Falwell's Remark That Islam 'Teaches Hate' Sparks Outrage

Falwell's Remark That Islam 'Teaches Hate' Sparks Outrage

NewsMax.com Wires
Thursday, March 8, 2001

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, who told a religion Web site ''the Moslem faith teaches hate,'' said Wednesday that his comments are aimed at Islamic political states such as Iran and Iraq, not American Muslims.

He also told Beliefnet.com that when it comes to applying for federal funds under President Bush's new faith-based initiatives program, ''Islam should be out the door before they knock.''

Falwell later told USA Today that he meant any group that is anti-Semitic, racist or in any way bigoted should be disqualified. He named Aryan Nations and the Church of Scientology as examples.

''Most American mosques and most individual Muslims are people of love who would hold no bigotry toward anyone. But I did say (to Beliefnet) anyone who steps up to the door bearing any bigotry toward any human being should be disqualified [for federal funding for social services],'' Falwell said.

Islamic, Christian and Jewish leaders, even a spokesman for the Middle East terrorist group Hezbollah, denounced Falwell's remarks.

Omar Ahmad, chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, faxed a letter to Falwell on Wednesday that quoted the Koran on honoring all righteous people.

''These offensive remarks are symptomatic of the very intolerance that you claim Islam promotes. No faith would accept being excluded from productive participation in our society based on such falsehoods,'' the letter said. ''Your destructive rhetoric could lead to discrimination and even physical attacks against Muslims.''

The letter requested an apology and called on Falwell to open a dialogue with Muslims to learn the facts, ''not distortions and anti-Muslim propaganda.''

Falwell's online comments illuminated a simmering sectarian and secular free-for-all now under way over the new Faith-Based and Community Initiatives effort, headed by Bush appointee John DiIulio.

When Bush created the office, he charged it with leveling the playing field for believers to use federal funds for education, health and housing purposes, as long as they don't preach with the public dollar.

In his inaugural address, Bush said, ''Church and charity, synagogue and mosque lend our communities their humanity, and they will have an honored place in our plans and in our laws.''

Wednesday, DiIulio was in Dallas, where he told the National Association of Evangelicals, ''Let me just say it again: Washington's not funding religion or sectarian worship.''

He was responding to concerns by politicians and clergy from all corners who have lined up to support or oppose the faith-based initiative idea. Falwell follows Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson and Southern Baptist Convention lobbyist Richard Land in calling the plan risky for churches that might find their evangelical hands tied.

Some religious leaders downplayed Falwell's remarks. The Rev. Jim Wallis of the activist group Sojourners said, ''Although the media continue to report [Falwell's and Robertson's] most inflammatory remarks, I don't think they're the influential voices they once were.''

However, no one seconded Falwell's comments on Islam. Clergy from all faiths deplored Falwell's remarks and saw a warning in them for battles to come.

''This should be a wake-up call to President Bush that his program is dividing the nation along religious lines with churches, synagogues and mosques squabbling over who should get funds and who not,'' said Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

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