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RELIGION

‘If He Were Here, It Would Be Different’

Jerry Falwell's widow Macel remembers her husband in a new book, and wonders how the religious right is doing without him.

By Lisa Miller | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jun 10, 2008 | Updated: 5:07  p.m. ET Jun 10, 2008

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  • Posted By: WhiteValleyCreeper @ 06/17/2008 9:59:42 AM

    I still remeber the "9-11 was the supported work of pagans, gays, lesbians, and liberal feminists" comment as if it were yesterday. I'm a 26 year-old Wiccan and I was deeply offended. This man SHOULD NOT be remebered as a holy person. The man should be remebered as a paranoid and bigoted preacher of intolerance...
    A RELIGION WHOSE CREED SPREADS HATE IS NOT A RELIGION.

  • Posted By: Caavael @ 06/13/2008 11:57:26 AM

    How is the religious right doing without him? Hmm.. well, there will probably always be non-religious righties as well as relgious righties. I imagine that as long as the right-wing is getting funded by somebody, there will always be a right wing party (a.k.a. even if Jerry Falwell isn't funding it, somebody will.) Kind of goes without saying there. Religious right is poor terminology in the first place, because there are many religious people on both sides of the equation (many left-wings and neutralish people are also religious. Goes without saying.) Not to mention that right-wing politics and conserving the status-quo are completely different animals anymore given the way politics has turned to a please-the-most voters by any means possible, even promising things you don't believe in, activity.

  • Posted By: ghostmasseur @ 06/13/2008 10:22:42 AM

    Some of you complainied about speaking ill if the dead. The concept behind that is that it is wrong to have olny said good things about a perosn while they are alive and to their face, but once they die one starts criticizing them. I cannot speak for everyone here but I assure you. I have ALWAYS stated that Falwell was a vile hatefilled bigot and a traitor to the US Constitution (which is the ONLY thing that matters in US law, the bible being just a man-made writing of no more importance or value in a gneral sense than any other man-made book..)

    Although religion can inspire some poeple to do good, it has a very long history of inspiring the worst of evil as well. The USSR, the Soviet Bloc, North KOrea and the People's Republic of China are NOT non-religious. They have simply substituted the state and their leaders as the dieties that the citizenry MUST worship. They are very much polito-religions. So their crimes were not committed by athest nations.

    That being said god and religion are simply man-made cosntructs that are used by people to justify whatever they want to do. Good or bad or neutral. They may be needed by some people (even maybe by a majority at times) but they are NOT universally required or useful. There is not heaven or hell just death and decay. No big deal. Many of us simply do good and decent things because we realize that it is what is civilized humans do. Not for praise or recognition, or worse, for some fantasy reward after death.

    And to answer that mindless question wwJd (what would Jesus do)? The answer is simply "DaD". Die and Decay, just like every other human have has done before him and since his death.

    • Posted By: Caavael @ 06/13/2008 11:15:48 AM

      I want to answer this one because I sense a realist, and I love talking with you people. I am in strong agreement with your first two paragraphs, they were extremely well thought out. The second two were also well thought out, but are matters of perspective than fact. In answer to your statement about some fantasy reward after death: while it is true that all you can see is that people's bodies go into the ground and decay, you cannot be so certain (and no one really can as far as we know) about whether or not they have a soul or get a reward or not. You cannot prove or disprove something you HAVEN'T seen; that flies in the face of "basic logic." As for your final paragraph, wwJd? Is Die and Decay, like everybody else...clever :), but people who make that statement assume (maybe correctly, maybe not) that he is in some fashion still alive.. So a better question to ask yourself if asked this would be: What would Jesus do... if he were still alive? While you may not agree with us that Christ is both God and Man (and that is fine, unfortunate from OUR perspective, but your basic human right nonetheless), he did say... "If you don't believe in me [as Lord, based on context here], at least believe in what I DID." That involved helping others in whatever way he could and even giving his life up for people (while removing the sins by our doctrines, but non-believers should focus on the part FOR PEOPLE if they want to understand our attraction to the man Jesus.)
      More importantly than this though, thanks for trying to do what is right for it's own sake. I wish everybody would do that. It'd make life a lot easier for everybody. Shalom.

      • Posted By: ghostmasseur @ 06/16/2008 2:40:46 PM


        "The second two were also well thought out, but are matters of perspective than fact. In answer to your statement about some fantasy reward after death: while it is true that all you can see is that people's bodies go into the ground and decay, you cannot be so certain (and no one really can as far as we know) about whether or not they have a soul or get a reward or not. You cannot prove or disprove something you HAVEN'T seen; that flies in the face of "basic logic." "

        You are welcome to think that there is something after death. But without irrefutable proof (and the burden lies with the affirmative, that there IS something after death), the negative is the default. That is what I have always be taught (and had confirmed by many top flight scientists, some of whom were devoutly religious). It is part of the same reason that the burden of proof lies with the those who say that God is a fact as opposed to belief. Of course it is not science's place to prove or disprove God or religion. That is why when someone says that I need to disprove God, I remind them that the burden lies with those who claim God, not with those who reject it. But that, IMO, I do nto care if they do or do not believe. Just that I demand they respect my right to disagree with them. I have no problem with people believing in God, or Jesus, or other religions as long as they do not try to force US laws to follow thoe beliefs. Especially since other religions often disagree on what "God" actually wants.


        As for your final paragraph, wwJd? Is Die and Decay, like everybody else...clever :), but people who make that statement assume (maybe correctly, maybe not) that he is in some fashion still alive.. So a better question to ask yourself if asked this would be: What would Jesus do... if he were still alive? "

        I actually do understand that distinction. And my answer would be: "Assuming that he actually even existed (which I am not sure about), and since he was supposedly a believing and practicng Jew, he would condemn those who worship him as blasphemers. As for what the writers of the books that the church decided to include as accept as valid, state that he said or stood for. I reject them completely so cannot make any assumption that they represnt what he wold have done or said.


        "More importantly than this though, thanks for trying to do what is right for it's own sake. I wish everybody would do that. It'd make life a lot easier for everybody. Shalom."

        Thank you.

      • Posted By: Caavael @ 06/13/2008 11:29:04 AM

        *correction to above: MOST of your first two paragraphs :-)

  • Posted By: Cazador1972 @ 06/13/2008 12:36:09 AM

    "I would like for the people who said the horrible things about him to know that they are not true, and I would like people to see what a great man he is, was."

    Wow, is that simplistic or what. To be fair, if I was a right-wing, Christian Conservative... I wouldn't know how to use a computer... No seriously, I can see why he is a hero to a lot of people. But in order to get there and preach "the word of god" to some he felt he had to demonize the rest of us. Some people would do well to remember that before Rev. Wright became famous for blaming 9-11 on the US, Rev. Falwell did the very same thing.

  • Posted By: Bear90039 @ 06/12/2008 11:29:47 PM

    For the most part, the world is a better place without him. I can't imagine the religious right should be much different. He was one of the lowest, sorriest persons to ever live. The things he did to tear down the PTL and Heritage USA were unforgivable. I say this only because he asked not to be forgiven for this. I'm glad he's dead. Just wish it had happened 30 years ago.

  • Posted By: Bear90039 @ 06/12/2008 11:28:56 PM

    For the most part, the world is a better place without him. I can't imagine the religious right should be much different. He was one of the lowest, sorriest persons to ever live. The things he did to tear down the PTL and Heritage USA were unforgivable. I say this only because he asked not to be forgiven for this. I'm glad he's dead. Just wish it had happened 30 years ago.

  • Posted By: Caavael @ 06/12/2008 11:26:40 PM

    What saddens me is how most of the comments I've seen on this particular blog is the "ME or US vs. THEM" mentality, particularly in the religious arena (and yes, atheism is here counted as a religion; if you believe that only your experiences and ideas are true, then you are your own god /or master.) What is absolutely ridiculous is that 99% of the time, these comments have been made by people who want to see compassion, peace and helping of everybody in need of help. But instead what we read by these same people is total poison. So, um, can't we all stop the name-calling and religious-group bashing? How about focusing on the article itself? Will the "right" wingers lose out because Falwell is gone? This type of response would be more appropriate for this post. Also, while it is true that what Falwell did was downright wrong at times, please think about how you would feel if you were Macel reading these comments right about now. RESPECT, please. Especially if you really do want compassion in the world. It starts with each of you, as well as me. While it is true that Falwell preached inappropriately, if we want compassion, we don't respond in kind - we go the opposite direction. Okay, sorry folks, had to get it out there. carry on homies.

  • Posted By: Red Dirt Brother @ 06/12/2008 8:43:56 PM

    I was raised Baptist Pentacostal on my fathers side and Native American Church on my mothers side. I had a somewhat peaceful religious experience from both since the NAC combines the sacrament of Peyote and Christianity in a teepee, while the Baptist baptized me more than once in my life. I am now more atheistic in my older age cause I feel little or no spirituality in either faith. Both have structure, but neither have proven enlightening or fulfilling. The religious have always condemned and not accepted life as it is and seeks to ???talk down??? or ???inspire??? without setting good examples. I now seek spirituality in nature and the earth since that is where I will spend eternity in my heaven. I had a dream about heaven where everyone was in native regalia and there was a feeling of celebration and acceptance. I saw all shades of humans from all walks of life, but they were dressed like Indigenous peoples.

  • Posted By: gone2idaho @ 06/12/2008 8:04:38 PM

    Oh my goodness, I'm so glad my approach to religion is much more balanced.

  • Posted By: mfenwick @ 06/12/2008 7:44:35 PM

    Christians are not supposed to vote, hold public office, or serve in the military. Did Jesus ever vote? Did Jesus ever hold a public office? Did Jesus ever serve in the Roman army? Read you Bible, people!! A Christian's citizenship is in Heaven not in America. Christians are not supposed to be occupied with the things of this earth but spiritual things. It's a shame an old atheist like me knows the Bible better than most Christians. Also, Christians can't be Freemasons. You cannot serve two masters.

  • Posted By: mvago @ 06/12/2008 12:09:17 PM

    God Bless you Macel,

    Those poor programmed eyes glowing with learned behavior of sel-righteousness, greed, and many other qualities found in the likes of your deceased husband and others.

    May the Lord forgive you, Jerry and others who are similiar.

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 06/12/2008 4:00:35 AM

    Ted Sampley, who fought with US Special Forces in Vietnam and is now a leading campaigner for veterans??? rights, said: I have been following John McCain???s career for nearly 20 years. I know him personally. There is something wrong with this guy and let me tell you what it is ??? deceit.

    "When he came home and saw that Carol was not the beauty he left behind, he started running around on her almost right away. Everybody around him knew it. Eventually he met Cindy and she was young and beautiful and very wealthy. At that point McCain just dumped Carol for something he thought was better."


    John McCain is the classic opportunist. He's always reaching for attention and glory, he said. After he came home, Carol walked with a limp. So he threw her over for a poster girl with big money from Arizona. And the rest is history.


    Ross Perot, a billionaire Texas businessman, and a former presidential candidate, who paid her medical bills all those years ago, now believes that both Carol McCain and the American people have been taken in by a man who is unusually slick and cruel -- even by the standards of modern politics.

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 06/12/2008 3:54:09 AM

    Ted Sampley, who fought with US Special Forces in Vietnam and is now a leading campaigner for veterans rights, said: I have been following John McCain's career for nearly 20 years. I know him personally. There is something wrong with this guy and let me tell you what it is ??? deceit.

    "When he came home and saw that Carol was not the beauty he left behind, he started running around on her almost right away. Everybody around him knew it. Eventually he met Cindy and she was young and beautiful and very wealthy. At that point McCain just dumped Carol for something he thought was better."


    ???McCain is the classic opportunist. He's always reaching for attention and glory,??? he said. After he came home, Carol walked with a limp. So he threw her over for a poster girl with big money from Arizona. And the rest is history.???


    Ross Perot, a billionaire Texas businessman, and a former presidential candidate, who paid her medical bills all those years ago, now believes that both Carol McCain and the American people have been taken in by a man who is unusually slick and cruel ???- even by the standards of modern politics.

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 06/12/2008 3:51:33 AM

    Ted Sampley, who fought with US Special Forces in Vietnam and is now a leading campaigner for veterans??? rights, said: ???I have been following John McCain???s career for nearly 20 years. I know him personally. There is something wrong with this guy and let me tell you what it is ??? deceit.

    "When he came home and saw that Carol was not the beauty he left behind, he started running around on her almost right away. Everybody around him knew it. Eventually he met Cindy and she was young and beautiful and very wealthy. At that point McCain just dumped Carol for something he thought was better."


    ???McCain is the classic opportunist. He???s always reaching for attention and glory,??? he said. After he came home, Carol walked with a limp. So he threw her over for a poster girl with big money from Arizona. And the rest is history.???


    Ross Perot, a billionaire Texas businessman, and a former presidential candidate, who paid her medical bills all those years ago, now believes that both Carol McCain and the American people have been taken in by a man who is unusually slick and cruel ??? even by the standards of modern politics.

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 06/12/2008 3:50:24 AM

    Ted Sampley, who fought with US Special Forces in Vietnam and is now a leading campaigner for veterans??? rights, said: ???I have been following John McCain???s career for nearly 20 years. I know him personally. There is something wrong with this guy and let me tell you what it is ??? deceit.

    "When he came home and saw that Carol was not the beauty he left behind, he started running around on her almost right away. Everybody around him knew it. Eventually he met Cindy and she was young and beautiful and very wealthy. At that point McCain just dumped Carol for something he thought was better."


    ???McCain is the classic opportunist. He???s always reaching for attention and glory,??? he said. After he came home, Carol walked with a limp. So he threw her over for a poster girl with big money from Arizona. And the rest is history.???


    Ross Perot, a billionaire Texas businessman, and a former presidential candidate, who paid her medical bills all those years ago, now believes that both Carol McCain and the American people have been taken in by a man who is unusually slick and cruel ??? even by the standards of modern politics.

  • Posted By: Toni Kamau @ 06/12/2008 2:28:33 AM

    Respect to a mother and a wife. On the other hand, am asking myself: When a woman after being married to a famous man for such a long time and still has to tell us so little.....was the message of her husband really so great?

  • Posted By: Toni Kamau @ 06/12/2008 2:28:17 AM

    Respect to a mother and a wife. On the other hand, am asking myself: When a woman after being married to a famous man for such a long time and still has to tell us so little.....was the message of her husband really so great?

  • Posted By: poetbyheart @ 06/12/2008 1:32:04 AM

    John mccain wants to exclude anyone with a pre-existing condition from recieving affordable healthcare. Sure they will be offered a plan but at such a high premium that they will not be able to purchase it. This is nothing more than a death sentance for millions of sick people in this ( as long as I have mine I dont care what happens to you) country. Stop sending all of our wealth out of this country and start taking care of the people who make this country great!!!

  • Posted By: HollyTerror @ 06/12/2008 12:31:32 AM

    Good grief, you tell me your God sent forth the word of truth, to go out through out the world and propagate and teach the word of richness I offer.

    Hmmm, seems the world is at the point of fulfilment, for there is barely room left for any more of us to stand upon the earth. The major and most other religions forbid the use on contraceptives and other devices which might infringe on the chance of conceiving in a natural way yet many nations already have mandated strict laws concerning the manner in which children shall be planned for as well as applying for the necessary permit.

    The word of God remains today as it was when originally spoken. It is not subject to opinion or study or intercalation to benefit the speaker. No, those words are not known to man today for man has spoken in modifications of his God. Show me a speaker of known Godly words and I???ll listen to the industrialist.

    I recently purchased a dog, hoping to go hunting for game birds much like my forefathers did, even as in the period of the Jesus walked upon the earth. That really wasn???t very long ago for if I had lived 28 times longer than I currently have, I too could possible claim having seen this man. In any event I stood on a hill top with shot gun in hand watching in awe as my dog taught me how to be a hunter all because of his instinctive birth rights. Humans have a few of these and if you don???t know what I???m talking about, then your part of the problem, just as all the preachers are.

  • Posted By: speckelbelly @ 06/11/2008 10:46:44 PM

    AFTER READING MOST BLOGS-IF YOU VOTE FOR REPUBLICAN JOHN McCAIN YOU ARE VOTING TO KEEP THE DOCTRINES OF WAR ALIVE!!
    AND THAT IS NOT KEEPING WITH MY BELIEFS! PEOPLE OF GOD UNITE!!! I DO NOT CARE ABOUT JERRY! HE IS GONE ALREADY! I WORRY ABOUT HOW AMERICA HAS BEEN GOING DOWN THE WRONG PATH!!!

  • Posted By: speckelbelly @ 06/11/2008 10:13:19 PM

    Another point is that the media are owned by large corporations that tend to be very conservative.

    SG: You question how independent CBS can be if they are owned by a conglomerate, or how independent NBC can be if they are owned by General Electric, a big defense operator.BETWEEN YOU AND ME IM VOTING FOR OBAMA! McCAIN IS GOING TO CONTINUE THE SAME OLE PARTY LINE! AT LEAST I HAVE HEARD OBAMA SAY HE BELIVES IN A SAVIOR, HAS FAITH IN GOD TO DO THE RIGHT THING!

  • Posted By: RSMITHH @ 06/11/2008 9:48:26 PM

    I think Macel Falwell is full of crap, much like her late husband. To hate another is not a very Christian concept, or do you disagree? I for one am thankful Jerry is gone, I just wish he would of taken all the other preachers of intolerance with him. The world would be a better place.

  • Posted By: RSMITHH @ 06/11/2008 9:43:47 PM

    I think Macel Falwell is full of crap, much like her late husband was. Its not very Christian to hate, or would you disagree? I for one am thankful that Jerry is gone and I wish all the others who preach intolerance would soon join him. The world would be a better place with out them.

  • Posted By: olderwiser @ 06/11/2008 8:48:20 PM

    It's a strange phenomenon. Get you a pulpit. Shout at a bunch of people and tell them that they are morally dirty and likely to burn in hell. Then, tell them that if they will fill your basket with some change, you'll pull them out of the fire. It pays millions. Presidents will try to get around you to get you to add them in your sermon next Sunday so that they can get elected. Then, if you say something stupid in public, they can be tarred with your stupidity and lose some votes. What a system. Both candidates got bit this time before the election. Maybe they will quit trying to get votes from the evangelists, now. Hope.

  • Posted By: mnmanariesram @ 06/11/2008 8:47:05 PM

    Latest From the Gallup News Service

    RELIGION AND SOCIAL TRENDS:

    Twenty-Eight Percent Believe Bible Is Actual Word of God
    http://www.gallup.com/nl/?22885,AlertSP,5/22/2006

    There has been a gradual decline over the past 30 years in the
    percentage of Americans who believe that the Bible is the actual word
    of God. Roughly 3 out of 10 Americans continue to profess belief in a
    literal Bible today, about 10 percentage points lower than was the
    case three decades ago.

  • Posted By: mnmanariesram @ 06/11/2008 8:43:34 PM

    THE TOP TEN SIGNS YOU ARE A FUNDAMENTALIST "CHRISTIAN"

  • Posted By: mnmanariesram @ 06/11/2008 8:42:53 PM

    10 - You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed
    by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the
    existence of yours.

    9 - You feel insulted and "dehumanized" when scientists say that
    people evolved from other life forms, but you have no problem with
    the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt.

    8 - You laugh at polytheists, but you have no problem believing in a
    Triune God.

    7 - Your face turns purple when you hear of the "atrocities"
    attributed to Allah, but you don't even flinch when hearing about
    how God/Jehovah slaughtered all the babies of Egypt in "Exodus" and
    ordered the elimination of entire ethnic groups in "Joshua"
    including women, children, and trees!

    6 - You laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims
    about gods sleeping with women, but you have no problem believing
    that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-
    god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the
    sky.

    5 - You are willing to spend your life looking for little loopholes
    in the scientifically established age of Earth (few billion years),
    but you find nothing wrong with believing dates recorded by Bronze
    Age tribesmen sitting in their tents and guessing that Earth is a
    few generations old.

    4 - You believe that the entire population of this planet with the
    exception of those who share your beliefs -- though excluding those
    in all rival sects - will spend Eternity in an infinite Hell of
    Suffering. And yet consider your religion the most "tolerant"
    and "loving."

    3 - While modern science, history, geology, biology, and physics
    have failed to convince you otherwise, some idiot rolling around on
    the floor speaking in "tongues" may be all the evidence you need
    to "prove" Christianity.

    2 - You define 0.01% as a "high success rate" when it comes to
    answered prayers. You consider that to be evidence that prayer
    works. And you think that the remaining 99.99% FAILURE was simply
    the will of God.

    1 - You actually know a lot less than many atheists and agnostics do
    about the Bible, Christianity, and church history - but still call
    yourself a Christian.


  • Posted By: mnmanariesram @ 06/11/2008 8:40:55 PM

    I hope Pat Robertson and Benny Hinn other swindlers and con artists croak too!

  • Posted By: olderwiser @ 06/11/2008 8:40:22 PM

    Madmonq, I don't believe that he was a windbag, because then he might have floated up to heaven as he had promised that he would do some time back there, and loads of his contributors thought that he was telling the truth. No, it has to be lard. A lard bag. Found him on the floor, heavy as lead.

  • Posted By: mnmanariesram @ 06/11/2008 8:39:48 PM

    Hooray for the death of Jerry Falwell! Con-Artist and swindler who, just like James Dobson, John Hagee and all the rest of the nutty krishtian fanatical whacko's spread the ultimate lie: that of "khristianity".

    THE BIBLE IS A TOTAL MYTH AND LIE.

    ATHEISM AND EVOLUTION ARE TRUE.

    Good riddance to you Jerry as well as James Kennedy and I hope Dobson croaks soon and joins you both!

    After all, Atheism IS growing and krishtianity is dying! YEY!

  • Posted By: madmonq @ 06/11/2008 5:38:34 PM

    The missus is able to be humble and apologize for her husband's "humanity." Those are honorable qualities. No doubt she was well practiced from years of marriage to a dull wind bag. They didn't really humanize him, only demonstrated he had a lot to apologize for.

  • Posted By: Red Dirt Brother @ 06/11/2008 4:04:28 PM

    To Pastor Terrence, I thank you for your obviously well informed and educated information. My concern is that with all of Gods power, he cannot and will not save mankind today from the earth burning up or from man blowing it up. That is not a God. If God is so almighty, why does he allow such injustice and men like Falwell to divide people using the bible, your best seller, I never had to buy a bible, it was always given to me. I appreciate its historical significance only because the judicial branch of God seems the same as the judicial branch of our government. Why is the church so wealthy and the world so poor and starving? Is this what we praise him for? Well, I my belief system allows for a stronger and wiser serving God and not the one who is absent. You are wrong about believing in men instead the earth you walk on, otherwise, God makes mistakes and continues to make mistakes. Are yousaying that all the evil we do is our own fault, but our divine actions are due to God only? What a crock! I do not believe in judgement from God because he seems to punish immediately mankind when we sin, just as our law enforcement does. That being said, it seems the God you believe in is more human than you think?

  • Posted By: davechar1@msn.com @ 06/11/2008 2:56:53 PM

    Fight the Theocracy....You hit the nail on the head!

  • Posted By: davechar1@msn.com @ 06/11/2008 2:54:26 PM

    Sure, and many people still follow Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker despite proof that what they did was illegal, and immoral. It never ceases to amaze me that people will follow evil examples in the name of God (makes you wonder how God feels about it). But then this has been going on since the Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, buying of high church offices, witch burnings, the flat earth that everything else revolves around, evolution, to name a few. ,

  • Posted By: fightthetheocracy! @ 06/11/2008 2:38:06 PM

    For all those who claim he didn't spew hate, allow me to remind you that he BLAMED 9/11 ON ANYONE WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR BUSH!!! He could have said it was caused by any number of things. He could have said God allowed it because we don't take care of our environment, or do enough for the poor around the world, but instead he used it as an excuse to attack people who voted for a different candidate then he did. That is not loving, that is not showing concern for others, that is being petty and looking for an excuse to attack people just becuase they don't think like you. Now, how is that not hate?

    There is also the matter of where this "revolation" came from. Did God come down and actually tell him these things? Because it seems awful convient that the only things that God had a problem with are the same things Falwell had a problem with. And of course nothing in the conservative camp was to blame in his mind. Again, makes it hard to take seriously that the blame wasn't more evenly distrubuted. This man served one political party. He could have choosen to take issue with any number of things either side was doing did but instead decided to take sides and only go after one. Again, why should we not look upon that with suspicion? Why should we not see someone like that as an opportunistic fraud siding with whoever will grant him the most leeway? I see little in this mans life to make me believe he was either sincere in his concern for others or that he cared about anything that didn't benefit him personally.

  • Posted By: Concerned lady @ 06/11/2008 2:15:10 PM

    One Lynchburg resident wrote of Jerry Falwell's "bad" relatives. Jerry Falwell himself many times spoke of that. His grandfather was a bootleger (to the best of my memory). Jerry never "sugar-coated" his family or his mistakes. He did not have personal gain when he raised money: it was for Liberty University's prosperity. I believe over 20,000 attend or take courses online now.

    Again, Jerry's family was wealthy; He gave tens of thousands of his own money--probably many million. For those writing of tolerance: Jesus did love everyone, even Judas he betrayed him BUT He also said : " I am the way, the truth, the life NO MAN comes to the Father, except by me. The difference in Him being God and others who claim to be: There are over 300 prophecies concerning Him in the Old Testament--including the way He would die, "His own (Jews) not believing Him, etc. How do these other "gods" stack up. Did they raise the dead, give sight to the blind, heal the sick, choose to die us?

    • Posted By: ghostmasseur @ 06/17/2008 9:33:20 AM

      "There are over 300 prophecies concerning Him in the Old Testament--including the way He would die,"

      Actually, no there are not. Those alleged "prophesies" are intentional mistranslations of the Hebrew by his followers. The references that are quoted have be proven to be about others. Yes otherS. The TaNaKH (the correct term for the "old" testament) says absoutely nothing about Jesus.

  • Posted By: davechar1@msn.com @ 06/11/2008 2:06:03 PM

    Let's see....Jerry Falwell's income was only generated by his church, and he took his kid to McDonald's in a limo. His inflammatory comments and intolerance of everything he doesn't agree with is NOT an example of the teachings of Jesus, whom he claims to worship. No, he was just another bigoted, greedy jerk that took advantage of others. He'll have plenty of company where he went.

  • Posted By: davechar1@msn.com @ 06/11/2008 2:04:47 PM

    Let's see....Jerry Falwell's income was only generated by his church, and he took his kid to McDonald's in a limo. His inflammatory comments and intolerance of everything he doesn't agree with is NOT an example of the teachings of Jesus, whom he claims to worship. No, he was just another bigoted, greedy jerk that took advantage of others. He'll have plenty of company where he went.

  • Posted By: Pastor Terrence @ 06/11/2008 2:03:05 PM

    To Red Dirt Brother and others of the same mindset:

    Why attack Falwell who has passed on??? (A man who helped countless poor, alcoholic men, young girls with crisis pregnancies, and genuinely cared for his critics and their families) Why be belligerent about the proven Word of God??? Why resort to arguments about morality, sinful men, and racial divides. (The Bible says that we all come from Adam and Noah, and that "God has made all nations from one blood" Acts 17). God is not concerned with what color of skin you have or whether you are male or female, but whether you have trusted His Word and have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ!!! You cannot argue with God!! You are only trying to squirm your way out of being held accountable and Judged by His standards and attempting to justify living your life, your way. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but through me!" I did not say that, Jesus did!!! I did not make Truth narrow!!! God did! If you have a problem with it, take it up with Him!!! I hope you come to the knowledge of the truth before it is eternally too late!!! Thank you and may God's Holy Spirit speak to you through His Holy Word!

    Because He Lives,

    Pastor Terrence H. Williams
    Greater Things Fellowship, SBC
    West Virginia, USA

  • Posted By: Pastor Terrence @ 06/11/2008 2:00:41 PM

    In response to Red Dirt Brother's comments to my father, Terry Williams: I read the times through the lens of Scripture, just as you read them through the lens of your limited understanding of man's opinion, your cultural heritage, and past hurts. I would rather stand upon the firm foundation of the never-changing Word of an eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, and infallible God; than the constant and contradictory blathering of limited and fallible men.

    Concerning the Scriptures, I would never compare the Koran with the Bible and the Torah is part of the Old Testament. The Bible was written by over 40 different authors, from a wide variety of backgrounds, from three different continents, in 3 different languages (Hebrew/Aramaic/Greek), over a period of 1500 years, with absolutely no true contradiction. The Bible is the best-selling book of all time and is the most historically established ancient work, as well. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and translated into Greek over 200 years before Christ. The book of Ezekiel contained Aramaic, as well, as Hebrew. The New Testament was originally written in Greek and translated along with the Old Testament into the Latin Vulgate by Jerome. In 1611, the Old and New Testaments were translated fully into English by 46 top scholars of the time. In 1947, the dead sea scrolls were found and and the Biblical Texts were practically identical to our modern translations. We currently have over 25,000 early manuscripts of the New Testament and all serious scholars agree that we can truly know with confidence the text of the original Scriptures. Not to mention, all of the fulfilled prophecy, medical knowledge, scientific and historical statements that the Bible makes that have been confirmed in the last 100 to 150 years.

    You mentioned the Gospel of Judas. This document was written well over 200 years after Christ (way after everyone that knew Him had died) by a non-Christian group called the Gnostics. However, the Gospel of Mark was completed and published within less than thirty years after the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15, which contains the earliest Christian Creed, was written before that. Surely, there were people still living that could have denied Gospel Truth, however, they could not. The enemies of Christ admitted that His tomb was empty and followers of Christ were willing to die because they had seen Him alive after the resurrection!

    Because He Lives,

    Pastor Terrence H. Williams
    Greater Things Fellowship, SBC
    West Virginia, USA

  • Posted By: llvv @ 06/11/2008 1:46:18 PM

    H

  • Posted By: apikores @ 06/11/2008 12:37:09 PM

    how does the expression go? good riddance to bad rubbish?

  • Posted By: fightthetheocracy! @ 06/11/2008 10:59:32 AM

    The war was based on lies and none of you "moral" christians care. That is the point. Then you turn around and act like you all are in some position to lecture the rest of us about morality and act dumbfounded when we aren't buying it. The man blamed 9/11 on anyone who didn't vote for Bush. Now, if you had been on the recieving end of that kind of a statement, would you be willing to listen to the people who defended it or the man who said it?

    • Posted By: Williams25064 @ 06/11/2008 11:27:16 AM

      I'm not lecturing anyone or defending anyone. As I said, we are all imperfect in God's eyes, all have sinned, and fallen short, only Christ removes the sin from our lives to make us Christians. I don't see anyone as being a "moral" Christian, you are either living the Christian Life or you are not.
      Terry Williams
      West Virginia

      • Posted By: Bear90039 @ 06/13/2008 12:03:41 AM

        Don't assume we are all sinners. I for one have never sinned. I am not a Christian either.

      • Posted By: Red Dirt Brother @ 06/11/2008 11:47:13 AM

        RE: Actually, you are lecturing when you quote the bible. Does God???s eyes see destruction of his planet and respond, yes! I believe the earth is a living being (and it is fighting us back) before I???ll believe there is a wise old man up there watching us all kill and fight one another over him just so he can decide who is the strongest and most beautiful angel down here? What an asinine ideology! Anyone who worships a religion where a God sacrifices his son by torture is sick just so he can purify Jerry Falwell, George Bush, John McCain, and by the way, your saying Hitler is in heaven as well, right? So let???s go down the list here of who is in Heaven with your God; Charles Manson, Saddam Hussein, Tim McVeigh, all the 911 highjackers, and make room for Bin Laden, right?

        • Posted By: Williams25064 @ 06/11/2008 12:13:24 PM

          Please do not take me out of context. I never stated that any of the people you named will be in heaven. Only God knows each individual's heart and whether they have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

          Terry Williams

          West Virginia

          • Posted By: Red Dirt Brother @ 06/11/2008 1:23:48 PM

            So if he is a merciful and forgiving God, they should all be there if they accepted Christ as their savior? All I am saying is there are too many loopholes in the bible and that Manson, like Hitler did claim Christianity as their preferred faiths. It is too simple and easy to sin and being born into sin, sounds like no one is even worthy of heaven. We all return to dust, but I believe our spirits go where we decide what our version of heaven is and not some book or building, temple, etc,. Christianity was only great two thousand years ago and today, it is just a monopoly ran by corruption so nobody has an edge on God, Jesus, or scripture, therefore, I'll take my chances as a non-believer and just be good to my fellow beings.

  • Posted By: Williams25064 @ 06/11/2008 10:48:24 AM

    In response to the comment by washchadblip below, the Word of God states in Isaiah 40:22 "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:"

    War is an armed conflict of opposing forces and some innocent people can and do get killed. You may call this murder. God's Word states that anyone who hates his brother is a murderer (I John 3:15). All sin is the same in God's eyes. Compare Hitler with Saddam and what was already happening to innocent people in Iraq. People were being murdered and tortured every day. Will the war end even if we remove all of our troops?

    We live in a broken world, and Jesus is our only Hope and Salvation. We are all sinners and must repent of our sins. Christians are not perfect people, just forgiven by Grace.

    Terry Williams
    West Virginia

    • Posted By: Red Dirt Brother @ 06/11/2008 11:35:49 AM

      Mr. Williams, you lose all credibility name calling. We can quote the Torah, the Koran, or even Dear Abbey, but that only gives credence to death mongering and misses life???s gift. You need to pull your head out of that book and look outside your door or even better, try looking outside your heart. You remind me of the evil religious men who burned what they thought was witchcraft when all they did was kill many innocent people that ultimately transformed into ghost where they were killed. You fear God because you have nothing else. No mind, no spirit, and definitely no life. You hide behind your bible and God because you cannot stand alone simply on your own strengths as a human being. War is wrong. It keeps us back in the caves of destruction and ignorance. After centuries of telling indigenous nations they were savages, where did it get you. These cultures have thrived as ???civilized??? people adopting and assimilating into what you call ???civilization??? only so you can keep your religion and stay in the depths of ignorance and savagery. You are the reason white people are not taken serious anymore and your bloodline is diminishing, so find that in your bible!

      • Posted By: Pastor Terrence @ 06/11/2008 2:14:28 PM

        To Red Dirt Brother and others of the same mindset:

        Why attack Falwell who has passed on??? (A man who helped countless poor, alcoholic men, young girls with crisis pregnancies, and genuinely cared for his critics and their families) Why be belligerent about the proven Word of God??? Why resort to arguments about morality, sinful men, and racial divides. (The Bible says that we all come from Adam and Noah, and that "God has made all nations from one blood" Acts 17). God is not concerned with what color of skin you have or whether you are male or female, but whether you have trusted His Word and have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ!!! You cannot argue with God!! You are only trying to squirm your way out of being held accountable and Judged by His standards and attempting to justify living your life, your way. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but through me!" I did not say that, Jesus did!!! I did not make Truth narrow!!! God did! If you have a problem with it, take it up with Him!!! I hope you come to the knowledge of the truth before it is eternally too late!!! Thank you and may God's Holy Spirit speak to you through His Holy Word!

        Because He Lives,

        Pastor Terrence H. Williams
        Greater Things Fellowship, SBC
        West Virginia, USA

    • Posted By: washchadblip @ 06/11/2008 11:18:54 AM

      It's murder. And if you voted for Bush, you enabled that murder. You believe that grace saves you, but the Bible states that few will reach Heaven. You believe that knowing the magic words ("Jesus Christ is my personal Lord and Savior.") will grant you immortality. So many know the magic words, but the Bible states that so few shall enter Heaven. It sounds like grace won't be the infinite saver of souls.

  • Posted By: fightthetheocracy! @ 06/11/2008 10:40:23 AM

    I think I'll blame christians for 9/11. I figure I have about as much proof as Flawell did when he made his BS claims. If people were wiling to take him at his word then why not me?

  • Posted By: Red Dirt Brother @ 06/11/2008 10:18:30 AM

    Mr. Williams, how is it you can read the scriptures but cannot read the times? Is it true that the original scriptures were written in Aramaic and Latin and only re-interpreted during the middle ages by over zealous persons such as yourself and that there were scriptures by Judas himself that the church burned and hidden? Or is the evidence found just in the minds of scientist? Also, I feel your fascination with the devil and hell only perpetuates the worst in mankind and excuses his plight to fulfill the rapture and the end of life on this planet, kind of a SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY? Do we not have our futures in our own hands? If there is a book of life, then why worship God if we are damned to eternity anyway? I have never heard two Christians agree on any ONE scripture! Did you know the bible was written by Jesus??? disciples and not Jesus himself? Therefore, everything in your faith is up to interpretation, RIGHT?

    • Posted By: Pastor Terrence @ 06/11/2008 2:07:32 PM

      In response to Red Dirt Brother's comments to my father, Terry Williams: I read the times through the lens of Scripture, just as you read them through the lens of your limited understanding of man's opinion, your cultural heritage, and past hurts. I would rather stand upon the firm foundation of the never-changing Word of an eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, and infallible God; than the constant and contradictory blathering of limited and fallible men.

      Concerning the Scriptures, I would never compare the Koran with the Bible and the Torah is part of the Old Testament. The Bible was written by over 40 different authors, from a wide variety of backgrounds, from three different continents, in 3 different languages (Hebrew/Aramaic/Greek), over a period of 1500 years, with absolutely no true contradiction. The Bible is the best-selling book of all time and is the most historically established ancient work, as well. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and translated into Greek over 200 years before Christ. The book of Ezekiel contained Aramaic, as well, as Hebrew. The New Testament was originally written in Greek and translated along with the Old Testament into the Latin Vulgate by Jerome. In 1611, the Old and New Testaments were translated fully into English by 46 top scholars of the time. In 1947, the dead sea scrolls were found and and the Biblical Texts were practically identical to our modern translations. We currently have over 25,000 early manuscripts of the New Testament and all serious scholars agree that we can truly know with confidence the text of the original Scriptures. Not to mention, all of the fulfilled prophecy, medical knowledge, scientific and historical statements that the Bible makes that have been confirmed in the last 100 to 150 years.

      You mentioned the Gospel of Judas. This document was written well over 200 years after Christ (way after everyone that knew Him had died) by a non-Christian group called the Gnostics. However, the Gospel of Mark was completed and published within less than thirty years after the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15, which contains the earliest Christian Creed, was written before that. Surely, there were people still living that could have denied Gospel Truth, however, they could not. The enemies of Christ admitted that His tomb was empty and followers of Christ were willing to die because they had seen Him alive after the resurrection!

      Because He Lives,

      Pastor Terrence H. Williams
      Greater Things Fellowship, SBC
      West Virginia, USA

    • Posted By: sjpersonal @ 06/11/2008 12:01:47 PM

      Just a quick comment on your post. Regarding Judas, I believe that I heard something recently that the gospels of Judas have been located. I think I heard something about it on National Geograhic.

  • Posted By: olderwiser @ 06/11/2008 10:08:37 AM

    This was a man who convinced a lot of people that when he died his body would physically ascend to heaven in some sort of rapture and he was made into a national authority on politics and religion and even on the cause of the 9/11 tower destruction. He figured that we had brought it on ourselves in pursuit of sinful pleasure. This phenomenon is reflective of the many layers of understanding in our population and there is one great big thick layer named "ignorance" that seems to flourish. His wonders to perform.

  • Posted By: fightthetheocracy! @ 06/11/2008 10:01:09 AM

    The man blamed people like me for 9/11. He can rot for all I care and I hope all of his defenders on here rot with him. The man preached hate and anyone who agrees with him is just as hateful as he was. There is no way any of you are in a position to lecture the rest of us about morality, especially after the last eight years. Why don't you all go find some books to burn or some gay kid to strap to a fence post and flog to death somewhere, it's what your good at.

  • Posted By: washchadblip @ 06/11/2008 9:48:28 AM

    Macel: "You come in sometimes, and I don't have anything to do."

    She could serve the poor.

    Terry Williams: "...the World is basically round and not flat."

    Not according to the Bible.

    Terry Williams: "There is one individual that is broad minded and tolerates...murder...."

    Lots of individuals tolerate murder: all the people who voted for Bush. War is mass murder.

    Repent your sins, Terry Williams, and vote for someone who will end war. And use your time and money to adopt the many, many children that await adoption.

    • Posted By: Williams25064 @ 06/11/2008 10:52:38 AM

      In response to the comment by washchadblip, the Word of God states in Isaiah 40:22 "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:"

      War is an armed conflict of opposing forces and some innocent people can and do get killed. You may call this murder. God's Word states that anyone who hates his brother is a murderer (I John 3:15). All sin is the same in God's eyes. Compare Hitler with Saddam and what was already happening to innocent people in Iraq. People were being murdered and tortured every day. Will the war end even if we remove all of our troops?

      We live in a broken world, and Jesus is our only Hope and Salvation. We are all sinners and must repent of our sins. Christians are not perfect people, just forgiven by Grace.

      Terry Williams
      West Virginia

  • Posted By: Williams25064 @ 06/11/2008 9:41:57 AM

    If Red Dirt Brother would take the time to read the Word of God in chapter 15 of I Corinthians, and open his heart to the Truth of God's Holy Word, then he would know that quoting scripture or preaching is NOT in vain. There is Absolute Truth in Jesus Christ and in His Word. It doesn't matter whether we believe in Hell or Not for it to exist, Jesus spoke of Hell, and He now holds the keys to it and the grave. Also, the Devil does indeed exist and he hates all of God's Creation. Hate never comes from God for any people, and a true Christian only hates the Sin, not the Sinner!. Jerry Falwell did not hate anyone, only the sin committed by them!
    Being a Christian is not a religion, but a personal relationship with Christ and each other.

    Jerry Falwell was just a man, a sinner, saved by Grace. Yes he was narrow minded about the Holy Word of God! The Bible tells us that there is only one way to God, for all people, by admitting that we are sinners and repenting of those sins, and accepting that Jesus Christ died for those sins and rose from the dead, that He is our personal Savior and is now sitting at the right hand of God! This is what Jerry Falwell knew and believed!

    You may call this a fairy tale. However, my Creator is alive and He created all things. I challenge you to read His Word entirely, not just bits and pieces. Also, if you don't believe in God or Christ, read former atheist Lee Strobel's book "The Case for Christ," then make your decision one way or the other. When you leave this world and stand before God Almighty, I pray that you have made the wise decision to accept Him. Again, I dare you to read Psalm 14:1-5, and then the entire Word of God!

    As a Christian, the only Good in me or anyone else is Jesus Christ, for there is none Good, not one, but God! The Book of John tells us that the Word was with God, and the Word was made flesh, in Jesus, and that He was God. Jerry Falwell witnessed the deeds of many people, just as you and I have, he knew the sinful nature of people, and as a servant of God, he preached against those personal sins and those of our nation,
    such as killing unborn babies through abortion. I met and spoke with Jerry four times since 1975 and I know that he loved all people, and prayed that we would turn from our sin and see the truth and accept Christ!

    Yes, truth is narrow, just as 2 + 2 is 4, and not 5; and that the World is basically round and not flat. The Narrow Path of Righteousness and Truth may be unreasonable to those that shout about Tolerance. There is one individual that is broad minded and tolerates lying, cheating, theft, murder, adultery, homosexuality, and child abuse, to name a few, and his name is Satan. This is the Truth that Jerry Falwell preached, if you didn't take him out of context.

    Terry Williams, West Virginia

  • Posted By: jath123 @ 06/11/2008 9:19:47 AM

    Dear Newsweek; As you say yourself "the book is lightweight and probably of interest only to Falwell's followers". Precisely. And you are featuring it as a lead news story why? This woman has all the intellectual and literary gravitas of Paris Hilton.

    • Posted By: washchadblip @ 06/11/2008 9:29:55 AM

      They probably feature it because it panders to the Right and enrages the Left. The Left's righteous outrage engenders responses, which helps sell ads.

  • Posted By: washchadblip @ 06/11/2008 9:15:12 AM

    And Macel is going to cast another vote for the Torture Party. So, while she misses Jerry on her luxurious sofas and fondles the cross, an instrument of torture, suspects held without due process are being tortured.

  • Posted By: washchadblip @ 06/11/2008 9:03:03 AM

    Here's the way it's going to play:

    America has been morally (torture, imperialism, gulags) and fiscally (trillions of dollars of addtional debt and a rotting infrastructure) bankrupted by Bush. Bush was elected by fundies organized by Falwell and others. More and more middle class people are becoming poor folks. If you're a fundy and you have a beloved home, can you heat it and cool it when fuel prices double? Triple? The gov't won't save you: it's broke. And it's indifferent. You saw what happened in New Orleans.

    And you better pray every night that there is no God, since you voted for the Torture Party, the Republicans. Jesus was tortured. How do you think Jesus would feel about a person who votes for torture?

  • Posted By: Red Dirt Brother @ 06/11/2008 7:59:40 AM

    How can there be a hell when people are being blown to bits over your Christian Republicans goal of hating and destroying anything and anyone that doesn???t know the story of Jesus? If Jesus died for our sins, why don???t Christians pay a penance called taxes instead of building mega-mall-churches and give money to the likes of Falwell, the Bakkers, etc,. These people reaped the wealth of the earth and then go to heaven? What a bunch of blind idiots! Have you not known that Christ did say that even the tax collectors get to heaven before you who pray in public and claim Christ is your savior. We all know the story. His coming to be; his life and ministry; his persecution from RELIGIOUS folks of his day! Jesus was a law-breaker back in the day. All your scripture quoting and preaching is in vain. How you treat your fellow man would show your true heart instead of trying to pimp for an institution. There is little or no difference between Muslim hate and Christianity hate. I do not believe in hell or the devil since man is the greatest evil to his world and hell is a state of mind. Hell is torture on earth idiots, and you Christians put the devil in the Whitehouse and expect anyone to take you seriously? Even Christ himself said it wasn???t about a church, book, or ???best??? religion. You Christian folk are just blinded by your own zeal, so your hell is yet to come while the rest of the world is burning! Think about it!

    • Posted By: fiber artist @ 06/11/2008 10:32:50 AM

      Jesus also said that it's easier for a cow to go through the eye of the needle than for a wealthy man to get to heaven - I think all these ultra wealthy evangelicals are going to burn in their own hell - it's a good thing I don't believe in hell and I'm nowhere near even middle class, let alone wealthy. They should feel guilty about all this wealth and about hatred and torture and mass murder!

  • Posted By: Red Dirt Brother @ 06/11/2008 7:59:24 AM

    How can there be a hell when people are being blown to bits over your Christian Republicans goal of hating and destroying anything and anyone that doesn???t know the story of Jesus? If Jesus died for our sins, why don???t Christians pay a penance called taxes instead of building mega-mall-churches and give money to the likes of Falwell, the Bakkers, etc,. These people reaped the wealth of the earth and then go to heaven? What a bunch of blind idiots! Have you not known that Christ did say that even the tax collectors get to heaven before you who pray in public and claim Christ is your savior. We all know the story. His coming to be; his life and ministry; his persecution from RELIGIOUS folks of his day! Jesus was a law-breaker back in the day. All your scripture quoting and preaching is in vain. How you treat your fellow man would show your true heart instead of trying to pimp for an institution. There is little or no difference between Muslim hate and Christianity hate. I do not believe in hell or the devil since man is the greatest evil to his world and hell is a state of mind. Hell is torture on earth idiots, and you Christians put the devil in the Whitehouse and expect anyone to take you seriously? Even Christ himself said it wasn???t about a church, book, or ???best??? religion. You Christian folk are just blinded by your own zeal, so your hell is yet to come while the rest of the world is burning! Think about it!

  • Posted By: Red Dirt Brother @ 06/11/2008 7:59:19 AM

    How can there be a hell when people are being blown to bits over your Christian Republicans goal of hating and destroying anything and anyone that doesn???t know the story of Jesus? If Jesus died for our sins, why don???t Christians pay a penance called taxes instead of building mega-mall-churches and give money to the likes of Falwell, the Bakkers, etc,. These people reaped the wealth of the earth and then go to heaven? What a bunch of blind idiots! Have you not known that Christ did say that even the tax collectors get to heaven before you who pray in public and claim Christ is your savior. We all know the story. His coming to be; his life and ministry; his persecution from RELIGIOUS folks of his day! Jesus was a law-breaker back in the day. All your scripture quoting and preaching is in vain. How you treat your fellow man would show your true heart instead of trying to pimp for an institution. There is little or no difference between Muslim hate and Christianity hate. I do not believe in hell or the devil since man is the greatest evil to his world and hell is a state of mind. Hell is torture on earth idiots, and you Christians put the devil in the Whitehouse and expect anyone to take you seriously? Even Christ himself said it wasn???t about a church, book, or ???best??? religion. You Christian folk are just blinded by your own zeal, so your hell is yet to come while the rest of the world is burning! Think about it!

  • Posted By: expatincebu @ 06/11/2008 5:10:59 AM

    This is like Ava Braun writing a book that Adolph was really a nice guy. Foulwell was scum and his wife is no better and those who supported him are even worse.

  • Posted By: nasp @ 06/11/2008 4:17:19 AM

    it is so disappointing that a christian woman and one of great importance in the christian faith shd have such a stand - vote for mccain just for the simple reason that he is a republican. as a cristian i am ashamed of all these people and have no respect for them. mccain does not stand for anything that christ stands for. he is a liberal republican. shame on mrs falwell and his sons for endorsing mccain just because he is a republican. shame on the others like john hagee. this goes beyond being republicans - they are all racists. The Good Lord will judge us all one day

  • Posted By: tjmenke @ 06/11/2008 3:33:18 AM

    After watching the Documentary, "The Eyes of Tammy Faye", I believe that Mr. Falwell was a very mean spirited man. It appears he was the one that started the rumours saying that Jim baker was making sexual advances towards men in his congregation> Believe that Jim Baker was guilty of being greedy, but Jerry Falwell set him up with Jessica Hahn. Oh well guess it will all come out at the Fianl Judgement.

  • Posted By: Newt @ 06/11/2008 3:19:25 AM

    Yikes. So much damaged caused by one man and his followers, and they still think the country's ills are caused by those bad paganists, abortionists, feminists, gays and lesbians. And sheI'll vote for McCain, for sure. God, save me from your followers.



    No wonder

  • Posted By: Azrael @ 06/11/2008 2:59:58 AM

    Must you really post comments like that, Woman Walks Far? For the record, I am indifferent, and even against certain religions, especially ones that suppress and prosecute those who don't believe or worship thier gods such as Islam, Judaism and, worst of all, Christianity. I know this world is going to Hell in a handbasket, but that dosen't mean that you have to automatically blame us "ungodly freaks." Don't be so close minded! Think for yourself and for those around you. And, instead of blaming others, perhaps you can help others! By the way, this is a teen who is yelling at you, and if your an adult, I thought you of all people should be more mature than I!

  • Posted By: Spinning Plates @ 06/11/2008 2:51:54 AM

    Christianity does indeed have a leader who "went out on a limb"...His name is Jesus. It is arrogant for anyone on earth to declare themselves as anything as arrogant as the "religious right." When they do, they spew the same type of man made decrees regarding Christianity as Falwell did. Jesus Christ served people...in a loving, sacrificial way. He was well aware of the politics around him...."Render unto Caesar that which is Caesars"....but, He knew, as we all should now....God is not impressed of the outward man, but the inward one.

    • Posted By: mixedupdoll @ 06/11/2008 2:58:02 AM

      Very well put. I liked the way you worded your comment. Your wisdom and insight is most welcomed .

  • Posted By: mixedupdoll @ 06/11/2008 2:47:42 AM

    The comments made over the years about Mr. Falwell bring mixed emotions by many. I lived in the Lynchburg area for several years and became familar with his grand empire. I also became familar with his past and his families past. One should never throw rocks when they come from their own river banks. His family had a very sorid past. This was not fictional but from family's that grew up around the Falwells. Religous freedoms should mean just that, that all people are free to worship their religions without ridicule and suffrage from others. Yes Macel loved her husband and bore his children those are things that we can appreciate in couples. Does that mean I would run out and buy her book? No it just means I respect her loss and grievances. Does his passing justify all of the unfair and hateful comments he made while living? No it does not. Do not hide behind the face of your religion to cast your stones. Hate is just as sinful as any other sin . It is one's refusal to learn of other's cultures and beliefs that leads to such horrible statements and misunderstandings. This is a large wonderous world, and so full of diversity , should not we respect it more by trying to accept others for what they believe and learn something from it? Stop fighting your battles in the name of religion . If you choose to wage war do so against things that will really matter such as proverty, starvation, dieases. It matters not who started it or how , what matters is finding an answer for the problems that are so privolant in our societies. Raise arms against homelessness and raise your eyes towards a better tommorow.

  • Posted By: POSSOM @ 06/11/2008 2:40:12 AM

    Keep your religious crap out of politics! Separation of church and state means just that. Why don't you bible thumpers accept the Constitution? Are religious freaks exempt from the law of the land? Pharisees were the perfect example of religion in politics and you know what your Jesus thought about them!!!

  • Posted By: San Antonio @ 06/11/2008 2:27:27 AM

    I met Reverand Falwell at Regent University in Virginia Beach in 1986...he was a very nice men, very friendly, and I enjoyed our conversation. We miss him.

  • Posted By: POSSOM @ 06/11/2008 2:27:08 AM

    Keep your religious crap out of politics! Separation of church and state means just that. Why don't you bible thumpers accept the Constitution? Are religious freaks exempt from the law of the land? Pharisees were the perfect example of religion in politics and you know what your Jesus thought about them!!!

    • Posted By: Caavael @ 06/11/2008 2:36:35 AM

      I'm a Christian, and honestly I quite agree, Possum, though I don't consider myself a relgious freak as you suggest. Just a normal person with a tendency to see things from a "religious" if you will angle. Laws should favor everybody involved - and I especially appreciate your comment about the Pharisees, you make a good point there.

  • Posted By: MsRits @ 06/11/2008 2:19:34 AM

    I was not nor will I be a supporter of the religious right but folks, come on, this is his wife and the mother of his children and you folks are attacking her for the love she had for her husband and being alone. They asked her how she felt and it seems to me she shared her thoughts with us. Be respectful of her. That is what God taught us to do and instinctively b/c its the right thing to do. Why are you being so disrespectful to this lady? Again, I do not know her nor do I now or have I ever supported the Moral Majority or his kind of Christianity. You are acting worse than the man you are mad with. There are respectful ways to disagree and when ones mind is small and shallow it comes out with comments like yours.
    DL

  • Posted By: Caavael @ 06/11/2008 2:19:14 AM

    Hmm, intriguing (?) responses to the man so far (far more about him than about the book itself, though that doesn't actually surprise me too much.) Seems that if we look at what he did in public in the best possible light, he could've reworded just about everything he said so as not to sound hateful. HOWEVER, at the same time, it seems that a good majority of the nastier comments overshoot the actual level of his hatred and selfishness, basing them on tidbits of short quotes, hearsay, etc.. I will admit that I'm proud of people who stood up to at least share their good experiences of him; being a man, I'