After all, to many East Coast editors, those evangelicals are all alike. But that, of course, is utterly wrong and misses the significance of Billy Graham himself and the devastating effect of his comments.
Graham is, simply put, the most beloved religious figure in America. When Beliefnet selected its annual Most Inspiring Person of 2000, Graham led the pack in our voting. He has been universally respected and admired, not only for his devotion to his faith, but also for his message of love and respect. While many religious leaders sought to divide, he sought to unite.
Last year on a flight to Texas, I sat next to a young woman in her early 20s. She was reading one of the apocalyptic "Left Behind" novels and described herself as born again. She'd never heard of Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson (the national media darlings)--but considered Billy Graham her hero.
Beginning early in his career, Graham gave voice to a passionate form of rural evangelism embraced by a large number of born-again Christians. His stature--his relationships with presidents, his standing in the world--elevated their Bible-centered beliefs and brought them closer to the mainstream. He pioneered the use of TV and radio to spread the word.
So for him to be revealed--even in a decades-old meeting--as a narrow-minded bigot should be devastating to Billy Graham fans everywhere.
"This stranglehold has got to be broken or the country's going down the drain," Graham said, referring to Jews and the media. He notes that many Jews like him, but adds, "They don't know how I really feel about what they're doing to this country."
