I don't think Reverend Graham was joking at all. I think he was just catering to powerful people, which has alas been his great weakness over the years. Sometimes he seems to forget the first lesson of a minister -- original sin.
His great weakness, or the only reason us little folks even know his name?
Yes, we said the same thing. Pandering but...he said it, he meant it and now he is taking flack. The almight dollar is not worth selling your soul no matter the cause.
100% CORRECT - HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!
IMO, he is and always has been a panderer. Whether he knew or not, that Nixon was somewhat anti-semitic, he went into a private meeting with Nixon at the White House and made pointedly anti-semitic remarks, which were caught on tape. I think that this man tries to be "loved, admired and respected" by the powerful, whenever and wherever he crosses their paths.
Just my opinion, but it certainly looks that way to me.
On doctrinal matters, he can't have it both ways: going around for some 6 decades preaching about "sin" and retribution, and then forgiving everyone everywhere for everything, as though sinning is no big deal. That's the LIBERALS' position! No one is guilty of anything to liberals! eg: "It was ONLY about sex..."
What has Billy Graham's ministry been about, then, if he's going to give "absolution" to shockingly immoral (and also amoral) people like BOTH Clintons?!
Char