THE SIKH TIMES
sikhtimes.com

Noteworthy News and Analysis from Around the World

In-Depth Coverage of Issues Concerning the Global Sikh Community Including Self-Determination, Democracy, Human Rights, Civil Liberties, Antiracism, Religion, and South Asian Geopolitics

Home | News Analysis Archive | Biographies | Book Reviews | Events | Photos | Links | About Us | Contact Us

Reverend Berates Father of Islam

By STAFF

CBSNews.com, Oct. 4, 2002



"The Rev. Jerry Falwell has called Islam's founder and most sacred figure, Mohammed, 'a terrorist.' "
---
"In a 60 Minutes interview with CBS News Correspondent Bob Simon, Falwell also affirms the Christian Right's steadfast support for the state of Israel against its Islamic enemies and hints that right-wing religious groups are influencing U.S. government policy toward Israel. Right-wing Christians believe the turmoil in the Middle East is a harbinger of the second coming of Christ."
---
" 'I think Mohammed 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 tells Simon. 'In my opinion . . . Jesus set the example for love, as did Moses, and I think Mohammed set an opposite example.' "
---
"When President Bush urged Israel to remove its forces from Palestinian towns earlier this year, Falwell sent him a personal protest and the White House received 100,000 e-mail protests from Christians."
---
"Falwell says he believes Bush is well aware of the Christian constituency. 'There are 70 million of us [and] there's nothing that would bring the wrath of the Christian public in this country down on this government like abandoning or opposing Israel on a critical matter,' he says."
---
"Falwell and conservative Christians support the Israelis and condemn their enemies because they believe the triumph of Israel is God's will. The Jews' return to their ancient homeland – and sole ownership of the territories Arabs and Israelis both lay claim to - is a precondition for the second coming of Christ, according to the Fundamentalist Evangelical Christians' interpretation of the Bible."
---
"The Biblical scenario is not a savory one for many Jews . . . Many Fundamentalist Evangelicals believe there will be catastrophic events on earth, some occurring already, including the turmoil in the Middle East, culminating in the Battle of Armageddon in which Christ will triumph and begin ruling the earth. At this point, they believe, non-believers will be destroyed, good Christians saved and any remaining Jews converted to Christianity."
---