Falwell Vows Care in Talking of Gays

WASHINGTON — Baptist leader Jerry Falwell, responding to accusations that his teachings have prompted hate crimes against homosexuals, pledged Thursday to carefully examine his language in the future.

Falwell, chancellor of Liberty University, is co-hosting a summit of gay leaders in Lynchburg, Va., Saturday, along with Mel White, a gay cleric and co-founder of an outspoken gay rights group, Soulforce.

Falwell said he knew of no documented cases in which biblical teaching had resulted in anyone committing violent acts against gays. But he said his ministry was being more careful now. “There’s always room for us to do things better,” he said.