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Falwell: Press downplaying Islamic atrocities
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Saturday, January 4, 2003

Posted on 01/04/2003 1:25:16 AM PST by JohnHuang2

Just as the bodies of the three American missionaries slain by an Islamic terrorist in Yemen are laid to rest so, apparently, is the news coverage of the atrocity, complains Southern Baptist minister and WND columnist Rev. Jerry Falwell.

The three were killed Dec. 30 when a lone gunman burst into the Baptist hospital in Jibla cradling a rifle hidden inside his coat as if it were a baby. He opened fire, shooting 60-year-old William Koehn of Texas, 53-year-old Kathleen Gariety of Wisconsin and 57-year-old Dr. Martha Myers of Alabama, each in the head. A fourth missionary, 49-year-old Donald Caswell of Texas, was seriously wounded.

On Thursday, Yemen authorities arrested Islamic militants Abed Abdul Razak Kamel in connection with the missionaries' murder and Ali al-Jarallah in connection with last week's slaying of Jarallah Omar, deputy leader of Yemen's Socialist Party.

Security officials said the duo had plans to attack other foreigners, journalists and Yemeni political leaders and gave police a list of eight targets during their interrogation.

The missionaries are the latest Christians to be slain by Islamic militants around the world.

Falwell questions why the national media are ignoring these attacks.

"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," Falwell told Baptist Press. "It is a tragedy that Christian lives do not seem to have the same value to the national media."

As an example, he pointed to the more than 2 million Christians in Sudan who have been killed by the nation's militant Islamic regime in recent years, and yet there has been little coverage of the killings.

Falwell said America in general, and Jews and Christians in particular, have more to fear from radical Islam than from Nazism or communism in the past.

This isn't the first time Falwell has thumbed his nose at the politically correct.

As WorldNetDaily reported, Falwell came under fire late last year for asserting that "Muhammad is a terrorist."

On a "60 Minutes" broadcast Oct. 6, Falwell told CBS interviewer Bob Simon: "I think Muhammad 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 told WND just before the interview was aired that his intent was not to attack Muhammad.

"I have avoided that. But [Simon] was pressing me on the issue of Muhammad's behavior, his involvement in war, and I simply said what I do believe, that Muhammad is not a good example for most Muslim people."

Following the "60 Minutes" interview, a leading Islamic group in Canada announced its intention to take legal action against Falwell and the Canadian channels that broadcast the interview.

Canadian Islamic Congress President Mohamed Elmasry told WorldNetDaily he believes criminal charges could be brought against "the person who made the statement and any accessories he used" under the country's hate-crimes laws.

In a June 15 column, Falwell also defended fellow Southern Baptist pastor Dr. Jerry Vines for his controversial declaration that Muhammad was a "demon-possessed pedophile."

Falwell pointed out that Vines was referencing the new book, "Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs" written by scholars Ergun and Emir Caner, who are Christian brothers raised as Muslims, as well as the Hadith, considered a respected source for Islamic teaching among Muslim clerics and followers worldwide.

"If you want to raise the ire of the mainstream press and the swarm of politically correct organizations in this nation, just criticize Islam," Falwell mused. "If those in the media were doing their jobs, Dr. Vines would never have felt it necessary to point out these disquieting elements of an enigmatic religion."


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To: ZULU

The similarity is that in both cases, the tiny minded inquisitors would punish both good and bad alike, drawing no distinction.

You should be ashamed..

21 posted on 01/04/2003 11:17:57 AM PST by Jhoffa_
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To: Jhoffa_
so there's no need to stir up a bunch of hate for Islam in general....

Oh gee, yeah we just LOVE islam here.

Radical islamists are directly responsible for a continuing culture of death and terrorism around the world. But I guess it's politically incorrect to point that out?

22 posted on 01/04/2003 11:18:44 AM PST by Bullish
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To: Jhoffa_
The actions of a small minoryt do not compensate for the overwhelming support, active or covert, of the majority, or the basic tenets of the belief system responsible for this world-wide orgasm of violence, brutalisty and primitive behavior as demonsrated by the mass of Muslims everywhere.
23 posted on 01/04/2003 11:19:14 AM PST by ZULU
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To: Jorge
...I wonder how long it will take him to apologize for these statements.

Which statement would you have him apologise for Jorge?

Falwell is right on, the lamestream media coverage of the death of these three Christians and the massacres in the Sudan pale in comparison to the death of CNN's journalist.

24 posted on 01/04/2003 11:21:37 AM PST by jwalsh07
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To: Jhoffa_
We do not protect cults and terrorists like we do religions. THAT is the difference.
25 posted on 01/04/2003 11:23:12 AM PST by Republic of Texas
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To: Jorge
If it's the truth, yes.
26 posted on 01/04/2003 11:24:06 AM PST by Republic of Texas
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To: ZULU
We have no "orgasm of violence" domestically.. Yet the inquisitors would unconstitutionally discriminate against Islam.

That's reactionary and stupid.

As I said, you should be ashamed.. When they come for Christians and Jews, I fully expect to see a bunch of dolts like yourself cheering.

27 posted on 01/04/2003 11:24:43 AM PST by Jhoffa_
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To: Republic of Texas

What makes domestic islam a "cult"

We have laws against terrorism and laws against conspiracy to commit terrorism. That's all we need.

The LAST thing we need is to start shreading the constitution to "save" us from Islam here in the US.

28 posted on 01/04/2003 11:26:57 AM PST by Jhoffa_
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To: Jhoffa_
Funny thing. On 9/10/01, I would've agreed with you. But since then, my eyes have been opened. Who did me that favor? Muslims themselves.
29 posted on 01/04/2003 11:27:13 AM PST by Republic of Texas
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To: Jorge
Oh, so I guess Jerry Farsmell believes the media's job is to point out that Muhammad was a "demon-possessed pedophile." Right.

I wouldn't expect the media to use those words, but honest reporting would include stating what the Koran and Hadith (sp?) say: 'If you can't convert the infidel (meaning me, and presumably you), kill them'; and its acceptable to lie to the infidel.
It would also be reasonable reporting to state some facts about Mr. Mohammed's life that don't quite seem to square with that of a 'holy' prophet.

AND, don't get me wrong, I'd love to hear the counterpoint -- why these passages of death threats (and 'a heavenly destination' for the murderous jihadists) -- don't mean nothing, and Islam is truly a 'relgion of peace' (Trade Mark pending). I just haven't hear this - just continual whining that 'this isn't Islam' (so tell me that the jihadists are going straight to hell because they broke 'x' commandmants --- not likely since they apparently followed them), and statements that the Bible has equally offensive passages - which is utter balderdash. The only open command Christians have with respect to the 'infidels' is to bring them the Gospel. With the Grace of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit - who knows, maybe a life can be saved. The 'death sentance' comes from God at the Judgement - and not from us.

30 posted on 01/04/2003 11:28:09 AM PST by El Cid
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To: Republic of Texas

1) They didn't void the constitution on 9/11. Only we can do that.

2) "Muslims" didn't do this, terrorists did. Let's kill them for it and leave the peaceful Muslims I know personally alone.

31 posted on 01/04/2003 11:30:18 AM PST by Jhoffa_
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To: Jhoffa_
Where are all these "peaceful Muslims"?
32 posted on 01/04/2003 11:33:05 AM PST by Republic of Texas
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To: Jhoffa_
You may have found two articles, but I can't believe this condemnation of the terrorist stuff is that widespread among muslims in this country.

If it were, the liberals, who seem to be pushing the religion of peace agenda, would have given it more publicity.

The fact that most of us have not read or heard about widespread condemnation is pretty significant it seems to me.

Plus I sense a lot of arrogance on the part of muslims regarding the profiling thing.
33 posted on 01/04/2003 11:33:20 AM PST by altura
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To: altura
Patty Murray (alias mom in sneakers) would argue with Falwell. Murray thinks the militant Muslims and their leader Bin Laden are doing more good than America is.
34 posted on 01/04/2003 11:35:07 AM PST by joyful1
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To: Jhoffa_
You seem to have some sort of agenda that innocent and worthy muslims are being unfairly targeted?

Would you mind explaining exactly what brings you to that conclusion? I thought we were strip searching 80-year-old nuns in airports to avoid that very thing.
35 posted on 01/04/2003 11:36:05 AM PST by altura
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To: Jhoffa_
"Are you calling Christianity a cult?"

When was the last time you read about a priest or minister or Buddhist monk calling for a Holy War against Islam? When was the last time you heard about a death sentence issued by cleric against somebody for writing something negative about Christ? When have you ever heard about a Christian being executed by other Christians for converting to another faith?

" What about the Jews, I guess that's a horrible "cult" also? Read the Old Testament lately? "

Yes I read the Old Testament. But it discribes acts of violence against non-believers that occurred thousands of years ago and these were restricted to a limited geographic area. Further, it doesn't enjoin Jews to commit any such acts in the present and they do not do so. I haven't read of any Jews forcibly converting anyone, killing non-Jews because they weren't Jewish, or trying to force Mosaic Laws on non-Jews.

"Yeah, and most of dem blacks.. And most of dem Jews.. And most of dem southerners. You can't defend this broad generalization. "

Yes I can, and you are beginning to sound like a liberal Democrat who resorts to using a racist paintbrush when attacking someone who disagrees with you.

"You may as well claim all hispanics are lazy or all Catholic Priests are pedophiles."

You think Hispanics are lazy?

I never said all Catholic priests are pedophiles and as a matter of fact, you are the first person who has ever made that statement.

Comparing the acts of a few individuals in a population with the population as a whole makes no sense. Comparing the acts of a great number of individuals in a population with that population, especially when they are acting out the edicts of their founder, is not.


"The U.S. and the west in general should and must recognize Islam for the threat it is, a theocratic hate system which tolerate no one, chattelizes women, and locks society into a brutal past.

Another broad generalization, with parallels to Christianity as well."

You, sir, are demostrating a politically correct brand of social equivalency which makes no sense. There is NO connection between Christ, his teachings, and modern Christianity with ANY of those "parallels".


"Islam should not be allowed or tolerated here and Muslims should be deported.
Will you re-write the constitution, or shall I?"

If the Thugee Cult was still alive, or human sacrificng druids still around, would you feel the same way? Not every belief system should be tolerated, anymore than we should tolerate Nazism or Communism (and once upon a better time we didn't - and it was o.k. under our current Constitution).

36 posted on 01/04/2003 11:36:31 AM PST by ZULU
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To: Jhoffa_
We punish actions here, not religions.. so there's no need to stir up a bunch of hate for Islam in general.

Apparently, you are blissfully oblivious to all matters of proportionality and balance in the manner in which matters of similar color and weight are handled in strikingly different degrees and angles by the mainstream media.

Perhaps you didn't notice that, after the April 19, 1995, bombing of the McMurrah Federal Building in OKC, the Clinton Administration (echoed by the mainstream media) had a field day implicating militias, talk radio, and the "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy" with responsibility for the bombing.

Then, when a couple yahoos brutalized and killed a sodomite in Wyoming, the media made us all believe that the sky was falling -- and that Fundamentalist Christians were pretty much to blame.

Now, when, we (or, most of us do, as, apparently you are, again, oblivious to these things) read almost DAILY of brutal Islamic acts of aggression against Christians and other non-Muslims, it is a big "ho-hum" in the national media.

Where is the outrage? Where are the media "in-depth stories" on the various Muslim terrorist outfits in the world? Why are we instead fed all these stories about how much Muslims are suffering in this country from "anti-Muslim backlash?"

If you are blind to these things, I must assume that you are either: a) Muslim; (b) a Muslim sympathizer (read: Muslim at heart); (c) a virulent opponent of Christianity; or (d) just plain not too bright.

37 posted on 01/04/2003 11:37:09 AM PST by BenR2
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To: Republic of Texas

Well, one of them is named Lamonte. He is a building maintenance man in Forest Park Ohio.

Go run him down with your truck, if he lives long enough he will probably apologize for breaking the grille.

There is a distinction to be made here between Muslims and terrorists. Especially domestically.

This one size fits all policy of persecuting every muslim for the actions on 9/11 sounds good and it's easy to apply but it's simply not just and further it's not constitutional.

38 posted on 01/04/2003 11:38:03 AM PST by Jhoffa_
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To: altura

Re-read the thread..

39 posted on 01/04/2003 11:38:51 AM PST by Jhoffa_
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To: Jhoffa_
"The difference here is that these people are NOT following the precepts of Christ. On the other hand, Muslims who surpress or attack non-Muslims ARE following the precepts AND EXAMPLE of their founder Mohammad.

The similarity is that in both cases, the tiny minded inquisitors would punish both good and bad alike, drawing no distinction. "

You should be ashamed.."

The similarity lies solely in the end result. The fact that modern Christians, like the early Christians, have some to understand the teachings of Christ as they are written, instead of a they were interpreted by a ignorant, venal and superstitious clergy, is the reason Christianity has evolved, and Islam has not.

Modern day violent Muslims like Osama Bin Laddin are merely following in the footsteps of their prophet and his teachings.

Medieval inquisitors were not.


I am ashamed to share citizenship with people who are incapable of learning from current events and history and cannot distinguish between a cult and a religion.

40 posted on 01/04/2003 11:41:22 AM PST by ZULU
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