Criticism Swells Around Falwell, Robertson
Wednesday, 19 September 2001

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Televangelists Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell are reeling under an unprecedented barrage of criticism following comments aired on the Christian Broadcasting Network's 700 Club last week that partially blamed recent terrorist attacks on other Americans -- namely civil-liberties groups, feminists, gay people and abortion-rights supporters.

Even for these men, both of whom have built their careers on an aggressive religious conservatism that frequently lands them in the center of national controversy, the scale and scope of public censure they are now enduring is extraordinary.

A transcript of the remarks in question was released by People for the American Way, a civil-rights group, and reads as follows: "The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. 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.'"

Protests flooded in from all over the country. In his hometown of Lynchburg, Va., Falwell canceled a scheduled appearance to speak at a memorial service for victims of the Tuesday's attacks, fearing a negative response that would "distract" from the purpose of the event.

In Albany, Georgia, former President Jimmy Carter told a group of Sunday school students at Maranatha Baptist Church that Falwell's comments were hurtful, divisive and wrong.

A former student of Liberty University, which is run by Falwell, wrote the Dallas Morning News saying she was, "saddened and embarrassed by his remarks. Our nation need not point fingers at those not involved, but should surround those affected by this tragedy and help them....[Falwell's] remarks render a country helpless and divided."

From the St. Louis Dispatch: "Even by Mr. Falwell's own standards of intolerance, these comments were breathtakingly hateful. Evil exists of man, not God. It is the duty of the righteous to stand against it, not to make it worse."

From the Spokane Spokesman-Review in Washington: "In addition to the outrage I feel at the horrific acts of the terrorists, I now have outrage toward two American citizens, Falwell and Robertson. While people all over the country are struggling to find comfort and solace for their grief and losses, these two... promote narrow-minded, ill-informed theological speculation."

An editorial in the Columbus Dispatch reads: "Falwell said he's pointing the finger, and he demonstrates why finger-pointing is an ugly thing. Finger pointing is even more ugly when done while the president is calling for a national day of prayer."

Perhaps most remarkable is the drubbing Falwell and Robertson, both long-time backers of the Republican Party, are receiving from other conservatives. Family Research Council President Ken Connor said, "This is not the time to further wound America's spirit, by casting blame on our fellow citizens."

Connor's statement was released a day after Falwell issued a tentative apology. Among those voicing disapproval was President Bush. An aide to the president spoke to Falwell about the remarks, but Falwell insists his apology was not the result of pressure.

In addition to critical write-ups in the conservative Weekly Standard, one which memorably asks Falwell to take "a vow of silence for the duration of the current struggle," there was a moving piece written by Rod Dreher for the National Review.

"Someone put up a sign at the base of the flagpole, a message that was illuminated by all the candles burning for the dead. It read: 'Whatever our faith, whatever our belief, let us stand together and pray for the victims and their families.' Yes, I thought, this is how it should be. Last night, standing at that flagpole with my rosary in my hand, I felt all our political and cultural differences dissolve. We were one in grief, and love of country...

"Neighbors. Citizens. Patriots. My fellow Americans. Any other sentiment at this time strikes me as unspeakably profane.

"So, bearing in mind the pain those of us who live in and love this great city are suffering now, you know what I have to say, with hot tears in my eyes and cold rain falling on the living and the dead here? Jerry, Pat, you heartless bastards, your timing is awful."

Falwell Makes Apology on Morning Show
Thursday, 20 September 2001

NEW YORK -- Televangelist Jerry Falwell went on ABC's Good Morning America Thursday to offer an apology for comments he made last week pinning part of the blame for the September 11 terrorist attacks on gay and lesbian Americans and other political foes.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation contacted ABC News to register its objections to again giving Falwell a national platform.

"Falwell's recent comments blaming gays, feminists, civil liberties advocates and other Americans for last week's terrorist attacks -- and his gradual backing away from those comments in recent days -- continue his well-documented pattern of evading journalistic inquiry and promoting intolerance in the name of theology," said GLAAD.

"For legitimate news media to give him further visibility is irresponsible."

Good Morning America's co-anchor, Diane Sawyer, gave the conservative icon little breathing space, however. After running a clip of his comments broadcast on Pat Robertson's 700 Club, Sawyer said, "You have said, 'I sincerely regret my comments were taken out of their context.' Tell me any conceivable context that could redeem those words."

Falwell went on to tell Sawyer that he "misspoke totally and entirely" and that "that one stupid statement that I made is indefensible."

Sawyer finished the interview by asking Falwell, "And you will not be attacking these groups again, ever?" Falwell responded, "I'll be speaking out against the secularization of our country. But, no, you will never hear my blaming individuals. I don't do that."