Rest In Peace Jerry Falwell
Here at the GTB, it isn't really a secret that we have very strong feelings towards Jerry Falwell and his politics. Hell, the good reverend even had his very own subject tag. That being said, and politics aside, it is with great sadness that we acknowledge the death of Reverend Jerry Falwell today at the age of 73.While most of what he did angered us, his passion for his beliefs ignited in us similar passion for our own. His often inflammatory rhetoric provoked thought, introspection, and discussion, and for that, we would like to thank Reverend Falwell.
Sometimes you don't really know how strongly you believe in something until somebody vocalizes the things you don't. At the GTB, Jerry Falwell did that for us time and time again. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this incredibly difficult time.
Labels: Jerry Falwell
posted by scooterlulu at 1:50 PM
4 Comments:
Very tactful post. May he rest in peace.
6:04 PM
scooter here, lulu and I had trouble with this post as I think its important to be clear that nobody rejoices in the death of another, yet at the same time, his words in my opinion spread hate and fear. I just got an email from the national gay and lesbian task force which I think summarizes MY feelings perfectly:
The death of a family member or friend is always a sad occasion and we express our condolences to all those who were close to the Rev. Jerry Falwell. Unfortunately, we will always remember him as a founder and leader of America's anti-gay industry, someone who exacerbated the nation's appalling response to the onslaught of the AIDS epidemic, someone who demonized and vilified us for political gain and someone who used religion to divide rather than unite our nation"
10:59 PM
I agree with Scooter, but I also understand Lulu's post, which I think conveys a very forgiving and tolerant attitude toward somone who was hurtful to many people in life - a far more Christian attitude than some claim (in this reader's opinion).
8:28 AM
Christopher Hitchens said in a recent interview on Fox News that he doesn't care whether his expression of joy over Falwell's death hurts his family's feelings or not, saying "they can take comfort from the extraordinary piety and stupidity and, generally speaking, uniformity of the coverage of the man's death."
"Jerry Falwell lived on hatred, superstition and bigotry."
You can view the interview here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=doKkOSMaTk4
Even though I disagree with Hitchens about many things (e.g. support of the Iraq war), I think his disdain for what Jerry Falwell stood for in his life is right on. The only unfortunate thing here is that there are so many others waiting in line to take his place.
8:13 PM
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