p 39A, today's chronicle has a headline: "Local Pastor Blames terrorism on Faithlessness" and refers to the JerryFalwell and Pat Robertson craziness. Local icon Rev. Ed Young of Second Baptist Church is the "local pastor" in the headline. It confirms the Falwell and Pat Robertson statements. A brief search of the houstonchronicle.com did not find the article. According to the Chronicle 2300 Houstonians attended and "The prayer assembly at Second Baptist Church--a cross section of retirees, yooung parents and west Houston office workers on their noon lunch breaks--endorsed Young's reading of current events." It also has the reaction of local ACLU and gay and lesbian leaders. "Annette Lamoreaux, president of the Houston Chapter of the ACLU-Texas, had to stop laughing before she could say in all seriusness that: ' now is the time for Americans to unite and work together. The divisive tone of Mr. Falwell's remarks only adds to the damage done by terrorists", Lamoreaux said."
I'm not a member of Second Baptist, but this isn't entirely fair. He's not placing the blame solely at the feet of Americans...he talked about the "animals" responsible for this act who must be treated like rabid dogs and exterminated. He is not taking away the personal responsibility of those who "pulled the trigger" on this deal. He is saying that we stand a better chance to avoid these kinds of events if we act as faithful people to God. After studying the Old Testament and Israel's back-and-forth commitment to God, I would have to agree with him.
