Posted on 05/16/2007 6:35:29 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Though he was the nation's most prominent evangelist since Billy Graham, the Rev. Jerry Falwell was best known for preaching a political gospel rather than a biblical one.
In that respect, Falwell - who died yesterday at age 73 - accomplished something remarkable: Along with such figures as Pat Robertson and Ralph Reed, he gave powerful political voice to a sizable community, evangelical Christians, who long felt ignored by the national political leadership.
To some, this proved a mixed blessing.
True, his efforts in mobilizing these voters into a political force lay the groundwork for the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980.
But they also helped move the Republican Party away from its traditional economic concerns in favor of greater concern with contentious social issues, like abortion and gay rights.
Falwell acknowledged that he and his Moral Majority were a convenient lightning rod for those who disagreed with them. But he often made their job easy - most notably with his unfortunate claim that 9/11 was divine retribution for "pagans, abortionists, feminists, homosexuals, the American Civil Liberties Union and the People for the American Way." (He later apologized.)
Yet he left a significant mark on the national scene - and restored the notion that moral issues have a place in political discourse. Not everyone agreed with his message - but few could question the genuine passion and deep belief that drove it forward.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
If anyone accomplishes 1/1000th of what Jerry accomplished in life, he/she should be proud of his/her legacy.
“most prominent evangelist since Billy Graham...”
“Since Billy Graham?” But Billy Graham is still alive.
He was in good company:
...inasmuch as we know that by His Divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?...
- Abraham Lincoln -
Hitchens on H and C s spewing his bile. I am not a Falwell fan, nor a denigrator.
I cannot abide people who disrespect the dead prior to their internment. Period.
Watching it, too.
No wonder he drinks. “Now a word from the Abramhoff faction.”
John 15:19
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
O’Reilly had two punks, ellis hennican and some “professor of urban studies”, spewing hatred about Falwell tonight with no rebuttal. great job, Bill.
Now, christopher hitchens is spewing the same bile on H&C.
I was not a big fan of Falwell, but all this name-calling of a dead man just because he was a Christian really angers me.
Since he’s an avowed atheist, what is the point in pretending to be “progressive”?
“Only the soccer thug can save England.”
Someone should write a play about “Yolanda King, Jerry Falwell, and the 3rd party”?
As they are waiting for clearance going through the pearly gates wouldn’t you like to hear the conversation?
hitchens is a miserable faggot leftie-i hope people say such nice things about him when he dies
I once visited the western part of Virginia where Liberty U. is and I think it is one of the most beautiful parts of this country. I wish Jerry Falwell will rest in peace.
You are falling into his trap, as it were. Hitchens wants everyone to be as mean and miserable as he appears to be. He just does not get the fact that the rest of us don’t feel the same.
We believe in G*d in our various ways, it give us hope and happiness and belief.
We subsequently turn out to be happier human beings.
Even though we don’t live in NYC, DC, LA, get invited to “THE” event of the day, wear designer clothes or have big dough!
But!
We also do not have the “opportunity” to make complete asses out of ourselves in public, as he did tonight.
Thank God.
We make asses out of ourselves amongst our friends!
It doesn’t get any better than THAT!
Falwell’s politics were defensive not offensive. He stood in the gap and tried to hold back the rising tide of evil. I say good for him even though he lost. You can’t say the loss was his fault. He always stood up and did his part.
Did you get the last part of his little diatribe,just before they went to break? I honestly couldn’t believe the guy said it !!!
Great Lincoln quote. I’m going to add it to my freeper page.
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