After the September 11 attacks in 2001 , Falwell said on Pat Robertson 's '' The 700 Club '' , " 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 . ' " In his opinion , LGBT organizations had angered God , thereby in part causing God to let the attacks happen . Falwell believed that the attacks were " probably deserved " , a statement which Christopher Hitchens described as treason . After heavy criticism , Falwell said that no one but the terrorists were to blame , and stated , " If I left that impression with gays or lesbians or anyone else , I apologize . " Falwell was subsequently the object of some of his own followers ' outrage for retracting his statements about divine judgment on America and its causes , because they had heard the same themes in his preaching over many years that America must repent of its lack of devotion to God , immoral living , and timid support of Israel if America wanted divine protection and blessing
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Jerry Falwell