Rev. Jerry Falwell Dies at 73 »
Posted by: Xaos 1 year, 3 months ago708 Comments Report this Story
The Rev. Jerry Falwell, who founded the Moral Majority and built the religious right into a political force, died Tuesday shortly after being found unconscious in his office at Liberty University, a school executive said. He was 73.
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Comments So Far: 708
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bill29361 year, 3 months ago
While neither a fan or detractor of the man, I wonder how long it will be before the usual suspect make their attacks on him?
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beachboy60001 year, 3 months ago
Its amazing that even Larry Flynt had nice words for him......yet all some can do here is hate. Hate in birth, hate in life and hate in death.
Falwell had a reputation for saying that if you dont believe in what I am saying you are damned. Tell me, to those who are "glad he is dead" are you any better than him?
It seems neither of you can stand thoughts that differ than those of your own. So much so you celebrate the death of anyone disagreeing with you.
I will make a promise though. When you croak...I will not be celebrating.
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IncaQueen1 year, 3 months ago
well said beachboy...
You cannot even compare Al Sharpton and Jerry Falwell, two totally different individuals. I never saw any of the hate you claim Jerry Falwell had. He simply quoted scripture to those who listened. You hated yourself, he didn't hate you.
Were it up to others the only virgin left in America would be an ugly 4th grader that could outrun her brothers.
I'd seen Jerry in situations with hecklers, and had they done that to me, they'd been carrying them away on stretchers. The man was cool calm and collected. Jerry Falwell didn't put the Republican party above the Church, in fact exactly the opposite. Almost anyone with any common sense can see through Al. Jerry lived what he preached, and even though I disagreed with some of it, you have to give that much respect to him.
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arleen601 year, 3 months ago
beachboy ...Yes it is amazing that Larry Flynt would have something nice to say about Jerry. I heard the interview this morning and he was very gracious. I am not going to apologise for not being sad that Falwell is gone. He was a tyrant on many subjects and I have zero respect for him. He deserves everything that is being said here. People who knew the GOOD Jerry are sharing and people who were exposed to the REAL Jerry are too. Sounds fair to me.
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UnusualSuspect1 year, 3 months ago
Being one of those suspects, I have to say it's sad to see anyone go. While I disagreed with much of his philosophy and view of life, I'm sure he will be missed by many who didn't.
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eviln3d1 year, 3 months ago
Actually its not sad to see anyone go. Its sad to see a good person go but Falwell gets as much sympathy from me as I would give Hitler. Long may they both rot in hell.
I have no sympathy for people that want to force their way of life on others. I hope larry flynt visits his grave site and take a ****** on it.
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vandee1 year, 3 months ago
Perfectly said. Anyone who tries to manipulate the political process to re-write laws that force their beliefs on the masses gets no respect from me. That's as un-American as it gets.
Good riddance Fallwell, you self-righteous pious little ----sucker.
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c90jim1 year, 3 months ago
There are two sides to every coin and sometimes the edges count too. You obviously think your beliefs are more correct than others.
Isn't that just as bad?
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jordan111 year, 3 months ago
You obviously think your beliefs are more correct than others.
Isn't that just as bad?>>>>>
Hardly. Respecting our Constitutional Republic and individual rights is in no way comparable to a man who who didn't, and would have loved to turn this nation into a theocracy.
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jordan111 year, 3 months ago
hank Democrat Ted Kennedy and all of those Democrats who have heckled and lessened the moral impact of faithful people on American Government.>>>
What 'moral impact?' You have no business, and neither does anyone else, to intrude your religious dogma into our government! Our laws reflect the perfect morality of the rights of man, and the right to be free of prejudices which cause harm, along with anything another person can come up with to harm an individual. We do NOT require the tripe of religious extremists to be a moral nation. Religious extremism pollutes this nation & its intents as set down by our founders!
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jordan111 year, 3 months ago
laws are passed for the sake of maintaining public morality.>>>>
You confuse 'public morality' with events that cause harm. 'Do no harm' is all that is required for a moral society. The private lives of individuals, whom they choose to love, how they choose to express that love, how they choose to follow their course in life.....is no one's business but their own. You are crossing the line by thinking you have the right to interfere in what does no harm to you. You were not given that right. And 'morality' is not under the ownership of religion to define.
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eviln3d1 year, 3 months ago
most laws don't have a damn thing to do with morality... laws were passed to insure those in power would stay in power. Morality was created by the church which was in power to justify some of the otherwise stupid things that those in power wanted.
Laws against theft were simply made by those that already had to try and keep the poor without from taking what the rich had... rules related to things like adultery while appearing to be moral were just made because the righ old farts didn't want anyone knocking up their wives but them.
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Leather-neck1 year, 3 months ago
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Whether you agree with Falwell or not (and I didn't) he had just as much right to try and influence his government as you, or any other citizen, or group of citizens.
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jordan111 year, 3 months ago
hether you agree with Falwell or not (and I didn't) he had just as much right to try and influence his government as you, or any other citizen, or group of citizens.>>>>>
He did NOT have the right to influence our govt. with religious extremism. Sorry.
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Leather-neck1 year, 3 months ago
Falwell or any other citizen can try to influence his government in any way they wish. You don't have to agree with Falwell, it's your job to counter what Falwell or any other group is trying to do. For the sake of argument let's say you succeed in shutting down Falwell because of his "extremism", what's not to say that another group might decide that your views are based on "extremism". ATTENTION, ATTENTION this just out from your government: after careful examination and much thought the powers that be have decided that both the views and opinions of both the Rev Falwell and Jordan11 are now declared as "extremism" and both of these individuals will no longer be allowed to express their opinion or be allowed to try and influence public opinion.
Do you want to live in a country like that? And I still don't agree with what Falwell preached or what you say, but I'll defend your right and his to say it with my life. Hope you have a good day.
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jordan111 year, 3 months ago
You don't get it. Influencing by religious dogma is to corrupt our government. That's what Falwell did. He attempted to, and to a great extent, DID corrupt it. I expect Americans to understand the difference between their chosen dogma on a personal level, and the Constitution which is the rule of law in this nation. Any attempt to corrupt that rule is treason. There IS a separation of church and state in this nation for that reason, and I'm fed up with usurpers trying to hide behind the very freedoms they were given to destroy that. That's separate from a little ol 'difference of opinion'.
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Leather-neck1 year, 3 months ago
I don't get it?
Here is the case: The ACLU defending the right of the NAZI Party to march in Skokie, ILL. Here you have an evil hate filed organization that was supported by the ACLU, not because they agreed with what the NAZI were spewing with their hate speech. The ACLU defended the NAZI party because they knew if an organization that almost everyone reviled and hated could be silenced then there was no stopping the government from silencing any other organization. So, just because you don't like what Falwell said doesn't mean he didn't have the right to say it.
We live in a Republic and anyone can try to influence the government, even religious organizations. That's not even close to the definition of "treason". Reread the 1st Amendment, I bet you a beer you can't find the phrase separation of church and state in the amendment. The phrase comes from a letter that T. Jefferson wrote to a church in Danbury, CT. Remember all of the above is just my OPINION.
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Leather-neck1 year, 3 months ago
Jordan11,
That's the beauty of our Republic, you don't have to like what Falwell said or tried to do. Governments and people are influenced by logical, well presented ideas. If you think Falwell was wrong then you write your Congressman and your Senators, the local paper, and you talk to your friends and family members and tell them why you think Falwell and his ideas are wrong, even give money to organizations that oppose people like Falwell. The ACLU case with the NAZI in Skokie showed that if you can silence one group then you can silence anyone.
Jordan11, you are probably a nice guy/gal, I am sure that we probably wouldn't agree on 75% of the issues of the day, but the last thing I want to do is silence you. I didn't agree with most of what the Rev Falwell said but just like you, the last thing I would want to do would be silence him.
I think you owe me a beer on that separation of church and state issue. LOL
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jordan111 year, 3 months ago
No, I don't owe you a beer, because your 'argument' is unconvincing. But hey, if I ever see you in a pub, I'll be glad to buy you one anyway.
At the very least, we have a responsibility to understand the basic premises of our Constitution. The founders made it very clear in their writings, that church and state MUST be separate. It's one thing to say it ain't so, and quite another to act on that. One is opinion, the other is an overt attempt to usurp Constitutional intent. To literally overthrow the Constitution.
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Watchemoket1 year, 3 months ago
Actually, in addition to the Danbury letter, the SCOTUS has reasoned that the right to free exercise of religion implies that the government may not influence that choice by adopting or even favoring one religion over any other.
It makes sense that the freedom to exercise one's religion must be accompanied by a reciprocal obligation on the part of the government (which is responsible for enforcement of that right) not to 'play favorites' by adopting or condemning any religion. Absent such an obligation, the free exercise right is almost meaningless.
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Watchemoket1 year, 3 months ago
Sorry, jordan11 - I usually agree with you, but Falwell (or anyone else) had the right to try to influence the government any way he wanted (as long as the methods used are legal).
Citizens who disagreed with what he wanted to accomplish also had every right to take legal measures to oppose him and his agenda. That is how a democratic republic works.
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Leather-neck1 year, 3 months ago
(Releasing a large audible sigh of relief) Someone understands. Thank you.
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marlenebomer1 year, 3 months ago
Watch -- It was the *way* Falwell and his ilk have been attempting to convert America from a Consitutional republic into a dogmatic, patriarchial, authoritarian theocracy!
For the past few decades, so-called "schools" operated by fundamentalist christian (aka American Taliban) have been funneling their little mindless minons into every segment of the federal government, especially with Texas' state village idiot at the controls.
You must not remember the attempts by the American Taliban to blatantly take over the government, but learned (thanks to Pat (don't call me Marion!) Robertson's abortive try for the presidency that the way to gain control was the same way many dictatorships like Hitler's did -- by using the system against itself.
The so-called religious right started slowly taking over county GOP party committees until they were able to toss out the moderates and install their fellow travelers.
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vandee1 year, 3 months ago
Uh, that would be a great big NO. I'm nowhere near as bad because I have my beliefs and I speak them, but I don't try to change laws, buy off politicians & install judges into courts in an attempt force my beliefs on others, which is the entire POINT and PURPOSE of the "Moral Majority" and the Christian church's intrusion into the American political system over the past 25 years.
You can believe whatever you want and you can speak your mind (which is what I've done) -- that's what's great about this country -- just don't try to change the laws to force everyone to believe the same as you.
The fact that you can't see that fundemental difference is exactly my point.
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Watchemoket1 year, 3 months ago
Much as I try to avoid disrespecting the recently deceased, the list of Mr. Falwell's 'misstatements' and outright nutty claims is enormous. One "isolated odd statement" is not a valid basis for character assessment, but his character can be judged (in part) by the overall tone, tenor and intelligence (or lack thereof) of his public statements.
In balance, his public statements make him appear to be a bit out of the main stream (or, in technical terms, a nut job).
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lvrofwolves1 year, 3 months ago
bigG-lol better yet, why did Falwell know?? Falwell must have cracked the code for the 'Gay' agenda hahahaha
Jerry had PLENTY of isolated odd statements.
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DoerNotASayer1 year, 3 months ago
"an isolated odd statement"?????? (Like most on the right) you haven't been paying attention. Some gems....
"Christians, like slaves and soldiers, ask no questions"
"If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being"
"Textbooks are Soviet propaganda"
on 9-11 "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'."
and my favorite
"Grown men should not be having sex with prostitutes unless they are married to them"
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CaptainShev1 year, 3 months ago
Heh - that guy (in the Tellytubbies) actually lived the next street over from me a couple of years ago... But that's the guy inside the suit, not the actual tellytubby himself.
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Watchemoket1 year, 3 months ago
"People of faith" absolutely have the same rights as any other inhabitant of these United States. That includes fundamentalist Christians AND Muslims, as well as Jews, Hindus, Native Americans and adherents of any and every other faith in existence (not to mention those with no apparent religious faith).
Rights must be balanced with obligations, however, at the very least to avoid everyone's rights from conflicting with everyone else's rights. The classic example is the right of free speech yielding to the obligation to avoid causing a stampede by yelling 'fire' falsely in a crowded theater.
So absolutely participate and let your voice and opinions be heard, but don't try to force those opinions on me - try to convince me. And be honest about your real goals - if Mr Falwell really wanted a theocracy (as it appeared he did) he should have been honest about it, instead of playing political games about "morality" and other straw man issues.
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funatwork1 year, 3 months ago
There are many people of faith, he was not one of them. Do you know how much money that man made? He prayed upon people who put their trust in him and he tried to shape the world to the way he saw fit. What he did is far removed from a simple man of faith voting and encouraging people to particpate in representative government. Quite on the contrary he did what he could to limit people choices and freedom to be heard for persoanl gain and because he felt morally justified.
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blowback1 year, 3 months ago
Correct spelling is"preyed", but thanks for the double entendre.
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ConquerorWyrm1 year, 3 months ago
"Do you know how much money that man made?"
He served his god well... Mammon rarely had such a dedicated and true servant.
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MacR1 year, 3 months ago
But you feel that you have the right to tell others how to live and vote jordan. What you so loudly claim the religious do. You do the same exact thing.
Not once have you heard me preach about how I think that man can ruin anything that is good. Like the concept of God. It is a really good idea but man will always twist it to fit his agenda. I have always said that I believe in a higher being and the evil being. Yet I find that man takes this idea and just twists it to fit his belief. The idea is sound it just got out of hand with so many men who were looking for power.
But you have the audacity to claim that religious people are wrong that your belief is right. But the way you do it is like a bible thumper. And bilbe thumpers get tuned out by everyone. And you and others like you are just another version of a bible thumper.
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DoerNotASayer1 year, 3 months ago
What is scary and wrong is the concept that "people of faith" only include people who believe the same thing you do. Well, I have faith my car will start in the morning. I have faith that I can make 8 out of 10 freethrows. I have faith that the sun will go down this evening. I am a person of faith.
"people of faith", just like "family values", is a meaningless b.s. expression that is supposed to make you feel good about yourself. Does it?
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scott42611 year, 3 months ago
You know, Danny, your assumption is that liberals are not people of faith (or at the very least, those who do not vote Republican or who do not subscribe to Falwell's dogma). America is a mosaic of different faiths [including non-fundamentalist Christianity (otherwise known as MAINSTREAM Christianity)]. To say that Falwell spoke for all of us is an insult to those of us who could see through his hatred and piety.
And Danny, I think I can safely say that I speak for the majority of Americans.
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chiefss1 year, 3 months ago
And the liberal left doesn't try and force their beliefs on the masses??? Give me a break.
Just the language you clowns use says it all. Foul mouthed morons jamming their socialist crap down everyone's throat. I'll take falwell any day.
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vandee1 year, 3 months ago
Only socialists would condone changing laws to force religious and moral beliefs on others. That's what they did in Communist Russia and what they do in China today. It's also what's going on with all the theocratic regimes in the Middle East right now.
How is wanting to be free of religious bullying "socialist crap?" I'm a red-blooded true conservative -- the kind of person who doesn't want someone else's pious religious beliefs forced on me. This country was founded on religious freedom and religious tolerance, something Falwell and his minions never believed, practiced or supported. In fact, they actively tried to destroy this part of American life any way they could.
If fighting against that sort of facism is "liberal" then call me one. I stand up for what's right and the proper way of American life, unlike some pseudo-conservatives like you.
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funatwork1 year, 3 months ago
I have tried three times to start my response to this but I dont know where to begin, I am dumbfounded. I really pride myself on being able to see things from others points of view but in this case I cannot begin to understand your thoughts. I disagree with you so completely and on such a basic level that I am completely at a loss.
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GODIMMAD1 year, 3 months ago
Dont forget Rev. Martin Luther King did as well on understand the 'If there is no "Creator" who endowed "inalienable rights" - there is no freedom which can not be taken away by men. '
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mesodude1 year, 3 months ago
"Don't cheer when someone dies or attempt to silence Conservative voices with the unFairness Doctrine."
You neoclowns absolutely love to lie and spin. When you're asked to use language inclusive of ALL religions (instead of just Christianity), you want to bitch that your religion is being "attacked." What utter horsesh*t. Exactly what's unfair about the Fairness Doctrine? The fact that either side would be required to present both sides of an issue? How EXACTLY is it unfair if this is a requirement for BOTH sides? Waiting patiently...
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sailr1 year, 3 months ago
Excuse me? When was the last time you were in China? You don't hve a clue. You just buy into the usual propaganda from our government. The people in China have no religion forced on them nor are they restricted from any religion. They, in many ways, have more freedom than we do!
Otherwise, i completely agree with your post!
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Leather-neck1 year, 3 months ago
sailr,
I think the Christians in China might find it interesting that you think "they, in many ways, have more freedom than we do!"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3993857...
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LadyKelien1 year, 3 months ago
I disagree. I voice my opinon and state why I disagree with people but I also make it very clear that my views are just that mine. I took my children out of public school because they were handing out bibles to the 4th grade class and banning Harry Potter from the library shelves. In a county of less than 10,000 and a town of less than 300 where the largest graduating class will be lucky to see 100 members, I figured I was the anomonially and in a world where Majority ruled it would be better for everyone if I homeschooled. I didn't try to change the system for everyone I just did what was best for me and mine.
I am Pagan but you will never see me telling Christains they have to believe what I believe or doing a door knocking campain for the local coven. The reasons being its none of my business what religion you are and the local coven wouldn't dream of it.
I have never forced my beliefs on anyone else and I never will.
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Watchemoket1 year, 3 months ago
Hear! Hear! Well said. One of the core values of this country is the right to free exercise of whatever religion you choose. That includes the right to be free from governmental interference in the process of making your choice (or later changing your mind, if you want).
The "Moral Majority" which the late Mr Falwell founded is and always has been intent on at least undermining, if not eliminating, that right. If all civil laws MUST follow their interpretation of their version of the 'Christian Bible' then all citizens are forced to live by their version of 'morality' in all aspects of life. This is not the American way, and those who recognize the error of such views should do all that they can to oppose such a plan from being implemented.
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blowback1 year, 3 months ago
Freedom of religion sounds fair in theory but one of the fundamental tenets of Christianity is recruitment. Christ told his disciples to be "fishers of men".
So ramming it down people's throats is a prerequisite. History is full of the misadventures of missionary zeal. But it has served both Church and Empires very well.
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LordyLordy1 year, 3 months ago
I'd rather think that Falwell will have a place in Heaven. I'm not even a fan but you should have listened to him. He was right on most issues even if you didn't like him. If he made any mistakes they were on the right side and at least when he did he was man enough to apologize for them, which is more than I can say for most in here. If some in here don't change their ways, be sure and stock up on ice water; you might need it.
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Shadowolf1 year, 3 months ago
Sorry,Lordy-Lordy;
I did listen to him, and did not agree with his interpretation of Jesus' laws to say that HE was the Heir to the Crown of Thorns.
He featured twisted scriptures quoted out of context...with a lot of commercials.
In my opinion; he worshipped Mammon.
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jordan111 year, 3 months ago
Just the language you clowns use says it all. Foul mouthed morons jamming their socialist crap down everyone's throat. I'll take falwell any day.>>>>>
Do you know what irony is? You need to familiarize yourself with that term, because you epitomize it. As for you taking 'falwell any day', he's all yours.
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marlenebomer1 year, 3 months ago
Yep!! People have conveniently forgotten that Falweel was a vehement racist until he realized he couldn't make millions scapegoating and demonizing ni**ers, so he changed tactics and started targeting fa**ots and d*kes instead!!
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GODIMMAD1 year, 3 months ago
Your a freakin idiot, did you know...becuase I know we see ppl and they dont even know they are idiots. The whole thought of this post was to bring out some left winger to be extreme. Though I have to thank you for being an extreme right winger that most would expect under a white hood. Their are both extreme ppl out here just like Watchemoket. Idiot in white coats and hats just to promote a horrible thought on both sides. Someday, I will wake up and find that most of us dont support and go against and dont condemn the true racist out here hiding in both parties. Radio talk show dont have the racist except maybe one. SF breeds both types. Alan Combs, listens with reason but doesnt listen without his brain turned on. As well as most. Few just dont use their brains enough. Im not making anyone a point man, Im just saying keep that brain on except Watchemoket///...just give up in fourth place!
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Watchemoket1 year, 3 months ago
I have re-read you post several times and I'm still not sure what point you were trying to make, other than just to call me an idiot.
In discussing an article about the death of Jerry Falwell, you make a comment about MLK Jr; I respond by asking if it will make you feel better to acknowledge that other religious leaders had their faults; you then call me an idiot and thank me for "being an extreme right winger that most would expect under a white hood."
Please - pm me if you want. I'd really like to know how my post provoked such a response.
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NoSpinDave1 year, 3 months ago
Wow....And EVERYTHING I say about liberal hypocracy is summed up by these typical liberal comments.
Thanks for making my point so wonderfully for me!
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wtagg1 year, 3 months ago
How are any of his comments stereotypically liberal? It seems that you have perched yourself out on the stereotypical branch.
You can be offended by his comments, if you so desire. As a conservative, I can understand the desire for individual freedom without big brother attempting to have a hand in what one does or says. Is wanting freedom without needless interference *liberal*?
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NoSpinDave1 year, 3 months ago
I was refering to the shere hate in many of the posts. You obviously misunderstood my point.
Liberals here are always screaming from the hilltops about how conservatives are so mean spirited and hateful. The majority of posts by liberals here in this thread are filled with vlie hatred and a total lack of common descency. I was simply pointing out the hypocracy of it all. Sorry if the truth hurts guys.
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funatwork1 year, 3 months ago
I dont think anyone has misunderstood but you assume that because someone dislikes Falwell and decides to write less than flattering comments about him that they are liberal which is an incorrect assumption. And for clarification I dont see many people screaming about conservatives, neocons yes very much so but that is a different animal entirely.
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