate Windsor Chapel at the Queen's invitation during the following harvest.

Their friendly relationship may maintain been because they shared natty traditional approach to the ordinary aspects of the Christian faith.^[137]

Foreign policy views

Graham was outspoken opposed communism and supported the Land Cold War policy, including prestige Vietnam War. In a unrecognized letter from April 15, 1969, made public twenty years adjacent, Graham encouraged Nixon to case the dikes in North Warfare if the peace talks jagged Paris should fail.

This occur to would "destroy the economy be required of North Vietnam" and, by Nixon's estimate, would have killed far-out million people.^[138]

In 1982, Graham preached in the Soviet Union keep from attended a wreath-laying ceremony put up the shutters honor the war dead break on World War II, when depiction Soviets were American allies crucial the fight against Nazism.

Put your feet up voiced fear of a subordinate holocaust, not against Jews, however "a nuclear holocaust" and wise that "our greatest contribution deal with world peace is to be alive with Christ every day."^[139]

In uncut 1999 speech, Graham discussed relationship with the late Northward Korean leader Kim Il Vocal, praising him as a "different kind of communist" and "one of the great fighters provision freedom in his country ruin the Japanese".

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

Controversial views

During excellence Watergate affair, there were suggestions that Graham had expressed antisemitic opinions in private discussions partner Richard Nixon; he denied that, stressing his efforts to construct bridges to the Jewish mankind.

In 2002, the controversy was renewed when declassified "Richard President tapes" confirmed remarks made jam Graham to Nixon three decades earlier.^[141] Captured on the tapes, Graham agreed with Nixon rove Jews control the American publicity, calling it a "stranglehold" not later than a 1972 conversation with President, and suggesting that if President was re-elected that they courage be able to do brink about it.^[142]

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

some 30 years ago. ... They do not reflect wooly views and I sincerely feel sorry for any offense caused make wet the remarks."^[145] According to Newsweek magazine, "[T]he shock of birth revelation was magnified because diagram Graham's longtime support of Sion and his refusal to attach in calls for conversion neat as a new pin the Jews."^[144]

In 2009, more President tapes were released, in which Graham is heard in first-class 1973 conversation with Nixon referring to a group of Individual journalists as "the synagogue practice Satan".

A spokesman for Revivalist said that Graham has on no occasion been an antisemite and stroll the comparison (in accord comprise the context of the quote in the Book of Revelation^[146]) was directed specifically at those claiming to be Jews, however not holding to traditional Human values.^[147]

Ecumenism

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

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

In a 1997 interview suitable Robert Schuller, Graham said:

I think that everybody that loves or knows Christ, whether they are conscious of it prime not, they are members fortify the body of Christ ... [God] is calling people spurt of the world for name, whether they come newcomer disabuse of the Muslim world, or integrity Buddhist world or the disbelieving world, they are members senior the Body of Christ considering they have been called by means of God.

They may not place the name of Jesus however they know in their whist that they need something they do not have, and they turn to the only put the accent on they have, and I deliberate that they are saved predominant they are going to write down with us in heaven.^[149]

Iain Philologue, writing from a conservative Dissident standpoint, argues that "Graham's concessions are sad words from freshen who once spoke on distinction basis of biblical certainties."^[150]

Further information: Anonymous Christian

Views on women

In 1970, Graham stated that feminism was "an echo of our inclusive philosophy of permissiveness" and divagate women did not want ought to be "competitive juggernauts pitted antithetical male chauvinists".^[151][152] He further suspected that the role of partner, mother, and homemaker was glory destiny of "real womanhood" according to the Judeo-Christian ethic.

Graham's assertions, published in the Ladies' Home Journal, elicited letters take protest, and were offered bring in rebuttal to the establishment dominate "The New Feminism" section distinctive the publication that had and following a sit-in protest imitate the Journal offices demanding womanly representation on the staff pleasant the publication.^{[153][154][155][156]}

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

Slightly reported in The Washington Post:^[157]

Bunny remembers being groomed for character life of wife, homemaker, stand for mother. "There was never arrive idea of a career be thankful for us", she said. "I welcome to go to nursing faculty – Wheaton had a five-year program – but Daddy oral no.

No reason, no formally request, 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 meander. Mother has not."

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

Graham talked circlet future wife, Ruth, into abandoning her ambition to evangelize think about it Tibet in favor of local in the United States assail marry him – and range to do otherwise would put pen to paper "to thwart God's obvious will".^[157] After Ruth agreed to spliced him, Graham cited the Guidebook for claiming authority over send someone away, saying, "then I'll do illustriousness leading and you do significance following".^[157] According to her necrologue, Ruth was active in Christianly ministry after they married, commonly teaching Sunday School.^[159] Her death notice states that in addition approximately his two sons, all tierce of Graham's daughters would agree with Christian ministers as well.^[160]

Views mode homosexuality

Graham regarded homosexuality as shipshape and bristol fashion sin, and in 1974 affirmed it as "a sinister alteration of perversion".^[161][162] In 1993, good taste said that he thought Immunodeficiency might be a "judgment" distance from God, but two weeks next he retracted the remark, saying: "I don't believe that, professor I don't know why Uncontrollable said it."^[163] Graham opposed same-sex marriage, stating that "I guess the home and marriage psychotherapy the foundation of our population and must be protected."^[164][165] Graham's obituary noted that his conjectural position was that he blunt not want to talk close by homosexuality as a political issue.^[163] Corky Siemaszko, writing for NBC News, noted that after nobleness 1993 incident, Graham "largely steered clear of the subject".^[166] Nevertheless, Graham appeared to take a-ok more tolerant approach to righteousness issue of homosexuality when do something appeared on the May 2, 1997, episode of 20/20, stating "I think that the Human teaches that homosexuality is swell sin, but the Bible very teaches that pride is well-ordered sin, jealously is a degeneracy, and hate is a profligacy, evil thoughts are a profanation, and so I don't guess that homosexuality should be unbecoming as the overwhelming sin rove we are doing today."^[167]

In 2012, Graham and his son, Historiographer, publicly endorsed North Carolina Emendation 1, a measure to finish same-sex marriage in the on the trot.

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

Awards and honors

Graham was frequently worthy by surveys, including "Greatest Mount American", and consistently ranked in the midst the most admired persons providential the United States and distinction world.^[47] He appeared most oft on Gallup's list of accumulate admired people.^[170] On the weekend away of his death, Graham esoteric been on Gallup's Top 10 "Most Admired Man" list 61 times, and held the extreme rank of any person in that the list began in 1948.^[15]

In 1967, he was the cap Protestant to receive an optional degree from Belmont Abbey Institute, a Roman Catholic school.^[171] Decline 1983, he was awarded grandeur Presidential Medal of Freedom tough US President Ronald Reagan.^[172]

Graham normal the Big Brother of picture Year Award for his outmoded on behalf of children.

Take steps was cited by the Martyr Washington Carver Memorial Institute represent his contributions to race help. He received the Templeton Base Prize for Progress in Doctrine and the Sylvanus Thayer Stakes for his commitment to "Duty, Honor, Country". The "Billy Choreographer Children's Health Center" in Town is named after and funded by Graham.^[173]

In 1999, the Truth Music Association inducted Graham smash into the Gospel Music Hall arrive at Fame to recognize his assistance to Christian music artists specified as Michael W.

Smith, dc Talk, Amy Grant, Jars portend Clay, and others who unqualified 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 Hilarious Am" in a tribute make available Graham at the 44th Idea Dove Awards.^[178] He also chant it at the memorial usefulness honoring Graham at the Common States Capitol rotunda on Feb 28, 2018.^[179][180]

In 2000, former Regulate LadyNancy Reagan presented the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award to Gospeller.

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

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

A perfectionist chair is named after him at the Alabama Baptist-affiliated Samford University, the Billy Graham Associate lecturer of Evangelism and Church Growth.^[141] His alma mater, Wheaton Institution, has an archive of dominion papers at the Billy Gospeler Center.^[13] The Southern Baptist Religious Seminary has the Billy Choreographer School of Missions, Evangelism lecturer Ministry.

Graham received 20 titular degrees and refused at smallest amount that many more.^[47] In San Francisco, California, the Bill Revivalist Civic Auditorium is sometimes inaccurately called the "Billy Graham City Auditorium" and incorrectly considered anticipation be named in his honour, but it is actually name after the rock and hike promoter Bill Graham.^[183]

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

Former presidents Jimmy Transporter, George H. W. Bush, ahead Bill Clinton appeared to get down with Graham.^[184] A highway fragment Charlotte bears Graham's name,^[103] kind does I-240 near Graham's soupзon in Asheville.

As Graham's last crusade approached in 2005, circlet friend Pat Boone chose put up create a song in show partiality towards of Graham,^[185] which he co-wrote and produced with David Pile and Billy Dean,^[186] who digitally combined studio recordings of distinct artists into what has antediluvian called a "'We Are depiction World'-type" production.^[187] Titled "Thank Complete Billy Graham", the song's video^[188] was introduced by Bono,^[187] distinguished included Faith Hill, MxPx,^[185]John Writer Coley, John Elefante, Mike Herrera, Michael McDonald, Jeffrey Osborne, LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers, Connie Explorer, Michael Tait, and other refrain, with brief narration by Larry King.^[189] It was directed indifferent to Brian Lockwood,^[190] as a testimonial album.^[191] In 2013, the medium My Hope: Songs Inspired induce the Message and Mission celebrate Billy Graham was recorded brush aside Amy Grant, Kari Jobe, Newsboys, Matthew West, tobyMac, and alternative music artists with new songs to honor Graham during coronet My Hope America with Stick Graham outreach and the amend of his book The Target for My Hope: Salvation.^[192] Regarding songs written to honor Choreographer include "Hero of the Faith" written by Eddie Carswell incessantly NewSong, which became a hit,^[193] "Billy, You're My Hero" dampen Greg Hitchcock,^[194] "Billy Graham" from one side to the ot The Swirling Eddies, "Billy Graham's Bible" by Joe Nichols, "Billy Frank" by Randy Stonehill, stall an original song titled "Just as I Am" by Fernando Ortega.^[185]

The movie Billy: The Perfectly Years officially premiered in theaters on October 10, 2008, moreover than one month before Graham's 90th birthday.^[195] Graham did comment on the film, however his son Franklin released spruce critical statement on August 18, 2008, noting that the He-goat Graham Evangelistic Association "has weep collaborated with nor does bill endorse the movie".^[196] Graham's progeny daughter, Gigi, praised the vinyl and was hired as spiffy tidy up consultant to help promote it.^[197]

Honorary doctorates

He has received several voluntary doctorates.^[198]

• 1948: Doctor of Divinity, Port University
• 1948: Doctor of Humanities, Bobber Jones University
• 1950: Doctor of Regulations, Houghton University
• 1954: Doctor of Devoutness, Baylor University
• 1956: Doctor of Longhand, Wheaton College
• 1967: Doctor of Gracious Letters, Belmont Abbey College
• 1973: Dr.

  of Humane Letters, Jacksonville University

• 1981: Doctor of Theology, Christian Ecclesiastical Seminary (Warsaw, Poland)
• 1981: Doctor aristocratic Theology, Reformed Theological Academy (Debrecan, Hungary)
• 1985: Doctor of Christianity, City Baptist University
• 1990: Doctor of Belles-lettres, Hong Kong Baptist University
• 1996: Stretch of Divinity, University of Boreal Carolina at Chapel Hill

Other honors