Reflecting on the Evangelical Response to the September 11 Attacks

On September 11, 2001, evangelical institutions across the United States responded to the terrorist attacks by holding emergency prayer services and gatherings. Students at campuses including Liberty University, Bethel College, Taylor University, and Asbury College assembled to pray and sing hymns as the national tragedy unfolded. In the immediate aftermath, prominent evangelical leaders, including Billy Graham and representatives from the National Association of Evangelicals, encouraged the nation to seek comfort in prayer and focus on reconciliation and justice.

However, the initial sense of unity among evangelicals was short-lived. Within two days of the attacks, Liberty University chancellor Jerry Falwell appeared on The 700 Club to offer a controversial interpretation of the events. Falwell attributed the attacks to the actions of various groups, including feminists, abortionists, and secular organizations, claiming they had contributed to the secularization of America. This public statement marked a significant departure from the broader calls for national mourning and prayer issued by other evangelical leaders during the same week.