Falwell Denounces Operation Rescue

Falwell Denounces Operation Rescue

Operation Rescue (OR) is accusing Liberty University and its chancellor, Jerry Falwell, of being soft on child pornography.

At the entrance to the Lynchburg, Virginia, school on March 19, three dozen protesters held placards showing photographs of nude children from a book they claimed was available at the campus bookstore.

Falwell quickly and angrily called the demonstrators “thugs and thieves.” The protesters took part in ten days of rallies and prayer vigils for OR national director Flip Benham, jailed in Lynchburg for trespassing during an anti-abortion protest (CT, Apr. 6, 1998, p. 19).

Patrick Mahoney, director of the Washington, D.C.- based Christian Defense Coalition, and Keith Tucci, Benham’s predecessor at OR, led a series of demonstrations in Benham’s support. At the March 19 rally, Mahoney held a copy of the book Age of Innocence, by photographer David Hamilton, which he said had been ordered at the campus bookstore operated by Barnes & Noble. Although the store does not carry the book, it had been ordered through the store by an OR worker. However, Mahoney admitted, the store manager canceled the book order and refunded the deposit money upon discovering its contents. The copy displayed had been purchased elsewhere.

The relationship between Falwell and OR, both longtime abortion opponents, turned contentious after Falwell distanced himself from Benham after the local protest.

Falwell denounced Benham’s tactics, apologized to city officials, and reimbursed the city for the costs incurred from Benham’s protest.

Copyright © 1998 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

McCartney on the Rebound: He started a ministry to heal men's relationships while his own marriage was in crisis; he drew a million men to Washington only to announce a few months later that he was laying off all his staff. Now he's hiring them back. Who is this man piloting Promise Keepers' wild ride?

Cover Story

McCartney on the REBOUND

New Oratorio Features Black Gospel

I Didn't Mean to be Rude

Inside the Vatican

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from May 18, 1998

And the Word Was ... Debatable

Bankruptcy Exemption Progresses

Leaders Retain 'Chastity' Vow

Two Cook Magazines Join CTi

Comic Relief: Lulu Brimley's Last-Chance Christian Books

Senators Champion Rival Bill on Religious Persecution

Evangelicals Warned Against Persecution Apathy

Pope's Visit Blindsides Evangelicals

'Antimissionary' Bill Effort Backfires

Five Killed in Mission Plane Crash

Do Churches Send Wrong People?

Evangelicals Protest Media Shutdowns

Gambling with the Enemy

News

News Briefs: May 18, 1998

Wire Story

Back to the Future?

Augustine Who?

The Bottom Line

Bright Lights, Big Pity

The Power of Art

Nonprofits: The Myth of the Needy Child?

Hispanic Christian Radio Grows by Blocks and Blends

News

News Briefs: May 18, 1998

News Update: Up from the Ashes?

The Coach's Burden

None Dare Call It Sin, plus America's Gambling Habit

Colombia's Bleeding Church

The Day We Were Left Behind

Under the Streets of Bucharest

View issue

Our Latest

News

Died: Charlie Kirk, Activist Who Championed ‘MAGA Doctrine’

With a debate style honed for college campuses and social media, the Turning Point USA founder sought to renew America.

The Cameras Missed Me on 9/11

I can’t find any footage of my escape from Manhattan that horrible day. I looked and looked—and finally asked what I wanted to prove.

News

‘We Won’t Stop Worshiping’

As governments across Africa clamp down on churches, Rwandan pastors call out political overreach.

Christian Parents’ Mistakes Aren’t the End of the Story

Q&A with author Kara K. Root about anxiety, trust, and raising kids well.

Debate Medicine. Not Mortality.

MAHA makes some good points. But I also want to consider more than what is best for my body.

News

Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot at TPUSA Event

The 31-year-old conservative activist and commentator was targeted while speaking to students in Utah.

News

White House Asks US for One Hour of Prayer per Week

Legal scholars and pastors consider the president’s call for the formation of prayer groups for the nation.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube