A Friend Who Will Be Missed

Jerry Falwell did the fight the good fight however I disagree with him keeping the course.

I remember as a child Mr. Falwell coming to our church (Landmark Baptist Temple, Cincinnati Ohio) many times during the 60's and 70's.

Our Pastor and one of Jerry Falwell's mentor, Brother John Rawlings, had always imparted that one of the most important part of Christianity is that you believe what you say, in particular that of the Word of God. Brother John Rawlings is still with us and his views has never changed toward the Word of God nor the words of God, the same could NOT be said for Jerry Falwell.

Over the years he allowed himself to be surround my men who thought they were smarter the the word of God and just like a virus, he (Jerry) became infected with the same apostate views. He like his new friends would smile at you and try to make it a non-issue in order to "grow" his church / organization.

I remember watching Jerry Falwell late one night at which time I finally realized that Jerry was a hypocrite in regards to the Word of God. He had just started his message with a the usual bold statements that the bible he had in his hand (King Jame Bible at the time)was without error. No more then 5 minutes into his message he started making demonic statements that the "writers made a grave error in translating this verse".

Only a fool or person that is demon influenced makes such statements. From that point on I marked him (as the bible calls us to do) as an enemy of the word of God. I am not saying is is lost, just that became a hypocrite. From that day forward I never watched him again. I have seen the many fruits of his labors thereafter which consist of mostly spiritually immature Christians that want the world to see them as spiritual giants yet they too are nothing more then feel good Christians whose sole goal is to build the organization that Jerry Falwell has left behind.

Mr. Falwell is like many of the modern day Christians you find in the Laodicean Church Age, they think their works are for God but in reality they about themselves.

It is ashame to see so many Christians fall by the waist side as a result of their pride which they often deny.

The bible says to let others praise you.........yet I have little to praise Jerry Falwell for............from the late 70's Jerry Falwell deviated from the course in that he no longer put forth the Word of God and words but made it much about HIS vision under the guise that God gave him such vision.

The bible describes such men as wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.

He has so many rewards that awaited him, too bad he traded in the silver and gold for wood, hay and stubble.

I voted for a Satan worshipper but I did not know this fact about Bill Clinton until someone showed me the secret messages hidden in his biography My Life. It's like the Da Vinci Code in reverse, where a secret cult is protecting the natural bloodline of Satan. But you have to know how to read Clinton's biography to understand it all.

Visvaldis, thank you so much for showing what tolerance and love for your fellow humans looks like.

Oh wait, that's not what you did, was it?

Your post proves that bigotry is not religious, it is a human problem.

Oh, and what source do you use for the teachings of Jesus? The Bible? The same one that calls him divine or God?

Why do you pick and choose?

If Jesus was right on his teachings on tolerance and such, then he was right in his claim to divinity.

Right?

Some say that Falwell was a convinced Christian.
Does anyone know that Hitler also claimed to be doing the work of God? But would you call him a Christian?
I'm an aetheist. Jesus had many good ideas, but most are rejected by those who claim to be Christians. Jesus did not advocate hatred, intolerance, or bigotry.
Anyone can call himself a Christian, that's easy. Anyone can say the word Jesus. If there really is a God, I would think that he can certainly see who is genuine and who is an imposter.
Apparently those who claim to know the Bible have little idea of the teachings of Jesus. Don't take my word for it, ask them. What did Jesus have to say about hatred and intolerance? Be prepared for the blank stare. Maybe it's a matter for Ripley, because, believe it or not, the teachings of Jesus were not exclusively limited to human sexual behavior.
Ask any religious figure to show you where in the Bible Jesus makes a reference to being slapped in the face.
Falwell made a profession of spitting on Jesus and then claiming to be a devout Christian.
Jerry Falwell will be missed as much as Adolph Eichmann. The only difference being Falwell (fortunately) did not have the authority to ship off to death camps the people he didn't like.
His tombstone should read: Another Dirtbag Bites the Dust. Good Riddance!

Some say that Falwell was a convinced Christian.
Does anyone know that Hitler also claimed to be doing the work of God? But would you call him a Christian?
I'm an aetheist. Jesus had many good ideas, but most are rejected by those who claim to be Christians. Jesus did not advocate hatred, intolerance, or bigotry.
Anyone can call himself a Christian, that's easy. Anyone can say the word Jesus. If there really is a God, I would think that he can certainly see who is genuine and who is an imposter.
Apparently those who claim to know the Bible have little idea of the teachings of Jesus. Don't take my word for it, ask them. What did Jesus have to say about hatred and intolerance? Be prepared for the blank stare. Maybe it's a matter for Ripley, because, believe it or not, the teachings of Jesus were not exclusively limited to human sexual behavior.
Ask any religious figure to show you where in the Bible Jesus makes a reference to being slapped in the face.
Falwell made a profession of spitting on Jesus and then claiming to be a devout Christian.
Jerry Falwell will be missed as much as Adolph Eichmann. The only difference being Falwell (fortunately) did not have the authority to ship off to death camps the people he didn't like.
His tombstone should read: Another Dirtbag Bites the Dust. Good Riddance!

Jerry Falwell epitomized the 21st Century difference between what you truly are as a person....and what the media caricature says who you are.

It's interesting that Falwell struck genuine friendships with people like Larry Flynt, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson - people with whom he had strong political and/or moral differences. I never knew any of this until I heard THESE men speak about Falwell's character on television within the last twenty-four hours. All had wonderful things to say about this man.

Falwell was one of those rare people who stood strong in his Christian convictions, despite the vitriol he had to endure from the media for almost thirty years. He was a marvelous debater and I never saw him back down from anybody.

Undoubtedly, Chuck Colson would have been one of his good friends - another decent soul shining the light in the middle of a dark world.

Like Mr. Colson, even though I knew Falwell only via a television set, I will miss him too...

Ironic, isn't it, that a pornographer shows more class than most of those who posted on this board?

Okay, maybe not.

Rob Adams,

Inciteful post as always. I was planning to rant about the raw anger again, but seriously, what good would that do this week? Instead, I want to second what you said. Maybe one person who is harboring hatred against Falwell will actually take what you said to heart. It would be a step in the right direction, and a healthy step at that.

"The Reverend Jerry Falwell and I were arch enemies for fifteen years. We became involved in a lawsuit concerning First Amendment rights and Hustler magazine. Without question, this was my most important battle – the l988 Hustler Magazine, Inc., v. Jerry Falwell case, where after millions of dollars and much deliberation, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in my favor.

My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. He would visit me in

California and we would debate together on college campuses. I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling.

The most important result of our relationship was the landmark decision from the Supreme Court that made parody protected speech, and the fact that much of what we see on television and hear on the radio today is a direct result of my having won that now famous case which Falwell played such an important role in."

-Larry Flynt (today)

Well I must say I do not agree with the religion Mr. Farwell promoted. I am sure he did many wonderful things in the name of his religion but I think he also missed the mark, as we all do.

Anytime we create division among the human race, as Mr. Farwell did, I think we have lost sight of our religion/spirituality.

Based on the responses I would say Mr. Farwell upset a great many people. There will also be many that mourn him. I think that proves his divisiveness.

The best post I saw was “forgive him and move on”. I would add to that lesson learned of what not to do in order to bring people together, forgive him and move on.

Brambleton,

Is betraying your country an accomplishment now?

Thief, charlatan, social manipulator, dirty rotter.

Ah, Mr. Colson, I presume? Your irrelevance precedes you.

In the Museum at Liberty University, the school Rev. Falwell founded, lie some Tyrannosaurus bones that the school claims are 3000 years old.

His social and political views were as enlightened as his school's paleontology department. Nonetheless, those bones are still there, bogus claim and all. And so are Falwell's views and moral/political prescriptions for the world. His death does not remove that challenge to our republic.

VERNON,

Do not take this to mean I support Mr. Falwell, but I'm guessing a line by line analysis of accomplishments between the two of you would end in a one-sided affair, most likely with you holding the shorter end of the rope.

In fact, we would arrive at the same answer between you and Mr. Colson, wouldn't we?

His legacy is bigotry and intolerance. Forgive him and move on.

Any and all people from all walks of life, in any religion or non religion known to date, should suffer the consequences right here on earth for their unwavering support of a lied about war on anybody. From the false flag that failed under Kennedy known as the Bay of Pigs, to the Gulf of Tonkin, to Iraq. Let these supporters of these policies suffer is my prayer for their support is not of red-letter edition following. In sum, I despise those touting abortion this and gay that but have no comment or apparant feeling on the force of dropping 60,000 bombs, just because we make them. To H with any and all of these people! www confidentialsources com The North American Union fits in to the lying part also. Thanks CFR!

The media's capacity to impact public opinion is no more evident than with Dr. Falwell. While he may have said and done things I didn't always agree with that does not make him a bad person. I can't think of anyone I totally agree with. Ignorance is more often than not the reason we judge people incorrectly.

Dr. Falwell should be remembered for his efforts on behalf of the Gospel, his commitment to creating a top rated university and unrelenting focus on all people's responsibility to be involved in the world around them.

So a convicted felon who did great harm to this great country lionizes Jerry Falwell, a man who spewed hate upon anyone who dared to disagree with his religious or political views. Big surprise. I imagine Jerry visited you while you were in Maxwell AFB's country club prison. Its a shame you didnt have to spend time in a real prison where you belonged. GOODBYE Jerry!!!

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." - John 15:18-19

May I, like Falwell, be able to claim these words spoken by Christ. Thank you for your hateful comments towards Jerry. They may demonstrate more than I could the closeness this man had with Jesus and the love he had for people.

Now he knows for sure, the Bible on which he based hsi whatever, love, hate, all is a hoax. I think he knew that all along. The big bucks go to those who lead the multitudes to hell.

Jerry knew all about http://www.hoax-buster.org/sellyoursoul

The question is: did he win? The one who dies deepest in debt wins. He alone has the sincerest of mourners for death cancels all contracts.

BOB DOBBS: Satan is God's right hand man, the one that records sins on the soul. It's Lucifer that is Lord of the infernal regions. Jerry is on his knees to Lucifer who just loves to be worshiped, honored, adored, glorified and sacrificed to. Wonder what kind of offering Jerry has for him. Not usual for Jerry to make offerings to God, only receive them. Is he who receives and uses offerings to God not himself God?

Chuck, I think you are right to admire Falwell's industriousness. It's a quality I've always felt you shared with Jerry. Each of you has always done the work of three men: Curly, Larry, and Moe.

The truth, Chuck, is that your friend championed a brand of Christianity that validated its followers' worst prejudices and exploited their worst fears. Yes, he was unfairly caricatured -- as a man of God.

Outside of a small circle of American Christian conservative wing-nuts, Falwell was a hated man. Good riddance to him.

He was a bigoted, homophobic, sexist, xenophobic, hate-mongering zealot with too much political power and a real desire to make America into a Theocracy.

I have no doubt you thought he was great. The rest of us are glad he's finally going to shut up. I didn't wish him ill, and I'm not pleased by anyone's ending, but I can feel a bit of relief when someone who blames me for 9/11 moves on.

Mark, "they (Falwell's critics) practice the same kind of verbal tactics they accuse" Falwell of doing? "Accuse"?! With his vile rhetoric, Falwell visited so much pain and grief upon victims of AIDS, homosexuals, and humanists. He opposed the civil rights movement, defended Apartheid, and worked to beat back civil rights for gays. Defending his rhetoric is loathsome, and that's what those who deflect and ignore criticisms of Falwell do.

In death, Falwell is reaping the vitriol that he sowed in life. Yet his defenders ask us to show love and understanding to him upon his death. To mean anything, such love and understanding would need to be in direct proportion to the hate and bigotry that this man sowed throughout his entire life. That's a big challenge, and you'll excuse me if I decline.

Falwell's legacy of ignorance, intolerance and bigotry is all that is left of this sorry excuse for a man.

By his own mouth, he was a hate-filled, divisive, nasty person.

Most importantly, he was a blasphemer. He claimed to speak as the voice of God, and that is blasphemy.

Poor jerry's dead,...
A coffin lines his head....
He's lookin Oh so peaceful and serene...
He looks like he's asleep, ...
It's a shame that he won't keep,
But it's summer and we're runnin out of ice.
.....................................................
-Oklahoma!

Falwell is dead? Does that mean the Rapture is here?

Are you really the same Chuck Colson who was Nixon's counsel, imprisoned over Watergate?

Would a disbarred, convicted lawyer be accepted as a character witness in a US Court? No?

But in the Washington Post - when it's time to stick up for another Bush enabler - no problem.

I think Colsen's comments are borne out by the responses here. It is always fascinating how the very people who loathe Falwell for all his alleged sins, practice the very same verbal tactics they accuse him of themselves.

One thing Falwell did that impressed me was that he began a privately funded program for pregnant teenagers who did not want to have an abortion.

I thought that his underwriting of the Clinton chronicles was not so good.

I as surprised when Falwell held a series of debates with Ted Kennedy, because I believed that neither man had that much to say that was important and new.

People will say a lot of horrible things about Falwell, but those who say the worst are just the usual crowd of liberal complainers that need Falwell to clash with as much as Falwell needed them.

"he has been very unfairly caricatured"

If that is the case it is because he was a caricature of himself, as his public statements blaming people for their own tragedies were truly loathsome.

Unfairly caricarured? The Falwell who spewed abominations about Jews, women, Muslims, gays, every chance he got? The Falwell who blamed 9/11 on feminists, gays, NOW, etc... The Falwell who was in favor of Apartheid?

Falwell was a hate-monger. His death does not make him any less of a hate-monger and of "an agent of intolerance". He was a dreadful person and the planet is better off with his passing.

He was your dear friend? That says a lot about you, Sir.

Chuck Colson, convicted felon and fake Christian, has words of praise for his fellow bigot, hate-monger and Rightwing racist coward. Don't worry Chuckie, Satan will reserve your seat right next to Jerry's and you two can spend eternity together.