[Sca-cooks] Fw: Threats

[johnna holloway]

Elaine Koogler wrote:>
> Hey, guys.  Sorry for that last message.  I had just read that news article, and
> Dame Selene's message just pushed my button.  I apologize if I've offended anyone.
> Kiri
> FYI Here's the text of the now infamous article. Ithought people might like to actually
see it. Johnna


God Gave U.S. 'What We Deserve,' Falwell Says

  By John F. Harris
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 14, 2001; Page C03


Television evangelists Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, two of the most
prominent voices of the religious right, said liberal civil liberties
groups, feminists, homosexuals and abortion rights supporters bear
partial responsibility for Tuesday's terrorist attacks because their
actions have turned God's anger against America.

"God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to
give us probably what we deserve," said Falwell, appearing yesterday on
the Christian Broadcasting Network's "700 Club," hosted by Robertson.

"Jerry, that's my feeling," Robertson responded. "I think we've just
seen the antechamber to terror. We haven't even begun to see what they
can do to the major population."

Falwell said the American Civil Liberties Union has "got to take a lot
of blame for this," again winning Robertson's agreement: "Well, yes."

Then Falwell broadened his blast to include the federal courts and
others who he said were "throwing God out of the public square." He
added: "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.' "

People for the American Way transcribed the broadcast and denounced the
comments as running directly counter to President Bush's call for
national unity. Ralph G. Neas, the liberal group's president, called the
remarks "absolutely inappropriate and irresponsible."

Robertson and others on the religious right gave critical backing to
Bush last year when he was battling for the GOP presidential nomination.
A White House official called the remarks "inappropriate" and added,
"The president does not share those views."

Falwell was unrepentant, saying in an interview that he was "making a
theological statement, not a legal statement."

"I put all the blame legally and morally on the actions of the
terrorist," he said. But he said America's "secular and anti-Christian
environment left us open to our Lord's [decision] not to protect. When a
nation deserts God and expels God from the culture . . . the result is
not good."

Robertson was not available for comment, a spokeswoman said. But she
released a statement echoing the remarks he made on his show. An ACLU
spokeswoman said the group "will not dignify the Falwell-Robertson
remarks with a comment."
© 2001 The Washington Post Company