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Originally posted: May 15, 2007
Rev. Jerry Falwell, 1933-2007
Posted by Frank James at 1:46 pm CDT
The death of Rev. Jerry Falwell, the 73-year old founder of the Moral Majority, a preacher who did more to bring fundamentalist Christians into the secular world of politics than perhaps any other modern religious leader, comes at a critical time for the Religious Right, whose political power was diminished when the Republican Party which relied heavily on its support lost control of Congress last year.
With President Bush, a self-proclaimed born-again believer, serving out the latter part of his time in office, and with no political heir apparent to inherit the support he received from conservative Christians, it's an open question who this important constituency in the Republican Party will coalesce around.
It would've been fascinating to see how Falwell would've navigated a Republican field including Sen. John McCain who in 2000 called him one of the "agents of intolerance" (they had since made attempt at mending things with McCain appearing at Liberty University, the school Falwell founded); Rudy Giuliani, who openly supports abortion rights, and Mitt Romney, the Mormon former governor of that bastion of secular humanism, Massachusetts. Indeed, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is scheduled to be the commencement speaker at Liberty's commencement this weekend.
Now we'll never know who he would've finally supported, assuming he would have supported any of the candidates at all.
Suffice it to say that rare are the people like Falwell in recent American history who have had so large an impact on the nation's political life without being politicians. Agree with him or not, he couldn't be ignored.
Incidentally, McCain's office has issued a statement:
ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain today released the following statement:
"I join the students, faculty, and staff of Liberty University and Americans of all faiths in mourning the loss of Reverend Jerry Falwell.
"Dr. Falwell was a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Falwell's family at this difficult time."
And Romney's office was just five minutes behind with its own statement:
"An American who built and led a movement based on strong principles and strong faith has left us,'' Romney said in his issued statement. "He will be greatly missed, but the legacy of his important work will continue through his many ministries where he put his faith into action.
"Ann and I have had the honor to talk and meet with Rev.Falwell and get to know him as a man of deep personal faith and commitment to helping those around him,'' he said. "He will be forever remembered."
in Religion and Politics (Related) | Permalink (Related) Comments
I guess I have to come up with something good to say about Mr. Falwell... I'll get back to you on that one
Posted by: Church v. State | May 15, 2007 2:18:14 PMGood riddance. One less nasty theocrat in the world.
Posted by: lkohl | May 15, 2007 2:28:02 PMMy sympathies to his family.
Posted by: Cheryl | May 15, 2007 2:31:55 PM
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