"Unfortunately, the terrorism, primarily beginning 9/11, or going way back before that, 10 years, has come primarily from Islamic terrorists, not from Islam, but from Islamic terrorists. And this is not a war of Christians against Muslims. It is a war of America against terrorism. And it just happens that, at this point in history, those who are bringing grief to us are Islamic terrorists.

"But it's important that we understand this is not a holy war."

Martin continued: "I want to bring the topic back to our shores -- lots of conversation over the last several years, even this year, as relates to faith, folks going back and forth in terms of abortion, homosexuality.

"You don't see the same type of emphasis on poverty, on homelessness, or dealing with global warming, dealing with health care and education. And, so, it's interesting that you have Christians who are out there fighting for ballot initiatives for abortion and gay marriage, but not those issues. Why are those not as prominent as those two issues? It sounds to me like there's an imbalance there."

Falwell responded: "Well, there are many, many people who have a special calling. I believe that Pope John Paul II had a particular calling towards defending the life, the sanctity of unborn children, and establishing the family as one man married to one woman for one lifetime. I believe that many others have that particular specific calling.

"There are others of us who take it beyond that. We do believe that we should be feeding the poor. That's not to say the pope doesn't agree with that, but it is to say that we do have a tremendous responsibility. I have been pastor of the same church 51 years. And we have a home for unwed mothers. We have a home for alcoholics and drug addicts. We have a prison ministry. We have a home for the homeless. And on the list goes.

"It's what a church ought to be doing."

Martin wanted to know of we are going to see that become a national movement, in terms of what is seen on the other issues?

"Well, the reason is not -- and I doubt it ever will be -- is that it is not controversial and it does not sell newspapers. What sells newspapers is violence and the head-to-head and bloodshed and that kind of thing. And, very frankly, we're not going to get much help from the media in general on the moral and spiritual issues.

"But, as believers, who take the Bible to be the word of God, you can't back down because a Republican or a Democrat opposes it."

Martin then turned the conversation to presidential politics. He asked: "Is there a Christian litmus test for a presidential candidate? Should we be basing our choice on where they stand on faith? "

"I think that the ideal is that we would have a man or a woman of faith who also is right on the moral issues," said Falwell.

"But I have known many women of faith who didn't have a clue regarding national security, didn't have a clue about how to deal with terrorism, had no idea about how to change the federal courts and to defend the unborn.

"And, so, it's like this. I would rather have an atheist who is a neurosurgeon of excellent talents operating on me if I ever need a brain surgery, than to have the best Sunday school teacher in the world who doesn't know a thing about it. I would much rather have the atheist, if that is his specialty.