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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
It is widely reported that Falwell apologized for what he said, but in reality he did no such thing. Instead, he opted for a technicality: the gays, lesbians and feminists weren't personally responsible, but God lifted his protective shield over America and allowed the attacks of 9/11 because of their, and others', immorality.
For example, here is the widely-quoted CNN article whose headline is "Falwell apologizes to gays, feminists, lesbians". I believe this article should have never run with this headline.
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/14/Falwell.apology/
Read the article, and you'll find that in the same phone interview in which he "apologizes", Falwell says:
"I do believe, as a theologian, based upon many Scriptures and particularly Proverbs 14:23, which says 'living by God's principles promotes a nation to greatness, violating those principles brings a nation to shame' [... The ACLU and other organizations] which have attempted to secularize America, have removed our nation from its relationship with Christ on which it was founded. [...] I therefore believe that that created an environment which possibly has caused God to lift the veil of protection which has allowed no one to attack America on our soil since 1812."
In other words, the gays, lesbians, feminists, the ACLU, and others have angered God, and therefore, He decided not to protect us on 9/11, as a punishment.
Later on, he says, "I would never blame any human being except the terrorists, and if I left that impression with gays or lesbians or anyone else, I apologize."
He doesn't blame any human being except the terrorists for personally -- in some undeniable, cause-and-effect way -- causing the towers to physically crumble. But he does believe that their immoral actions caused God to look unfavorably upon America as a nation, and that 9/11 was allowed to happen because God wanted to punish our nation for the sins of our pagan citizens.
Conclusion? If we were all "moral, Christian" people like he is, then none of this would have ever happened. Which is exactly what he said in his original statement.
Some apology.
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