Billy Graham ‘moved to tears’ by ‘Passion’ movie

Billy Graham ‘moved to tears’ by ‘Passion’ movie

MONTREAT, N.C. — Evangelist Billy Graham said he was “moved to tears” after viewing Mel Gibson’s controversial film on the death of Jesus Christ, and said the film does not blame “any particular group” for His crucifixion.

Gibson, who has been criticized by Jewish groups for his upcoming film “The Passion of Christ,” personally met with Graham, along with actor Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus, at a West Virginia conference center.

“I have often wondered what it must have been like to be a bystander during those last hours before Jesus’ death,” Graham said in a statement. “After watching ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ I feel as if I have actually been there. I was moved to tears.”

Jewish groups are concerned that the $30 million film, scheduled for release on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 25, 2004) blames Jews for the death of Jesus and will fuel anti-Semitism.

Graham said, “The film is faithful to the Bible’s teaching that we are all responsible for Jesus’ death because we have all sinned. It is our sins that caused His death, not any particular group.”

The film has also received the endorsement of the National Association of Evangelicals. NAE President Ted Haggard screened the film in July.

Graham did not mention Jews by name in the statement released by his public relations firm, which is also handling some publicity for Gibson’s Icon Productions film company.