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Whatever the reason, I was wrong for not disagreeing with the President, and I sincerely apologize to anyone I have offended. I don't ever recall having those feelings about any group, especially the Jews, and I certainly do not have them now. My remarks did not reflect my love for the Jewish people. I humbly ask the Jewish community to reflect on my actions on behalf of Jews over the years that contradict my words in the Oval Office that day. … Racial prejudice, anti-Semitism, or hatred of anyone with different beliefs has no place in the human mind or heart. … Of greater import or concern than any tapes made in the White House, each of us must face the fact that God has "tapes" that record not only our actions but also our thoughts and our intent. … On the appointed day of God's judgment there will be nothing in any of our hearts that will not be disclosed. That is why we all need God's forgiveness."

The apology seems to have been accepted. "The brevity of [Graham's first] apology and Mr. Graham's refusal to discuss the matter further have angered many of the same Jewish organizations that for so long counted Mr. Graham as their best friend among evangelical Christians," reported David Firestone. But now those same Jews are coming around. Firestone notes that one of Graham's most vocal critics for the 1972 comments, Anti-Defamation League head Abraham Foxman, accepted Graham's apology. The Charlotte Observer says local rabbis have also embraced it. "Billy Graham's first apology, to me, reeked of saying the least he could possibly say and get away with an apology," said Rabbi James Bennett. The new apology "sounds like a genuine effort at repentance, that 'I don't agree with those words that I uttered.'"

In related news, leaders of the boycott against Cincinnati are asking Graham to stay away from the city. He is scheduled to hold his next mission there in June. The boycott organizers claim the city is not addressing issues of racial discrimination and "economic apartheid," and other religious organizations (including the National Progressive Baptists) have canceled meetings there in response. "The unique thing about this mission is that he was invited by leaders of the community to promote the gospel and racial harmony," the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Jeff Anderson told The Cincinnati Enquirer. "That invitation from those leaders has not been withdrawn, so we will proceed as planned."

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March (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46