Jerry Falwell, one of the originators of the Christian Right, died last week. I can't say that I mourn him, but his death made me rethink my feelings about him and his views.
Falwell became vocal in national politics during my former life as a Christian at Houghton College. Even at that time I was put off by his views, although I never would have admitted it. Later, when I virtually turned my back on fundamentalist Christianity and ultimately, religion in general, I realized how repulsed I was by just about everything Falwell said.
Since I've returned to evangelical Christianity, I've become much more tolerant of fundamentalist views, although I don't embrace them. One might think that I would have become equally tolerant of Jerry Falwell.
Now, after his death, I'm realizing I did not become more tolerant of him, but he did not make me any angrier either. He bravely said some mighty stupid things, but I recognize that he has played an important role. He got people thinking and talking. I still don't respect him and I don't like the polarization he helped to create. But in his own way, he brought God's word to millions of people.
No, I don't respect him; in fact, I feel a bit sorry for him, don't ask me why. I guess I feel sorry for people who live in small boxes, and his seemed pretty small. However, I am grateful to him for making me consider my own beliefs more carefully.
1 comment:
Yeah, I've always had mixed feelings about Jerry Falwell. He was such a lightening rod and seemed to be the subject of either blind adoration or spiteful hate. I heard someone on KLLC the other morning who identified himself as a Christian, claiming he *hated* Falwell and was glad he was dead. This was greeted with congratulatory language of "Oh, so good to see an open-minded Christian..." by Sarah and No Name.
The most ironic thing I heard was from Larry Flint, publisher of Hustler and one-time nemesis of Falwell:
"My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. He would visit me in
California and we would debate together on college campuses. I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling."
So anyway, I guess the only emotion I've felt in connection to Falwell's passing is mild disgust at the glee some people have shown over his death.
Post a Comment