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Graham Ripped 'Synagogue of Satan' on Nixon Tapes

Nixon: Jews' failure to 'behave themselves' indicated a 'death wish'

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 25, 2009 4:57 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Billy Graham blamed Jews from the "Synagogue of Satan" for pornography in a newly released 1973 conversation with Richard Nixon, USA Today reports. The men, in a discussion about anti-Semitism and Jewish opposition to Christian evangelical efforts, agreed that Jews needed to "behave themselves" to avoid unleashing a tide of anti-Semitism.

"It happened in Germany," Nixon told Graham. "Now it’s going to happen in America if these people don’t start behaving. It may be they have a death wish. You know that’s been the problem with our Jewish friends for centuries.” The director of the Anti-Defamation League blasted both men for spouting "age-old classical anti-Semitic canards."

Billy Graham speaks at a press conference in London in 1973.
Billy Graham speaks at a press conference in London in 1973.   (Getty Images)
The Nixon tapes reinforce what we now know about a formidable, but flawed man who was so deeply infected with anti-Semitism that he was unable to see it, even in himself, said the ADL's director.
The Nixon tapes "reinforce what we now know about a formidable, but flawed man who was so deeply infected with anti-Semitism that he was unable to see it, even in himself," said the ADL's director.   (Getty Images)
Billy Graham addresses the audience from the stage during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service in 2007.
Billy Graham addresses the audience from the stage during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service in 2007.   (Getty Images)
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The Bible talks about two kinds of Jews. One is called the synagogue of Satan, they're the ones putting out pornographic literature, they're the ones putting out these obscene films. - Billy Graham, from a 1973 conversation with Richard Nixon

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
John
Jun 26, 2009 6:21 AM CDT
This is a surprise, a right wing, bible thumper that is anti-semitic!!! Who would have thought?
Newser001
Jun 26, 2009 5:40 AM CDT
Anchower is absolutely correct; The parties stitched positions along the way and are almost completely juxtaposed from their original stances.
kokuaguy
Jun 26, 2009 5:14 AM CDT
Nixon exploited the backlash from passage of the Civil Rights and Voting Acts by LBJ and turned all those racist southern Dems into Republicans-- and that was for the best, given the benefit of hindsight. IMHO

Tapes reveal Nixon thought abortion was 'necessary' for mixed-race babies
Telegraph (UK)

 
Jews • Billy Graham • Richard Nixon • stereotypes • evangelicals • anti-Semitism • Anti-Defamation League • Nixon tapes

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