WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) is urging her fellow members of Congress to join her in expressing concern over comments made by radio and TV commentator Bill O’Reilly on a recent segment of his radio show, “The Radio Factor with Bill O’Reilly”. During a December 3rd conversation with a Jewish caller, O’Reilly stated that the caller should “go to Israel” if he did not accept that America was a “Christian nation”.
“We have a proud tradition of accepting different religions in this nation. To insist that a Jewish caller should ‘go to Israel’ if he is worried about proselytizing with public funds is deeply offensive. Millions of Americans love both their country and their faith and should not be expected to choose between the two,” said Lowey. “Anyone should be able to offer their opinion without being told that their faith makes them less American.”
Lowey has urged her colleagues – of all faiths – to join her in requesting a public apology from O’Reilly to listeners who were offended by his remarks.
Below is a copy of the letter being circulated to Members of Congress.
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December 8, 2004
Mr. Bill O’Reilly
FOX News Channel
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Dear Mr. O’Reilly,
We are writing to express our profound concern with remarks you made in response to a caller on your December 3, 2004, “Radio Factor with Bill O’Reilly” show. As Members of Congress, and as strong proponents of freedom of religion and the separation between church and state, we urge you to issue an apology to the caller for your insensitive and offensive remarks.
Of specific concern to us is your instruction to the caller to “go to Israel” if he was uncomfortable with public observance of Christian holidays in the United States. Your remarks show an utter disregard for the diversity of religious belief in this country, and a fundamental insensitivity toward Jews and other non-Christians. By suggesting that Jews do not have a place in American society unless they accept without comment its “predominantly Christian” nature, you are brushing aside the basic freedoms guaranteed to all by our Constitution. Your remarks are gravely offensive to the loyal and patriotic Jewish citizens of this country, as well as to citizens of other non-Christian faiths.
We urge you to issue a public apology for these remarks on your radio show as soon as possible. The great diversity of faith in America is part of what makes our nation strong. We hope you agree, and urge you to show greater sensitivity to this issue in the future.
Sincerely,
