Campus organizations dispute televangelist's political attack

by Megan Kuhn
Staff Writer

Homosexuals, feminists, abortionist, pagans, the American Civil Liberties Union and the People for the American Way have all been blamed for last Tuesday's attack by televangelist Jerry Falwell. The Baptist Minister made his opinion known during the Sept. 13 edition of the "700 Club."

"All of them who have tried to secularize America, I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen,'" he said during the program, according to an Associated Press article.

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Programs Office at Ohio University sent an e-mail on their listserve encouraging those offended to write, send e-mails and call the Christian Broadcasting Network, the station which broadcast Falwell's comments, said Heather Lanfranchi, GLBT office staff member.

"For the most part we're pretty outraged," she said.

President George W. Bush said in an AP article that Falwell's remarks were inappropriate. Christians on OU's campus also condemned the remarks.

"It's a misuse of any kind of gospel of love that I know about," said Jan Griesinger, director of United Campus Ministries.

Griesinger, an ordained minister for the United Church of Christ since 1970, said Falwell cannot pretend to speak for all Christians.

Brooke Williams, president of OU's Campus Crusade for Christ, said she does not share Falwell's views.

"I don't see any correlation between someone's sexual orientation and the attack," the OU senior said.

On Monday the CBN responded to Falwell's on-air remarks. According to a CBN news release, Falwell's political statement of blame was severe and harsh in tone.

Also on Monday, Falwell apologized for his remarks.

"It's better later than never, but the words have already been said," Lanfranchi said. "That was hurtful. We need to be united right now."