America's Pastor: Billy Graham, The Civil Rights Movement, and Religion in American Politics

Abstract

Billy Graham is a fixture in American history, as both a religious force and as social figure; to many he is a household name. Graham's tremendous popularity from the 1950s through the early 2000s, as well as his ability to reach millions of people worldwide, enables him to have an undeniable legacy. This paper indicates that while Graham's legacy is indirect and often unseen, it has been a driving force in American politics for decades. More specifically, this paper argues that Graham's influence during the Civil Rights Movement, his friendship with Martin Luther King, and his involvement in the White House have informed the way that religion and politics interact today.