On the Death of Jerry Falwell

Nice sentiment, Racheline. I'm afraid that most people won't learn from it. The Christians will continue to believe that they have dominion over US politics as Jerry Falwell taught them. It's sad because usually they have such misguided ideas. Mr. Falwell only added to their ignorance which I'm against. I hate ignorance. His depiction of NYC was appalling. His attitude about most people was disgusting.

Joe, I am very religious, have been a minister, and I find your words very inappropriate, and damning many that do not have those views.

I am accepting, but I also believe that a moral cavity needs to exist, and the haphazard laissez-faire is not good or correct, and has honestly hurt this country more than it could ever help.

Jerry had a Biblical FEAR of God. He did not fall into the trap of political correctness or moral relativism. He didn't preach a watered down social gospel to try to gain acceptance of his critics. Falwell preached God's word as he believed God wanted him to despite the criticisms of those who participate in things that the Bible calls sin. Despite those who claim he hated them, this preacher loved all sinners but shunned the evil that we do. Jerry loved us enough to warn us of the wrath and judgement of a loving, yet Holy and Just God. The old testament tells how the descendants of Abraham most oftened turned away from God's word and rejected HIS prophets. Today, it is more of the same.

Jerry Falwell spoke for Christians all over America. He said so and no one ever corrected him. I can only assume that his words were the words of Christians.

Randy,
I'm glad that you have lived the life you have but that doesn't mean that ignorance is acceptable.

Jerry Falwell made a pretty good living pandering to the worst aspects of human nature. He enabled people to justify their prejudices through what he called religion.

I think of his fundamentalist stance as kind of a "low vibration" interface with the Spirit World. He connected, I guess, but on a very clumsy, weighted down, earth-bound level. His frame of reference never went beyond our limited human form, both mental and physical.

If there is ignorance on the part of non-Christian America, a great deal of blame can be laid at the feet of Falwell's "Moral Majority," but in the end one is responsible for his or her own beliefs, and if anyone thinks all Christians share common characteristics with Falwell and his followers, allowing yourself the comfort of that unexamined worldview is the same as wrapping oneself in that ignorance on purpose -- and making oneself no better than Falwell. Racheline, you had even more reason to despise him than most, and your post shows a depth and a kindness that is more reflective of Christianity than most of what the Reverend politician ever said publicly. Along with thousands of other Christians he tarred with his broad and hateful brushstrokes, I've had to work twice as hard to reclaim my religion from the likes of vocal charismatics who at least appeared to love a camera and a spotlight more than their fellow man, and I can only hope that enlightened people will see beyond what he says he stood for to what the rest of us actually do.

I am a devote believer in the Lord. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Shepard. That being said, I always felt that the Rev. spoke for only one man... himself. I respect his devotion to God but I always felt that his intense personal anger turned people away from the Lord rather than toward him.

He never reached out to bring in more sheep- but instead chased the blemished one's away from the flock with a big stick. Christ called all his people to spread the word of God. Sadly Falwell spewed hatred and turned his intense own personal judgement on people with a little too much zeal.

I say leave the judgment to God... I think the phrase is... "judge not lest ye be judged" and also "he who is without sin let him cast the first stone." Both are from the HOly Bible.

Perhaps the Rev. never sinned because he certainly cast a ton of stones at a broad segment of the entire world. I'll let God judge him... like He will all of us.

Outta here

Kathleen McDade also wrote a piece on Falwell's legacy that I heartily recommend:

www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977001188

Joe, all Christians do not share Falwell's views (makes me shiver with disgust to think of that), although you are correct that he had fans "all over."

I wrote a response to Kathleen's article before I read yours, Racheline, that I am going to paste below unedited (and unabashedly). Your article is great, too, Racheline.
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Great article. I would not have had the intestinal fortitude to stay with the subject matter that long, Kathleen, but I like your review and also the conclusions.

The dark era of homophobia, xenophobia, and identification of "Christian" organizations with secular political parties and administrations (who were in turn responsible for so many brutal and inhuman policies), may be on the wane. Right-wing Christians are beginning to turn away from the Republican party, for reasons both good and bad. Issues such as our stewardship of God's creation are being noticed (and to that, I can only say "duhh-hh").

Falwell has left behind many disciples, so there will still be plenty to debate in the coming years.

As a closing comment, I have changed a few words (but not the essence) of your Falwell "dream" statement. How does this sit with you:

His dream solution was to have Muslim leaders in government, and to impose fundamentalist Muslim moral laws as the laws of the land. He wanted to live to see the day when... we won't have any public schools. The mosques will have taken them over... and Muslims will be running them.

I haven't gone to church in years but really get a kick out of the way religious leaders make liberals go wide eyed. personally I think that religion as an fundamental institution is outdated and an intellectually obsolete entity. But watching liberals wig out is priceless....

Thank you, Racheline and thank you, Kris M. It distresses me to no end, the harm that these individuals do to Christianity with their judgmental and bigoted hate speech.

In response to these comments Joe T.:

"The Christians will continue to believe that they have dominion over US politics as Jerry Falwell taught them. It's sad because usually they have such misguided ideas. Mr. Falwell only added to their ignorance which I'm against. I hate ignorance."

"Jerry Falwell spoke for Christians all over America. He said so and no one ever corrected him."

I hate ignorance as well. Christianity is a quite diverse religion, and lumping all Christians together in blanket statements such as these, shows an ignorance of Christianity. Jerry Falwell certainly never spoke to my idea of Christianity. Maybe no one ever corrected him because: a. they weren't listening to him b. they had better things to do than go around correcting people whose beliefs did not match their own.

I have read your posts before, Joe T. and you seem like an educated, intelligent, and good-hearted person. I have no problem with you being an atheist--I have been there myself. In fact, I think that atheists are far less of a threat to Christianity than people like Falwell who advocate such hate. But please, do a little research. Jerry Falwell spoke for a small portion of the world-wide religion known as Christianity.

Racheline-
"Fear is the mind killer"- Frank Herbert in "Dune"

Your comment struck me as funny Jeff. I probably shouldn't be laughing on a post about someone's demise, but it was funny nonetheless. As someone who graduated from Liberty University, here's the comment I left earlier on another post related to Mr. Falwell's passing. I believe it seconds your sentiments here Racheline. [The quote comes from Baldy McBrennan's Gather post "Jerry Falwell, Dead at Age 73, Left His Mark".

RE: Whatever his legacy, Falwell was a prominent character on the U.S. political scene throughout the second half of the twentieth century.

Indeed. No matter which way you look at it, Jerry Falwell did manage to avoid "sin" scandals -- though the last decade or so has been rife with other scandals resulting from his verbalization of his literal interpretation of the Bible. That literal interpretation is what his Lynchburg, Virginia-based Liberty University (where he served as chancellor and figure-head) was founded upon. Regrettably, in my view he forgot that all people are people, whether they believe what you do or not. That, in my opinion, was his most glaring error and will now be -- for all those that did not believe as he did -- his legacy.

Everybody:

Jerry Falwell was used by our "fair" media to be the "outspoken stereotype" of Christian-Americans.

I fully resent that the US media managed to create a stereotype of Christians in America, based on Falwell's flaws.

I will not defend Farwell's flaws... they were embarrassing to me and to most Christians in America. Still, his flaws were less than most of the accomplishment he pursued and obtained in life. (How many? I don't know and don't care to know).

Just remember that once you are a media target, the media will manipulate your life by hiding your accomplishments, and spinning your mistakes.

If you (all) have resentment in life about Falwell; remember that it happened when you were exposed to the media coverage. Thanks for your attention.

Wario.

"Jerry had a Biblical FEAR of God."

That is why he wasn't a Christian: Christ changed the message from "Big Terrorist in the Sky Ruling by FEAR" to _LOVE_.

"He did not fall into the trap of political correctness or moral relativism."

It is politicallly correct to defend his bigotry and hate-speech as being Christian. Show me the words of CHRIST in which he said bigotted hatred is the way to Heaven.

"Moral relativism": beliving that anything goes -- including bigotted hate-speech -- so long as the avowed intent is to "spread the Word of the Lord".

" He didn't preach a watered down social gospel to try to gain acceptance of his critics."

Neither did Christ. But neither did Christ engage in politcally correct bigotted hate-speech.

"Falwell preached God's word as he believed God wanted him to despite the criticisms of those who participate in things that the Bible calls sin."

Who said it is "God"'s word? Imperfect humans, who claimed an unevidenced authority to tell everyone else how to live their lives according to an unevidenced claim that there's a "God".

"Despite those who claim he hated them, this preacher loved all sinners but shunned the evil that we do."

I don't do "evil". However, being human, I am imperfect, therefore I make errors. 'Course, "God" made me in His own image, therefore it must be that "God" is also imperfect. That must be why "God," who knew in advance that He made me imperfect, therefore knew it to be inevitable that I would make error, kicks me in the butt for making error -- even though that is exactly as He intended I do.

Talk about "blaming the victim"!

"Jerry loved us enough to warn us of the wrath and judgement of a loving, yet Holy and Just God."

"God" made us imperfect, thus knew we would inevitably make error. Then he beats up on us when we make error. Anyone who believes that that reflects _love_ is twisted.

"The old testament tells how the descendants of Abraham most oftened turned away from God's word and rejected HIS prophets. Today, it is more of the same.
Lee C., May 15, 2007, 8:47pm ET"

Christianity didn't exist before Christ -- for which whom Christianity is named. Christianity didn't exist before the New Testament, with which Christianity begins. The Old Testament is _PRE_-Christian. The Old Testament wrathful, brutalizing, terrorist "God" is not the "God" of the New Testmaent.

Now ask yourself: Where in the "bible" (a book of Jewish history stolen and distorted and lied about by non-Jews who hadn't a "bible" of their own) did in the "bible" does it say that the way to Heaven is by being a huckster lusting after power and wealth?

Was that passage written by Christ? Or by mega-wealthy Falwell with the help of mega-wealthy Pat Robertson?

Ignore what they _say_ -- watch what they _do_: Preaching bigotry and hatred is not the preaching of their opposites. Preaching bigotry and hate is _opposite_ Christ's message. "My terrorizing 'God' is bigger than your terrorizing 'God'" is out-and-out _bullying_; and that is _OPPOSITE_ what Christ was about.

Jeff, you somehow manage to make comments on Falwell's death fodder for criticism of "liberals." C'mon, you should get a job operating a press brake if you want to bend and twist stuff.

Not being a liberal myself, I have to chuckle at the need to turn every controversy, regardless of its content, into criticism of liberals that some people seem to have.

"Just remember that once you are a media target, the media will manipulate your life by hiding your accomplishments, and spinning your mistakes.

"If you (all) have resentment in life about Falwell; remember that it happened when you were exposed to the media coverage. Thanks for your attention."

So all the "flaws" "we" saw in Falwell weren't actually in Falwell? It was all the fault of the media?

I seem to recall that Falwell, and his buddy Pat Robertson, had their own media empire/s, through which they were able to spew their own "spin" without it being "distorted" by others' "spin".

Show us in the "bible" where Christ said: "God told me to tell you that the way to Heaven is to lust after political power and mega-wealth by preaching bigotry and hatred to gullible suckers who will pay a fee in regular installments for the opportunity to swallow it."

What was Falwell's ultimate "religious" view? Moral relativism: "It's all a gamble."

May God rest his soul...

Jerry Faldwell spoke for Christians all over America? Talk about ignorance. Plenty have tried to correct him. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not take the fear and hatred and bigotry of Faldwell, Robertson, and other extreme right fundamentalist people who distort the bible to use as a weapon against anyone and anything they do not under stand. I refuse to call them Christians.

Hate is lazy, easy -- much easier than having an open mind and trying to understand. It is unfortunate that so many will accept this easy way, this wrong answer because someone with money and power has wrongly attached the name of Christ

Jennifer: Mr. Falwell's biggest contribution was to espouse hate and intolerance as Christian values. That's sad.

This is truly a shame, that people will slam, hurt, and demise a person after their death. Whether you agreed with Jerry during his life or not, now is not the time to tear him apart. It is shameful, and a sad documentary on those who find revalry in doing so.

I am just one person, but I see too much of this tearing people down, and never enough of those who will stand tall for good, and happiness. It is a sad commentary for sure.

I ore Jerry Falwell down a lot in life. But now that he is dead I will never give him another thought. I hope he found his God and stays there.

Racheline, after all that's been said here, I want to congratulate you on being Featured. You stated your view very succinctly and this is a well written article. Good job. A 10 plus!

Racheline, one thing that has always bothed me is people who are so judgemental of others that they have blinders on to the good that is in all people. I am not judge nor jury of anyone's life other than my own. As we all have faults, no matter who we are, it seems to me we should concentrate more on bettering ourselves and less on belittling others....God Bless Racheline and thanks for such an honest, straight forward article.

Indeed, as fear is the basis of human bondage under the yoke of religion.

Good article, Racheline. My feeling is that Falwell took religion back to the Middle Ages, when religion WAS the law of the land - and of course, this led to many religious wars, witch hunts, and the decimation of hundreds of millions of people through fanatic missionaries "converting" natives to Christianity. So the man and his ideas were poisonous to the country.

"This is truly a shame, that people will slam, hurt, and demise a person after their death. Whether you agreed with Jerry during his life or not, now is not the time to tear him apart. It is shameful, and a sad documentary on those who find revalry in doing so."

1) He can't be hurt - he is DEAD!!!!!!!! (Yahoo!!!!)
2) He can't feel pain from what I think and say - he is DEAD!!!!!!!! (YIPPEE!!!)
3) Now is a PERFECT time to remind the world what a heinous bigot this monster WAS (isn't anymore because... HE"S DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
4) We can't "Demise" him anymore than he already is, because demise means dead, Dearie, and he's DEAD!!!!!! DEAD DEAD!!!!!! We can DESPISE him, and death hasn't made him ANY less despicable.

Shame on you for defending this DEAD thing, Randy.

Racheline Maltese., You showed Jerry some human dignity in your article and wordage. To bad he ignored the opportunity from so many. Thanks for writing.

My memories of Falwell are from a video tape I played for a group of school psychologists in the early 80's. The comments from many of my colleagues relay my sentiments. "This is scary stuff" "Can this stuff really happen? "Whoa" It is not in my nature to bad mouth anyone or wish them harm but some of the things Rev. Falwell preached about seemed out of touch with what spirituality really means. Are we looking to be "religious" or "spiritual"? As for me, I am looking to be more spiritual.

That man dissed my city. He messed with the Constitution of my country. Good bye & good riddance.

I appreciate your kindly words towards a man who would not have had the same attitude towards you.

I add my voice to those who say that Mr. Falwell did not speak for all Christians. Though he claimed to do so, I don't even think he spoke for God. Jesus didn't dis anyone (other than the Falwells of his generation); the most he did was to say, "Go and sin no more."

Fellow Christians, ponder this: we believe that Jesus was the son of God. As such, he had the right and the authority to pass judgement upon us. He chose not to do so; and told us that we shouldn't judge each other. Mr. Falwell ignored that instruction.

Very good article.

My Maltese: This is your falconer...I met you on the site where you're found the photo of the white feline funny.....maybe it was....maybe it wasn't....you're mention above, "are we animal?" Well, apparently most of you aren't obviously...I proudly am....I rather be a cat as a human being...Now let me go above and check out the comments.....Reverend Randy: I too am a religious man...at least when it comes to other species, and certain breeds of human beings...now that's not entirely true...but you haven't got the news yet: The Right Reverend Jerry Falwell is downstairs blowing the devil...And that is a holy privilege....Haven't you noticed less violence in world for the past few days...The Big Red Guy is content, for the moment...Thank God...And Reverend Randy: AND i KEEP SAYING THIS; what is the meaning of Number's Twenty-Two....I know that it says in one of the Gospels that two sparrows were sacrificed to honer the birth of Jesus? Yes, yes, yes...of course...And Reverend should you too misquote the meaning of the New Testament: you too might feel the mouth of my red tail....Ahhh Lee: your absolutely correct, that way so know downstairs attempting to convert His Honor The Devil, but as I mentioned his mouth is full of Divine joy....I just skipped over most of the other comments...Why because you, the Moral Majority almost saved my soul...but not quite...y'all "The Moral Majority" should all be sucking the devils dick! And I say that laughingly from my burning beemer.

Evil in disguise. A deluded soul. It's good that he has passed out of this life. If there is an afterlife, maybe there he can come to grips with the devil that possessed him on Earth. He was so wrong...

As to those of you who continue to say that Falwell did not speak for Christians: Just where were the Christians who availed themselves to denounce his brand of Christianity. They were silent - I find it difficult to believe that if he didn't speak for Christians that the few of you here on Gather didn't speak out against the man. You didn't speak out against him because you believe what he believes. To say otherwise now that he is dead is a bit hypocritical.

One hould neer begin to use psuedo christians as true representations of christian values. Men like jerry falwell use religion as a political system to serve their own purposes and it should be evident from their statements what kind of people they really are.


"You've got to kill the terrorists before the killing stops and I am for the President — chase them all over the world, if it takes ten years, blow them all away in the name of the Lord"

Do these sound like the words of christ?

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jerry_Falwell

No, Dar, they don't and should be denounced at every level - including other Christian ministers. They are tacit in their approval by saying nothing.

O yes i'd agree, ministers like those having greater connections with the banking establishment & further financing though oil cartels rather than having a personal connection with God.

http://www.gregpalast.com/palast-investigatespat-robertson-bank-appoints-controversial-tv-evangelist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Robertson

We should all keep our eyes open for wolves in sheeps clothing. They dont serve god, they have other masters.

quite interestingly these corporate sponsored pastors who are in full support of government policy & present a very christian like attitude of the president himself, also fail to tell the truth about his not so christian affiliations with skull & bones and the bohemian grove. These are not religious leaders rather they are more like rich & greedy businessmen.

I guess my approach is a bit ascew. I saw Mr. Falwell as a man that espoused his views. He used and was used by the media. And I tend to believe that the media has a tendency to turn everyone into a caricature of who they really are.

As a man he only had the power he was given by others. What he said never harmed me nor my faith. I never gave him that power.

As I understand he was a significant factor in the establishment of Liberty Univeristy. Not knowing any one from that University I can only speak from a far. However, I would like to think that Liberty has provide many people with the opportunity to add to their educatioin, that is a good thing.

He voiced somethings the I tend to agree with and somethings I didn't agree with. I extend my sympathies to his family and freinds for their loss.

I do not judge him, for now that is in God's hands.

I simply offer this approach; hold jealously the power that you give to others. If the person does not seem to care about your well being then do not give them the power, because you also give them the opportunity to harm you.

Listen to what they say and do, not what others claim, and decide for yourself.

I must admit I have been to New York City, and I still feel I have a full life in small town America, that is only my opinion but works for me.

"Just where were the Christians who availed themselves to denounce his brand of Christianity. They were silent - I find it difficult to believe that if he didn't speak for Christians that the few of you here on Gather didn't speak out against the man."

There have always been critics of Falwell and his variety of extremist theology, and they've hardly been silent. What they have not had is the advantage of the sort of platform that Falwell had for himself - he built his own media empire, where his view was unquestioned, and where any dissenters could be dismissed with a wave of the hand as "godless liberals."

Talk about a great gig - I'm right, God told me so. Don't bother me with contrary opinions, or worse yet, your so-called facts, you heathens, because I know better. I don't have to be tolerant of our differences, because God says so - but you don't realize that because you're going to hell. God told me that, too. Yay, me!

And there's something a little pitiful to me in the idea that it's an accomplishment worth noting that Falwell didn't caught up in any scandals of the sort that plagued other fundamentalist evangelists. Somehow, I don't find it to be a real stretch to think that preachers shouldn't be dipping into the collection plate or indulging in extramarital sexual affairs - shouldn't that be a given?

I think Matthew said it quite well, "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves".
Good riddance to bad rubbish I say.