September 14, 2001 Posted: 2:55 AM EDT (0655 GMT)
On the broadcast of the Christian television program "The 700 Club," Falwell made the following statement:
"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'"
Falwell, pastor of the 22,000-member Thomas Road Baptist Church, viewed the attacks as God's judgment on America for "throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked."
Pat Robertson, host of the 700 Club program, seemed to agree with Falwell's earlier statements in a prayer during the program.
"We have sinned against Almighty God, at the highest level of our government, we've stuck our finger in your eye," said Robertson. "The Supreme Court has insulted you over and over again, Lord. They've taken your Bible away from the schools. They've forbidden little children to pray. They've taken the knowledge of God as best they can, and organizations have come into court to take the knowledge of God out of the public square of America."
___________________________________________
But in a phone call to CNN, Falwell said that only the hijackers and terrorists were responsible for the deadly attacks.
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/14/Falwell.apology/