Openly Secular Calls for Resignation of Radio Talk Show Host Who Says Ebola Could ‘Solve’ Atheism
Right-wing Radio Host Rick Wiles Says An Ebola Outbreak in America Would Be A Good Thing
Washington, D.C. – Openly Secular, a new coalition of more than two dozen secular groups, is calling for the resignation of right-wing radio talk show host Rick Wiles after he suggested an Ebola outbreak in America could “solve America’s problems with atheism.”
Wiles made the remarks earlier this week during his Trunews program.
“The fact that anyone would actually welcome a deadly outbreak of any kind is beyond appalling,” said Todd Stiefel, chair of Openly Secular and President of the Stiefel Freethought Foundation. “Rick Wiles is more than implying he wishes genocide on atheists and gay people. This despicable bigotry from the religious media is hurtful and alarming. Wiles should resign and his supporters ought to yank their funding.”
Atheists were not the only target of Wiles’ ugly comments. Here is the excerpt in question:
“Now this Ebola epidemic can become a global pandemic and that’s another name for plague. It may be the great attitude adjustment that I believe is coming. Ebola could solve America’s problems with atheism, homosexuality, sexual promiscuity, pornography and abortion. If Ebola becomes a global plague, you better make sure the blood of Jesus is upon you; you better make sure you have been marked by the angels so that you are protected by God. If not, you may be a candidate to meet the Grim Reaper.” –Rick Wiles
Wiles’ first radio broadcast was in 1999, and according to the Trunews website, people from around the world regularly tune in to his program every weeknight.