Jerry Falwell Dies At 73
A major figure in the Religious Right, Jerry Falwell was found unconscious in his office after breakfast this morning and was pronounced dead a few hours later at Lynchburg General Hospital. He had a recent history of heart problems.
Founder of the now defunct Moral Majority in the 1980s, Falwell was arguably one of the architects of what is now called the Religious Right in this country. He held a consistent and vocal anti-gay stance and XGW has had occasion to report on his views and actions a number of times over the years. Recently, however, he seemed to change direction a bit on equality and basic rights for gays and lesbians.
The Rev. Mel White, founder of Soulforce, was once associated with Falwell as a ghost writer among other things. He has devoted a great deal of time and effort into convincing Falwell to change his anti-gay views, as he remembered Falwell changing his anti-civil rights stance for African Americans decades before. Now we will never know how far this change of heart may have gone.
It is unknown who will replace Falwell in his ministry leadership position.
Considering the damage he’s caused so many innocent gay people, his “change of heart” couldn’t have come soon enough.
Good riddance!
My cat “Icky” died today as well.
I think she had a cancer.
Sad
Despite the fact he was not a friend to the GLBT community, I am saddened, as with anyone that dies, that he had passed away this morning.
I extend my deepest sympathy to his family in their time of grief. My God comfort them.
Praise God. The world became a better place today.
A friend of mine just wrote this and I think it is so appropriate. While I don’t celebrate the death of anyone, today another milestone has taken place and we are one step closer to the day in which there will be no walls of division between gays and lesbians & straights. Today we are one step closer to the day where the wall of separation will be no more. God has been chipping away at this wall for years. We continually see more and more Christians rising up to speak out again hatred from the pulpit. Generationally, we get closer and closer to the day when we can be the Church God intended us to be from the start…a Church that is one!
Todd thanks for your wonderful words of wisdom on this issue
I wonder how we, as a community of people who have suffered the dehumanization of Falwell’s message, should respond to this. Reverend Falwell surely loved God, but what he put forth happily to the media was nothing but hatred and loathing of homosexuals.
As a Christian man, gay or not, I mourn the loss of someone who is my brother in some way or another. He probably would be repulsed by me calling him my brother, but if we are indeed Christians, and we believe that God forgives, then I say here and now that I forgive Rev. Falwell for what he has said and done; beyond that, it is God’s job to judge the righteous and unrighteous, not ours, and I hope people have more tact in the coming days than saying things like “good riddance.” I know. It’s hard. We have to be vigilent, because for every leader like Rev. Jerry Falwell, there are numerous other who will rise to take his place, both in his ministry and in his hatred.
So while i deplore the things that Rev. Falwell has done to us as a community, I pray that his soul be at peace, and that we can respond to this as Christian people, not meeting hate with more hate.
peace
gaytheologian
http://www.virb.com/gaytheologian
The idea of being gleeful over the death of another human being seems, at the very least, less than civilized. We have no control over what Jerry Falwell was, but we certainly do have such control over our own character. He had family and people who loved him, I’m sorry for their pain, as I am sorry for the pain he inevitably caused others.
While I am not a fan of Falwell, he did apologize (a little), but his apology came so late and after so many countless lives of GLBT had suffered at the hands of those he influenced and incited into doing hateful things against GLBT’s in the name of God. Very sad – life and death all around.
The ex-gay umbrella network Exodus responds:
He was a man, he lived, he died. I take no glee from his death, nor do I feel overt sadness. Its always shocking when a public figure with immense influence dies, and like him or hate him he certainly shaped a generation of political thought. In a larger context, it seems that his death comes when the Christian Right is on the wane in this country, perhaps his death is another symbol of that. And yet this isn’t a day for politics. My condolences to the family.
I take no pleasyre in his passing. I will only say this…
if there is a hell, he might be surprised to find himself there
if there is a heaven…he might be surpised at the gay people he finds there
and if there is justice in heaven…he’ll admit he was wrong
and if he might have wings…help us out from there
I feel for his family. But I think the nation is slightly better without him here. Sorry, it’s just how I feel. I can’t feign sympathy for his demise. Perhaps in time..
Falwell’s appearing to change direction is no sign he changed at all. He could not separate homosexual orientation from homosexual “lifestyle.”
From the Soulforce article link in the OP: “I may not agree with the lifestyle,” Falwell said. “But that has nothing to do with the civil rights of that… part of our constituency.”
Was what Falwell said in that sentenced edited or did the “…” indicate that he stumbled when trying to finish the sentence?
The linked article mentioned about if he were a lawyer, he would fight for the civil rights of a gay person. But, Marion G. “Pat” Robertson was educated to be a lawyer and instead of going into law practice, he went to a little Bible school in NYC to study how to be a minister instead.
I don’t hate anyone; but, the only members of his family who would receive sympathy from me would be those who did not agree with his proof-texting the Bible and his meddling involvement in the political affairs of the USA and in every State in the Union.
I do not reserve sypathies for the grieving only to those who agree with me. I wish all of Falwell’s friends and family peace and comfort during this difficult time.
If a person does not have peace with God before he dies, it is a waste of time to pray for his soul after he is dead. There is no scriptural support for that. Misunderstanding what Paul said about “if there was no resurrection of the dead, why are folks being baptized for the dead?” He did not mean that should be done. He said to get folks attention when he was talking about end times when Jesus would come back for his followers.
Every day opponents of gay rights die, while supporters continue on increasing their numbers.
Falwell wasn’t the most virulent anti-gay crusader. However, he has been a part of a lethal movement of hate, and has advocated the heartless ex-gay crusade that teaches people to hate themselves if they cannot change their biological orientation.
Those ‘ex-gays’ that talk about how they were “changed” can be grouped in one category: Bisexual.
So the death of Falwell is not something to celebrate. There will always be opponents of gay rights, but they will be dying off as the years go by, or changing heart, as supporters increase. Then, gay marriage will be legalized to the chagrin of the hateful. What must be celebrated is the passing of time in general, not the death of anyone in particular.
Okay… I’ll be jumping up and down in happyness when Paul Cameron or Fred Phelps dies. For Phelps, I’ll be counting the days he spends in Hell.
It is hard for me to think of Mr. Fallwell without remember Sept 11. While people were desperately searching for their loved one who might be buried in the rubble of the World Trade Center or the Pentagon, he was saying on Pat Robertson’s show that America deserved this tradgedy. I don’t hate Mr. Fallwell, but ever since that day, I have never been able to understand why so many national figures continued to associate with him. At one of the saddest moments in recent history in the country, Mr. Fallwell was spewing hatred and venom not just at gays, feminists and secularists, but at America itself. His anti-American rhetoric was in sync with the propaganda coming from Bin Laden at the same time.
I am amazed that a man who has expressed such hatred and loathing for America and it’s people continues to get the attention that he has recieved since Sept. 11. No doubt, many wil even eulogize him as a patriot. The irony is unbelievable.
I’ll pray for the repose of his soul like a good Catholic. But only because it’s my obligation to do so. And because I am a sinner just like he was.
But since I have nothing good whatsoever to say about him otherwise, I’ll keep my peace for now.
For now.
You can pray whatever you want, Jim. There is no command in the Bible which the RCC uses to support doing that.
I am a “sinner saved by grace,” too; but, unlike Falwell, I don’t have never preached hatred from the pulpit when I was asked to give a sermon.
I once thought I was going to have a problem with a minister who was American Baptist Church pastor when He quoted scripture about “being what one once was” after I revealed to him that I was gay. Bill Thompson was the pastor of All Tribes Community Church and I was riding with him to a Weds. night Bible study at the worship leader’s home.
What I was before I made a decision on my own to ask Jesus into my heart was only an 8 year old boy.
I was sort of surprised when he asked me to say the closing prayer and to ask the blessing on the refreshments which were going to be served after the meeting. While waiting for the ladies to set out the food, Clark Inkanish called me to come into his home office because he wanted to give me a Native American Style Christian Blessing.
I told Clark what Bill said in the car and he said, “Oh, don’t worry about him.” Clark had been ill for the 1st two Sundays I had been at church. I knew about him before I even met Bill; because he was a drug rehab counselor where Judy my therapist worked at an Indian Clinic.
Shouldn’t get off-topic here; but, after I became a member of ATCC, Clark and Bill both tried to get Tommy, the AIDS Educator at the clinic, to join, too. But, Tommy, who was my friend before I started at ATCC, declined because he was helping a minister get her church better established.
Joe wrote Those ‘ex-gays’ that talk about how they were “changed” can be grouped in one category: Bisexual.
Well, only some of those who got heterosexually married can literally be classified as “bisexual;” but, it seems that the majority of those with that marital status who claimed to have “change” use a wife and children as a “beard” to make folks think they are “straight.” If you were to get any of them to reveal their feelings and how they perform in bed with their wifes, you might see that they would admit that the sex took place only because according to scripture it was a husband’s duty to do that.
Ed, my late partner/husband, was married for over 13 years; he told me what a chore it was to have sex with his wife and he claimed those experiences affected his sexual activity with guys. He did manage to father 3 children during the marriage.
A Jewish perspective:
We believe that in death, we will stand before God and we will be asked NOT “Why weren’t you a better person?” but “Why weren’t you a better [your name here]?” Because being asked why I wasn’t a better Emily K makes me think of the potential that I had that went wasted. So too do Jews believe in a time of purification for the sinful in “Gehenna,” though this lasts no longer than 11 months. Falwell stands before God and must think about how he used his own potential as a human being – and how that affected humanity as a whole. But I believe his soul will (eventually) find peace. Prayers for Rev. Fallwell will be heard by God – so perhaps people will pray for his soul.
Emily, thank you for that perspective
Thank you Emily for sharing your perspective. That is very beautiful.
Re: You can pray whatever you want, Jim. There is no command in the Bible which the RCC uses to support doing that.
My faith is built on Scripture and ancient Tradition. And yes, the RCC does use the Bible for prayers for the repose of the souls. But it’s not my intention to turn this into a theological argument. This isn’t the proper forum, and I’m not interested in debating.
I respect your beliefs and your commitment to live and share your faith. I respect that even though it is different from my own. I can even respect it because it is different from my own.
If you appreciate the fact that others can be respectful when you share your faith, I would ask that you respect others when they share a faith that is different from yours.
That’s just good manners. And it is respectful to boot.
But, Jesus himself said that to those who claimed do public works in his name, preached in his name, etc., but did not take care of those who had needs to be ministered to, “Depart from me I never knew you.”
Also, the following in bold text is what Jesus, as the Heavenly King, planned to say as read in Matthew 25 (TNIV):
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
“Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
In the quote Scripture text, Jesus did not even ask the people before him to give an account for themselves. He already knew what they had done for him.
But, the unrighteous will be spoken to with Jesus saying what they did not do and they will be sent into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Jesus said, “By their fruits, you shall know them.” I am not judging Jerry Falwell; but, his fruits were revealed by the evil that he did in Jesus’ name when Jesus had nothing to do with Falwell’s evil hatred.
Joe, do you think this is a good place to debate doctrine? This is basically an obituary and you have 6, mostly lengthy comments and they are getting on the preachy side. Expressing your view is good, but try not to dominate the discussion.
Rev. Falwell did tend to bring out the worst in many people, and on all sides of theological debate. A spiritual gift I cannot find described in the Bible.
The only thing I can feel sorry about as far as Jerry Falwell is concerned is that he never said in public that he was sorry that he had said all the evil things he had said and since he had asked God to forgive, he would like all of the people whom he had wronged and slandered to forgive him, too.
There is no scriptural support for a minister of the Gospel to preach politics from the pulpit. Jesus NEVER criticized the Roman Government which was in charge of Israel when he ministered for 3 years on earth.
Falwell brought division into the family of God; he did not bring unity.
I have to say I’m rather disgusted by the response I hear coming from the “queer community”. I understand that the man said a lot of awful things about us. I understand that many people ate up his ignorance and disgust concerning us and it has filtered into the minds of many others: my parents are some of those whose views of gays have been affected by him, though often indirectly.
But if we can’t display grace and forgiveness, how can we claim membership in humanity? Particularly those of you who claim Christ, how can you not extend grace to Falwell? I’m not saying we ought to take abuse lying down. But this is not a war, and Jerry Falwell was not a casualty. He was a human being with a family and a soul and the imageo dei, however much we may believe he misused it. I am glad when I hear that things are changing, but I will not rejoice over this man’s death.
David, my answer is no, there is no reason to display grace and forgiveness for a man who caused so much pain and suffering—and who continues to cause pain and suffering after his death through Liberty University (a school created for the express purpose of pumping out mediocre lawyers to continue putting the screws to Mr. Fallwell’s politcal opponents long after his withdraw from the Moral Majority).
Mr. Fallwell may not have had bodies in his freezer but he did destroy thousands–if not hundreds of thousands–of lives through his actions and through his legacy. In my opinion, he deserves nothing from us but the same scorn we would give to a murderous tyrant or a serial killer.
While I personally do not celebrate his death, I see no reason to mourn or grieve for him, or feel any sympathy for those who carry on his work. I’ll reserve my sympathy for those whose lives he destroyed.
The Rev. Jerry Falwell was no serial killer. He killed no one. Stop the hate.
Falwell’s passing is sad for those who loved him. For others, it’s a waymark toward reaching the “promised land” of equality, as the “sinful generation” passes away, which was a lesson for the wandering Hebrews:
– “The LORD’s anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the desert forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone.”
– Numbers 32:13 (New International Version)
Once again, I am facsinated by how quickly EXODUS can draft and post all SORTS of public statements (in this case, high praise for Falwell) when it is important to EXODUS — or when their media image is in peril.
STILL no anti-hate/anti-violence statement from EXODUS — even though Alan told me MONTHS ago that it “probably should be done” and was “do-able”. Also, STILL no public denunciation of the hateful things Cameron stands for — only a disavowal of his so called “research”.
Finally, no public EXODUS denouncement of NARTH for continuing to stand by Cameron. EXODUS and NARTH are still in bed together. You can easily tell what EXODUS considers important (Falwell) and what Alan Chambers feels is “not urgent” (taking a stand against hate). Sad, sad, sad.
I am NOT a member of the “queer” community! Before I even reached puberty, I learned that calling a person a “queer” was a bad word. But, I never heard what a gay was until I was in college.
IMO, a minister is only a “reverend” in the church or denomination which ordained him. Jesus did not approve of religious leaders using position titles or being addressed by them. Mr. Falwell was guilty of spiritual murder if you go by what Jesus said.
Jesus said, “ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28 TNIV
The Greek word translated as “soul” in the quoted verse is “psyche.”
Jesus also said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13. TNIV
Life in that verse is also “psyche.” If one understand what Jesus was talking about in both contexts, he would understand that Jesus was using a word which in Jewish thought included a person’s whole being, body, mind and spirit.
One time, my mother was talking about that Matthew verse in relation to verbal abuse used against others. The word translated as “hell” in that verse is “Gehenna,” which Jesus used as a metaphor for the “Lake of Fire,” the place of eternal punishment in the Book of Revelation. “Gehenna” was the Greek word referring to the “Valley of Hinnom” which was a rubbish dump outside of the walls of Jerusalem where fires burned continuously 24/7 to get rid of trash and dead animal bodies.
When one goes through a life of hell on earth due to verbal and spiritual abuse, he is in torment 24/7, too. Falwell abused folks like us spiritually continually by displaying his hatred in the public news media. He said on a SF radio talk show, “Homosexuals are brute beasts.”
There have been folks who tried to live according to what ex-gay ministries and Falwell, a supporter of Exodus, and found it impossible to change. Some said, “Well, I am going to go to hell anyway because God does not love me and won’t change me like I asked, I might as well go ahead and kill myself and get it over with.”
Religion and politics have been in the same room ever since the notion of greed came to the human mind. Spirituality is a personal matter. Those who wear it on their sleeve for power and wealth have a credibility problem. Those who believe fabrications are gulible. Those who repeat fabrications are liars.
The passing of Kurt Vonnegut inspired me to read “Cat’s Cradle.” Look, no cat, no cradle. Just like religious belief. An outstanding piece of literature. Here’s a little poem from the book that descibes how I feel.
“I wanted all things
To seem to make some sense,
So we could all be happy, yes,
Instead of tense.
And I made up lies
So that they all fit nice,
And I made this sad world
A par-a-dise.”
Heaven can wait.
“The Rev. Jerry Falwell was no serial killer. He killed no one. Stop the hate.”
Lou, I didn’t say he was a serial killer. I said he destroyed thousands of lives. He also caused pain and suffering in thousands more. That’s AS BAD AS being a serial killer in my book because when it comes right down to it, there’s no real difference between what Mr. Fallwell contributed to the world and what someone like Jeffrey Dahmer contributed to the world.
And that’s not hate, that’s a simple statement of fact. It may be a painful fact but it is a fact none the less.
Umm, Falwell destroyed thousand of lives? Who and how, exactly?
And how do those specific forms of destruction materially resemble or differ from murder, cannibalism and child sexual molestation?
Absent a material explanation, Robis, I’m afraid that your observations are bordering on the irrational. They are the sort of thing that one expects to hear from Fred Phelps.
Ronald Reagan’s electoral success in the 1980′s was in part due to Falwell’s mobilization of the Religious Right in this country. The Reagan Administration’s abysmal response to the AIDS crisis was probably related to their electoral reliance on the Religious Right. Falwell showed llittle compassion to those afflicted with AIDS and probably contributed to delays in the development of programs to care for sick AIDS patients or finding treatments for this new disease. He was at best indifferent to those suffering from AIDS, and probably contributed to making the overall situation worse.
But as a result of the AIDS crisis and our government’s indifference, the gay right’s movement developped new strength. The general pubic was treated to the pictures and stories of emaciated, young men dying while hypocritical religious and political leaders cited “morals” to justify their lack of humanity towards their fellow citizen. Mr. Falwell’s shameful public behavior in the face of this epidemic inspired people to stand up and fight back. More and more people came out of the closet.
LIke it or not, people like Anita Bryant and Jerry Falwell ironically are critical figures in leading to more acceptance of gays in this country. They were the face of anti-gay biotry, and the more Americans were exposed to them, the less comfortable Americans became identifying with these mean, uncaring bigots.
And so, John, an eye for an eye? Falwell wasn’t unhappy about the AIDS crisis so its OK to cheer his death? I’d say that’s a terrible standard to live by personally. Whether or not I agreed with Falwell on a wide variety of issues he was still a life, and that life is now gone. He may have been evil, I don’t know, I’m not qualified to judge him. I can’t say that I have a lot of nice things to say about him, I think he did do a lot of harm to us. But I refuse to fall into the same game he played, and now that he is dead I feel nothing but sadness for his family.
We Christians are not praying for Dr Jerry Falwell. We do not pray for the dead. Dr Falwell stands before God now and we are praying for his family to be comforted and experience the peace that comes from knowing their loved one is in Heaven. We give thanks for the good he has done and the things he accomplished that will effect eternity. Afterall, in the end, thats the only thing that matters, that which lasts for eternity. Things of earth are temporary. Dr. Falwell spoke at the Exodus conference last year expressing nothing but love and a desire to care and help those experiencing same sex attraction who wanted to pursue God. A person is not your enemy who tells you the truth. Dr. Falwell told the truth about the Bible. We must not go to the supporters of stealing and say we will agree with you and condone stealing so that you will feel better about being a thief because that is who you are. We must tell them what God says about stealing. The same is true with anything God forbids such as homosexuality. We must all be couragous enough to speak the truth in love as Dr Falwell did and support truth even when it is difficult. May God bless Liberty University and the Falwell familiy in a special way in the coming weeks. Linda
“Umm, Falwell destroyed thousand of lives? Who and how, exactly?”
I think John’s explanation of Fallwell’s involvement in the Reagan Administration’s reactions to the AIDS crisis of the 80′s is a pretty good start. Add to that the pain and suffering inflicted upon gay men and lesbians throughout all the years that the Moral Majority had an influence over the political treatment of the LGBT community over the past two decades and I think we can easily come up with thousands of people whose lives were destroyed by Fallwell and his actions.
“And how do those specific forms of destruction materially resemble or differ from murder, cannibalism and child sexual molestation?”
Please do show how murdering someone is somehow more egregious than crafting policies that contribute–if not directly cause–increased suffering and early death of those who are suffering from a disease. Fallwell may not have have blood on his chin from eating his victims but he certainly had it on his hands.
“Absent a material explanation, Robis, I’m afraid that your observations are bordering on the irrational.”
There’s nothing at all irrational about the assertion that Fallwell’s actions led to thousands of lives being destroyed, or that he is culpable in most of the deaths that were preventable had he not worked so hard to demonize and villify gay people. I’m not about to give him a pass because he is dead or because he did not have any physical contact with the victims in question.
“They are the sort of thing that one expects to hear from Fred Phelps.”
I’m not advocating picketing his funeral or anything, and I stated that I didn’t celebrate his death. I just don’t think there’s any reason to mourn or have sympathy for anyone in this case.
As an ex gay and a christian – I cannot in good conscience support the hateful things Falwell did and said during his lifetime. That too is being courageous enough to speak the truth. Falwell, misguided many christians to act hatefully and without love towards homosexuals. That was not biblical nor justified.
I do not know his heart at the time of his death or his private converstaions with God. I only hope he repented.
Ah Linda.
Thank you for demonstrating for us so very clearly the arrogance and self-righteousness inherent in those who lead the ex-gay ministries and their allies such as Rev. Falwell.
The absolute certainty you have about the translation of a handful of scriptures and the confidence with which you then weild those translations as a determinant about how to treat others distinguishing between love and care for “who wanted to pursue God” (ie those who agree with you) and those evil nasty people who can be blamed for terrorist attacks.
Yes, Linda, you see it as courageous to preach a doctrine of civil discrimination. You think it truth in love to seek to destroy families, take children from their parents, deny empoyment or housing protections, revoke medical insurance, and to in each and every way seek harm to the lives of gay men and women.
Thank you for reminding me, on this day when I was being charitable to the memory of Rev. Falwell, exactly why it is that his legacy is not one of peace. Thank you for demonstrating so very clearly the type of self-righteousness that has given humanity the crusades, slavery, religious wars, the inquisition, and the current Culture War on the lives of gay people.
You see, I can forget sometimes that there are people out there who see it their purpose to impose on me their doctrines – however false – by force of law. But fortunately there you are to bring it to my attention.
So while I will lend my sympathies to the families and loved ones of Rev. Falwell, I will continue to be diligent so that those who carry his mantle – you, for example – will not be empowered to strike with your presumptions of “good” against the freedoms that I hold dear.
May the loving God I serve – from whom all good things flow – continue to protect his children in a special way in the coming weeks from those who have had their hearts hardened by religious arrogance and who seek to impose their burdens of the law on those who have been made free in Christ.
Robis – “Please do show how murdering someone is somehow more egregious than crafting policies that contribute–if not directly cause–increased suffering and early death of those who are suffering from a disease. Fallwell may not have have blood on his chin from eating his victims but he certainly had it on his hands.”
I’d say that it is more egregious to commit murder because you intend the death. Do you think Reagan was slow to act (and Falwell was advocating inaction) BECAUSE he wanted people dead? I don’t. I think they were slow to act because, first of all, it took time for everyone to realize the depths of the AIDS crisis. 20 years ago who could predict what was going to happen and develop with AIDS? We barely knew what it was, much less what specifically caued it at the time!
I don’t say that to justify Reagan’s slow response nor Falwell’s advocacy, but it at least explains the difference between that and actual murder, or, for example, Hitler’s “Final Solution.”
The Hate Crime’s Bill would have prevented Falwell from some of the very things he did to incite others into action against homosexuals. Inciting violence against others should be considered a criminal act. I’m sorry Falwell is VERY responsible for the demise of many, many lives.
I experienced job discrimination, housing discrimination, lack of church affiliation, violence, threats of violence, lack of police protection, vandalism etc… to my home andc personal belongings, and so have countless other people because of what that man promoted in his lifetime.
By my standards, he was a criminal and committed crimes against society. I beg anyone who reads this not to fool yourself into blind adherence to this man and his interpretation of the bible. READ the bible yourself and treat others with respect.
Linda,
The comparison of a homosexual as being like a thief is not…umm…accurate or particularly endearing. It would be more precise to compare me with an adulterer.
The newspaper today related a story about Mr. Falwell as being “at peace with himself and his God” when he visited with his son last Friday. Jerry must have honestly felt he was doing his best and truly believed he was doing his Maker’s work in this temporal existence.
Even though I’m an adulterer (in your judgment) I’m still as “at peace” with myself as you or Mr. Falwell. I could never denigrate the love I have felt, received and given to a few of the men I have known in my life as being sinful. That is between me and my conscience and I do not feel any guilt about it… not anywhere like being a thief.
And then you wonder why so many gays leave religion.
Linda: “We must all be couragous enough to speak the truth in love as Dr Falwell did and support truth even when it is difficult.”
Linda, if you REALLY believe this, are you personally willing to be courageous — and call EXODUS today to urge EXODUS leaders stand up against the hate being spewed by Cameron?
If what you are saying is true and EXODUS’s only mission is to “express nothing but love and a desire to care and help those experiencing same sex attraction”, then let’s see some love in action. Practice what you are preaching here and exhort EXODUS leaders to “support truth even when it is difficult” — by clearly standing against NARTH and Cameron.
Linda,
I pray that if you have a lesbian daughter that she not suffer the same as many of of us have. I pray that you stop the hatred towards GLBT’s. I heard more than once from those who prescribed to the “Moral Majority” that what a lesbian needs is a good f–k. And don’t you think for a minute that there are not men who will TAKE that to your daughter. I pray you with all my heart that you stand up and stop being so naive about Falwell’s brand of righteousness.
Kendall
You wrote: And so, John, an eye for an eye? Falwell wasn’t unhappy about the AIDS crisis so its OK to cheer his death?
I am confused. I don’t recall cheering his death. I have written two posts in this thread. The first reflecting on Mr. Fawell telling America that it deserved to be attacked on Sept 11. The second reflecting on his behavior during the beginning of the AIDS crisis.
Pointing out the things that he has done durng his life that most stand out to me seems an appropriate thing to do at the time of his death. I don’t subscribe to the premise that we are forbidden from mentioning the negative at the time of someone’s death. Would I bring this up in a personal conversation with his wife and kids? Of course not. But Mr. Falwell was a pubic person who took public positions for whatever reason he had. When public people die, it is commonplace to reflect on their career successes and failures.
Hey Linda,
Before you start spouting those injunctions in the Bible about ‘homosexuality’…how about we review those similar passages about ‘pork’, ‘divorced women’,
‘taking slaves only from neighboring countries’, ‘shellfish’, ‘Lot’s daughters seducing their own father’ and tens of hundreds of other biblical passages you ‘so-called’ Christians blow off as ‘not meaningful’ – horse-patootie, I say. What you should really review is your own bigotry.