 Jerry
Falwell's Legacy
Jerry Falwell spent a career demonizing others. Upon his death,
what else could he expect in return?
By Alan Wolfe (excerpt from salon.com)
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Photo: AP/Stephen J. Boitano
The Rev. Jerry Falwell speaks during
the Christian Coalition of America Road to Victory 2000 conference in
Washington on Sept. 29, 2000.
May 15, 2007 | One never wants to speak ill of the dead, but in the case
of Jerry Falwell, how can one not? Falwell will always be remembered for his
"700 Club" comment in the wake of Sept. 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.'"
Even though Falwell later apologized, the damage had been done: A sacred
moment had been used for profane purpose.
And that, really, is Falwell's legacy. To the religious life of the
United States he made no significant contribution. But to the political life
of the country, he made one: He founded the Moral Majority. In so doing,
Falwell managed to take something holy -- one does not have to be a
Christian to admire the life and teachings of Jesus Christ -- and turned it
into something partisan and divisive. Falwell, the quintessential
conservative Christian, was always more conservative than Christian. To the
extent that history will remember him, it will be as a politician, not as a
preacher.
Even Falwell's political contribution, despite the success of the
Republicans during the Reagan years, left a mixed legacy behind. But the
Moral Majority disbanded in 1989, prompting the inevitable thought that
Falwell's ideas were neither moral nor in the majority. The movement of
conservative Protestants into the base of the Republican Party was far too
important a task to be entrusted to a man as oblivious to public relations
as Falwell. Once the Ralph Reeds and Karl Roves took over the task of
blending religion and politics, there was no room for Falwell. Longing for
Washington, he had to settle for Lynchburg, Va.
But then there was cable television, the perfect medium for someone as
shallow as this man. Falwell appeared so many times on cable news that one
tended to forget how little influence he actually wielded. Had it not been
for cable television, Falwell would have been forgotten long ago (and I
would not be writing about his legacy). He was perfect for the world created
by Fox: extremist, polarizing, Manichaean. (The Manichees, a Persian sect
that for a time attracted the great Saint Augustine, adhered to a
black-and-white reality in which evil was always in an endless struggle with
the good.) Five minutes of hate followed by a commercial break: It is not a
format fit for all, but for Falwell, it fit like a glove.
Conservative Christianity has been trying to recover from Falwell for the
past two decades. Just as his political views were too buffoonish to make
the Moral Majority a reality, his religious sensibilities were too shallow
to spread evangelical Protestantism. Evangelicalism grew in the exurban
megachurches, and the megachurches, implicitly and occasionally explicitly,
rejected Falwell's approach to the faith. Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Bill
Hybels -- these inclusive preachers inherited the mantle of Billy Graham,
not Falwell and his great rival Pat Robertson. With the maturation of
American evangelicalism has come an interest in social justice,
environmentalism and peace. The people who represent evangelical
Protestantism's future want little or nothing to do with injustice,
pollution and war.
Of course America's megachurches offer a thin theology equivalent to
twelve-step theology. But Falwell's contribution to American religion was
even less than that. Falwell's university -- Liberty University -- never
achieved anything resembling serious academic status, although it did
produce a decent enough basketball team. Falwell's church, Thomas Road
Baptist Church, with its Scopes-trial era insistence on hell and damnation,
was not what American Christians wanted to hear. Falwell's 1980 book,
"Listen, America," is an embarrassing string of clichés. "Sin is a
transgression of God's law and God's law is unalterable," Falwell wrote. "To
sin is to voluntarily disobey God and His divine laws." But it was not the
sinfulness of human beings that preoccupied Falwell; it was the sinfulness
of the country in which they lived: "Sin brings reproach upon a people. This
is the reason we are in a nosedive as a nation." Less than 50 years after
the defeat of Nazi Germany, Falwell could write of America that "we have
become one of the most blatantly sinful nations of all time." Falwell's
theology, such as it was, never made clear how America could be both the
promised land and Gomorrah at the same time.
Instead of pondering Jerry Falwell's legacy, we would be better off
asking how this man ever became a public figure in the first place. America
has had more than its share of religiously inspired demagogues -- Dr. Fred
Swartz, Billy James Hargis, Carl McIntyre come to mind -- but they are
forgotten figures, marginal even to the times in which lived. One would like
to believe that the United States has become a bigger and better country
since the days when men like them preached about captive nations and
denounced the pernicious influence of rock 'n' roll. But then there is Jerry
Falwell. In death, as he did in life, he reminds us that demagoguery never
dies; it just changes its form. Jerry Falwell expressed great hate for a lot
of his fellow Americans. It is no wonder that so many of them will greet his
death with something less than love.
Newsflash: Falwell Believes in a
Jack-in-the-Box God!!!
I had a Jack-in-the-box when I was a kid.
It played a perky tune and then -wham!-- out popped a hideous puppet with an
evil grin. I always expected Jack to yell, "Gotcha!"
Evidently some people see God that way.
The Rev. Jerry Falwell and broadcaster Pat
Robertson, commenting on the terrorist attacks, claimed the United States
had insulted God and lost divine protection.
God allowed "the enemies of America to give
us probably what we deserve," Falwell noted.
He later apologized for his remarks, but
are we really to believe his half hearted apology for words which were
stupid at best and traitorous at worse. His remarks gave aid and
comfort to our enemies, the Terrorists. His words were horrible to the
mothers and wives and husbands and sons and daughters of those that died on
September the 11th, 2001. His words were not coming from a
person who loved this country. His words displayed the reason he is
featured on this page. He has displayed his true feelings which are
rooted in TV ratings and money and self importance.
But, as evidenced by Falwell's statements,
the belief in a vengeful jack-in-the-box God is all too common.
A fervent church goer, my aunt
once said, "My job is going well. My marriage is back on track." And then a
furtive look crossed her face. "I'd better not jinx it."
Perhaps she feared God would burst into her
life unexpectedly, saying, "You think everything is fine? Well, Gotcha!"
In "The Night of the iguana," a pastor
tells his congregation that he refuses to conduct services in praise of the
"angry, petulant old man" whom they worship.
"You have turned your back on God of love
and compassion," he roars, "and invented for yourselves a cruel, senile
delinquent."
If people like Jerry Falwell and pat
Robertson want to worship a cruel and mean spirited God, that's their
business . But, I wish they would not Blaspheme by calling what they
practice, Christianity. They don't even practice a version of
Christianity. They practice some sort of Old Testament Demon Worship.
May they get their wish and join that Mean
Spirited, Cruel and Senile Demon whom they worship.
Newsflash: Now Falwell Believes
Women Are A Minority!
"I do not believe the homosexual community deserves minority status. One's
misbehavior does not qualify him or her for minority status. Blacks,
Hispanics, women, etc. are God-ordained minorities who do indeed deserve
minority status." Jerry Falwell, USA Today Chat
We will leave it up to the reader to determine
whether Jerry Falwell has made serious errors in in judgment. Jerry
has supported a Conservative Christian position especially when it comes to
Church and State issues. It is apparent from the data collected, that
the first amendment may be in danger from his past and future actions.
(CLICK HERE TO SEE IF JERRY FALWELL IS BREAKING FEDERAL LAW)
Jerry's office like others we called, stated that his position is that
Witches aren't a "Real" religion." What is a real religion, Mr.
Falwell? What you have been practicing? Read the following and
remember: "By their Works may they be known." This is a summary of
information collected from several sources about Jerry Falwell.
(CLICK HERE TO SEE FALWELL'S FOLLIES)
(Remember it is best to investigate on your own when looking at
allegations about anyone. Don't believe us, think
for yourself and investigate for yourself! And remember, the Religious
Freedom Coalition does not represent any political party nor do we recommend
any political candidate, nor are we involving ourselves in the political
process. This information is only for students of Jerry Falwell)
Jerry Falwell represents what some
have called "the first wave" of the Religious Right. Long before the
Christian Coalition and the Promisekeepers, he led his "Moral Majority" into
battle against the forces of godlessness and immorality. Today, he has lost
much of his power, but he's still active as a media clown, creating
"controversy" out of nowhere. Lately, he is trying to make a comeback and to
re-establish himself as one of the leading powerbrokers of the Religious
Right.
On Sundays, Jerry Falwell preaches from the pulpit
in Lynchburg, Virginia's Thomas Road Baptist Church. He spreads the Lord's
Word to a much wider audience on his nationally broadcast Old Time Gospel
Hour and also proselytizes through the secular outlets provided by Larry
King and Geraldo Rivera. Everywhere the Reverend goes, he presents
himself as a man of God dedicated to Christian virtues. Condemning the
dishonesty of others is a core theme of the Reverend Falwell. Like
certain Members of Congress, Jerry Falwell behaves as if his moral standards
should be applied to others, but not to himself.
The Reverend Falwell distributes a so-called fact sheet to 162,000 of his
evangelical brethren who are part of the Friends of Jerry Falwell Support
Circle. Called the "Falwell Confidential," it describes itself
as "a weekly fax briefing for America's pastors and Christian leaders who
may use this information without attribution."
When information is passed from a church leader to his flock without
attribution, the details assume the weight of established fact. Few if
any of the Christian hierarchy who receive Falwell's fact sheet can be
assumed to spend any time verifying the good Reverend's "facts," which means
that all 162,000 were in position to spread the lies contained in the
January 15, 1999, "Falwell Confidential."
"The Bizarre Flynt-Clinton Connection," read Falwell's top item. "Dan
Moldea, the lead investigator for Larry Flynt's ongoing quest to uncover
sexual indiscretions of Republican congressional members, has now admitted
he was hired by the law firm defending President Clinton [Williams &
Connolly]."
These statements about Moldea are false. Dan Moldea has never
admitted working for Williams & Connolly, because he has never been in the
law firm's employ. On January 26, Moldea contacted Falwell through an
E-mail message, referenced the alleged claim about former employment with
Williams & Connolly and pointed out, "This entire statement is false and
misleading, reckless and malicious. It is a complete fabrication."
Moldea promised to bring his attorneys into the matter, which earned a
swift response from J.M. Smith of Jerry Falwell Ministries. Smith
claimed to be trying "to learn what material in the January 15 'Falwell
Confidential' is contrary to what is being reported in the national media.
I am forwarding three articles to you that present highly similar stories to
the one we printed. We are not trying to escape responsibility for
what we have reported, rather wanting to clarify what it is that you feel
was misapplied in the 'Falwell Confidential.' Please show me
specifically where we have erred and, if wrong, we will be more than happy
to issue a retraction and an apology."
The three articles Smith forwarded to Dan Moldea were all critical of the
investigator, and any of the three reporters would have liked to link Moldea
to the White House, but none had made the jump to fabricating a Moldea
employment history with Clinton's lawyers. If J.M. Smith were truly
"not trying to escape responsibility for what we have reported," a cursory
review of the three articles would have shown Smith specifically where
Falwell had erred, and then they could have happily issued a retraction and
an apology, which would have done no good in reversing the harm of the lie.
At the time of Moldea's communications with Falwell emissary J.M. Smith,
the San Diego Union-Tribune had already picked up the Reverend's
fabrication and run it as fact.
Jerry Falwell's actions bring to mind a New Testament story of a
gossiping woman. In a modernized account the woman asks Jesus how she
might undo the harm she has caused by spreading false information.
Jesus advises her that a malicious liar might just as well climb up to the
pulpit of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, discharge a shotgun into his lying
mouth and then try to reassemble the scattered portions of his skull as
attempt to retract the harm done by flinging a single malicious lie.
Jerry Falwell will probably disregard the urgings of Jesus in this
matter.
Moldea is not alone in being the target of Jerry Falwell's malicious
intentions. The Reverend has helped finance and distribute a videotape of
crackpot allegations that President Bill Clinton has been involved in
drug-running and murder.
Falwell has also put the Christian world on alert that the Antichrist is
among us and living as a Jewish male.
The beatific Reverend referred to lesbian
actress Ellen Degeneres as Ellen Degenerate.
Nothing is as advantageous to the argument
of a bigot, than that their prejudice is revealed in holly scripture written
by a divine power conveniently absent and thus unable to dispute
interpretation. It is not surprising therefore that few callings have
attracted as many self-serving fanatics as religion.
Falwell professes love for
homosexuals while saying he "hates" their "sin." His preaching has helped to
create an atmosphere of intolerance where a gay male cannot be savagely
beaten to death without the fear of fanatical Christians waving GOD HATES
FAGS placards at his funeral. Jerry Falwell has even accused the
Teletubby Tinky Winky (Teletubbies are puppetlike characters seen on a
popular children's television show - see left) of being a homosexual.
The Reverend Fallwell's attack on the 'gay' telletubbie Tinky Winky may
appear foolish, an argument which will only a zealot will believe.
But, the motive however is both serious and
self-serving.
 Religions
have always defined themselves in terms of what they are not as well as what
they are. An argument only a zealot will believe is precisely what you
need to attract zealots.
The mode of Fallwell's attack is significant. Tinky Winky is claimed
to be a covert message from the 'gay movement', a message which Falwell has
decrypted. Tinky Winky is purple, the gay pride color, he has a
triangular antenna - the gay rights symbol, he carries a handbag. The none
too subtle subtext of Fallwell's 'parental advisory' is that you too must
learn the code to protect your children from those conspiring to do them
harm.
As with any conspiracy the Tinky-Winky theory is essentially unrefutable -
even despite its obvious factual errors. The gay pride color is light
pink and Tinky Winky is deep purple, but all this proves is that the code is
hard to decrypt, an expert is needed and that expert is Jerry Falwell.
Now, what Falwell doesn't tell you is from 1933 until the end of the
second world war, the German Nazis placed a pink triangle on the jacket of
all homosexuals who were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
They were of course killed there.
Is Jerry calling for the same "solution" to
the homosexual question? Is Jerry Falwell a Nazi?
Jerry Falwell might be better occupied concerning
himself with the destination of his soul for as the result of his
dishonesty, it indeed seems to be headed for the Christian Hell.
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