Billy Graham’s terse apology earlier this month over his remarks about the Jews to President Nixon only served to anger many Jewish organizations. So on Saturday, he released another one and posted it on the his organization’s web site. However, this apology has people up in arms, too, according to an article in yesterday’s New York Times: “I cannot imagine what caused me to make those comments, which I totally repudiate…. I don’t ever recall having those feelings about any group, especially the Jews, and I certainly do not have them now.”
Graham, in a public statement back in May 1994, repudiated H. R. Haldeman’s contention that he concurred with Nixon about the “total Jewish domination of the media” and that the nation’s problem lies with “satanic Jews.” Said Graham at the time, “Those are not my words. I have never talked publicly or privately about the Jewish people, including conversations with President Nixon, except in the most positive terms.”
Real Joe has learned that Graham is issuing a third apology tomorrow. Here’s an excerpt of the text:
I’m ashamed to say that my two previous apologies contained lies. Of course I remember speaking disparagingly of the Jews with Nixon. Those were my true feelings at the time about the Jews, prejudices closely held, in part handed on to me from my parents, as well as formed in my head of my own free will as I rose to prominence as a Christian leader.
I knew that Nixon felt the same and a part of me wanted to join with him. To have a little secret between me and the president of the United States, well, that’s heady stuff and my ego got the best of me. Over the years, I gradually came to see my prejudices for what they were: mistaken ideas mixed with emotional weakness. I worked outwardly to make up for my private transgressions, but I see now that I was two-faced and chicken.
It would’ve been better for me and the country to have come clean with my old prejudices, explain how they came about, and then lead by example. I regret this failure of leadership as much as I regret my prejudice and my lies. I’ve hurt many people, I’ve hurt my organization, and I’m sure God is displeased with me. I sincerely apologize and I will demonstrate my sincerity by doing what I can in my remaining years on earth to learn from this lesson and to make amends.
Way to go, Billy. Now lead the way, and I bet a good chunk of the nation will follow.
PS to readers: note the title of this entry. Not Really News. Get it?