Ever since the passing of Dr. Falwell this past Tuesday, I’ve been closely following the story in the press. I’ve been watching the almost unthinkable amounts of hatred expressed in forums, comments on news stories, posts on facebook group walls, etc.
The truth is that much of the world is quite literally rejoicing in the death of Jerry Falwell. He is being maligned and persecuted in his death much worse than he was in life. People are celebrating his death and saying blasphemous and poisonous words.
These exchanges have compelled me to respond. I’ve been careful to be gentle and show no animosity in my responses. I’ve included a little sarcasm where neccessary to express my point: It is hypocritical to celebrate the death of someone because you believe they were a “”prophet of hatred and bigotry.”"
It makes no sense to spit on the corpse of someone because you think they hated people. It’s hypocrital to the point of absurdity. It is the quinessential “”pot calls the kettle black”" example.
What I did not expect from my reserved comments was a steady stream of responses sent directly to me. So instead of sitting on them, I’m going to start posting the comments and my responses. Up until this point, the most common response I have got has included the F word. The C word. The <insert another cuss word here> word. They have also been sprinkled with some of the most offensive and blasphemous things I’ve ever heard.
I will not be posting such messages because I refuse to give forum to their well thought out hatred. What I will post is comments from people who are genuinely trying to defend their stance and correct me. Only first names will be mentioned out of respect. The following is a response I got to a post in a facebook group entitled “”Burn in Hell, Jerry Falwell”".
| From Steven |
| The “”reverend”" falwell used 9.11 to spew political hate speech. That may not be DIRECTLY celebrating the deaths of those 3,000 people, but its pretty damn close, and it is morally reprehensible. I just hope you realize that even though I’m in the anti-Falwell group I dont hate all fundamentalist christians. most of you are good hearted people. that man was not. As for your comment of hypocrisy…i think jesus called it the golden rule..do unto others. falwell is getting as good as he gave. |
| My Response |
| That’s just it, you don’t know Falwell at all. You *think* you know something about him, but all you really know is a handful of quotes from approximately 50 years at the pulpit that sound awful in isolation.You can destroy anyone’s reputation that way.
Falwell believes in a loving, holy, and just God, the same as I do. He was unwilling to preach anything different. He constantly said (and I don’t like this cliche even if there is truth in it) “”Hate the sin, not the sinner.”" His quote about 911, if he had spoken more prudently and if his intentions had been properly relayed (as they were in subsequent speeches), meant this: “”America has embraced sin and celebrated it and protected it: God is judging us for that.”" And, while that is extremely controversial to say on national television, I can’t say that I have much dissagreement with that statement. Though I think that whatever God’s reasons are they are a lot more complex. What is not reported on the news is how many times Falwell has paid for breakfast for detractors who picketed outside of his church. How many times he said kind things in response to utter hatred from his enemies. What I knew of Falwell before I showed up at Liberty University in 2004 was what you know. I told my friends he was harmful to Christianity. I said that his comments on 911 were indefensible. I said his stance on Telly Tubbies was embarrassing to all of Christianity.* But then I met him. I listened to his sermons (which are not very good…he is a great leader but a horrible preacher). I heard the true versions of stories. I witnessed first hand how he handles his enemies. He became one of my personal heroes in about 2 years. I’ve never seen someone with so much passion, so much vision, and so much courage and compassion in the face of opposition. He was not perfect. He made a lot of mistakes. His campaigns often had as many ill effects as positive ones. But at the end of the day, I truly believe he was one of the greatest men of the past 50 years. Even now I have a pit in my stomach. It pains me that he is no longer here. I’m sorry this was so long. I would love to hear your response if you would like to respond. Clifton |
If anyone would like to discuss this subject with me, send me an email. therationalresponse@gmail.
Clifton
#1 by Steven at June 10th, 2007
So many people isolate a few of his less than politically correct jokes and use them to portray the true character of Dr. Falwell. The truth is, I agree with almost everything he said, publicly (and privately). There were times where he was less than loving when he spoke the truth, but he spoke the truth nonetheless. The times where he was downright mean when speaking it, he quickly apologized. There aren’t any words to describe the amount of respect I have for that man and how he slaved day in and day out to change the world for Jesus. He was rock solid. It’s too bad that there are people that can’t see that, and end up hating him because they think (ignorantly, of course) that all Falwell did was “hate”.