Terror campaign halted …
for now

By Jerry Falwell

A homosexual website called “usQueers.com” recently issued a “Wanted” campaign calling for the deaths of pro-family leaders – including Dr. James Dobson, Gary Bauer, Beverly LaHaye, myself and many others – solely because we advocate Judeo-Christian ideals, namely traditional marriage and sexual purity before marriage.

However, following an intense information campaign, the site has deleted the names and profiles of those that had been targeted for attack, citing, according to CNSNews.com, “design changes.” The website has also deleted solicitations of its readers for private information on the people that had been targeted.

“That page is offline while we contemplate design changes which will allow us to freely express our opinions of the ‘sacred cows’ on the list – as they have so freely expressed similar opinions about us – yet which will not subject usQueers.com to tedious and unnecessary legal entanglements,” read an update on the site late this week.

The site is overseen by B. Allen Ross, a homosexual-rights advocate who has a history of violence against people of faith. (Ross will be sentenced in January for assaulting a Southern Baptist minister.)

Pro-family groups had urged law-enforcement officials and the Internet service provider to shut down the site, asserting that its language was potentially dangerous. The ISP is reportedly considering disassociating itself with the organization in the light of this firestorm of controversy. Certainly, if violent actions were to be traced to this site, the ISP would face charges of guilt by association for hosting such dangerous material.

Prominent First Amendment attorney John B. Thompson took this homosexual threat so seriously, he asked the Justice Department to take legal action against usQueers.com. Prior to the announcement that the site was undergoing renovation, Mr. Thompson had called the site “left-wing terrorism,” and urged the FBI to immediately arrest Ross.

A life of faith

I realize that Judeo-Christian ideals are not popular in many circles today, but I intend to continue promoting biblical doctrines until the day I die – no matter how many “hit lists” may feature me. I expect criticism for promoting these ideals – it comes with the territory.

However, this man had threatened to include information about the families of those that he had targeted. My wife, my three children and their families – including eight grandchildren – should not be subjected to this type of hostility simply because I go on national TV to promote God’s biblical plan for mankind.

Thankfully, the Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest homosexual-rights organization – denounced usQueers.com. Officials at HRC – even though they passionately disagree with me on core issues – understand that there must be civility in our political discourse. (Those of us in pro-life leadership had earlier rebuked those behind the Nuremberg Files – the website that prints private information about abortion doctors for dubious reasons.)

The type of language being advanced by Ross and his ilk is certainly menacing and potentially deadly. There is no room for it in civilized society.

Free speech is a wonderful thing. But this type of language – calling for the painful deaths of innocent people and posing threats to their families – is irresponsible and certainly not protected by the First Amendment.

In this age of terrorism and violence, we certainly do not need a man with a history of violence spouting language that could prove to be dangerous – even deadly – simply because he disagrees with certain people’s political and religious beliefs.

Jerry Falwell

Rev. Jerry Falwell, a nationally recognized Christian minister and television show host, was the founder of Jerry Falwell Ministries and chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Read more of Jerry Falwell's articles here.