Jerry Falwell: Death of a Far-Right Icon

Condolences are coming in across the country as a result of the passing of the Rev. Jerry Falwell (1933-2007), an ultra-conservative, far right televangelist who created the Moral Majority and helped fundamentalist Christians gain political power to the point where one of their own, George W. Bush, could actually become president of the United States.
Even people whose views are on the other side of the Falwell agenda, like the Rev. Al Sharpton, Paul Begala and Virginia's Democratic Governor Tim Kaine have expressed sympathy for Falwell's death.
I would like to do the same,  and I suppose I will since it is the appropriate thing to do. But that is difficult for many reasons even though Falwell resided in Lynchburg, Va., and I grew up in the nearby town of Salem. There is no joy in anyone's death even if they once said: "AIDS is God's way of spanking us," or if they said that Islam was a religion which fostered and promoted terrorism. His remarks about Islam sparked protests which lead to the deaths of many people in India and other places. Falwell also initially blamed 'the sins of political liberals' for Sept. 11th, and he publicly accused Bill Clinton of murder without ever apologizing.  He said similar awful things about Jimmy Carter.
Falwell will also be remembered for his lawsuit against "Hustler" publisher Larry Flynt on defamation of character charges, which resulted in an eventual victory for his adversary. In one of his other more infamous moments, Falwell even accused a character from the PBS children's show "Teletubbies" of 'being gay.'
Falwell also founded Liberty University in Lynchburg, a team that goes by the nickname "Flames." Falwell also recruited a Turkish Christian-convert (who I refuse to name), now a minister/teacher at Liberty, to seemingly spread his message of hate and intolerance towards the Islamic faith. This man also wrote a book to cash in on the zealous fervor of post-9/11 anti-Arab/Muslim racism.  I gather that it made lots of loot. While I have my own socio-political differences with my father's religion, I am sickened by what Falwell said the anti-Islamic bigotry he promoted.
Falwell was also an advocate for capital punishment and the dubious war in Iraq. He also said that the 'end of the world' could very well occur within his lifetime. I, for one, am glad it didn't!:)
Perhaps, the Rev. Barry Lynn of American United for the Separation of Church and State has put it best today:
"Jerry Falwell politicized religion and failed to understand the genius of our Constitution, but there is no denying his impact on American political life. He will long be remembered as the face and voice of the Religious Right," said Lynn, who also expressed his condolences.
Cody Lowe, the religion reporter, of "The Roanoke Times," wrote a good story, which does not include any editorializing (that's what us bloggers are for!), about Falwell and his life. An interesting detail I did not know was that his father, who died when Falwell was 15, was a succesful businessman in Lynchburg who was also agnostic! Alas, his father was also an alcoholic, which perhaps hints at why he was so fervent about his faith. Lowe's story also said that Falwell considered 'Ted Kennedy to be a friend!"
Wow.
Fred Echols, of Roanoke's NPR station WVTF, said that Falwell started a small congregation called the Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg in the mid-1950s. Today, it is one of the largest churches in Virginia.
My lone chance to see Falwell in person was in Charlottesville during one of the many Virginia Film Festivals I attended. He was, surprisingly enough, appearing alongside his frequent nemesis Flynt who was there for a screening of the film "The People vs. Larry Flynt." But, my schedule did not permit time for that event.

Perhaps, Falwell had another side. But, then again, perhaps he didn't.

Useful links:

Americans United for Separation of Church and State:
http://www.au.org

Roanoke Times:
http://www.roanoke.com

Teletubbies (Can't Resist)
http://pbskids.org/teletubbies/teletubbyland.html