Christianity's top 11 most controversial figures | Jerry Falwell

The American televangelist wedded God and politics in way that lives on in the American right today.

By Patrick Osgood Published 06 September 2010

In 1956, at age 22, Falwell founded the Thomas Road Baptist Church of Lynchburg. The Church went on to become a megachurch, the case study for a Christianity of profit and rapture that dominates much of the US Mid West and seeks to 'save' souls by expanding its franchise across the globe.

Rising in stature in the South, Falwell resisted the Civil Rights movement, backing paranoid racist George Wallace and slamming the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v Board of Education. Long after the game was up, Falwell half-heatedly resiled on his advocacy of segregation.

Not content with congregations in the thousands and coffers in the tens of millions, Falwell entered the political fray in 1979 with his Moral Majority movement, a "pro-family", "pro-life", "pro-defence" and pro-Israel lobbying group with the numbers and the money to win the White House for Reagan in 1980.

Falwell had considerable influence on Reagan, whose fond discussion of the "end of days" knowledge of the nuclear codes came to alarm many in the White House. Falwell railed against the constitutional of separation of church and state, and was instrumental in keeping God in American schools.

Falwell's declaration 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" were responsible for 9/11 marked the decline of his political influence. He died in 2007.

Christopher Hitchens said of Falwell "the empty life of this ugly little charlatan proves only one thing: that you can get away with the most extraordinary offenses to morality and to truth in this country if you will just get yourself called reverend" and by way of a eulogy "give him an enema and you could bury him in a matchbox".

Sadly they didn't, and Sinclair Lewis's nightmare of fascism coming to American "wrapped in a flag, carrying a cross" echoes in Glenn Beck rallies and Sarah Palin sound-bites today.

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6 comments

Thu, 2010-09-09 03:08 — Carolina Don (not verified)

As a Christian, I have to take exception with your artricle. Falwell was used by God to much good work which is omited in your text. Schools, daycares, helping the poor, standing for what the Bible says, standing against Biblically sinful lifestyles, and so much more. I think you are only repeating what you heard, and never knew the man.

Thu, 2010-09-09 05:02 — John (not verified)

Here is the problem:

God makes it very clear in the Scriptures that His ministers are not to involve themselves with secular matters. Their responsibility is to preach and teach the Word of God(period).

If someone claims to be a "Christian" minister that worships the God of the Holy Bible, then they are to live by His standards.

It doesn't matter if your name is Jerry Falwell, Martin Luther King, Al sharpton or the Florida Fruitcake that wants to burn the Koran. These ministers may believe they are "doing good", but they are not. They have been deceived by the god of this world system commonly known as Satan.

This world is on a one way trip to destruction. The ministers are to bring as many people as possible into a "personal relationship" with God through Jesus Christ; which will save them from eternal separation from God.

Anything else they do on this planet (no matter how good)outside of their service for God, will be temporary and a waste of time.

Wed, 2010-09-08 19:02 — Jim Tapscott (not verified)

Your bias is showing! It is one thing to be critical of Falwell.......but to use that criticism as a bridge to Beck & Palin......juvenile & petty! Just for your info, I am a Christian American of color. And to add insult to injury, I didn't support Obama because I used MLK criteria of juding someone by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. I know, that does not computet in your small mind!

Thu, 2010-09-09 18:11 — banjo5don (not verified)

One of the traits of real Christians (lacking in the editor of this piece, obviously), is spiritual discernment. The Bible is God's Word. It is not silent on any subject-including politics! Dr. Falwell, though not perfect, preach the WHOLE counsel of God which covered not only salvation and Christian living, but also included how to be a responsible, Christian citizen based on the principles of the Word of God and our Founding Fathers! Thank God for a man willing to stand for Truth! I only hope and pray that God has others like him who'll "stand in the gap" for God and his country!

Sat, 2010-10-02 03:55 — ichael (not verified)

I don't think I ever saw anyone as pompous as Falwell-before or since. His hate was so obvious. His speech was hateful, and his facial mannerisms showed extreme anger. Christian or otherwise, I woldn't hang around a man who was so hateful.