Florida televangelist Bill Keller loses show after Muslims complain

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida: A Christian televangelist in Florida who harshly criticizes Islam and other religions said Friday that his late-night program is being pulled off the air because of pressure from a Muslim group.

Earlier this month, officials from the Council on American Islamic Relations wrote a letter to the TV station’s owners asking for an investigation of the show it broadcasts, “Live Prayer with Bill Keller.”

In a May 2 broadcast, the televangelist said Islam was a “1,400-year-old lie from the pits of hell” and called the Prophet Mohammed a “murdering pedophile.” He also called the Quran a “book of fables and a book of lies.”

Council officials asked for equal air time for Florida Muslims to counter Keller’s comments, but never got the chance, the St. Petersburg Times reported in its Friday editions.

Station manager Laura Caruso of WTOG, which airs the show, said the decision to end Keller’s contract was a programming one, made by station executives and the televangelist.

But after speaking with CBS executives, the Islamic group claimed credit for Keller’s demise. His last broadcast will be Aug. 31.

“They really based their decision upon our letter,” said Ramzy Kilic, the group’s civil rights coordinator. “They really did not know that Bill Keller was involved with this kind of anti-Muslim rhetoric.”

Keller said his “Bible-based” message has not changed in the five years the program has aired.

“(CAIR) intimidated the folks in New York, and the folks in New York caved in,” Keller said.

Keller said he is starting a new morning TV show on another Tampa Bay area station that will debut Sept. 3.

A telephone message left by The Associated Press at the new station Keller says he will be working at was not immediately returned.

Ahmed Bedier, executive director of the Tampa office of CAIR said the council is weighing its options on what to do regarding Keller’s supposed new employment.

“Obviously we have concerns, Bedier said. “He’s more of a liability with stations than an asset.”

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