Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the death of Jerry Falwell:
“Rev. Jerry Falwell did more to mobilize evangelicals than any other leader in the nation. He not only inspired them to become active politically, he encouraged them to rethink their positions on a host of issues, especially abortion and school choice. In 1979, he established the Moral Majority, welcoming Roman Catholics into the organization. He also founded Liberty University, an institution of higher education that quickly made its mark on American society.
“Jerry was a great fighter in the culture wars. He was both an exemplary evangelical and a renowned social activist, always exuding the kind of moral courage so often lacking in religious leaders of all faiths. He will be sorely missed.â€
[Exemplary: worthy of imitation; commendable: exemplary conduct]
Mitt Romney comments on the death of Jerry Falwell:
“Falwell built and led a movement based on strong principles and strong faith,” and “the legacy of his important work will continue through his many ministries where he put his faith into action.”
[Important: of much or great significance or consequence: mattering much: details important to a fair decision: entitled to more than ordinary consideration or notice:
prominent or large: of considerable influence or authority, as a person or position:
having social position or distinction]
Sen. John McCain comments on the death of Falwell:
“I join the students, faculty and staff of Liberty University and Americans of all faiths in mourning the loss of Reverend Jerry Falwell,†McCain said in a statement. “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.â€
[Distinguished: made conspicuous by excellence; noted; eminent; famous: a distinguished scholar: having an air of distinction, dignity, or eminence.]
A Falwell Sampler:
On Sept. 11: “The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. 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.’ ”
On AIDS: “AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals.”
On homosexuality: “I believe that all of us are born heterosexual, physically created with a plumbing that’s heterosexual and created with the instincts and desires that are basically, fundamentally, heterosexual. But I believe that we have the ability to experiment in every direction. Experimentation can lead to habitual practice, and then to a lifestyle. But I don’t believe anyone begins a homosexual.”
On Martin Luther King Jr.: “I must personally say that I do question the sincerity and nonviolent intentions of some civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Mr. James Farmer, and others, who are known to have left-wing associations.”
On public education: “I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won’t have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again, and Christians will be running them.”
On the separation of church and state: “There is no separation of church and state.”
On feminists: “I listen to feminists and all these radical gals. … These women just need a man in the house. That’s all they need. Most of the feminists need a man to tell them what time of day it is and to lead them home. And they blew it and they’re mad at all men. Feminists hate men. They’re sexist. They hate men; that’s their problem.”
On global warming: “I can tell you, our grandchildren will laugh at those who predicted global warming. We’ll be in global cooling by then, if the Lord hasn’t returned. I don’t believe a moment of it. The whole thing is created to destroy America’s free enterprise system and our economic stability.”
On Bishop Desmond Tutu: “I think he’s a phony, period, as far as representing the black people of South Africa.”
On Islam: “I think Mohammed was a terrorist. I read enough of the history of his life, written by both Muslims and non-Muslims, that he was a violent man, a man of war.”
On Jews: “In my opinion, the Antichrist will be a counterfeit of the true Christ, which means that he will be male and Jewish, since Jesus was male and Jewish.”
So there is one less charlatan with us today. Buried in Lynchburg, Va. and now, just maybe, learning some matters which in life he did not bother to grasp, much less study.
But Romney, McCain and all the fools need not worry, for there remains many such folk to associate with. The woodwork is full of such charlatans and the fools will find one another, especially during political races. Such as Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, who said at the funeral that he had been asked whether he agreed with Falwell. He drew applause with his response: “Every time he opened the Bible, I agreed with Jerry Falwell.”
Donohue, Pat Robertson, Gary Bauer, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Ralph Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition remain in the woodwork. And there are many intolerant leaders in all the major Churches throughout the land.
The Catholic Church has this past month put the doctrine of Limbo into Limbo. The Church has not killed this doctrine but, cutting to the core of their statement – they do not know.
I like to think that there is a Limbo, a temporary way station, for fools and charlatans. There, this modern Elmer Gantry would be forced to listen, until the second coming, to Paul: “Were I to speak the languages of all men and all angels, without having love, I were as a resonating gong or jangling cymbal……Love is patient, is kind. It does not envy others or brag of itself. It is not swollen with self. It is not wayward or grasping. It does not flare with anger, nor harbor a grudge. It takes no joy in evil, but delights in truth. It keeps all confidences, all trust, all hope, all endurance….
For the present, then three things matter – believing, hoping, and loving. But supreme is loving,â€
The McGlynn
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The McGlynn
If You Can Read This, You’re Not Our President
