Falwell apologizes for blaming liberals

Christian Century, Sept 26, 2001

Fundamentalist preacher Jerry Falwell has apologized for saying that liberals helped cause the terrorist attacks on the U.S. because they had removed "God from the public square." Falwell was roundly criticized--with a rebuke from the White House as well--for saying on Pat Robertson's 700 Club program that the disasters were "probably what we deserve," moving God to lift his "protective hand" from America.

Falwell singled out gays and lesbians, abortionists and liberal advocacy groups. "All of them who have tried to secularize America--I point the finger in their face and say, `You helped this happen.'"

But on September 18, Falwell called his remarks "insensitive, uncalled for at the time and unnecessary as part of the commentary on this destruction. I apologize that, during a week when everyone appropriately dropped all labels and no one was seen as liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, religious or secular, I singled out for blame single groups of Americans," he said.

Falwell made the statement after losing some support from allies on the Religious Right. Robertson termed Falwell's words "totally inappropriate," even though he initially concurred with Falwell. Kenneth Connor, head of the conservative Family Research Council, lumped Falwell with the Pharisees of the Bible who were "attempting to cast out beams in our brothers' eyes while overlooking the logs in our own." --RNS