Another Monkey: And now he knows

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

And now he knows

Today, Jerry Falwell found out whether he was right or wrong all this while. My money is on "he was wrong", though there are several different ways in which this could be true. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: As an athiest, cretins like Falwell made me want to believe there was a hell (for them to go to).

Good riddance to bad rubbish.; 5/15/2007 9:19 PM
Anonymous said...: A high school friend went to Falwell's Liberty Bible College. I attended a church service there when visiting her in 1976. That was the first time in my life that I felt I was in the presence of true, pure EVIL. The man spewed nothing but hatred and lies in the name of God. He is single-handedly responsible for this country becoming more intolerant, more bipartisan, more hypocritical. It's come 30 years too late, but at last the world is a little less evil. And Hell a little more so.; 5/15/2007 9:47 PM
Anonymous said...: While no fan of Jerry Falwell, I doubt he was single-handedly responsible for the country becoming more intolerant, bipartisan, and hypocritical. It takes millions of willing participants to do that.; 5/16/2007 8:06 AM
Anonymous said...: OK, he was "Single-Handedly responsible" for the rise of the Religious Right in much the same way that Hitler was "Single-handedly responsible" for the rise of Nazism and its fruits. Yes, there are millions of willing followers eager to pervert the teachings of a loving, tolerant, forgiving Christ into the hate-filled diatribe I heard during Falwell's sermon that day. I believe that Hatred of "the Other" is an innate instinct in mankind; Jesus message was to encourage us to try to overcome that instinct; charismatic leaders like Hitler or Falwell have a talent for focusing the listener's hatred and convincing them that they are superior to those they condemn....and that the charismatic speaker will show them the path to "righteousness". Falwell's "Moral Majority" got religion into politics in this country in a BIG way, with their main agenda being to deny civil rights to "the Other". Perhaps it was inevitable that religion would become blatantly involved in our political structure (to the detriment of our nation). But he was the one that started the ball rolling.; 5/16/2007 6:41 PM
Anonymous said...: I wouldn't disagree that Falwell was a major force for infusing religion into politics in an odious way. There is great danger when people find validation for discrimination and judgment in their interpretation of the word of God. It is even easier for them to kill infidels or strip others of their rights (which usually starts by dehumanizing "them" first). The media has a way of glossing over people's dark sides when the have power such as Falwell did. That you had first hand exposure to Falwell and his flock gives your story and opinion added weight.

Hatred is often bred from fear and, in an ever changing world, there will always be lots of things to fear. Which means charismatic leaders that use fear will always find fertile ground.

Best; 5/17/2007 8:48 AM