I just wanted to say that I think that the last few comments have been much more intelligent than many of the others. In response to Diann's post I agrue that Rev. Falwell had an imperfect view of Christianity. For all of his criticism of the gay commuity, "liberal" Christians, abortion, and seperation of Church and State (give unto Caesar) he ignored many of the most obvious and important lessons of the Bible. Jesus never turned anyone away. He saught (actively) to include people in his ministry. He did not do this by telling them they were evil for their beliefs he simply should them in the flesh what the benefits of being a child of God (freedom, moral purpose, and a certain amount of serenity or inner strength). Mr. Falwell actively criticised many segments of America that he did not agree with-what was it about Pres. Carter's White House that he so abhorred. Gays on the senior staff levels? My Dad was one of those people and neither he nor his colleges were homosexuals. Other than that, what besides Pres. Carter's obsession with solving issues involving poverty, violence, and other social ills did Rev. Falwell disagree with? Besides FDR, Mr. Carter is one of my ideal Christians (read the New Testament-how many times does Jesus preach on the immorality of homosexuality and how many times he preaches about the immorality of abject poverty when others have a means to uplift those in need). Also, Mr. Carter was raised a Southern Baptist and was practicing Baptist his entire life. However, I will never give into hatred whether of Mr. Falwell or his supporters. His family has lost one of its own and that is hard for anyone to accept. But to ask me ignore many of the terrible things that he said is very, very difficult.

For the record and so there is no misunderstanding. REV. JERRY FALWELL IS NOT JESUS! If you stop and think for a minute, both the Lord Jesus and Rev. Jerry Falwell spoke the truth. Separate individuals and personalities, same truth, said in different manners. Jesus also hated sin and loved the sinner. You, on the otherhand did not comprehend that aspect of my comment. So, NO! Rev. Jerry Falwell is not the Lord Jesus Christ, but in the end they both had the same message:REPENTANCE, FORGIVENESS, Eternal Life and the Greatest Gift of All LOVE. Why else would they publicly preach the truth knowing the kind of hatdred they would and did receive. I try to remember what Jesus says" He who is without sin cast the first stone." I know I'm not! Please accept my apology if I offended you in anyway. The Lord Loves You and So Do I. I don't like sin, whether it's my sin or someone elses. God Bless Diann

Just curious: do Falwell's people and other Christians that condemn homosexuality allow women in their church to speak? Many would argue that the references to homosexuality in the Old Testament are moot since Levitical law was erased by the New Covenant formed by Christ's death and resurrection. The New Testament reference in Romans was written by Paul and he's the same guy who wrote the following in his letter to the church at Corinth:

1 Corinthians 14:34 - "women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says."

I've heard of churches where this is still in practice, but they aren't nearly as common as those that abhor and condemn homosexuality based on the words of Paul. So...do we pick and choose our doctrine based on what we're taught to believe and not based on actual study of the Bible? Do we allow personal discernment of God's will in and for our lives to vanish and instead choose which dogmatic words we'll follow and which we'll ignore?

Call me a watered-down Christian all you like, but ignoring the Holy Spirit's work in your personal discernment is the same as ignoring God's work (since Christians believe the Holy Spirit is part of the Holy Trinity). Falwell never got his head around that, but perhaps he has now...

'nuff said.

repost:

Christopher Hitchens was on CNN last night giving his comments on the death of Jerry Falwell.

He was so self consumed and full of vitriolic bile -his interviewer could barely get a word in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkAPaEMwyKU

We can only imagine what Jerry Falwell's response to Hitchens would have been based on his words to Larry Flynt on CNN in 1997:

"That's alright, Chris. I love you and God does too.."

http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9701/11/falwell.v.flynt/lkl.00.html

From the transcript:

FALWELL: I love Larry, but there is nothing wrong with hating sin and loving sinners. And that is exactly how I feel about Larry.

KING: But isn't that a judgment?

FLYNT: Now, that is a strange...

FALWELL: Well, that's exactly what Jesus said...

FLYNT: ...That Jerry Falwell says he loves me...

KING: Chills are going up and down your spine...

FLYNT: That is a strange, strange...

FALWELL: It's bugging you, that is what---and that's exactly how the Lord feels about us all...

FLYNT: (LAUGHTER)

FALWELL: ...And God loves everybody. God's no respect to a persons. And while God does--you know I'm very human, I make mistakes every day. God hates the wrong things I do.

If you read the transcript check out their comments on "kiddie porn". This interview was 10 years ago but someone had true clarity and insight

Thank you Dr. Mohler for the wonderful eulogy. As a Reformed Baptist, I disagreed with some of the things Falwell said and did, but I do believe he is my brother in Christ. Jerry Falwell was a man of God who proclaimed truth and loved all people. My prayers go out to his friends and family during this time of loss. He will be missed by many. As I have read through these vile, hate-filled responses my heart aches that so many continue to hate this person and dispise Truth.

I think, JustRemember, that the real issue is how we, the living, translate what this man has said and done. I certainly couldn't be happy about his passing, of course not.

I think one thing we have to 'translate' is his legacy of self-righteous hatred and intolerance, lies, ...and, I think, a certain denial. He's one of the ones that taught people, "Oh, when this wrongheaded stuff he taught me to say about others makes people angry, that's because it's the *victims* that are hateful and intolerant."

Those words and ideas are still in play. No one here's going to be going to bother his family, nor do I think anyone who knew him will be coming here for solace, to be distressed by people who don't think the man deserves praise for a life of profiting off bigotry and division.

But nor, do I think, is a 'decent interval' required to discuss what's so clearly part of a legacy of damage and division to our country that already lives on without the guy.

I've even seen him compared to Jesus here, which I find interesting, as that guy's supposed to have said you'd know teachers by their fruits. And what Rev. Falwell left behind is sure a lot of hurt and anger. Denying or dismissing that is what I find inappropriate. Frankly, after all he's said, he should not have had the prominence and influence he enjoyed.

The man' death should be just an opportunity to bury the *hate,* not the feelings of those his teachings continue to hurt.

So this is "DEMOCRACY",the United States of America, Land of the free, home of the brave. America the country which embodies the freedom of speech, the right to freedom, freedom to choose and freedom of "RELIGIOUS BELIEFS". AMAZING, you would never know it from the e-mails I've been reading concerning the passing of Rev. Jerry Falwell. How sad that this is what the human race has become. Self-righteous, demoralizing, I'm the only one that matters, human beings. I praise my Lord and Savior you people are not the ones who will judge me in the end. One of the Ten Commandments is "Thy shall not kill".REMEMBER THIS! WORDS KILL! One last thing to think about. Over 2,000 year ago there was another man that preached the good news and everyone hated him. They all wanted him dead. Trumped up trial, convicted and sentenced to death. He spoke the truth and was called all kinds of names, hated with an evilness and in the end crucified on a cross. He was and is and will be forever more The Son of the Almighty God, the Lord Jesus Christ Our Savior! Don't concern yourselves with where the Rev. Jerry
Falwell is, either in Heaven or Hell. Time is running out. You better begin to think about where you will be if you die. In the blink of an eye you to may be gone. ARE ALL OF YOU CRITICS READY? May the Lord have mercy on this nation of intellegent human beings, or so they all think so. Diann

WHERE IS DR. FALWELL NOW???? DO YOU KNOW?

He woke up yesterday morning like every other day and never expected it would be his last.

What about YOU? When will YOU die? Today? Tomorrow? This Year?

Please ask yourself this question "WHEN I DIE, WILL I GO TO HEAVEN?"
And then ponder the answer. PLEASE, PLEASE ponder the answer.

God has provided a way for EVERYONE to go to Heaven. But.....
We must realize we've sinned against him (we ALL have) and that Jesus' sacrifice paid for those sins. That's all. God is gracious to ALL who believe that.

PLEASE CONSIDER THIS NOW. You do not know when your heart will beat it's last beat.

Please consider these two opposing statements:

"The human race is definitely richer for his passing.."

"Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind"

So much drivel written here. Its tragic this generation is so eager to slide in to a morass of barely intelligible spiels and rants. As counterpoint -please read John Donne's timeless words that have inspired many to seek higher ground:

All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated; God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice; but God's hand is in every translation, and His hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again for that library where every book shall lie open to one another.. No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

Here is a short round-up of Falwell's "Vision and Vigor":

March 1980: Falwell tells an Anchorage rally about a conversation with President Carter at the White House. Commenting on a January breakfast meeting, Falwell claimed to have asked Carter why he had “practicing homosexuals” on the senior staff at the White House. According to Falwell, Carter replied, “Well, I am president of all the American people, and I believe I should represent everyone.” When others who attended the White House event insisted that the exchange never happened, Falwell responded that his account “was not intended to be a verbatim report,” but rather an “honest portrayal” of Carter’s position.

August 1980: After Southern Baptist Convention President Bailey Smith tells a Dallas Religious Right gathering that “God Almighty does not hear the prayer of a Jew,” Falwell gives a similar view. “I do not believe,” he told reporters, “that God answers the prayer of any unredeemed Gentile or Jew.” After a meeting with an American Jewish Committee rabbi, he changed course, telling an interviewer on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “God hears the prayers of all persons…. God hears everything.”

July 1984: Falwell is forced to pay gay activist Jerry Sloan $5,000 after losing a court battle. During a TV debate in Sacramento, Falwell denied calling the gay-oriented Metropolitan Community Churches “brute beasts” and “a vile and Satanic system” that will “one day be utterly annihilated and there will be a celebration in heaven.” When Sloan insisted he had a tape, Falwell promised $5,000 if he could produce it. Sloan did so, Falwell refused to pay and Sloan successfully sued. Falwell appealed, with his attorney charging that the Jewish judge in the case was prejudiced. He lost again and was forced to pay an additional $2,875 in sanctions and court fees.

October 1987: The Federal Election Commission fines Falwell for transferring $6.7 million in funds intended for his ministry to political committees.

February 1988: The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a $200,000 jury award to Falwell for “emotional distress” he suffered because of a Hustler magazine parody. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, usually a Falwell favorite, wrote the unanimous opinion in Hustler v. Falwell, ruling that the First Amendment protects free speech.

February 1993: The Internal Revenue Service determines that funds from Falwell’s Old Time Gospel Hour program were illegally funneled to a political action committee. The IRS forced Falwell to pay $50,000 and retroactively revoked the Old Time Gospel Hour’s tax-exempt status for 1986-87.

March 1993: Despite his promise to Jewish groups to stop referring to America as a “Christian nation,” Falwell gives a sermon saying, “We must never allow our children to forget that this is a Christian nation. We must take back what is rightfully ours.”

1994-1995: Falwell is criticized for using his “Old Time Gospel Hour” to hawk a scurrilous video called “The Clinton Chronicles” that makes a number of unsubstantiated charges against President Bill Clinton — among them that he is a drug addict and that he arranged the murders of political enemies in Arkansas. Despite claims he had no ties to the project, evidence surfaced that Falwell helped bankroll the venture with $200,000 paid to a group called Citizens for Honest Government (CHG). CHG’s Pat Matrisciana later admitted that Falwell and he staged an infomercial interview promoting the video in which a silhouetted reporter said his life was in danger for investigating Clinton. (Matrisciana himself posed as the reporter.) “That was Jerry’s idea to do that,” Matrisciana recalled. “He thought that would be dramatic.”

November 1997: Falwell accepts $3.5 million from a front group representing controversial Korean evangelist Sun Myung Moon to ease Liberty University’s financial woes.

April 1998: Confronted on national television with a controversial quote from America Can Be Saved!, a published collection of his sermons, Falwell denies having written the book or had anything to do with it. In the 1979 work, Falwell wrote, “I hope to live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won’t have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be!” Despite Falwell’s denial, Sword of the Lord Publishing, which produced the book, confirms that Falwell wrote it.

January 1999: Falwell tells a pastors’ conference in Kingsport, Tenn., that the Antichrist prophesied in the Bible is alive today and “of course he’ll be Jewish.”

February 1999: Falwell becomes the object of nationwide ridicule after his National Liberty Journal newspaper issues a “parents alert” warning that Tinky Winky, a character on the popular PBS children’s show “Teletubbies,” might be gay.

September 2001: Falwell blames Americans for the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the Pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say, ‘You helped this happen.’”

November 2005: Falwell spearheads campaign to resist “war on Christmas.”

February 2007: Falwell describes global warming as a conspiracy orchestrated by Satan, liberals, and The Weather Channel.

The human race is definitely richer for his passing...

Falwell's Liberty University School of Law has sent me repeated invitations to attend--not apply, mind you--its 1L class starting this fall. LLS is provisionally accredited by the American Bar Association, which basically means "don't bother going to law school if this is the best you can do." Every time I received an invitation, I was tempted to write back with my concerns that an atheist and part-time Pagan (yes, I know, it sounds weird, but it works for me) would have difficulty being accepted among their ranks. But what I REALLY wanted to say was that I didn't think I'd get a good legal education there. I can see it now: rallies to allow prayer in public school, reversal of Roe v. Wade, and the biblical basis for archaic and existing laws. The constant eye-rolling would have my eyes rolling right out of my head.

Forget resting in peace, Falwell. It's about time WE got some peace.

Was it only just as recent as my father's generation when one didn't speak ill of the dead before they were buried, before their family even had a chance to mourn?

I'm grateful for the voice of my black sister in Christ who posted here earlier. Falwell repented of racism.

His politics may have been controversial, but he left behind solid accomplishments, Liberty University being just one.

Despite his politics, he wasn't afraid to have a close friend who was gay. There had to be a lot of dialog there, a lot of sharing of issues. I didn't know him, but to me this says he wasn't as close-minded as he's been made out to be.

I'm not here to argue pro or con on issues. I just want to say, what's happening in America when we can't be kind enough to give a man a decent burial before we start tearing him apart? This country is losing the basic manners that kept us together as a nation despite our differences. Let him go to his rest, and let his family mourn him in peace. You'll have plenty of time to savage his reputation later, if that's what you need.

Shalom,

Rocky

count me among those who 'side' with the Reverend Billy Graham's statement about Jerry Falwell's death.

check out Billy Graham's website, and consider his Godly words carefully. he is a man 'after God's own heart.'

check it out

Jerry Falwell, love him or hate him, was flesh and bone like any one of us. He was prone to the prejudices of love, preference, passion and self deceit to which any one of us may succumb. Without compassion, forgiveness, love and a conviction to greater understanding, we are all left with the fateful duality of an existence based solely on the idea of Good/Bad - and nothing in between. The truth is that we are all shades of gray in many ways, and if we can't find forgiveness for those who represent that which we disdain, how will we ever embrace Christ's, Buddah's, or Ganghi's greater messages of understanding?

We've lost a fellow human being - as equally flawed and gifted as any one of us. Empathize with those who grieve, forgive those who don't understand, have mercy for those who embrace hatred or deciet and, above all, be patient, loving and kind - no matter what. We only have each other for a short time period. We can either spend that time with self-rightghteous judgement, or embrace the greater truth that everyone of us is doomed to the same fate of impermanence, pain, and the struggles presented to us by our own ego.

It is a gift to be able to read all that you are willing to share. It all has its own validity. I only hope that it lends clarity to this situation and doesn't just further the noise.

Peace from Minneapolis...

Falwell's biggest sin was conflating God's will and the Republican Party's will.

I believe he did a lot of damage to Christianity's reputation in this country and elsewhere, and I think he turned at least as many people away from the faith as he brought to it by his insistence that Christians must focus on a small number of issues and hold a specific political view.

But now he is gone and his judgment is in God's hands...if his heart was in the right place, then he is home and has been accepted after a good talking to about how he shouldn't have been so heavy-handed with God's message.

If, as often seemed to be the case, it was all politics hiding behind religion. Well.....

Brad

Sorry reason, I was never a follower of Jerry Falwell. I did not think that he focused on the true fundamentals of my faith. I also think that your interpretation of the Bible is a little shallow even if you do not believe in the "faith" of it and only regard it as a historically important document or a even just a piece of literature. I feel deep sympathy for you though.

I do not curse Adolf Hilter in my daily life. I acknowledge his actions as against God, Humanity, and the decency of society. I personally, do not know his fate. Do any of us? Its impossible because only the Man-Upstairs knows that. I feel that what he did was Hell-worthy but my mind is not infanite and it is impossible to know such things. Perhaps as a child I would have made such a statement but "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." I feel that hatred is one of those "things" whether it be towards Rev. Falwell or anything else "hate only begets hate" (Rev. M. King). Why should I let my soul be blackened by the hatred of other men. I instead feel sorry-sorry that Hitler's father beat him as a child and thus set the psychological backdrop for the Second World War and the Holocaust but also sorry that Rev. Falwell spread so much hatred when he had an unprecidented situation to spread so much love instead. And PK, rarely is it that the easy path is also the right path. As a resident of the Gulf Coast during Katrina I found his statements not just insensitive at a sensitive time but also depressing. But Jesus says that the true way is through forgiveness.

The argument that it is always wrong to speak ill of the dead is a logical fallacy, technically known as a "reductio ad Hitlerum."

Sorry DaveB. not tonight...

example 1 "So, no, I am not sorry for his family. They enabled his intolerance and his bigoted vitriol, and will continue on the same path as their horrible father."

example 2: "Another ChristoFascist bites the dust"

example 3: "Thank God he's gone."

So DaveB, would you classify those examples as "speaking ill of the dead"? No? Yes? I can pull maybe 2 or 3 (hundred) more examples if you are not sure.

Wow. I can't believe I'm in a way sticking up for Jerry Falwell. Ah well, I guess I'd do the same for Larry Flynt if a bunch of Christian fundamentalists were saying this kind of stuff about him on the day of his death.

And yes, 'prayed', was a pun on words.

Here is the logic of God's 'love':

I am going to send my only son down to earth to be deliberately murdered to settle an ancient fruit dispute I created in the first place.

Such nonsense. No intellect. No reasoning. Just blind sheeple.

And nazi morons like Fallwell prayed on you all.

Grow up. Santa and the easter bunny are not real either.

What does it say about a man who is so reviled in death?

No one deserves to be so cursed; and yet it is so hard to be compassionate towards a man who spread prejudice and affirmed the narrow minded beliefs of the ignorant.

I'm sure God will forgive him and hopefully he'll forgive the rest of us tresspassers.

What a tremendous man of faith.

What awful comments by so many people after the article. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

The argument that it is always wrong to speak ill of the dead is a logical fallacy, technically known as a "reductio ad Hitlerum."

I think that we all need to take a step back. Too often are these public deaths used to incite anger against our fellow man. I was no fan of Mr. Falwell but I will not use this forum or any to attack any other Christian. Whenever he would harp against homosexuals, liberals, public schools, or ethnicities I would often think of Jesus and the children ("suffer the children to come unto me") this does not just refer to children, per say, rather to allow those whose faith is still young and without depth to come to Jesus and listen to his message. That message was one of love, inclusion, charity, and forgiveness. I do not feel that Rev. Falwell understood this, so often was it that I saw his snarling face ranting against those different from himself. Remember the parable of the Gentile-though he was different than the Jew in distress he offered him aid and comfort without trying to force his beliefs on anyone. I pray for the Falwell family, that God will give them solace and comfort at the passing of the Reverend and that the Lord will include Mr. Falwell as Jesus did the children. I believe that he will for God's love and forgiveness is without bounds like the father of the prodigal son. I hope that he will welcome him into the kingdom of heaven where he will hear the true message of OUR LORD Jesus Christ. I know this is long but I felt it must be because I will be accused of being a liberal (what you mean a revolutionary like my Savior!?!) or a Christian by others (born and bred and proud of it). Just know that I respect your right as an American to have your own opinion and myself and many better people before me have sacrificed much so that we could even have this discussion.

2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. -Romans 12: 1-21

Pathetic. I wonder how many of you posted your good riddance messages to al-Zarqawi, Abu Nidal or Sadamm Hussein on the day of their passing.

Personally, I never cared for Falwell. But when Bin Laden himself meets the reaper I won't post such evil wishes for that man's eternity.

If you think based on the evidence that Falwell was a hater and was evil, so be it. It's a free country, you can think what you want. If you think that posting your own hateful contempt for the man on the day of his death makes any of you any better than him, you are mistaken.

Seriously all, we can be a better people than this. Right?

I love Jerry Fallwell's definition of TRUE FREEDOM: the opportunity to do the will of God.

Hello everybody. Jerry Falwell here. (Pardon the cross-post. Or should I say, "Forgive me"? :-))

I know a lot of you didn't expect to hear from me until judgement day. Surprise, surprise! I am reincarnated already!!! That was quick, wasn't it? I am an internet server in Milpitas, California. (Gods who know about this sort of stuff tell me it's a new thing - kind of experimental.)

Here's the deal. It turns out the right answer was Jainism. I was really, really sure it was Christianity, but hey, when you're wrong, you're wrong. What are you going to do? Sorry about getting all you people to vote for Bush. But I am not going to dwell on the past. I was pretty disappointed at first, but then I realized it could have gone a lot worse. What if Islam had turned out to be the right answer? I would be in for some hot times, if you know what I mean. :-)

So there you have it. LOL. Everybody be sure to follow the Nine Tattvas. Talk to you later.

- Jerry

"Vision? Jerry Falwell? You mean like his "vision" that the 9/11 attacks were God's retribution on America for the sins of the Godless homosexuals, etc.?"

Actually, I point out, he said that 9/11 was his God's retribution upon Christian America for 'tolerating' gays, secularists, people of other religions, mine named specifically, feminists, and, I think a few others.'

Exactly how are you supposed to read that, apart from a call for the oppression of all these groups?

Maybe America lacked the 'vision' to see what these televangelists were saying, but it seems the corporate media sure lacked the 'vigor' to really, actually, call them on it.

Believe it or not, it's the kind of hate, superstition, and malice all the 'virtue' was based upon.

Don't you believe it.

FROM TODAYS LOS ANGELES TIMES:A few of his greatest hits: “AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals” “The idea that religion and politics don't mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country”
Submitted by: Look beneath the surface
12:20 PM PDT, May 15.
NICE GUY!

Well, glad that's all out in the open. Can we move on now?

preacher fallwel was a uber-nazi!

Another ChristoFascist bites the dust.

Another ChristoFascist bites the dust.

Jerry's Quotes:

"If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being."

"I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won't have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be!"

"AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals."

"The Jews are returning to their land of unbelief. They are spiritually blind and desperately in need of their Messiah and Savior."

I personally did not like Jerry Fallwell, but I did not know him personally. What I can say is that the man may have been a biggot, he never went to jail, never mugged 100 year old ladies or had sex with an intern in the oval office.

He may have been vocal, but from what I see, he was a productive member of society

"Live and let live", that great American value was not one he lived by.
May God forgive him.

Finally, an important and relevant question for the theologians to contemplate: How could a 73 year old self-proclaimed man of God know so little about the true meaning of Christianity? Figure that one out, bottle it, and send it to all the evangelical hypocrites. But be prepared to pay a lot in postage.

My first memory of Rev. Falwell was an ad he used to take out in Parade magazine. His angry face appeared next to questions that were based on nonsense, such as if we opposed the use of pornography in public schools. Well, of course people don't want porn in the schools. No one did.

But Falwell pretended that only "we" did. Not some nebulous "they" who wanted to destroy the children of America. And thus the Moral Majority was born on half-truths and insinuations.

I don't want anyone in Hell. Not Falwell, not Bush, not Robertson, not the Dobsons, not even Chaney. But a man who spent his life fomenting fury, hatred, and war based on self-righteousness, bigotry and insinuation can no longer do so. But much damage has been done, and many good, young kids who would have given much to society were driven to suicide by people following Falwell and his ilk, simply because the kids were different and the bigots couldn't accept them.

I will not miss him.

I pray that God will give him a better afterlife than I would have done if I were in God's place. I also pray that God will forgive me for my anger against those who use Him as their excuse for inflicting torture and misery on others. We're all God's children. So are they. Whether any of us likes it or not.

Some Guy, apparently the wisdom of Jesus is too deep for you today.

Regretful as it is to say about another human being, I'll remember him as a small thinking man who was given far too much attention.

This hick presented us with a rotting and foul bouquet of racism, bigotry and hatred way past its expiration date. A true facist, who cleary did not take his creed seriously or his country's moral health into consideration beyond his own fear-based rantings. I'm glad he will no longer infect this country.

"How can anyone not notice A PLANK IN THEIR EYE?? and how would you inadvertently get a plank in your eye to begin with?"

Poor building safety codes? :)

How can anyone not notice A PLANK IN THEIR EYE?? and how would you inadvertently get a plank in your eye to begin with?

Jerry Fallwell's dead. All I can say is Hallelula!

Floyd,

"Rape, murder, stealing," these all have victims. The only victims involved with homosexuality are the homosexuals themselves who are persecuted because of the words of people like Jerry Falwell.

I am a Christian (and one quite well versed in the Bible). And I wholeheartedly reject the notion that homosexuality is a sin or perversion.

At the same time, I know and love many people who do believe it is a sin. This is the essence of tolerance. I disagree with people with all of my might, but I still love them. While Falwell may have claimed such love for those who disagreed with him, his actions spoke volumes to the contrary.

I am sorry, only, that Jerry Falwell could not live long enough to repent.

I think we'll let what's being seen, respectively, speak for itself, how bout.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:3-5

I suppose I shouldn't be shocked by the unkind comments here. Apparently the critics feel they don't even need a day to reflect before they attack.

Condolences to Rev. Falwell's family and friends.

I prefer to see folks like that, PK, as dragging some of the darker parts of humanity out for examination.

It's not a lesson quickly learned, I observe. Seems America goes through it every time it comes time to lose a 'Divinely-ordained' prejudice or two.

But it seems it usually gets done, eventually, however much flailing and fire and brimstone certain people profit off of in their times.

Jim Bakker, Oral Roberts, Jerry Fallwell, Pat Robertson (soon, very soon), Fred Phelps (not soon enough).

These 'leaders' do nothing but continue a legacy of intolerance and hatred towards those who dare to be different, those who point to inconsistencies and irrationalities in their written 'Word' of God. If Jesus was alive today, he would weep in shame at the bastardization and corruption of his philosophy of Life.

They are an embarrassment to anyone pursuing the light of spiritual growth. And so are their pompous and bigoted followers, who lack the courage to consider that their religion is only one among many ways to enlightenment.

Seek the light and the darkness.

Jim Bakker, Oral Roberts, Jerry Fallwell, Pat Robertson (soon, very soon), Fred Phelps (not soon enough).

These 'leaders' do nothing but continue a legacy of intolerance and hatred towards those who dare to be different, those who point to inconsistencies and irrationalities in their written 'Word' of God. If Jesus was alive today, he would weep in shame at the bastardization and corruption of his philosophy of Life.

They are an embarrassment to anyone pursuing the light of spiritual growth. And so are their pompous and bigoted followers, who lack the courage to consider that their religion is only one among many ways to enlightenment.

Seek the light and the darkness.

As a Christian, I feel the sadness of another human being's passing. My symapthies go to the Falwell family.

Yet, it is hard to praise the legacy of Rev. Falwell. I agreed with Senator McCain when he described Falwell as an "agent of intolerance."

The house of God tolerated even the likes of Falwell, he, however, was unwilling to tolerate others.

He allowed for narrow minded people to express their prejudice with the supposed stamp of approval of Christianity, and so I always thought that God must have wepped when Falwell spoke in his name.

"Political correctness needs no explanation.
Because I will not agree with you I am considered a bigot, correct? "

Actually, no, that'd be the bigotry. You can go ahead and not have any gay sex you may be thinking about all you want, and, well, happiness to you.

As for trying to say me or my friends are bad people undeserving of civil rights because of what you imagine we do, or defame us as, or just for not agreeing with *you* about some kind of inherent damnation or lesser social value, well, that's what you do in the world, and it's fair game.

"No tolerance for the conservative Christian?"

Not if what that means to you is an excuse to try to make my America all feudal, no.

Not if what that means to you is a license to try and terrorise, disenfranchise, stigmatize, and emotionally-abuse people you don't happen to like,

No.

If you mean that as treating conservative Christians as human beings who are equal to me as Americans, and as souls. Sure. Often sorely-tested cause they won't seem to leave *me* alone, but tolerance, nonetheless.

I agree with you 100% David A.
Also to all other confessing Christians, Jesus says, "How can you hate your brother for whom you have not seen and say you love God for whom you have not seen?" It is not possible. Jerry only drove away people who was offended by the Gospel. I don't apologize for that. I am saved by grace and free from sin, how dare should I live in it? I love you all.

KJ
Political correctness needs no explanation.
Because I will not agree with you I am considered a bigot, correct? No tolerance for the conservative Christian? I think you know what gay issues I am referring to, the rights for gays to marry, live a sexual perverted lifestyle and insist that America accepts the sin of homosexuality. I love you but I cannot and will not accept the sin no more than accept rape, murder, stealing or any other sins. Peace

Floyd, on that, I think the 'truth' is that Falwell and other usual suspects are constantly trying to tell the "TRUTH" of the entire universe hating girls that kiss girls and boys that kiss boys so much that it's OK to, say, call for the destruction of New Orleans for such wickedness, only to find the only part of the city spared was the place where the 'evil gay event' was actually going on.

These guys always try to get everyone wound up in *religious terror* while, frankly, attempting what most Pagans would call 'black magic' on terrible scales.

Small man, big words, big money,wrongheaded ideas. Died alone. Who made this of him?

I'll be glad when he's put to *rest.*

Sorry, Floyd. My previous post should have been addressed to "KJ".

Floyd, The loving, inclusive words of Christ never reached to applaud or condone sin. And it is not difficult to determine what is sin; the difficult thing is turning away from it when one doesn't want to. It is not possible to intentionally choose to lead a life of sin and disobedience and self-interest and claim to be a follower and believer of Jesus. Yes, God is love, but He is also a judge, and there is coming a judgment. We all must be ready for it.

Yep, God is love. And He loved us so much He provided a way for each sorry one of us to be reconciled to His perfection. BUT reject His offer, and disregard His instructions for righteousness, and you'll find "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:31

God loves you, brother.

I wish I could carry on his mission of preaching the Word without watering it down. So many people wants their ears tickle by hearing what they want to hear so they may indulge in all kinds of sexual perversions. Gays hated Dr Falwell because he offend them with the TRUTH and the truth is the Word of God teaches that the practice of homosexuality is sinful and wrong. Jerry refused to compromise like many liberal denominations pastors. I believe Jerry truly loved the gays but refused to accept the sin. God loves gays but still detest the sin of homosexuality. You who call Jerry a bigot are so angry that you will not accept the TRUTH because you enjoy the sin too much. As a sinner myself, I need forgiveness, grace and mercy. I seek it everyday. Love to all, whether you believe or not. Peace

"The Irony is that Dr. Falwell had compassion for the people that he disagreed with, not the acts they performed. "

Nah, he just accused people he didn't agree with of 'performing acts' in order to make other people hurt them. Wooo. What virtue.

"He still thought there was hope for them. And the people who think he is so evil, who think they are so good, have none."

Nonsense.

Maybe Reverend Falwell told you that while telling you 9/11 was on your head for not expunging me and several other minority groups from the nation, but, well, he said a *lot* of things.

Frankly, if you had half the measure of hope that keeps me getting up mornings, you'd have something better to do than defend what this man has said.

I can't say I could take any joy in the man's death, oppressor though he's been. Even if I seemed to have it in me, I could only think it'll just get worse now the actual man isn't around to loudly and publicly put his foot in his mouth every slow news season.

But, as for supernatural shields, it's always been fun to watch his type try and conjure the wrath of his God on gay people for having the temerity to go to Disneyland and end up sucking the property damage, himself. I wish him a brighter path in the next life.

Chris:

The difference between Falwell's critics and the man himself? I haven't seen any of his critics espouse abridging the rights of Mr. Falwell or of those who agree with him.

Falwell, on the other hand, would have liked nothing more than to create a lesser class of citizenship, and to abridge the human and civil rights of the people with whom he disagreed.

The man preached hatred. He made his followers comfortable with their own bigotry disguised as religious piety. His message of a vengeful and merciless God who quit talking to us 2,000 years ago caused a great deal of harm to people whom he did not know and who did him no harm.

Don't even compare me to this man! Pointing out bigotry is not an act of bigotry.

Thank you, Andy, for at least one decent post!

For the rest of you...most of your comments are not out of love, but hatred. What's the difference in you and Dr. Falwell? We will all be jugded one day and we will be judged with the same measure that we judge...but how about we learn to love each other where we're at, and quit judging each other.

FLOYD:

"I think politically correct is the term used by people who are confounded by their loss of social acceptance to insult, abuse or label anyone or any group that isn't like them."

Now, I can't claim credit for that, but I most certainly agree with it.

Furthermore, I'd like to know what these "gay issues" are that you refer to.

Falwell did preach "the word without compromise." It's just too bad he relied on the words and interpretations of fallible human beings and did not stop to listen to the loving, inclusive and merciful words of Christ.

Falwell drove people away from Christianity in immeasurable ways, simply because of his rigid, controlling and hateful preaching.

What part of "God is love" is so hard to understand?

As I heard of Falwell's passing, I was preparing a Bible Study lesson from Peter's second letter to the young church of 64 A.D., warning them of the extreme danger of not opposing those who would pervert the teachings of Christ for their own self interests, those who would choose sexual immorality (home or hetero) over obedience to God. (Read it for yourself; 2 Peter 2:1-22) I thought of Jerry Falwell, and how, to the best of his ability, he had courageously tried to oppose immorality and stand up for God's principals of moral behavior as clearly presented in the Bible, and how he had been attacked unmercifully for having done so. Then I read this long list of hateful comments from lost souls. May God reward Jerry Falwell for his courage and faithfulness to the Savior's call, forgive him where he fell short, and continue to have mercy on the rest of us. The world is in deep trouble.

Soul Hunter, give me a break. The only reason you and other Falwell defenders are resorting to that lame "judge not!" defense is because the man himself is indefensible.

Falwell was a bigot and an enslaver of men. Good people should never fear to speak the truth about evil men whether living or dead.

The man was hateful, hijacked Christ's name for his political agenda, and hurt thousands of gays and their families. That said, we need to forgive him and let the old fa*t go to his peace with God. Many posters here are intolerant of the intolerant.

The Irony is that Dr. Falwell had compassion for the people that he disagreed with, not the acts they performed. He still thought there was hope for them. And the people who think he is so evil, who think they are so good, have none.

Falwell was an evil man.He was anything but revered and his majority was any thing but moral.

His ultimate evil and that of his immoral majority was to bring Bush to the white house and the consequent untold suffering inflicted upon the Iraqi people and the evil destruction of Iraq.HE will not be missed at all.

"One thing that we all must remember is, we will all be judged on that great day, so for those that called him a "bigot" and an "evil-man" remember that "with the same measure you meet, it shall be measured to you!"

Frankly...

Not shaking, not even if I believed that.

I think Rev Falwell was one of th greatest Christian leaders of our day. He was involved in many humanitarian events world wide, he was a politcal powerhouse, but beyond all this his greatest love was for his saviour.

Rest in Peace my Brother.

God certainly blessed Jerry Falwell in his leavetaking. What an easy death. May all you backbiters be so blessed when your time comes.

I think Rev Falwell was one of th greatest Christian leaders of our day. He was involved in many humanitarian events world wide, he was a politcal powerhouse, but beyond all this his greatest love was for his saviour.

Rest in Peace my Brother.

How sad it is for people (who cannot possibly look into the heart of another's soul), judge Jerry Falwell. Though I disagreed with some of what Jerry said in the past; most of it, he had asked forgiveness when he felt he spoke out of the flesh and not speaking from God. I personally think there is a vicious attack on him because he refused to give into the "politically correct" agenda and gay issues. He in my opinion made the world a whole lot better and preached the Word without compromise. If you don't like it, so be it, but why do you lower yourselves when you say he is in Hell and he is Satan himself. This only reflects on who you are inside and reveals that you have no Godly character. May God comfort Jerry's family and friends.

How sad it is for people (who cannot possibly look into the heart of another's soul), judge Jerry Falwell. Though I disagreed with some of what Jerry said in the past; most of it, he had asked forgiveness when he felt he spoke out of the flesh and not speaking from God. I personally think there is a vicious attack on him because he refused to give into the "politically correct" agenda and gay issues. He in my opinion made the world a whole lot better and preached the Word without compromise. If you don't like it, so be it, but why do you lower yourselves when you say he is in Hell and he is Satan himself. This only reflects on who you are inside and reveals that you have no Godly character. May God comfort Jerry's family and friends.

Along with all of his other odious attributes, Mr Falwell was a perverter of the English Language, the sin most operative for me.

Instead of using language to promote subtle understanding of the compexities of life and the varieties of human experience,

Falwell used language to
fortify his own power, FIRST including Money
by attacking with hate those who he thought he could attack and get away with it
posing as God's greatest saint.

The world is a better place now that he is gone, though yes, someone will "rise" to take his place.

As a Christian I did not agree with Falwell on many issues, and on more than once occassion he was simply embarassing.

He was human, as fallible as any, but motivated by love.

The hate displayed by the above posts is dismaying.

Rest in Peace, Rev. Falwell.

"He still had a family...". That he groomed his two sons aand daughters to ensure that his legacy of bigotry and hatred lives on, speaks volumes about the younger Falwells.

So, no, I am not sorry for his family. They enabled his intolerance and his bigoted vitriol, and will continue on the same path as their horrible father.

I stand united with all the above posters!

I hope that he can rest in peace despite his causing such unrest in this world. He perverted the meanings of Christianity into hatred and prejudice. He did not profess love or anything close to it. An arrogant, bigoted, self-important fool.

One thing that we all must remember is, we will all be judged on that great day, so for those that called him a "bigot" and an "evil-man" remember that "with the same measure you meet, it shall be measured to you!"
For the one that said "there is no God" you better watch the signs and walk very carefully for the way of the sinner is a slippery slope...I will be praying for you, you need it.
Reguardless of what this man said none of us will go unjudged, we need to stand before the "Mirror" of the "Law" and do some serious searching whether we be of the faith.
For the "Non-believers" I can only say that your time is running out and only "Repentance" can save you from your "destructions" so please turn from your wicked ways or you will "perish"!
There is no book outside the bible that can or will ever be able to answer lifes questions for the author is the creator of "all-things"! Believe-it-or-not!

Look up Al Mohler. He's no different from the Falwell ilk. Let's discuss the living and leave the "dead to bury the dead."

Jerry Falwell was a commited Christian and a compassionate man. By energizing tens of millions of voters, Rev. Falwell helped to elect Ronald Reagan president, and by extension, he aided in the demise of communism, giving the gift of freedom to hundreds of millions of people who were trapped behind the iron curtain. Rev. Falwell, with his gracious compassion in full display, attempted to persuade homosexuals of their evil ways, encouraging them to return to a Christ centered life. By reuniting God's commands and the American electorate, Rev. Falwell was instrumental in ending the grotesque practice of partial birth abortion, sparing innocent children the ghastly prospects of having a pair of sissors jammed through the base of their skulls, just as they were taking their first breaths of life. Rev. Falwell was a great American, and will be sorely missed. My prayer is that he is now being wrapped into the loving arms of our Lord.

I will not add on to the disrespectful nature of the comments made on this post. However I will still add my opinion.

He still had a family and they have lost their father, husband, grandfather ,uncle, etc. Liberty University is a fine institution serving the True Christian beliefs that are Christ-centered (I am a black female by the way). I will never talk about a man of God in the way you people have. That is UNGodly for you so called Christians. When he did talk about those racist things back then, he has thence repented and asked for forgiveness from the Black community and it was more than welcomed. I agree with him that certain things caused bad things to happen but you all have missed his point. We took prayer out of the schools and daily bible lessons and whenever something bad happens we always want to know "Where is God" well you kicked him out and now you want him only when you find it relevant. I don't think so. America needs to get back to basics of the Christian faith that this country was built on (minus the mishaps along the way) get over that it happened now move on.

...meant to say
...although I did NOT like him AT ALL...

Wow! Although I did like him AT ALL, I am frankly a little surprised at just how unpopular, in general, he seems to have been.

I'm with KJ on this one: as a Christian, I'm very, very glad to see this attention-grabber's days on earth come to an end. Oh, I'm sure someone will replace him and continue to make broad generalizations that are as misplaced, bigoted, and utterly hate-filled as Falwell's were, but at least one of the better-known ones has gone to meet his judgment.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall at THAT event...

Jerry Falwell was emblematic of the reactionarism that swept America in the late 1970s through very recently. They say that progress often occurs with two steps forward, then one step back. Falwell was instrumental in our latest step back. On a personal level, it's unfortunate when people die. On a historical level, I hope we can now get back to taking steps forward.

Thank God he's gone.

I do not support any fundamentalism.

Any.

What a world we live in. Dr Mohler obviously feels great respect for Jerry Fallwell, while I consider him to have been one of the primary contributors to the most evil usurpations of liberty in our country since slavery - the attempted dominionist theocracy.

Was Falwell a dominionist though, or just a confused fanatic? I never thought of the man as evil himself, in the same way as Pat Robertson or that Dobbson guy are truly evil. He never seemed to hate with quite the intensity as the other bozos, more of a beatific boob really.

I'm sure Falwell meant well, I believe that.

Goodbye Jerry Falwell, I guess you didn't make it to that rapture business after all

What's there to understand? The man was a blatant bigot.

I'll leave it to others to make the personal attacks on him that he so richly deserves. He's lucky that there's no god to bring him to judgement.

One less bigot in America. Jerry Falwell perverted the lessons of Christ. I remember when he preached that racial segregation in the public schools was God's will, and who can forget that he placed the blame for the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01 on gays, feminists, atheists, etc.

This is one follower of Christ who is not one bit sorry to see this evil man's tenure on earth come to an end.