Falwell Skewers Media for Downplaying Islamic Atrocities Against Christians

American Family Association ^ | December 31, 2002 | Fred Jackson and Jody Brown

[Michael2001]

(AgapePress) - While Southern Baptists mourn the loss of three of their missionaries in yesterday's terrorist attack in Yemen, a key player in the denomination is denouncing the way the national media covers these stories.

The three Southern Baptists who were gunned down by an Islamic terrorist on Monday are just the latest Christians to be targeted by those who hate Christianity and are out to destroy its testimony. In fact, one pro-family leader cites several recent examples of such attacks on Christians, asks why American leaders continue to describe Islam as a "religion of peace" -- then concludes it must be easier to be "politically correct" than it is to tell the truth. [See Commentary by Don Wildmon]

But pastor and well-known Baptist commentator Jerry Falwell is wondering why the national media are ignoring these Islamic attacks on Christians.

He tells Baptist Press that America in general, and Jews and Christians in particular, have more to fear from radical Islam than from Nazism or communism in the past. In just one example, Falwell says more than two million Christians in Sudan have been slaughtered by Islamic terrorist in recent years -- yet the media have not given the story the coverage it deserves.

Falwell says: "If a massacre were being conducted against people of color, God forbid, or groups like gays and lesbians, there would be an understandable outcry that would demand change."

"It is a tragedy," he says, "that Christian lives do not seem to have the same value to the national media."

Outreach Will Continue Meanwhile, a Southern Baptist official says the denomination will continue its work in Muslim nations despite yesterday's shootings of American missionaries at a Baptist hospital in Yemen. Jerry Rankin, who heads the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board, says the gunman -- a Yemeni believed to be a Muslim extremist -- hid a rifle inside his coat, and cradled the weapon as if it were a baby.

Shot in the head and killed were 60-year-old William Koehn of Texas, 53-year-old Kathleen Gariety of Wisconsin, and 57-year-old Dr. Martha Myers of Alabama. They had served a combined 62 years in Yemen. A fourth missionary, 49-year-old Donald Caswell of Texas, suffered a severe stomach wound.

A Yemeni woman said the attack "contradicts Islam" and is "a crime unacceptable in any religion." And she said the slain missionaries "treated and saved" more children than she could count.

[Hunble]

I know the answer, but was wondering if you have figured it out also......

[k2blader]

What is Falwell advocating?

From the article it seems clear he is advocating more media coverage regarding Islamic attacks on Christians.

[RightWhale]

I haven't heard Falwell since I turned off my TV. The last image on the screen was the Waco inferno. So it's been a while. Falwell has always sounded hawkish to me.

[RightWhale]

he is advocating more media coverage regarding Islamic attacks on Christians.

There IS such media coverage. We learn these things through the news media. That's not the problem, and that's obviously not what he is advocating since he knows that quite well. He has to drop the other shoe.

[nicmarlo]

Is Christianity a religion of peace?

Yes.

Has it always been so?

You ask a rhetorical question, but will receive an honest answer: No; Christ's Words are not peaceful to those who would prefer to fight against Him. However, for those who submit themselves to His Truth, there is "peace that passeth understanding." Does this internal conflict mean He advocates violence? No, of course not.

Christians who do not follow Christ's two commands: "That you love the Father with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself" are either in sin or commiting sin, as there is no violence in these commands. We are also to "go into all the world" and preach the Good News.

You will not find in the New Testament that Christ demands that Christians kill any one.

What is Falwell saying without actually mouthing the words?

What he's been saying for over a year now: Islam is NOT a religion of peace. It is an evil religion, founded by the Evil One; it is not from God above, but the devil below. It is a false religion.

[k2blader]

There IS such media coverage. We learn these things through the news media.

Yes, there is. Falwell thinks there should be more.

That's not the problem, and that's obviously not what he is advocating since he knows that quite well.

I respect straight-forward people. Care to read Falwell's mind for the rest of us?

[RightWhale]

It is an evil religion, founded by the Evil One; it is not from God above, but the devil below. It is a false religion.

It's not. But even if it were, so what? Should Christians care?

[VOA]

Besides that the media duly reported the incident and there was no editorial commentary,
what should the media do?

Just be honest when Islamics are the perps.
In the case of The Ivory Coast, for weeks I heard/read reports about "rebel forces"
attacking goverment forces...not one mention of their ideology/aims other than
to attack government forces.
Finally, I managed to spy a three-paragraph article buried in The Los Angeles Times...
and the reporter let it slip out...Muslims rebels attacking lots of civilians.

Now, whenever I read about reports in the news and the ideology of "fighters" or "rebels"
or "rioters" get no mention...I can't help but wonder "could it be Muslims again?"

[Michael2001]

There aren't millions of Christians planning to blow up innocent civilians in the name of Jesus

[nicmarlo]

I take it, then, you have an understanding of the Koran; you have studied its founder Muhammed, and what he advocated and believed? I have. I have also read the Bible, which I believe to be in Word of God. The two books could not be more opposite in the most important respects. In addition, the Koran advocates killing Jews and Christians. That would be one reason why Christians should care about what the Koran says and what its followers are demanded to do to Christians (and Jews).

[RightWhale]

There aren't millions of Christians planning to blow up innocent civilians in the name of Jesus

Oh, really? How many, then, advocate nuking Mecca?

[k2blader]

Well said.

Might you have any reference links with information on the not-so-peaceful side of Islam and the Koran? I'd like to read more on the subject.

[RightWhale]

There is no question the Muslim fundies are on the rampage and they'll get it back in a more directed way than their chosen method of killing civilians. They have given up the moral high ground.

[RightWhale]

Christians have also interpreted their Gospel to support the Crusades. It cuts both ways. Nobody is clean, although the Muslim fundies have taken the low road again at this time. Should the West also take the low road?

[Undivided Heart]

I suppose if these were abortion doctors killed by some so-called Christians we'd still be hearing about it.

[RightWhale]

Check out Alexander Nevsky while you are checking out the peaceful side of religions.

[k2blader]

Christians have also interpreted their Gospel to support the Crusades.

I suppose some may have, approximately 700-900 years ago. Doubt there'd be much support for the same today.

Nobody is clean.

We agree there.

...Muslim fundies have taken the low road again at this time. Should the West also take the low road?

Not sure what you mean by this. How would the West take the "low road"?

[RightWhale]

How would the West take the "low road"?

So far the West hasn't. Civilian casualties have been deliberately avoided as far as possible. But the Nuke Mecca crowd has a different idea. That's the low road.

[Paulie]

"...but he can be pretty dopey sometimes."

In all due respect, that was uncalled for. And unfair.

[k2blader]

Thanks for the clarification.

The most I've seen of the "Nuke Mecca" crowd includes a few inane and/or anger-venting-joke posts on internet bulletin boards and in chatrooms.

I don't think Falwell, or any true Christian for that matter, would seriously advocate such action.