GAINESVILLE, Fla. — WFTV's Jeff Deal sat down with Gainesville Pastor Terry Jones on Wednesday and talked about his plans to show an anti-Islamic video that officials believe helped incite the attack that killed a United States ambassador.
Two American warships are closing in on the Libyan coast following the brutal attack that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans on his staff.
Jones, the controversial pastor involved in the firestorm, told WFTV he's not responsible for any of the violence.
The Obama administration is still racing to figure out whether the attack on the U.S. Consulate was a planned terrorist strike timed to coincide with Sept. 11.
But there are also fears it may have been sparked by an angry mob outraged over an anti-Islam YouTube video. The film "Innocence of Muslims," made by an Israeli living in the U.S., ridicules Islam's prophet Muhammad.
In addition to moving two extra warships off the Libyan coast, 50 Marines have been dispatched to reinforce security at U.S. facilities and embassies.
President Barack Obama said while the situation won't break the bond between the two countries, justice would be served. Libyan officials said the crowd was angered by an online movie considered offensive to Islam, which sparked protests in Egypt just hours before.
Jones was right in the middle of the tragic situation. He's been promoting the anti-Islamic movie.
"So you don't feel any responsibility for that?" Deal asked.
"Yeah, absolutely not. What we had was words," Jones said.
Jones told WFTV Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, contacted him and asked he not support or promote the film for fear it could incite more violence.
Jones said he'll take that under advisement and wait to decide later if he'll show it.
Jones is no stranger to controversy, and said he isn't about to shy away from it now.
Jones makes no bones about it: He's anti-Islamic. He called the religion a "deception."
He planned to show a trailer of the film "Innocence of Muslims" during an anti-Mohammed ceremony on Tuesday night, but had technical issues.
As for the movie itself, he hasn't seen it yet and doesn't know if he will show it.
On Wednesday, Jones sent out the trailer in a mass email.
"I would not change what we did, no," said Jones.
Jones said he does feel bad people died, but said he was just exercising free speech.
"What we did was, of course, insult people," said Jones. "But what we did was exercise our First Amendment right."
He points the finger at the people who actually carried out the violent acts.
"Five-thousand, 6,000, 7,000 miles away, broke out in violence, which I think proves our point -- there's something wrong with Islam," said Jones.
Jones said the behavior by protesters shows they have no tolerance for other religious beliefs.
"Do you feel any remorse for what happened to four Americans in that attack?" Deal asked.
"If you refer to remorse as guilt, no," said Jones.
This is not the first time his anti-Islamic stance has gained international attention. It started in 2010, when he threatened to burn 200 Korans. He called off the burning after several national leaders said it could lead to violence against U.S. troops. But then, he actually burned one last year during a ceremony at his church.
He said once again he's received death threats and late Wednesday afternoon spoke with the filmmaker, who is now in hiding.
"He's afraid because, of course, he knows his life is threatened and on the line," said Jones.
Cast and crew members who worked on the film said they were misled about the film's intent and have expressed sorrow for the violence.
YouTube has since blocked people in Egypt from viewing the movie.