JERRY FALWELL AND THE PROPER CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
TO OUR TRAGEDY
By David R. Currie

As a Christian minister, I was appalled to read that television evangelists Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, two of the most prominent voices of the religious right, said liberal civil liberties' groups, feminists, homosexuals and abortion rights supporters bear partial responsibility for Tuesday's terrorist attacks because their actions have turned God's anger against America.

"God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve," said Falwell, appearing on Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network's "700 Club."

Incredible Insensitivity

These statements are shocking in their insensitivity to those who have tragically lost fathers, mothers, sons, daughters and friends and to an entire nation dealing with grief, fear and anger. None of these individuals and families deserved to have this happen to them. 

Falwell and Robertson are equally shocking because they show such a horrible understanding of the God we Christians worship and the Christian ministers' role.

Christians worship the God of creation, life, love, compassion and sacrifice. God revealed his character when he became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Our God did not desire a single person to be killed in this horrible act of violence that occurred last Tuesday. Acts of terror, such as we have witnessed are the result of the sinful free will of human beings, of hate that is not of God.

Can God prevent such acts? Yes, he can when persons considering such acts listen to their inner spirit. He can when people acknowledge God's active work to change us into loving, caring individuals. Nevertheless, God does not override free will. Our freedom as persons is part of our being created in the image of God. Evil is the result of our human sinfulness and selfishness, something each of us battles daily, including those of us who profess to be Christians. We are all capable of horrible things.

The terrible tragedy experienced Tuesday has nothing to do with God removing his hand of protection from America. God has never protected America any more than any other country or people. To claim such a protection is arrogant and misguided. God loves all persons and countries equally and wants a personal relationship with every person.

America is not now, and has never been, a Christian nation in any formal or legal way, nor should it be. We are a secular nation, as all nations should be, with many Christians. We are a free republic that allows total religious liberty for persons of all faiths or no faith. Because of religious freedom, Christianity has flourished here and we now see an outpouring of faith by millions. This is wonderful and it is happening because of religious liberty.

To understand the significance of our religious freedom, look at Afghanistan, where Osama bin Laden is being protected, a country without religious liberty. It is a Muslim country, and at this very moment, two recent female graduates of Baylor University are on trial for preaching Christianity. The joining of church and state leads to religious fanaticism and a confusion of the work of God with the work of a nation. This is always dangerous.

Bad Medicine

Robertson's and Falwell's prescription for healing America is a formula to destroy America, by joining church and state and using government for the propagation and enforcement of the Christian faith. This system, a failure wherever it is practiced, leads persons to equate God and Country as the same, and therefore breeds religious nationalism and fanaticism. 

This tragedy always highlights the importance of Interfaith efforts both nationally and locally. We must get to know each other. We must learn to understand each others faith. I do not apologize for believing in Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus is the full revelation of God, but that does not mean I cannot respect and value persons of other faiths. The Rev. Billy Graham showed us again Friday how to do this, participating in an Interfaith service at the Washington Cathedral. Falwell also shows a terrible understanding of sin. All nations are sinful because all persons are sinful. America is a sinful nation because we are sinful people. I am a proud American, but we have stood for things that are not good. Sometimes our laws have not been just. Our history is not pure, i.e., slavery is just one example. Are we so much more sinful people than we have been in the past? I do not think so. We have had to grow as a people, and we are still growing.

We live in a dangerous world. God does not choose whom to protect and whom to allow to experience tragedy. I have friends who have lost sons and daughters in tragic car accidents. My own son survived a horrible accident. God does not love my son or me more than my friends or their children. Such thinking would be as sick as that displayed by Falwell and Robertson. God's desire is a personal relationship with every person and a world of peace and love. He shares life with every person who will allow him to do so. He does not choose favorite persons or nations. 

Sadly, Falwell's response to this national tragedy at a time when Christian ministers should be offering words of hope and healing, is spreading hate. At a time when Christian ministers should be offering words of prayer and petition, he is spreading prejudice against his particular list of sinners. At a time when Christian ministers should be offering words of courage and compassion, he is spreading contempt.

A Christian Response

Christians in America are citizens of two Kingdoms, the United States of America and the Kingdom of God. Our highest allegiance is to God. We should be good patriots, yet, we should never give our ultimate allegiance to anyone or anything other than God. As Christians, we believe our ultimate security is in our faith in a living God. Our nation has an obligation to defend itself and protect the safety of our citizens. I support a war on terrorism, when it is carried out with justice as its guiding principle and peace as its goal. As Christians, we never seek retaliation, but peace. We never seek revenge, but justice. 

In the days ahead, God will be available to every person who seeks him. He will give guidance to all who ask. God will share the journey of all who fear and grieve. He will love everyone involved in the conflict on all sides. He will be working to guide leaders to wise decisions for peace and justice. He will be hard at work through his Spirit and through his followers working for peace and sharing his love with all who will respond and follow.

  September 2001