Posted on 09/14/2001 6:10:41 PM PDT by Media2Powerful
STATEMENT BY JERRY FALWELL ON 700 CLUB COMMENTS
Senior Pastor, Thomas Road Baptist Church and Chancellor, Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia
September 14, 2001
Despite the impression some may have from news reports today, I hold no one other than the terrorists and the people and nations who have enabled and harbored them responsible for Tuesday's attacks on this nation.
I sincerely regret that comments I made during a long theological discussion on a Christian television program yesterday were taken out of their context and reported, and that my thoughts--reduced to sound bites--have detracted from the spirit of this day of mourning.
Today, I join millions of people throughout this nation and around the world in remembering all those who died, and praying for our nation, the victims of this travesty, and their loved ones.
I STILL can't figure it out.
Actually, no, you're not. I never said anything in my post about when God does or doesn't "let things happen". To be honest, I don't believe in the anthropomorphic concept of God who goes about directing tornados or terrorists at all. My concept tend more towards that of Einstein or Buckminster Fuller, who believed in a Divine Love that maintains and nourishes the regenerative Universe, and manifests It's Will not in "allowing" hijackers to punish our nation's secular ways, but rather in the strength and courage of all good people, from the rescue teams at ground zero to the millions of people supporting and donating to the Red Cross.
I'm sure this makes me one of the "Pagan Jesus-haters" Farwell blames for God's anger, but that's between the Cosmos and me, thank you very much.
I don't know if you feel that the Bible supports such a view, and I don't kow that you believe the Bible is relevant, but if you believe in "A God" you might want to read His word some.
I am quite familiar with the books you speak of, thank you. They are the sacred texts of a specific culture, and should be revered as such, but "The" infalible Word Of God? Leviticus claims that rape victims should wed their assailants and that rabbits chew cud.
In this instance I would recommend Job. Perhaps one of the oldest books in His word. Job and his friends were trying to figure out why such terrible things had happened to the "world's most righteous man". Job asked this question of God. Read God's answer very carefully. "Job, where were you when I laid the foundation for the world..." If you believe in God this sentence should make you shudder.
Me? What about Farwell and Robertson?
"I WAS QUOTED OUT OF CONTEXT!"
Now, when a Conservative catches heat, it's:
"I WAS QUOTED OUT OF CONTEXT!"
Which is it, folks? Are the media after the Conservatives, or are they after the Liberals?
Perhaps "saying something dumb that you regret later" is not so much a political thing as it is a brain thing.
For what it's worth.
You've obviously never read Susie Bright. Try this one:
http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?show=Trade%20Paper:Sale%20Books:068484396x:6.98
I don't think it would be all that great if everybody believed like me, but at least there would be no NASCAR!
The same Pat who is in bed with the Chicoms?
Not to mention African dictators and slave-labor diamond mines.
All these people spewing their venom against fundalmentalist Christians are doing the work of the chief of liars.
First of all, these terrorists are anything but fundamentalist. Do you even know what Fundamentalism means? It refers to conservative Christians who believe the Bible is literally true.
I don't know that God has abandoned America for it's evil ways. I think it is possible. God punishes those he loves and I am sure God has shown he loves America. He also punished Israel many times when they strayed.
I have never criticized Mormons on this forum or anywhere else although I disagree with them profoundly. I respect them for their conservative clean lifestyles, but for a self-described Mormon to come on this forum and spew lies about fundamentalist Christians is a little much.
One more thing. Just take a look at those who are attacking Falwell and Robertson and see if you want to be in their company. I have seen many of their posts on other threads and they are generally a sorry lot.
Now, do you really think that is a fair statement? Religion doesn't make you less human. You are still imperfect. You still get angry, show poor judgement at times, make mistakes. There is a HUGE difference in everyday human imperfection and to the core evil TERRORISTS!
This is a true statement.
It would have been wiser of Falwell to say exactly that, however, the man is a good man who believes in the Bibles definition of sin. He has a right to preach that.
We will remember that the next time you come peddling through our neighborhood on your ten-speed.
Sometimes it is the job of a preacher to tell people things they don't want to hear.
Falwell really hasn't said anything different for the last 20 years. It is only now that since people are paying attention that they are hearing this for the first time.
It was out of line for him to imply they are responsible for the bombing, though I believe that interpretation is taken out of context. He was saying they are to blame for the country's moral bankruptcy, which removes the protection of a Holy God.
Graham said and believes the same thing. He was just smarter about his wording. I heard his daughter, Anne Graham Lott, say nearly exactly the same except for the part about they are to blame for the bombing. Evil happens to the righteous and the unrighteous alike.
Again, I do not think Falwell meant to say they are responsible for the bombing. However, in soundbite form I admit it sounds that way.
Bzzzzt. You're disqualified. You used the word "hatred" to attack another poster, thus displaying your bottomless leftist ignorance for all to see.
If I remember right, you were applauding the brutal murder of Catholic priests in India last year. What part of the defintion of "love" does that satisfy? Will you applaud when the Taliban murders the eight Christians they have in their clutches presently?
I bet you do, even if privately, like the coward you are.
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