May 15, 2007

Jerry Falwell, 1933-2007

As his followers mourn his passing, let us remember how Jerry Falwell responded to the attacks of September 11, 2001:
I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say "you helped this happen."

I am not normally one to rejoice in the death of any human being, but Jerry Falwell was an evil and a hateful man, and the world is a better place for his leaving it.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

he was not a hateful man. Because he spoke on what he believed does not make him a hateful man. He apologize for what he said. Maybe you don't agree what he stood for or anything but you have no right to judge a man because of what he believed and spoke his mind on. thank you

Keith said...

"you have no right to judge a man because of what he believed and spoke his mind on"

Ah, yes.

"Judge not lest ye be judged."

As someone who claimed -- quite ostentatiously -- to be a practicing Christian, Falwell was obliged to follow Biblical teachings. Among the many perks of atheism is that I am under no such obligation.

And yet, I'm quite comfortable on this particular point of doctrine; in my most judgmental moments, I couldn't possibly be as vicious, as unkind, or as cruel as Falwell.