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Originally posted: May 15, 2007
Rev. Jerry Falwell, 1933-2007
Posted by Frank James at 1:46 pm CDT
The death of Rev. Jerry Falwell, the 73-year old founder of the Moral Majority, a preacher who did more to bring fundamentalist Christians into the secular world of politics than perhaps any other modern religious leader, comes at a critical time for the Religious Right, whose political power was diminished when the Republican Party which relied heavily on its support lost control of Congress last year.
With President Bush, a self-proclaimed born-again believer, serving out the latter part of his time in office, and with no political heir apparent to inherit the support he received from conservative Christians, it's an open question who this important constituency in the Republican Party will coalesce around.
It would've been fascinating to see how Falwell would've navigated a Republican field including Sen. John McCain who in 2000 called him one of the "agents of intolerance" (they had since made attempt at mending things with McCain appearing at Liberty University, the school Falwell founded); Rudy Giuliani, who openly supports abortion rights, and Mitt Romney, the Mormon former governor of that bastion of secular humanism, Massachusetts. Indeed, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is scheduled to be the commencement speaker at Liberty's commencement this weekend.
Now we'll never know who he would've finally supported, assuming he would have supported any of the candidates at all.
Suffice it to say that rare are the people like Falwell in recent American history who have had so large an impact on the nation's political life without being politicians. Agree with him or not, he couldn't be ignored.
Incidentally, McCain's office has issued a statement:
ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain today released the following statement:
"I join the students, faculty, and staff of Liberty University and Americans of all faiths in mourning the loss of Reverend Jerry Falwell.
"Dr. Falwell was a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Falwell's family at this difficult time."
And Romney's office was just five minutes behind with its own statement:
"An American who built and led a movement based on strong principles and strong faith has left us,'' Romney said in his issued statement. "He will be greatly missed, but the legacy of his important work will continue through his many ministries where he put his faith into action.
"Ann and I have had the honor to talk and meet with Rev.Falwell and get to know him as a man of deep personal faith and commitment to helping those around him,'' he said. "He will be forever remembered."
in Religion and Politics (Related) | Permalink (Related) Comments
I guess I have to come up with something good to say about Mr. Falwell... I'll get back to you on that one
Posted by: Church v. State | May 15, 2007 2:18:14 PMGood riddance. One less nasty theocrat in the world.
Posted by: lkohl | May 15, 2007 2:28:02 PMMy sympathies to his family.
Posted by: Cheryl | May 15, 2007 2:31:55 PMAn ACLU femanist pulled the trigger and a gay lesbian was holding the gun, I just know it.
Posted by: Stan Woodbridge | May 15, 2007 2:41:55 PMCondolences to the Falwells. For one who had heaped nothing but scorn for anyone who was not Christian, not conservative, not Republican, not sexually straight, or perfect, Rev Falwell shure made a name for himself. And a lot of money, too. His homegoing (I guess Christian Conservatives call it that)is certain to attract all the rich, conservative fat cats, men of the cloth, from far and near.
Posted by: GW | May 15, 2007 2:42:06 PMI hope Pat Robertson goes to visit his dear friend very soon.
Posted by: Mark | May 15, 2007 2:42:07 PMHis time of intolerance of others is over !
Posted by: sueanne Niven | May 15, 2007 2:45:59 PMHis Liberty University legacy lives on in the Bush White House. Ya won't have Jerry Falwell to kick around anymore!!! Wait that was Nixon...same difference. We can only hope at his funeral they play John Ashcroft's rousing hit song "Let the Eagle Soar." Soar on Jerry!!! p.s. we liberals will miss ya.
NOT
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | May 15, 2007 2:46:10 PMGood riddance to falwell, one of the most dangerous, evil, and hypocritical religious "leaders" of our generation. I can't speak for all, but I know many of us will NOT miss him!
Posted by: Dan | May 15, 2007 2:46:19 PMAh, so far just one comment, but why am I NOT surprised that a Loony Secular Lefter is a wise ass over someone dying?
Let's see, if Bill Clintoon were to die, what good could I say about him? Hmmmmm, well he was good at getting certain oral sex procedures in the Oval Office from interns.
Hmmm, if Jesse Jackson were to die, what good could I say about him? Well, he was great at shaking down American businesses for his and his family's personal gain!
Gee, this is fun!!
Posted by: John D | May 15, 2007 2:48:13 PM I can say something good.
Um ...
Jerry Falwell's death will be a great benefit to the United States.
Ahh, forget it.
We finally are rid of one of the most polarizing, divisive, deceitful, dishonest, self-important Americans in our history.
How about saying wow- a man who actually lived what he preached and who had a passion for good!
Very hard to find these days!
^ I second that.
Posted by: Athiest | May 15, 2007 3:02:22 PMThank God He's Gone!
Posted by: TED | May 15, 2007 3:03:04 PMSuch a bastian of intolerance. And he called himself a Christian?
Posted by: N. Weaver | May 15, 2007 3:05:03 PMMy prayers are with the Falwell, family friends, and congregation at this difficult time. May the very hope of Glory carry and comfort you. Soon and very soon we will see all those who've gone asleep in Christ.
Posted by: Vanessa Wallace | May 15, 2007 3:05:10 PMOne Down,... about three to go.
Posted by: Qaz Thomas | May 15, 2007 3:06:14 PMWell, the Reverend had faith. There's no doubt about that. He really believed in what he believed. The problem is that he had no regard for other people's beliefs. That's one of the problems with religion. If you think you are "right" and everyone else is wrong, what discussion can you have?
Posted by: Preston Lewis | May 15, 2007 3:06:20 PMI can only think of one good thing to say about Mr. Falwell, and that has to do with his passing.
Speak well of the dead. Well, he's dead.
Posted by: Chiron613 | May 15, 2007 3:06:33 PMHe should have used faith healing instead of those secular humanist "fizzishins"..
I feel for his family but would love to see Rev Falwell greeted in heaven by a female God. Can you die twice?
Posted by: Moral Majority Malarkey | May 15, 2007 3:06:35 PMAre you kidding me??? McCain has lost his mind - I know he's desperate for votes - but how low can you go? Human loss is always a great sorrow but this was no loss what so ever. I hope that at the end he regreted every hateful and spitful thing he said to millions of people. Yea "distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country" .. right so everyone in the world can see America is really the land of bigots and racist...
Posted by: S | May 15, 2007 3:06:47 PMdo you even think he himself made it into heaven? All he seemed to preach was hate, and exclusion.
Posted by: michael | May 15, 2007 3:07:11 PMWhile I wince at the admission, I am glad he is dead. The social policy of intolerance and fundamentalism that he represents, of selfishness and bigotry, are far far outdated for today's America. I hope there is Gatorade where he is going.
Posted by: jerry | May 15, 2007 3:07:20 PMI blame lesbians and abortion doctors for the death of Rev. Falwell.
Posted by: Joe Barron | May 15, 2007 3:08:34 PMBye bye and god speed to your maker. (anyone think this will cut down on the number of incompetent Liberty U. lawschool grads placed in the US Justice Department?)
Posted by: Tkat | May 15, 2007 3:11:47 PMDing, dong. :)
Posted by: Wayne | May 15, 2007 3:12:44 PMJerry: "Gee God, sure is hot in here."
Satan: "Yep."
There IS nothing good to say about him. Good riddance, and I hope your "movement" dies with you.
Posted by: Nothing good to say | May 15, 2007 3:15:04 PMmaybe now he knows the truth and will repair the damage that's been done.
Posted by: childofgod | May 15, 2007 3:16:04 PM
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