US evangelist Jerry Falwell dies

Leading US conservative evangelist Rev Jerry Falwell has died in hospital in Virginia after being found unconscious in his office, his assistants said.
Doctors gave Rev Falwell emergency treatment at Lynchburg General Hospital but could not revive him.

Rev Falwell, 73, survived two serious health scares in 2005 but had a history of heart problems.

He became a figurehead of the religious right in the 1980s, founded the Moral Majority and later Liberty University.

Rev Falwell was regarded as the father of the political evangelical movement.

Ron Godwin, executive vice president for Liberty University, said Rev Falwell was found unresponsive in his office at the university at about 1045 local time (1535 GMT) after missing an appointment.

Rev Falwell was a strong opponent of abortion, homosexuality and many other issues that conflicted with his fundamentalist Christian beliefs.

The Rev Al Sharpton said he was deeply saddened and was praying for the Falwell family. He said although he often disagreed with the reverend, they had a cordial relationship.

Please, no snide remarks. This man was my pastor, the chancellor of my university, and in general a good man.

:( It's kinda sad when a good man like this dies. I hope that someday I can live up to the standards people like Mr. Fadwell set.

While I'm not of his religious background, and while I do not agree with most of his standpoints regarding modern issues, it is always sad to hear that a good person has passed away, whatever their beliefs. My thoughts and wishes are with his family.

A few quotes by the late doctor...

“God is a Republican” - 1979

“Jesus was the First American.” - 1977

On the Civil Rights movement: “I do question the sincerity of people like the Reverend Martin Luther King… - 1965

His TV show promoted his political “philosophy,” which included propping up the old pro-apartheid regime in South Africa… “Archbishop Desmond Tutu is a phony.” – 1985

“The Beast (The Antichrist) when comes he must be, of necessity, a Jewish male” - 2006

On Education: “I hope to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we don’t have public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them.” - 1979

“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.’” – Post September 11, 2001

“The (gay-oriented) Metropolitan Community Churches are brute beasts and a vile and Satanic system that will one day be utterly annihilated and there will be a celebration in heaven…” - 1984

Regarding the “Global War on Terror”: “Blow them all away in the name of the Lord.” 2004

On organized labor: “Labor unions should study and read the Bible instead of asking for more money. When people get right with God, they are better workers.”

And last but not least… “If you’re not a born-again Christian, you’re a failure as a human being.”

Am I glad he is dead? No, rarely is it ever true I am glad a person is dead, but he was by no means the great spiritual guru you make him to be. He was a Christian extremist. That said my thoughts are with his grieving family.

We can always trust Circe to point out the negatives. Asshole.

Condolences Wes.

He was a step backwards, worlds a better place without him....

Sorry Wes

Viva la Science

Sorry about the lose.

I'm a Jewish Male though.... maybe I'm the Antichrist...oh uh

Am I glad he is dead? No, rarely is it ever true I am glad a person is dead, but he was by no means the great spiritual guru you make him to be. He was a Christian extremist. That said my thoughts are with his grieving family.

Ain't nothing wrong with that. In many ways my views could be interpreted as Christian extremistiality, but I'm not generally a hostile person.

Park Kraken

Ain't nothing wrong with that. In many ways my views could be interpreted as Christian extremistiality, but I'm not generally a hostile person.

In my view and personal opinion, an extremist form of anything is wrong and shouldn't exist. Violent or not, no one should be so closed minded as to view the entire world in extremes :).

Ben Firestar

Violent or not, no one should be so closed minded as to view the entire world in extremes :).

I disagree, when an extreme is the truth, you have to accept it. Just like someone is guilty or non-guilty. Theres no in between.