The Rev Jerry Falwell has passed away at 73.
http://news.yahoo.com/
s/ap/20070515/ap_on_re_us/jerry_falwell
(I am going to be unpopular for this)
I am having trouble remembering him:
Wasn't this the spiritual leader that needed to raise $12M becuase God threatened to "bring him home" if he didn't?
Or was he the one that cried on stage spouting "I have sinned against you my Lord" after being found with an underage prostitute?
Or was he the one that went to jail after being found with a number of prescription drugs in his suitcase after he landed in LAX.
????
Brian, that's not him! He's the one that loved God more than you. But, God loves us all so relax. Put away Todd's steak knives.
You may be thinking of Jerry Lee Lewis's cousin, Brother Swaggart.
Death and Taxes... They get us all sooner or later!
"Bring him home" was Oral Roberts.
"I have sinned" was Jimmy Swaggart.
Rev. Falwell was the instigator of the Teletubbies controversy, and was the unofficial leader of the Moral Majority.
Brian, I'll go you one better...
Where do I send my decapitated flowers? And can anyone do anything about Sharpton, Imus and rest of their ilk?
I'm with you Brian...we'll be unpopular together...I don't think he ever got up in any of those types of "problems" you listed...but he certainly had no trouble using his "religion" as a weapon on politicians, etc.
I respect religion and faith and all of that...I have trouble respecting the people who use it to their own extreme ends.
Mary Anne
(Yes, I know I'm going to hell for that)
Just remember, without the extremes on BOTH sides, life could get pretty scary. If we just had an "Unmoral?" majority and no moral majority to offset, wouldn't that create havoc.
All three religious folks that were mentioned here have become iconic in the American culture...like 'em, hate 'em but they impacted our society and our world.
So who steps up to be the next when this batch of religious leaders are gone? When there is no Falwell, Swaggart, Graham, or Roberts...will it be Olsteen? Or Hinn? Or....
I want in the unpopular camp on this one.
Next topic...
Graham is the only one in the list I would consider principled. You also assume that religiosity is the only path to morality.
Good point Ron, I'm just not sure we need any specific majority, religious or otherwise.
It seems to me that these so-called "majorities" engage in entirely too much "black or white" thinking. Because one disagrees with the moral majority doesn't necessarily make that person immoral...and yet, that is precisely what they will have you believe.
No question we need leaders...I would just like them to also recognize the never-ending shades of grey in between the black and white.
He founded the moral majority, I forgot about the teletubbies. Of all the things to worry about he chose the teletubbies the final members of the axis of evil. He will be credited for a number of "Christian/Political" agendas. Hopefully in the next few days we will learn of some more causes he championed.
Cathy, I had ilk worms when I was young, is that where those people came from.
This is better than CNN. You gotta love it. I needed a good laugh. Thanks!
PS... Brian and all who choose to state their true feelings, unpopular or not, hooray for you and may you live long and vociferous lives
Klaus: Ilk worms make silk, something I would never associate with any of the "gentlemen" mentioned previously.
Ron: I don't mind anyone who would call themselves "right", "left", or anywhere inbetween. Everyone is entitled to their political views and religious beliefs. I have mine, and I don't force them on anyone. I enjoy intelligent and rational discussions on both. I have no tolerance, however, for bigots and racists or anyone who claims to be the one and only moral authority. But you are right! These knuckleheads do keep it interesting!
I never did like that teletubby. He or she was shifty, just look into its eyes!
Probably the only thing that all these men mentioned have in common is the fact that they preached all men are sinners, and they included themselves. However, Falwell and Graham were miles apart from Swaggart/Roberts on everything else that they preached.
Falwell got some bad press on the teletubbie thing, being real estate agents, we know what bad press is as we have all been complaining about it recently.
No one needs to apologize for stating their opinion on Jerry Falwell or any other person of notoriety. They did their thing while in this world and I would venture a guess he is before the final tribunal as I write. I prefer to chastise those I oppose while they have an opportunity to defend what ever they did but also think everyone is within their rights to cast dispersions on any legacy they feel that person have left. Mr. Falwell in my opinion did leave a legacy.
Unfortunately, as well intended was his message; it drove more wedges than it inspired compromise and understanding. That in itself is sad, since someone that has his power of the bully pulpit had a rare opportunity to unit rather than divide. It is unfair to put him in the same category of Swaggart, Baker and some of the other perverts that pray upon those that look to them for inspiration. I would not want to be at their court marshal when they meet the Admiral.
So, perhaps this may be a time for pity rather than vengeance. I have no doubt that he believed that he was helping, but I also believe he was misguided. My opinion is he used Religion not as he should but in a radical way, much as those I condemn now, that use the Muslim Religion to justify their actions.
So I voice my opinion today, moderated with temperance, since I do not always flower my discourse with tolerance and understanding. Knowing full well that I am dividing more than uniting has never stopped me, while doing so, I feel compelled to say what, at the time, I feel is so right. He too may have had these same desires to express and thought his message was what had to be said. It makes neither his message nor mine for that matter correct. It does however provide a view into the mindset of a passionate person speaking about something they have very strong convictions.
Although Mr. Falwell was not someone I really was enamored with I always believed that he felt compelled to say what he did. If he had a second chance after discussions with the Admiral, I think he may have back with a different message.
Just my opinion!
By the way The Rev. Graham should not be included with the likes of Swaggart , Baker, Robets!
Brian, I did not mean that as an insult. In my haste to post a reply, I failed to mention the minister was known as a religious fanatic. And, I was told many years ago by a southern Baptist that such a person is someone just someone who loves the lord more than you. Sorry for not taking the time to type that little description-it might change the tone of the message.(insert eMotion)
Gregory -- I overlooked it several times, but I have to correct you:
emoticon!
Thanks Mike. That's why you're on the sidebar! Maybe we can get you moved up to three or two?
Greg - I know you don't have a mean bone in your body.
Now that I have read more about the man, as a fanatic, in fact he did love God more than me so you stated it correctly.
fanatic, zealot? misguided by misinterpetation? to some southern Baptists he was like the Pope (except better and not going to He**) anger is a wasted emotion. let the man lay in peace.