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Falwell apologizes to gays, feminists, lesbians
September 14, 2001 Posted: 2:55 AM EDT (0655 GMT)
LYNCHBURG, Virginia (CNN) -- The Rev. Jerry Falwell said late Thursday he
did not mean to blame feminists, gays or lesbians for bringing on the
terrorist attacks in New York and Washington this week, in remarks on a
television program earlier in the day.
On the broadcast of the Christian television program "The 700 Club," Falwell
made the following statement:
"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists,
and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an
alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them
who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and
say 'you helped this happen.'"
Falwell, pastor of the 22,000-member Thomas Road Baptist Church, viewed the
attacks as God's judgment on America for "throwing God out of the public
square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden
for this because God will not be mocked."
But in a phone call to CNN, Falwell said that only the hijackers and
terrorists were responsible for the deadly attacks.
"I do believe, as a theologian, based upon many Scriptures and particularly
Proverbs 14:23, which says 'living by God's principles promotes a nation to
greatness, violating those principles brings a nation to shame,'" he said.
Falwell said he believes the ACLU and other organizations "which have
attempted to secularize America, have removed our nation from its
relationship with Christ on which it was founded."
"I therefore believe that that created an environment which possibly has
caused God to lift the veil of protection which has allowed no one to attack
America on our soil since 1812," he said.
Pat Robertson, host of the 700 Club program, seemed to agree with Falwell's
earlier statements in a prayer during the program.
"We have sinned against Almighty God, at the highest level of our
government, we've stuck our finger in your eye," said Robertson. "The
Supreme Court has insulted you over and over again, Lord. They've taken your
Bible away from the schools. They've forbidden little children to pray.
They've taken the knowledge of God as best they can, and organizations have
come into court to take the knowledge of God out of the public square of
America."
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Lorri L. Jean
bristled at the idea that gays and lesbians had anything to do with the
attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon that may have left
thousands dead, and demanded an apology from Falwell.
"The terrible tragedy that has befallen our nation, and indeed the entire
global community, is the sad byproduct of fanaticism. It has its roots in
the same fanaticism that enables people like Jerry Falwell to preach hate
against those who do not think, live, or love in the exact same way he
does," she said.
"The tragedies that have occurred this week did not occur because someone
made God mad, as Mr. Falwell asserts. They occurred because of hate, pure
and simple. It is time to move beyond a place of hate and to a place of
healing. We hope that Mr. Falwell will apologize to the U.S. and world
communities."
Falwell told CNN: "I would never blame any human being except the
terrorists, and if I left that impression with gays or lesbians or anyone
else, I apologize."
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