US pastor Falwell draws wrath of Iran over Prophet

Iran Mania ^ | October 6 2002 | AFP

[knighthawk]

TEHRAN, Oct 6 (AFP) - Controversial US Baptist minister Jerry Falwell on Sunday drew the wrath of Iran after he labelled the Muslim Prophet Mohammed "a terrorist".

"This insult of the holy Prophet Mohammed by a Christian priest is part of a propaganda war by the US mass media and the Zionists," state media quoted Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi as saying.

Speaking during a meeting with visiting Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General Abdul Wahed Belqeziz, Kharazi said Falwell's comments were "proof that the US wants political, cultural and military domination of the world."

"Islamic countries, and above all the OIC, must not stay silent in the face of such unashamed accusations, and must not permit this clash of religions and civilisations sought by the expansionist and aggressive Zionists," he added.

In an interview to be broadcast Sunday on the CBS television network's "60 Minutes" news programme, Falwell calls the prophet "a terrorist".

"I think Mohammed was a terrorist. I read enough by both Muslims and non-Muslims, (to decide) that he was a violent man, a man of war," Falwell said according to an advance transcript of the interview released by CBS.

"In my opinion, Jesus set the example for love, as did Moses, and I think Mohammed set an opposite example," he added.

Falwell, a leader of the US Evangelical Christian right, has also previously labelled Mohammed a pedophile possessed by the devil.

In 1989, Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, or religious decree, ordering the death of British author Salman Rushdie over his book "The Satanic Verses", which was deemed to be blasphemous.

However there was no immediate reaction to Falwell's comments from Iran's Shitte clergy or the office of Khomeini's successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The head of the 57-member Islamic body reportedly told Kharrazi that the OIC would seek an apology for Falwell's remarks.

[AppyPappy]

Can you explain why Muslims around the world cheered at 9-11?

For the same reason that Americans are opposed to the War on Terror.

[fogarty]

The answer to your question is clear: military force. Muslim countries are allies of convenience and/or due to military force (that is, an American military force at their throat). They are not allies from mutual trust or friendship. They are merely enemies who have been coerced to our will.

[elfman2]

Good, and despite their predisposition against everything we stand for, including freedom of religion, we can best continue to press them to our will and to divide them against one another if we don't reinforce and legitimize the concept that this is holy war.

Calling this a holy war would perhaps persuade some wavering Christians to support the war on terror, but perhaps it would scare more away (even Christians). It would certainly make it more difficult to get cooperation internationally, with even European nations potentially giving al Qaeda asylum, and it would certainly harden the unity of Muslim nations. In line with the administrations strategery, I see it as counter productive.

[DaughterofEve]

They found the ignore G-d faction of Judaism, and put him on TV. When Abe Foxman can accept Conservative Christian support, you know 60 minutes had to dig hard to find a dissenter. BTW - A large fraction of Judaism is secular; they don't attend synagogue, and ignore all the commandments.

It's all heartbreaking to me. Naturally your "BTW" comment applies to more than just Judiasm...lots of "in name onlys" across the board.

[johnb838]

It's because of the Zionists, of course!

I think they only say Zionist in the western press. It's "the dirty jews" everywhere else. Hell, that's probably what they say to the west too but it gets translated as "Zionist" How 'bout Falwell announcing that there are over 70 million non-jewish Zionists in the U.S. That's what they need to be worried about.

[johnb838]

What proportion of Conservative Christians support for Israel is based on prophecy versus morality?

My support is based on morality.

If the prophecy turns out to be true... what can any of us do about it? If Jesus comes in His Glory and the Jews realize we've been right all along any disagreement over conversion would be moot.

But bottom line I support Israel no matter what happens. Because they are the people of David and the Goliath of islam is trying to revisit the holocaust on them and I will not allow that if it is in my power to prevent.

NEVER AGAIN

[nightdriver]

"The head of the 57-member Islamic body reportedly told Kharrazi that the OIC would seek an apology for Falwell's remarks."

Those who are unaware may not realize it, but this is the defining point that defines islam as a phony religion.

It has a "god" who has to be protected by man instead of an all-powerful God who is in control and provides protection instead of needing it.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Islame is not called Islame for nothing.

[justshutupandtakeit]

But behind the Zionists are the STONECUTTERS a truly dangerous group.

[Tribune7]

A demon-possessed pedophile, at that.

[Marysecretary]

On another post, I read where a Muslim cleric was upset because Christian ministers hadn't berated Falwell for saying this. HAH, I'm still waiting for the Muslim Clerics to raise hell about 9/11! Will they? I don't think so. Soo, Mr. Muslim, you can wait until hell freezes over before any of us will refute Mr. Falwell on this issue.

[Marysecretary]

You're right. He isn't a true Muslim. If he was, he'd have gotten rid of the Christians a long time ago. He pretty much leaves them alone (as much as he leaves anyone alone over there). I fear a bloodbath for Christians there if we go in at the wrong time. Pray for wisdom for our president.

[Marysecretary]

Good answer agrace. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I love Israel and it's because God put that love in my heart. M

[RightWhale]

Judging from the response, it seems these Iranians have no clue as to how things are organized here in the West. Falwell as a priest? As part of the media? Puleeze.

Khomeini and Falwell were cut from the same cloth. There's a clue for you, Mr. Out-of-Touch Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi.

[Marysecretary]

Yep. People don't like to hear the truth, do they?

[Michael2001]

Could you add me to your list

Thanks

[Michael2001]

What proportion of Conservative Christians support for Israel is based on prophecy versus morality?

You're ignoring the fact that the two are related. The right thing to do is always also the Christian thing to do.

[watchin]

I doubt they'll get Falwell to apologize. That's good.

[watchin]

Is that raving lunatic the best the terrorists er ... murderers uh ... savages I mean ... muslims can come up with? Probably so.

Jerry Falwell a zionist. Sheesh.

[watchin]

What proportion of Conservative Christians support for Israel is based on prophecy versus morality?

And the answer is: C.

I think most conservative Christians base their support on the fact that the Bible claims that the Jews are God's people, so that "he who touches you(Jews) touches the apple of His(God's) eye", and "He that blesses you(Jews) I(God) will bless, and he that curses you I will curse."

So prophecy is interesting, and morality is crucial, but the primary motivation is obeying God's command.