Rev. Jerry Falwell has Died

(LYNCHBURG, Virginia) - 73-year old Televangelist Rev. Jerry Falwell has died. He was found unconscious Tuesday, rushed to the hospital and was given CPR for about half an hour according to the AP.

The News & Advance of Lynchburg reports that the well known and controversial Falwell missed a meeting about noon. He was found in his office, unconscious and unresponsive. He was rushed to Lynchburg General Hospital around 12:00 PM ET.

Falwell was one of the first people to create the multi-million dollar industry of "mega churches". He founded the Moral Majority and became the most well-known face of the "religious right" in the 1980s. He said he found Jesus in 1952, and politics in 1979. He is known as "the father of the political evangelical movement."

He was outspoken, mostly against women's reproductive rights and against homosexuality. His statement after 9/11 about the event being punishment for abortions and homosexuality brought on perhaps his most public apology.

He later founded the conservative Liberty University in Virginia, where he was today. He served as its president.

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Albert Marnell May 18, 2007 5:07 pm (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, I will worry about syntax when I get paid for this. If I write it is usually fast and I know that an intelligent person can understand what I am saying. I am not writing for Simon and Shuster. When I do, I will be more obsessive about syntax. I am trying to convey ideas especially to you but it always is lost and all you can mention is syntax.

Rosenberg May 18, 2007 12:54 pm (Pacific time)

Coral and Marnell: You understand how syntax analysis works?

Rosenberg May 18, 2007 12:52 pm (Pacific time)

Thanks for the input Marnell. Just some info for you, I have many relatives and friends all over New York and was spending considerable time there before you were born. Obviously you have really enhanced the states cultural mores with your presence.

Coral Anika Theill May 18, 2007 12:10 pm (Pacific time)

A sage asked the Creator to show him Hell. In it were people on both sides of a long table, seated in front of a big pot of stew. Each person had a spoon with a very long handle, such that they could not get any food for themselves. They were perpetually starving. Then he saw Heaven. Same set-up, but the people were feeding each other. One of the most profound Scriptures in the New Testament is also the shortest, "He (Jesus) wept." Humanity cries out for a non-judgmental, compassionate people, a people who resonate unconditional love and peace toward one another. "I want to know God's thoughts, the rest is details," said Albert Einstein. A true account of a woman's experiences in Jerry Falwell circles: Throughout my life, I have suffered incredible horror, cruelty and abuse at the hands of "born again, spirit-filled, fundamental legalistic Christians," local (Oregon) and elsewhere. When I suffered a physical collapse, mental/nervous breakdown from long term abuse and exhaustion 14 years ago after the birth of my 7th child, I was beaten, raped, impregnated by my ex husband and and told continually by my ex husband, his pastors and elders that I was "cursed by God" for the duration of my 2 year breakdown. They exorcised for me for demons and because I didn't "have an immediate healing from this breakdown" was told I was not an obedient wife, had not repented, and was a "witch." I had been a faithful wife and nurturing mother for 15 years. At that time, my Christian ex husband and his pastors thought it would be a good idea, after I suffered a miscarriage and D and C, and while I was in a nearly catatonic state and suffering from Post Partum Depression, that I be left at the "Wings of Love" half way house with ex cons on Killingsworth in Portland, Oregon "to break me to the will of God." (Their words). The ex cons kept busy killing the rats with shovels. Two years later, after the birth of my 8th child, and with my mental well-being and wits in tact, I finally escaped my ex husband's Christian regime after an 18 year marriage. Physicians thought it was a miracle I survived the Christian and Catholic communities that were in charge of my "mental wellness program" during this dark period of my life. They were my "judge, jury and executioner" all in one. Compassion was extinct among them and still is, as they believe 12 years later that I still need to be "punished" by their God and are now using Oregon's Polk County's District Attorney and court system to harass and abuse me further. I continue to honor everyone's sacred ground and their belief system, but I have long term experience and awareness of what is "not correct" for me. It would not be correct for anyone. Life is hard, we all have had our difficulties and traumas, and that is what connects us to one another. We need to encourage one another on this journey, not condemn each other because a person may not adhere to another person's personal interpretation of the Bible. www.bonshea.com (See "Women, Church and State" written by Matilda Joslyn Gage over 100 years ago regarding the plight of women and children in patriarchal religion throughout the ages. www.bonshea.com

Coral Anika Theill May 18, 2007 12:03 pm (Pacific time)

If the beliefs people have adopted prevent them from feeling full of love, equality and inner connectedness with all mankind and nature, then I believe he/she must challenge his/her beliefs and integrity. Anything that creates a "them" and "us" mentality is not love. Love always unites and creates or honors oneness. By not feeling, people can live under the false assumption that we are separate from each other. When we open ourselves to feelings, we can feel not only our own, but others' feelings as well. The nature of feelings and the power of empathy demonstrates that we are all connected, or at least potentially so, through an experience of another's pain, happiness, grief, satisfaction, pride, or shame. Love is wanting another's highest good.

Albert Marnell May 18, 2007 10:16 am (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, Falwell engaged in hate speech all over the world. If you read his comments, that hate speech over decades with his large media presence, affiliated pastors and followers propagated discrimination, ignorance and even violence against not only gay men and women but any to use your favorite word "ilk" that did not fit his perverted view of a Christian World. When someone is allowed to talk publicly about people as Hitler did about Jews and others, you find people losing their jobs, housing, businesses and violence against these groups increases (including murder, like Matthew Sheppard). Some people would turn their backs on family members if they got caught up in his insane superstitions. If Falwell could have gotten away with it, I am sure he would advocate the death penalty for gays, pro-abortionists etc. What makes him even more evil than Hussein is that one would know that he grew up in a country where we do not behave or even talk in the way he did toward many different groups of people. Hussein came from a culture where it is common to cut off a hand for stealing a loaf of bread. We are not supposed to be that primitive and even think in those terms. Falwell had the best educational possiblities and opportunities to help people emotionally not hurt and alienate. The suicide rate among gay teens is three times that of heterosexual teens because of the kind of ignorant, hateful myths that Falwell continued. Read his quotes again and read what the woman, Coral, wrote in on this site. Whatever he did was done for profit and a perverted Christian version of running a business. For every dollar he took in, how much went into his pockets and that brainwash University of his. Maybe he was able to make a profit off of some of these poor people once he received things like tax-exemptions and who knows what from other countries. There are estimated to be about 30 million gay people in the U.S. How do you think that they felt when someone is ostracizing them and recruiting the impressionable to continue his "Mein Kampf" attitudes? The only thing that stopped him from going as far as Hussein is our European culture, which by the way prohibits the death penalty in most countries in Western Europe. Falwell often had to retract his real desires because of public pressure. The people that he helped were from people like the ones you talk about who are in the backwoods of the Amazon. Give them an extra bowl of rice and they are helped. I am sure he got payback by increasing donations to himself and the top people that surrounded him. I think that Jim and Tammy Baker had more ethics and they had none. By the way, destroyed lives and hurt feelings by hate speech and advocacy can not be measured by "Methodology". You who can not feel for anyone except your "ilk" can not measure the pain, emotional problems and even murder and suicide that Falwell's kind of propaganda can have on the human spirit. You can never know globally how many ignorant people acted out their hate to the ultimate degree of murder. You "Rosenberg" are another Hussein without power...Thank God! As far as 9/11, with all of the information out there from "Terrorstorm" to Michel Chossudovsky to "The Truth and Lies of 9/11" one would have to be a moron to not conclude that 9/11 was a sophisticated inside job. The declassified documents are all over the internet about plans to invade the middle east decades ago. You know about Operation Northwoods. If was almost carried out. Why is it so hard for you to realize that 9/11 was an inside job. I was near Manhattan and the picture was clear to me from the start. Yes, people here are less gullible than most other parts of the country because they see so much on a day to day basis in downstate New York.

Rosenberg May 18, 2007 7:42 am (Pacific time)

Marnell a number of years ago I was in Brazil buying various types of hardwood deep in the interior(for boat decks and cabinets), and in this one village was a number of missionary students associated with Rev. Falwell. They truely were improving the living standards for these villagers. I soon came to find out that Rev. Falwell had students all over the world helping people. This is something the media rarely reported on, and they "did" know about it. So if you estimate the number of people that Rev. Falwell helped and contrasted it with the number of people Saddam "exterminated", how do you think those numbers would pencil out? So if Rev. Falwell was more evil than Saddam (your words Albie!), how do you come to that conclusion? Do you apply the same logic (methodology) when you state that the U.S. government was behind 911? Yeah no doubt you represent the cosmopolitan character of New Yorkers...not!

Albert Marnell May 18, 2007 4:52 am (Pacific time)

It does not matter if the puppet Iraqi government killed Sadaam Hussein or not. The point was that Falwell was more evil than Hussein.

Albert Marnell May 17, 2007 1:17 pm (Pacific time)

Thank you Coral Anika Theill. It is so important that people who have lived through these things become living testimonials.

Albert Marnell May 17, 2007 1:12 pm (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, The people with "Primary Colors" already know me and know not to F. with me and many respect me. You better watch out for people wearing business suits.

Coral Anika Theill May 17, 2007 1:08 pm (Pacific time)

Albert Marnell, I appreciated the quotes by Jerry Falwell you provided. I lived among the "Falwell" camps for 40 years until 12 years ago, when I escaped for my life...see www.bonshea.com (a local story) This is the introduction to my true life story written by Rev. Joanna Trainor. "THE GAME" "We did not start our human journeys afraid and powerless. Somewhere along the way, we came to believe in others, rather than in ourselves. Somewhere along the way, we traded in our personal power and bought the "Game." And The Game Said... In Order to Play–Please forfeit your personal Power into the receptacle marked AUTHORITY. In Order to Play–Please deposit all Imagination and Creativity in the bin marked NORMAL. In Order to Play–Please relinquish your Spiritual Awareness into the box marked DOGMA. In Order to Play–Please leave all Personal Liberties and Freedom at the door marked CONTROL. Rules of the Game: You will Not be required To follow any “inner knowing” that benefits the self or others. To question or challenge any dogma or authority. To remain awake, aware, and engaged in your life. Failure to comply with the rules will keep you out of the game. Failure to comply with the rules forfeits your chances of losing. Failure to comply with the rules automatically results in freedom." A good read on this topic of "legalistic Christianity" is: "The Dark Side of Christian History" by Helen Ellerbe My favorite film on the history of Christianity is: "What the 'Bleep' Do We Know"

Albert Marnell May 17, 2007 1:01 pm (Pacific time)

By the way Rosenberg, Everybody in Massapequa and Massapequa Park does think like me because they live in a cosmopolitan area not in some remote, provincial area. New Yorkers really are basically sharper than people from most areas of the world. Where were you on 9/11, I was physically affected by it. Why do more New Yorkers think that 9/11 was a fraud? The reason is that if you were here, you would know that something was not Kosher.

Albert Marnell May 17, 2007 12:50 pm (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, Nice try. I really do not care if you know where I live. You are obsessed. I could go to a website to find out more about you but I do not care. I accept that people like you exist. Even if I gave you my phone number, so what? All we would do is banter. So keep trying to find out worthless information. You are truly sick and no one cares about your annoyance at my free speech. You have not even given your full name. If you are the 70 year old Rosenberg with a relative that uses Peter Berg, what good does that do? You would not survive in Downstate New York for a week.

Rosenberg May 17, 2007 12:39 pm (Pacific time)

P.S. Marnell, Saddam was executed by the Iraqi government. 52 is a tough age for some, 4 times "13"...hope it works out for you. Watch out for people dressed in primary colors.

Rosenberg May 17, 2007 12:35 pm (Pacific time)

Marnell I noticed a significant percentage of those from Massapequa think like you, but just the opposite percentage of those from Massapequa Park. Any idea what some of the causal variables might be?

Rosenberg May 17, 2007 12:24 pm (Pacific time)

Marnell thanks bunches for your comments and evaluations, they really mean a lot to me.

Albert Marnell May 17, 2007 12:04 pm (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, When Sadaam Hussein was killed you probably felt real good and do not see that Falwell is the exact same kind of person. If Falwell were in power he would have people killed that did not follow his superstitious religious crap. You are so far gone, I too am increasingly avoiding interaction with you. You are a typical right-winged blockhead. When I was 18 you were about 36. I had to put up with people of your ilk as a young teenager and child. This is payback time.

The Editor May 17, 2007 11:44 am (Pacific time)

Hey John C, are you suggesting that we eliminated details from this story regard Fallwell's death? Come on man, that doesn't even make sense in a paranoid world. We only know what they tell us, in other words, what they want us to know. I'm not talking about media, I'm talking about flacks and spokespeople.

JohnC. May 17, 2007 11:39 am (Pacific time)

Luke: We would need far more details which cannot be released to give you an accurate answer. To say the media can be vauge when they want is an understatement, and is it really news to disclose revival efforts? Not in my book.

Rosenberg May 17, 2007 11:24 am (Pacific time)

Despite venomous attacks and overwhelming pressure to adopt the fashionable beliefs of cafe society, Falwell never wavered an inch in acknowledging Jesus before men. Luckily, Jesus' full sentence, see below quote: "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Has anyone ever noticed that those on the far left always seem to celebrate the deaths of those they dislike, while those on the right generally show respect and compassion for those departed that they dislike? I wonder how many of the 35% of democrats who in a recent poll believe Bush planned the 911 attack, belong to the above intolerant population?

Luke May 17, 2007 8:58 am (Pacific time)

Half an hour of CPR on a dead guy? Doesn't this stand out to anybody else? I mean, you find him "unconscious" and... come on. That's all kinds of silly.

Albert Marnell May 17, 2007 1:00 am (Pacific time)

Here are a few direct quotes to chew on:

"If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being." -- Rev Jerry Falwell

"This is probably as bad a day as the court has had on social issues since 'Roe v Wade'." -- Rev Jerry Falwell, reacting to the Supreme Court's ruling in the Texas sodomy case, "Lawrence v. Texas," wherein the high court upheld an individual's (or a couple's) right to privacy.

"I had a student ask me, "Could the savior you believe in save Osama bin Laden?" Of course, we know the blood of Jesus Christ can save him, and then he must be executed." -- Rev Jerry Falwell, cited in Cary McMullen, "Falwell: Now Is the Time for Gospel," in the Lakeland (Florida) Ledger (November 12, 2001)

"The ACLU's got to take a lot of blame for this." -- Rev Jerry Falwell, blaming civil libertarians for the terrorist attacks of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, to which Rev Pat Robertson again agreed.

"And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But, throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. 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." -- Rev Jerry Falwell, blaming civil libertarians, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights supporters for the terrorist attacks of Tuesday, September 11, 2001,(September 13, 2001)

"AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals." -- Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

"The idea that religion and politics don't mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country." -- Rev Jerry Falwell, Sermon, July 4, 1976

"It appears that America's anti-Biblical feminist movement is at last dying, thank God, and is possibly being replaced by a Christ-centered men's movement which may become the foundation for a desperately needed national spiritual awakening." -- Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

"There is no separation of church and state. Modern US Supreme Courts have raped the Constitution and raped the Christian faith and raped the churches by misinterpreting what the Founders had in mind in the First Amendment to the Constitution." -- Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

"The Jews are returning to their land of unbelief. They are spiritually blind and desperately in need of their Messiah and Savior." -- Jerry Falwell, Listen, America!

"Grown men should not be having sex with prostitutes unless they are married to them." -- Jerry Falwell, on CNN's Crossfire, May 17, 1997

"We're fighting against humanism, we're fighting against liberalism ... we are fighting against all the systems of Satan that are destroying our nation today ... our battle is with Satan himself." -- Rev Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

"I do not believe the homosexual community deserves minority status. One's misbehavior does not qualify him or her for minority status. Blacks, Hispanics, women, etc., are God-ordained minorities who do indeed deserve minority status." -- Rev Jerry Falwell, USA Today Chat, quoted from The Religious Freedom Coalition, "The Two faces of Jerry Falwell"

"The ACLU is to Christians what the American Nazi party is to Jews." -- Rev Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

"AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals. To oppose it would be like an Israelite jumping in the Red Sea to save one of Pharoah's chariotters." -- Rev Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

Albert Marnell May 16, 2007 6:53 pm (Pacific time)

Yeah Rosenberg, you are a real charmer!

Rosenberg May 16, 2007 1:49 pm (Pacific time)

Well Marnell, my domestic electric bill is actually more than Algores, but I buy lot's of carbon credits. Is that okay little buddy? No doubt I have been very fortunate on all levels of my life, and I truely realize how blessed I am to be able to share with the less fortunate. I primarily donate to specific populations and see that the disbursements of these funds are maximized. Most of those who receive these funds do not know me as the individual giving these funds, but as a coprporate enity providing the money. My powers are vast Marnell, but I never abuse those powers. I am truely an altruistic, magnificent human being.

Albert Marnell May 16, 2007 11:34 am (Pacific time)

Rosenberg wants us all to know that he has Tara II in Oregon, and has Long Island real estate from which he derives a great income. Tell us more, tell us more: bragger. We know that you get good government checks and look down on people with modest to low incomes. We know that you married your "childhood sweetheart" (poor thing), we know that she will get a great insurance policy when you Fall Well. You like to go fishing and isolate yourself from people that do not fit your "Father Knows Best" fantasy. You like to wander around Tara but never throw the beer cans in the woods. You are superior to people with mental and physical disabilities and want praise for what you do with vets. You love to feel special, exceptional and important but fear you are not even average. You are the star of the show in all places at all times. Your family is the best in the world of 6 billion or so people. What else do you own? People want to know all about your stocks and U.S. treasuries: 3 to 6 month bills. We want to know more about your gold stash. What about the kickback money and favor money you received during your life. Is it already laundered? Keep talking.

Hank Ruark May 16, 2007 11:29 am (Pacific time)

To all: Demo-dialog has inbuilt capacity to reveal character and credibility, for those who can read-and-understand. With all due respect for the departed here, "see with own eyes" on that point.

Albert Marnell May 16, 2007 10:40 am (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, I got news for you. If I had to wake up every day and work for a group of jerks like you.....I could not function in that environment. Call it what you will but I thank God that I no longer have to answer to people who are "Rosenbergesque".

Hank Ruark May 16, 2007 10:29 am (Pacific time)

To all: Re Rosy's "principled man", go "see with own eyes" at: consortiumnews.com/2007/051607. html. So much for "understanding environment"; that starts with accepting historic fact, then moves on according to personal capacity and willingness to be both objective and responsible in statement to others.

Albert Marnell May 16, 2007 10:29 am (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, You know more about disability than me. I also thought that you like to help those vets of yours with disabilities? Now all of a sudden you think that a person is less with a disability. "The wisdom that comes from great suffering is not measurable." -Sophie Scholl.

Rosenberg May 16, 2007 10:16 am (Pacific time)

Marnell, now I'm just taking a guess, but what happened, did social security turn you down for disability? Or is it just a real small check because you never could generate much of an income, because you are misunderstood?

Albert Marnell May 16, 2007 10:11 am (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, "Peace to you HR" is just veiled hostility again under the guise of being a nice guy; which you are not. I feel like I am training a 6 year old.

Albert Marnell May 16, 2007 9:53 am (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, What is it with you lately about this KARMA CRAP? Are you superstitious? Are you HINDU now? Falwell was part of an AXIS OF EVIL. You can throw in the Bakers and a few others too. They all fall and some fall well.

Rosenberg May 16, 2007 8:03 am (Pacific time)

HR no doubt you and I run in different circles, and I thank my G-d for that reality. May Karma help touch the lives of us all in a most appropriate way. Peace to you HR, I really do hope that some day you manage to understand your environment more objectively.

Albert Marnell May 15, 2007 8:53 pm (Pacific time)

I can't wait for the day that Marge Phelps joins Falwell in phoney matrimony in the firery furnace. Burn Baby! Burn!

Hank Ruark May 15, 2007 5:49 pm (Pacific time)

Rosy et al: With no disrespect for Rev. Falwell, as human as anyone, must ask Rosy how he would ever know a highly principled man if he did find one. Principles build from values and understandings, without which one operates in a vacuum...as demonstrated. Edit-ID invite still stands on any topic, anytime.

Coral Anika Theill May 15, 2007 3:14 pm (Pacific time)

Jerry Falwell was a man of "religion." The following inspiring quotes came to mind as I thought about "religion."

Spirituality and "Hell"
"Religion is for people who do not want to go to hell. Spirituality is for people who have been to hell and do not want to go back".

Life
"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live." --Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180)

Indifference
"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference, the opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference, the opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference, and the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference."
--Elie Wiesel

Coral Anika Theill May 15, 2007 1:49 pm (Pacific time)

I believe some people are so heavenly conscious, they are no earthly good. I continue to pray for the highest good for all, but have learned by the lack of compassion and lack of Christedness this man and his followers exhibit in their behavior and speech, to pray each night, "JESUS, PROTECT ME FROM YOUR FOLLOWERS." Jerry Falwell taught my abusers well. A group consciousness which speaks constantly of separation and superiority produces a loss of compassion on a massive scale, and loss of compassion is inevitably followed by a loss of conscience." - James Redfield Anything that creates a "them" and "us" mentality is not "love." When legalistic fundamentalists tell me I am going to "hell," I tell them, "I have already been there. I lived among the followers and disciples of Jerry Falwell. I escaped and am living now in 'heaven.'" The Dalai Lama wrote an excellent book encouraging everyone to "lay down religion" and embrace "compassion" in "Ethics for a New Millineum." I envision a healed and whole society where all individuals resonate Christedness, compassion, peace and non- judgment. "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." -Catherine Aird

ISP May 15, 2007 12:10 pm (Pacific time)

Check out the hand gesture in the picture. It looks like Uncle Adolph.

Albert Marnell May 15, 2007 11:47 am (Pacific time)

Rosenberg, You really gave yourelf away this time. Why don't you join him!

Albert Marnell May 15, 2007 11:46 am (Pacific time)

Stalin and Hitler dead; united in one spirit. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! This man created more heartache and pain and suffering than almost anyone in organized religion. I spit on his body and grave! He deserves less respect than Sadaam Hussein! If there is a hell he is burning very well!

Robert K. Poropatich May 15, 2007 11:05 am (Pacific time)

Have those darn homosexuals incurred God's wrath again?

Rosenberg May 15, 2007 11:00 am (Pacific time)

I did not always agree with this individual, but I admired that he was a highly principled man. Rest in Peace. Rev. Falwell.

Walt May 15, 2007 10:57 am (Pacific time)

To hell with the sorry low life.

Corey May 15, 2007 10:54 am (Pacific time)

Thank God. Pun intended.

troll May 15, 2007 10:54 am (Pacific time)

peace out homophobe...

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