Jerry Falwell, 1933-2007: Survived by Wife, Three Children, and Larry Flynt

The Rev. Jerry Falwell died today after being found unconscious in his office.
Reason's reporting on the evangelical icon and founder of Liberty University - home of some of the best female basketball and debating teams this republic has ever produced - was copious. In 2005, Ronald Bailey reported from a creationism conference that Falwell organized. This past March Jeff Taylor reported on his surprising (and accidental) good works for pagans. Much more Falwell here.

The Onion's take on Falwell, post-9/11, right here.

Fark.com thread here. Best bit so far:

the singer from Jane's Addiction died? who?

Fact file on 6'8'' Liberty alum and WNBA superstar Katie Feenstra here.

Quick question: Whose opinion on this are you most excited to hear?

1) Christopher Hitchens
2) The Westboro Baptist Church
3) Larry Flynt
4) These cute little guys

Comments

Jeremy Lott | May 15, 2007, 1:45pm | #

Wow, no snarky comments yet.

jf | May 15, 2007, 1:45pm | #

I believe his death was a punishment from God for failing to stop the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and lesbians.

Warty | May 15, 2007, 1:46pm | #

He was one step above a faith healer, as far as I'm concerned.

dhex | May 15, 2007, 1:47pm | #

does "hail satan!" count as a snarky comment?

Grotius | May 15, 2007, 1:48pm | #

My condolences to his family, etc.

Here's hoping that any future leaders of the religious right are as unsuccesful as he was.

E. Steven | May 15, 2007, 1:54pm | #

I think that's about right, Dhex.

Right about now Falwell's saying, "What am I doing in this place?!"

thoreau | May 15, 2007, 1:54pm | #

For Falwell's sake, I hope that he's proven wrong, and that God is in fact merciful.

Lost_In_Translation | May 15, 2007, 1:54pm | #

atleast he wasn't found unconcious with a ball gag in his mouth, a schlong in his behind and a young boy in his bed, like other religious leaders...

seriously though, his death matters little, as he is not the cause of intolerance in society, but a symptom of it. Only when people in general change will the Falwells of society disappear

highnumber | May 15, 2007, 1:54pm | #

Condolences to the family.

That's all I've got.

Grand Chalupa | May 15, 2007, 1:58pm | #

I'm conflicted...

On one hand, I disagree with just about everything he said or did.

On the other hand, liberals hated him, and was partly responsible for keeping nature worshipping collectivists like Gore and Kerry out of the white house.

He seemed to be one of those religous leaders so sure of himself and comfortable in his beliefs that you almost envied him. Almost.

He'll never know he was wrong.

RIP

Pig Mannix | May 15, 2007, 2:07pm | #

My sympathy to his family.

Perhaps Barry Goldwater will now finally have an opportunity to give him that kick in the ass.

Joe Majsterski | May 15, 2007, 2:09pm | #

The religious right is like a hydra. You chop off one head and two new ones take its place.

Lupito41 | May 15, 2007, 2:11pm | #

"He'll never know he was wrong."

"Right about now Falwell's saying, 'What am I doing in this place?!'"

I'm glad us atheists never fall into the same arrogant assumption of omniscience that makes some evangelicals so unbearable...

Lupito41 | May 15, 2007, 2:11pm | #

"Perhaps Barry Goldwater will now finally have an opportunity to give him that kick in the ass."

But this one I love!

Gawd-Awmighty | May 15, 2007, 2:12pm | #

Great... just frigging GREAT! Now who the heck is going to keep Pat Robertson company on Earth when the Rapture comes and I call all of the REAL faithful home? Dobson won't do it and I've already promised Lucifer that he'll get all of those baby-faced neo-cons to put in his trophy case next to Coulter.

gl | May 15, 2007, 2:12pm | #

I didn't expect to have this reaction since I despised the man's politics but I actually feel saddened for him and his family. May his soul rest in peace.

Cesar | May 15, 2007, 2:13pm | #

Condolences to his family, even though I really detested his stance on just about everything.

I'm surprised he lived as long as he did. He wasn't exactly a shining example of physical health.

COOP | May 15, 2007, 2:13pm | #

I appreciate people trying to be decent when someone dies and everything, but seriously, FUCK THAT SHIT. Falwell was a disgusting person. I don't have time to start googling every awful thing he said, but we all know he said a lot of nasty, intolerant shit. I wouldn't shed a tear for any other religious maniac, why should I care about him?

Too bad the god he believes in doesn't exist, so he could enjoy some quality time in Hell.


Larry Flynt will soon be dancing on his gra-oh yeah.

thoreau | May 15, 2007, 2:15pm | #

Man, if he had just held out a little longer:

Christ Getting In Shape For Second Coming

Greg | May 15, 2007, 2:16pm | #

I was more disturbed when Pol Pot died.

Pi Guy | May 15, 2007, 2:16pm | #

I just read the headline out loud and the guy in the office next to me said, "I didn't know that being an asshole was fatal."

I guess they're going to have to shut down the DoJ for the rest fo the week...

jw | May 15, 2007, 2:17pm | #

Christians all want to go to Heaven, but none of them want to die. I guess he finally got what he'd been aiming for all his life. His death means little or nothing to me - no more than his life did.

jb | May 15, 2007, 2:18pm | #

JF wins the thread. None of the following snark holds a candle.

Pi Guy | May 15, 2007, 2:18pm | #

"Too bad the god he believes in doesn't exist, so he could enjoy some quality time in Hell."

I take the fact that Falwell lived this long as evidence that there's clearly no benevolent god up there. If there were, he'd struck this idot down long ago.

The Morningstar | May 15, 2007, 2:19pm | #

Uh, guys, I've been asked to relay a message from our new resident...

*ahem*

"I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY sorry! I didn't mean all of those things I was saying. Please let me out of here! I don't belong here, I really don't. PLEASE forgive me and let me come back."

He would have said more but he's being fitted for a gag right now.

Lupito41 | May 15, 2007, 2:21pm | #

"Christians all want to go to Heaven, but none of them want to die."

My experience living in the south is that most Christians, especially older ones, actually do look forward to a natural death. Bat-shit crazy, yes, but consistent.

Ethan | May 15, 2007, 2:25pm | #

I'm glad us atheists never fall into the same arrogant assumption of omniscience that makes some evangelicals so unbearable...

Falwell: Gays and the godless caused God to get angry and 9/11 was the result.

Atheist: It is not the case that 9/11 was the result of God's anger over the gays and the godless.

It strikes me that these two claims are not equivalent in their arrogance or in their claims to omniscience.

Au standard | May 15, 2007, 2:26pm | #

wow...within 10 minutes of death ..libertarians demonstrating new and amusing ways to prove how puerile they can be....shocking....and we wonder why libertarians are so marginalized?

Lupito41 | May 15, 2007, 2:27pm | #

"It strikes me that these two claims are not equivalent in their arrogance or in their claims to omniscience."

That's why I used two actual quotes from this blog referencing certainty about the afterlife rather than two made-up ones.

And yes, Falwell was unbearable.

Jozef | May 15, 2007, 2:27pm | #

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/5746/satansaddamfalwellyj9.jpg

Guy Montag | May 15, 2007, 2:29pm | #

Quick question: Whose opinion about this are you most excited to hear?

1) Christopher Hitchens

Not sure I would say "excited" but yea, that is my final answer.

Bystander | May 15, 2007, 2:29pm | #

"JF wins the thread. None of the following snark holds a candle."

IMHO, Jeremy Lott won the thread with the first post.

Marcvs | May 15, 2007, 2:31pm | #

Falwell was a disgusting, ignorant fuck that made a lot of lives worse here on earth. He doesn't deserve the respect that he denied to so many others while he was alive.

Sam McManus | May 15, 2007, 2:34pm | #

As to the last question: Hitchens. It will be delightful.

Chris S. | May 15, 2007, 2:38pm | #

Oh, that's easy: 4)-- unless the opinion comes with, uh... illustrations, in which case 3).

88Fingers | May 15, 2007, 2:39pm | #

I'll have to pinch my scrotum really hard to elicit a tear over this fat bastard's death.
Or I could save myself a little pain and start laughing.
I think I'll start laughing.

J1erry Falwell | May 15, 2007, 2:39pm | #

Is it hot in here or is it just me?

VM | May 15, 2007, 2:40pm | #

snark snark snark snark snark.
(really likes what Marcvs had to say on this matter)

*thinks of URKOBOLD munching on his withered soul. A nice Grüner Veltliner. mmmmm.

Ayn_Randian | May 15, 2007, 2:40pm | #

The answer is obviously number 2 - I want to hear how somehow Jerry Falwell wasn't tough enough on "teh fags". Then the universe will implode in a black hole of ridiculousness.

McCain's ego | May 15, 2007, 2:44pm | #

Oh GREAT! Now who is going to sing my praises to the evangelicals? I got a bum deal. I want my soul back!

WebSavvySatan | May 15, 2007, 2:44pm | #

PWNED!

Ayn_Randian | May 15, 2007, 2:45pm | #

libertarians demonstrating new and amusing ways to prove how puerile they can be....shocking....and we wonder why libertarians are so marginalized?

DRINK!!! (If only I could...)

Ken Shultz | May 15, 2007, 2:45pm | #

I was in a religious boarding school in the Shenandoah Valley back in the early 80's, and if it hadn't been for Falwell, and a few others like him, I wouldn't have realized what a gulf there was between fundamentalists and evangelicals, and between those who now call themselves conservative Republicans and libertarians like me. I thank you for that, Mr. Falwell.

...and may God forgive you if, as I suspect you did, you besmirched his name.

smartass sob | May 15, 2007, 2:45pm | #

snark snark snarkety snark. snarkety snarkety snark snark snark.

Hey, it's got a certain rythym to it. ;-)

thoreau | May 15, 2007, 2:46pm | #

DRINK!!! (If only I could...)

Don't you wish you'd joined the Marines? :)

JC | May 15, 2007, 2:47pm | #

Jerry Falwell died today, but his soul died years and years ago.

VM | May 15, 2007, 2:48pm | #

more snark more snark more snark.
wwwoooo wheeeee!


"Welcome to hell. Here's your tuba."

Randian - d'oh! Your posse back stateside will raise a glass for you!

(Happy May 15th to Dr. T! - Jack Winter says it best (or at least most fun!))

Lost_In_Translation | May 15, 2007, 2:50pm | #

Au Standard,

Yeah, because you know reasoned discourse and affability is why republicans and democrats lead the way...

James Kabala | May 15, 2007, 2:52pm | #

The Tinky-Winky thing was one of the great media frame-ups of all time, as the character was indeed a gay icon in Britain already long before Falwell's comments, something that U.S. media outlets like Time and USA Today reported on before Falwell did and then conveniently forgot about after Falwell's remarks.

edna | May 15, 2007, 2:52pm | #

vm, you stud! everything goes better with gruener. falwell was a heavyweight soul, so a smaragd seems appropriate.

Zoomie Junior | May 15, 2007, 2:53pm | #

You can always count on Fred Phelps to be entertaining, so I'll take #2. I'd also like to hear Abe Vigoda's thoughts, since Kurt Vonnegut is no longer available (Rest in Peace, Kilgore Trout).

Ryo | May 15, 2007, 2:55pm | #

All those Pat Robertson protein shakes were probably the cause.

Mr. F. Le Mur | May 15, 2007, 2:56pm | #

He'll only get 36 virgins because he was only half as crazy as Muslims.

thoreau | May 15, 2007, 2:56pm | #

(Happy May 15th to Dr. T! - Jack Winter says it best (or at least most fun!))

Thank you, VM. I take it that you're read my blog entry on the anniversary dinner we had?

Warren | May 15, 2007, 2:58pm | #

Back on the tenth anniversary of the SCOTUS decision in Hustler vs Falwell. Flynt and Falwell put together a little road show. They argued for and against the first amendment and then made nice during the Q&A. I quite enjoyed it, very entertaining, as well as informative, and an excellent opportunity to see how much things had changed in the intervening years (presumably as a direct consequence of the case).

So my answer is going to be 3)Larry Flynt.

Pig Mannix | May 15, 2007, 2:59pm | #

He'll only get 36 virgins because he was only half as crazy as Muslims.

Well, given that Christians are supposedly monogamous, perhaps all he'll get is one 72 year old virgin.

Ethan | May 15, 2007, 2:59pm | #

That's why I used two actual quotes from this blog referencing certainty about the afterlife rather than two made-up ones.

Those quotes weren't made up, nor were they quotes.

VM | May 15, 2007, 2:59pm | #

ja ja. have read it. ja ja. sehr romantik. ja ja. peanut.

:)

Will Allen | May 15, 2007, 3:00pm | #

Is it reasonable to find both Jerry Falwell and Larry Flynt loathsome? The planet would have been better off if both of them had croaked a long time ago.

Au standard | May 15, 2007, 3:00pm | #

Yeah, because you know reasoned discourse and affability is why republicans and democrats lead the way...

huh is that an arugment?....chuckling..anyway..I am a libertarian...that doesn't mean I can't critique them

Lupito41 | May 15, 2007, 3:01pm | #

"Those quotes weren't made up, nor were they quotes."

Then what were they? Have fun nitpicking semantics; I'll be over here if you want to actually challenge my point.

Ryan | May 15, 2007, 3:03pm | #

Concrete proof that god exists and loves a good joke: Falwell died on National Over the Rainbow Day.

Link with name.

Warren | May 15, 2007, 3:03pm | #

Will Allen,
I couldn't disagree more. Even if you find both loathsome, I say we're better off to have had them both, than to have had neither.

Ethan | May 15, 2007, 3:05pm | #

To deny the afterlife requires only that one have some idea of what's going on in current brain science, among other things; to affirm the afterlife requires going against everything we see and observe in the world and in living (and dead) things--except of course for some texts written by ancient sheepherders. Which, I ask, is more "arrogant"?

The evidence for the lack of an afterlife is as strong as the desire for the reality of one.

bourgeoiscowboy | May 15, 2007, 3:06pm | #

"Jerry Falwell died today, but his soul died years and years ago."

Nah, Jerry Falwell has always been an intolerant bigot.

He showed little respect for others in life, and deserves only disrespect in death. Here's hoping for a grave vandalism and a corpse-raping!

Everyone smoke a bowl and jerk off to some gay porn tonight, in memory of Mr. Falwell.

Lupito41 | May 15, 2007, 3:08pm | #

Ethan:

Good grief. Read my very first post and see if it had anything to do with there actually *being* an afterlife or not.

I like your vigor, but you completely misunderstood my point if you think that last post addressed it at all.

Ethan | May 15, 2007, 3:09pm | #

My point was that to claim knowledge of the reality of something despite lack of evidence is more arrogant (and "omniscience-claiming") than the corresponding denial.

Leprechauns, the afterlife, angels, dragons, the immaterial soul, take your pick.

Lost_In_Translation | May 15, 2007, 3:10pm | #

Au Standard,

I'm just saying that that libertarians gloating over the death of an asshole is irrelevant to their relevancy in the political spectrum. Never assume that any particular party has the moral superiority over any other. We just have different views on how to achieve the same goals of social equilibrium.

And I really don't care how disgusted someone is about my disrespect of a dead asshole because I never claimed to be morally superior. The human race loves to roll in the mud, some of us just choose to sit out certain mud rolling sessions.

metalgrid | May 15, 2007, 3:12pm | #

Wow, I almost regret being an atheist in that there will be no judgment or karmic justice to be visited upon him to make me feel better.

Ethan | May 15, 2007, 3:13pm | #

Good grief. Read my very first post and see if it had anything to do with there actually *being* an afterlife or not.

I think perhaps you need to reread mine. I didn't claim that you were rendering a verdict on the afterlife. I was addressing your comparison of claims of knowledge of the afterlife with claims of knowledge of there being no afterlife, in terms of their "arrogance" and "claim to omniscience."

Will Allen | May 15, 2007, 3:14pm | #

Warren, given the planet does not have a short supply of loathsome a-holes, if Falwell and Flynt had both croaked decades ago, I suppose other loathsome a-holes would have simply filled their market niches. I can't think of anything uniquely positive they have contributed, however.

Wandering Sheepherder | May 15, 2007, 3:14pm | #

"except of course for some texts written by ancient sheepherders"

ponders such texts....

ponders

Daisy was especially frisky that day. Yea! The wolves were vanquish'd from the high ground, the rivers and dales sparkl'd un'er the noonday sun.

Fanconion, my knave, found it particularly pleasureful, much to the delight of all, to create necklaces of cornflowers and the late-season anenomae. He chose to wear it in his curly, strawberry blond hair. Maybugs followed him as he pranc'd along the dale.

Fallwellium, the scoundrel, fashioned a snap-rig and proceeded to sneak up on all the rest of the, due to the unseasonably-warm conditions, scantily clad troupe, and issue a snap - forsooth! a snap that could be he'rd throu'out the valley! Indeed! Neighboring valleys noticed a, i would tro, geldings neighing in bewonderment of the snapping sound, sound like no other. A crack snap pop with a little snort of pain and giggle of delight.

Maynard put down his crook - time for Fallwellium to share and partake of the joy! A taper would provide the necessary wax.

After all had a turn with Fallwellium providing great joy for all, we returned to tending the herd...

Nah - that wouldn't be the text. too strange... (but did it cause the Towers of Babel to collapse??? Tune in next week!)

NoStar | May 15, 2007, 3:16pm | #

If my salvation wasn't secure, I'd be worried about getting 69 on a Fallwell thread.

Lupito41 | May 15, 2007, 3:16pm | #

Ethan:

Then great. "Less arrogant" if you want. But arrogant and assumptive still, and unbearable. Just like Falwell.

highnumber | May 15, 2007, 3:22pm | #

Word of the day:

Internecine

The trick here is not to use the Word of the Day, it is to demonstrate it.

Good show!
Carry on.

Tad | May 15, 2007, 3:22pm | #

"My point was that to claim knowledge of the reality of something despite lack of evidence is more arrogant (and "omniscience-claiming") than the corresponding denial."

Coincidently, your definition of "arrogant" is also the dictionary definition of "faith"

ChicagoTom | May 15, 2007, 3:24pm | #

Best Falwell coverage from MSBNC:


http://article19.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html#7619876256141291231

Lupito41 | May 15, 2007, 3:24pm | #

Falwell claims "God wanted 9/11," and he is rightfully exposed as ignorant and arrogant to assume to know God's mind.

So if a non-Christian says, "God hates pompous asses like Falwell," he is equally arrogant.

It's about the assumption to know God's mind, not whether he exists. So all the posters saying "I hope Falwell burns in Hell" are A-OK by me, but I do take issue with "God is punishing Falwell."

Chris S. | May 15, 2007, 3:29pm | #

So if a non-Christian says, "God hates pompous asses like Falwell," he is equally arrogant.

Unless he's being a smart ass and simply mocking Falwell in his own words. But that can't possibly be...

Lupito41 | May 15, 2007, 3:33pm | #

"Unless he's being a smart ass and simply mocking Falwell in his own words. But that can't possibly be..."

Yes, smartassery does indeed earn exemption. Ethan just got me all brimstone-ish; the quotes on this page are priceless!

Reinmoose | May 15, 2007, 3:35pm | #

What if there is no afterlife, as surely many of the atheists in here believe (or don't believe?)? Maybe Jerry Falwell knew this and therefore spent his life striving to be as big of an asshole as possible, because that's how he found the most happiness.

Isaac Bartram | May 15, 2007, 3:38pm | #

I'm sure that Falwell had friends and family who cared and I would certainly do nothing to disrupt their lamentations.

However I am completely unable to muster any grief for his passing.

lunchstealer | May 15, 2007, 3:38pm | #

*thinks of URKOBOLD munching on his withered soul. A nice Grüner Veltliner. mmmmm.

The Urkobold wouldn't eat Falwell, for the same reason Jaws wouldn't eat John Edwards - professional courtesy.

Ethan | May 15, 2007, 3:42pm | #

Coincidently, your definition of "arrogant" is also the dictionary definition of "faith"

Hello, Tad.

But I wasn't saying that "belief in the lack of evidence" is arrogance (i.e. I wasn't defining "arrogance), but that it is more arrogant than its denial.

Which, as Lupito points out, may still be arrogant.

Grotius | May 15, 2007, 3:42pm | #

Reinmoose,

Technically speaking being an atheist says nothing about one's views on an afterlife, ghosts, werewolves, etc.

Reinmoose | May 15, 2007, 3:46pm | #

Grotius,

I agree, which is why I used a qualifier like "many."

VM | May 15, 2007, 3:52pm | #

Good call, Lunch!

Bazil | May 15, 2007, 3:58pm | #

I can't feel an ounce of sadness. It reminds me of the day Khomeini died, the humanity inside wants you to mourn an old man's death, but the logical side is happy a self-serving bastard is no longer alive to cause pain and suffering.

So although I feel like a dick for saying this: Good Riddance.

I'll remember always that you said 9/11 happened because Americans are sinners.

peterh | May 15, 2007, 4:08pm | #

I remember, as a little tyke, the feeling I had when the Wicked Witch of the East met her demise.....damn.....it feels as good now as it did then.....

de stijl | May 15, 2007, 4:11pm | #

I'll remember always that you said 9/11 happened because Americans are sinners.

Not because all Americans are sinners, but that some Americans are sinners. (i.e., his political opponents)

Wayne Newton | May 15, 2007, 4:36pm | #

"It reminds me of the day Khomeini died,"

I remember that! And I also remember what the Iranian masses did to his corpse in public, which made me burst into a heart-felt rendidtion of "Danke schön"

Old Icky Bunny | May 15, 2007, 4:39pm | #

"a heart-felt rendidtion of "Danke schön""

Artist: Wayne Newton Lyrics
Song: Danke Schoen Lyrics

Danke Schoen, darling Danke Schoen.
Thank you for all the joy and pain.
Picture shows, second balcony, was the place we'd meet, second seat, go Dutch treat, you were sweet.

Danke Schoen, darling Danke Schoen.
Thank you for walks down lovers lane.
I can see, hearts carved on a tree, letters inter-twined, for all time, yours and mine, that was fine.

Danke Schoen, darling Danke Schoen.
Thank you for funny cards from Spain.
I recall, Central Park in fall, how you tore your dress, what a mess, I confess, that's not all.

Danke Schoen, darling Danke Schoen.
Thank you for seeing me again.
Though we go, on our seperate ways, still the memory stays, for always, my heart says, Danke Schoen.

Danke Schoen, Auf Wiedersehn, Danke Schoen.

mk | May 15, 2007, 4:39pm | #

Right now his organization is gearing up for it's biggest mass-mailing and tithe collection ever.

Dying is just another of many ways to fleece the flock.

His two sons will carry on in his stead and will probably be every bit as obnoxious. He really is a hydra as now there are two of him.

Uday Falwell | May 15, 2007, 4:50pm | #

filthy lucre filthy lucre filthy lucre filthy lucre filthy lucre filthy lucre filthy lucre filthy lucre filthy lucre

jf | May 15, 2007, 4:51pm | #

To answer the question David posed after my original comment, I'd choose Christopher Hitchens, and I'll be shocked if he didn't already have a half-finished piece he's completing right now to go up on Slate either tonight or tomorrow.

jf | May 15, 2007, 4:53pm | #

LOL Uday Falwell.

That's what it was all about for the reverend, and it didn't matter how many wackos who thought their beliefs normal due to his ministry decided to kill homosexuals in Jesus' name. It's not Falwell's ministry that I despise, it's his complete lack of giving a damn for the secondary consequences of his preaching.

fish | May 15, 2007, 4:57pm | #

Hitler, Hitler,HITLER..... FUCKING HITLER!

There I've invoked Godwins.... can somebody else please die so we can start a new thread and shut up about fucking Falwell already!

metalgrid | May 15, 2007, 5:01pm | #

It's not Falwell's ministry that I despise, it's his complete lack of giving a damn for the secondary consequences of his preaching.

jf, interesting you should mention it that way since I've always viewed all the evil things that xtians have done as a secondary consequence of Jesus's existence.

Obviously Jesus couldn't be divine if he knew the secondary/tertiary consequences of his actions and did it anyway. He either approves of the evil committed in his name in which case he is a party to that evil OR, he was not smart enough to see how a religion would be established in his name in which case he's stupid. Either way, he's either evil or stupid - all fine attributes of a deity, I must say.

Kent | May 15, 2007, 5:11pm | #

I've long felt that Flynt and Falwell were in cahoots. Each of them used the other as a prop, with their many lawsuits and controversies pitting one against the other. The fights kept both names in front of the public. They also came from very similar backgrounds.

The Wine Commonsewer | May 15, 2007, 5:13pm | #

Welcome to hell. Here's your tuba.

That was not very congruous. And it was funnier than, well, hell.

Tommy Bleu | May 15, 2007, 5:13pm | #

The Jerusalem Post reports on one Syrian who wasn't happy about Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to dictator Bashar Assad:

Mamoun Homsi is a courageous pro-democracy activist who had been one of the few independent members of Syria's puppet parliament. In March 2002 he was thrown out of the legislature and sentenced to five years in prison. As he was dragged off to jail, Homsi shouted, "This is a badge of honor to me and others like me. Long live the people!"

Released after four years in 2006, Homsi immediately left the country, saying there was no possibility of changing the regime by reform, and that any criticism would bring more imprisonment.

Homsi wrote Pelosi a letter urging her not to visit Syria as such a step would only strengthen the regime. Last week, the government seized all of his assets in the country, leaving his family destitute.

St. Falwell | May 15, 2007, 5:13pm | #

Wasn't the point of Jesus to give people the news that they have the right to choose between good and evil? If he didn't want "evil" to occur he could have made people into sinless beings without free will.

plunge | May 15, 2007, 5:14pm | #

"Liberty University - home of some of the best female basketball and debating teams this republic has ever produced"

Basketball I don't know about, but the debating team thing is a pure myth not worth repeating or re-enforcing. The team took the strategy of only competing against teams which they could get a good win record against and avoiding the rest. As such, they got a good win record. Far far better teams actually competed with the best, and hence didn't win every single tournament. But in the few top competitive tournaments in which the Liberty team had to attend, they barely placed at all. In other words, the idea that they had a really awesome team is almost completely a carefully crafted PR strategy.

ChrisO | May 15, 2007, 5:18pm | #

jf, interesting you should mention it that way since I've always viewed all the evil things that xtians have done as a secondary consequence of Jesus's existence.

That assumes that Jesus existed, of course. Non-biblical evidence of that is thin and sketchy.

In any event, Falwell was a political bomb-thrower, and while I do not lament his death, neither do I feel the need to overreact. Indeed, the fact that we can sit here and snark on him with no fear of retribution speaks to the ennervated state of Christianity today.

jf | May 15, 2007, 5:26pm | #

That assumes that Jesus existed, of course. Non-biblical evidence of that is thin and sketchy.

I can't remember where I found it, but there does seem to be some decent evidence that a 1st century rabbi by the name of Yeshua ben Josef from Galilee did exist and was the historical basis for the biblical character we know as Jesus.

Of course, for all I know (or can remember) this is just an internet meme on par with "National Gas Out Day" (which is today).

Anonymo the Anonymous | May 15, 2007, 5:29pm | #

Completely OT but,

Well, given that Christians are supposedly monogamous, perhaps all he'll get is one 72 year old virgin.

Once heard this TV preacher guy, Jack Van Impe, basically make that same joke, or something with essentially that punchline. I laughed my ass off then cried in terror for several days. But Jack Van Impe is a good contrast to the late douchebag in question: HILARIOUS (especially his ridiculous wife/co-host, and especially when you watch it stoned), but seems to be lacking the vicious hate that characterizes so many of these guys.

plunge | May 15, 2007, 5:32pm | #

Chris, the direct evidence may indeed be weak, but by far the simplest hypothesis is that someone like Jesus did live and was the center of the stories told about him. We DO have people who claimed to have at least known people who knew him (i.e. Paul) and it seems a little unnecessarily convoluted to imagine these people talking about a completely fictional person.

"Wasn't the point of Jesus to give people the news that they have the right to choose between good and evil? If he didn't want "evil" to occur he could have made people into sinless beings without free will."

This wouldn't make much sense in the context of Judiasm, because people already had this choice, and indeed, already had a means of salvation and redemption (and according to the Jews, still do).

metalgrid | May 15, 2007, 5:35pm | #

Wasn't the point of Jesus to give people the news that they have the right to choose between good and evil?

St. Falwell,
Didn't free will exist before Jesus' time? Otherwise why punish evil people with a flood if God made them evil with no free will of their own?

Unless your argument is that Jesus just came around to deliver the news about it - in which case he was late since the Greeks beat him to it handily.

Everett True | May 15, 2007, 5:43pm | #

Didn't the good/evil dichotomy start with Zorastrianism? Isn't that the achievement, the grand advance, of monotheism?

Johnny "the wadd" Holmes | May 15, 2007, 6:14pm | #

I am happy to tell all that I am choking the good reverend as we speak.

LOOK MA......NO HANDS!

brotherben | May 15, 2007, 6:17pm | #

I've no comment on Falwell.

I do blame Larry Flynt for my carpal tunnel in both arms.

lunchstealer | May 15, 2007, 6:26pm | #

I am happy to tell all that I am choking the good reverend as we speak.

That's a euphemism that I hadn't heard before.

lunchstealer | May 15, 2007, 6:28pm | #

Also, TMI dude.

ChrisO | May 15, 2007, 6:30pm | #

Chris, the direct evidence may indeed be weak, but by far the simplest hypothesis is that someone like Jesus did live and was the center of the stories told about him. We DO have people who claimed to have at least known people who knew him (i.e. Paul) and it seems a little unnecessarily convoluted to imagine these people talking about a completely fictional person.

Possibly, but IIRC the Gnostic scriptures paint him as more of a supernatural manifestation, and there is no reason to think that the Gnostics are any less (or more) reliable than the Roman take on the Christian myth.

plunge | May 15, 2007, 6:41pm | #

Chris, first of all, most of genuinely gnostic texts and arguments we have come later in the game, and secondly, their belief was not that there was no figure Jesus, but a theological belief of theirs that he was a being of divine substance who merely appeared human. That is neither here nor there in the debate on whether or not a person like him was active, and there almost certainly was.

Scott | May 15, 2007, 7:54pm | #

I wonder whether it was God or Satan that finally lost the bet. I think that is the secret to Falwell's long life, it has taken decades for someone to agree to host the bastard for eternity.

Marc | May 15, 2007, 9:28pm | #

To answer the question in the article:
Hitchens!!

I want to read an obit by Hitchens. With his "God is not Great" doing so well right now he MUST comment on it. And he will probably do his best to annoy as many people as possible.

I love that guy.

Akira MacKenzie | May 15, 2007, 10:22pm | #

I'm going Lynchburg. I'm going to wait outside the cemetery until the funeral let's out so I might pay Falwell the respect he's due at his grave.

Oh, did I forget to mention that I will have consumed four or five Big Gulps cups of Coke before hand?

Troy | May 15, 2007, 10:41pm | #

I have to say that I've been giddy ever since I heard the word. This man, who obviously never heard of the fucking sin "abject gluttony", has caused way more pain than he has ever alleviated. I remember him blaming the kids with AIDS, the etiology of which was contaminated blood, because it was something they did and god was punishing them. Well fuck them both and Pthuh!
After Akira is done, i am going to get a Hustler, smoke a bowl, and wanker off right on top of his corpse which won't be hard to do since it is the size of a Buick.

anonimoh too | May 15, 2007, 11:55pm | #

Anonymo:

I LOVE Jack Van Impe. He is the most upbeat televangelist that ever was. He never talks about hellfire or sin, just the coming of the last days and the tribulation hour, which is gonna suck with neighbor against neighbor and all, but there is no need to dwell on unpleasantries when they are an indication of the coming of Christ. And he never denounces other religions as long as they believe in the same God he does.

Rexella and Chuck Ohman are mighty fine folk as well.

I love the Christmas episodes most. One year, Rexella sang and Chuck played a carol on the sax.

Stevo Darkly | May 15, 2007, 11:59pm | #

The Urkobold wouldn't eat Falwell, for the same reason Jaws wouldn't eat John Edwards - professional courtesy.

My apologies, but apparently a case of fatigue-induced "blog goggles" made me read "Jaws" as "Jews," which caused me to go through the first two stages of grief before I realized my error.

Mark | May 16, 2007, 1:31pm | #

he hurt so many people with his bigoted views and hate towards others, thank GOD he can't do it anymore..

I hope others living the "Christainity lifestyle" learn from all his wrong doings.

grace65mei | May 16, 2007, 3:20pm | #

As a Chinese woman and born-again Christian, here, I am greeting to all brothers/sisters in the Christ !

Let's say good bye to our very dear brother- Jerry Falwell. he is a very diligent good servant of the Lord-, a brave Christian soldier

To stand steadfast and fight back those anti-christ fake Gods but demons behind

To sow Gospel seeds in the lost souls, let them get saved by the Lord's Salvation on the Cross 2000 ago and gain Eternal Live instead Eternal destined death as a result of human-being sins

To hold God's Holy Moral standards to resist this decayed, corrupted world which is being controlled by Satan - gays, abortions, adultery, fornication etc.

Now, our dearest brother Jerry Falwell is rest in the Lord's Arm and living in the Eternal Kingdom forever. let's put on full Armor of God and stand firmly to follow our dear brother/pastor -Jerry Falwell's steps on our Cross road until we reunite with him someday, until our Lord coming back second time soon, Amen !

mercy70wei | May 16, 2007, 3:23pm | #

As a Chinese woman and born-again Christian, here, I am greeting to all brothers/sisters in the Christ !

Let's say good bye to our very dear brother- Jerry Falwell. he is a very diligent good servant of the Lord-, a brave Christian soldier

To stand steadfast and fight back those anti-christ fake Gods but demons behind

To sow Gospel seeds in the lost souls, let them get saved by the Lord's Salvation on the Cross 2000 ago and gain Eternal Live instead Eternal destined death as a result of human-being sins

To hold God's Holy Moral standards to resist those decayed, corrupted immoral standards in this world which is being controlled by Satan - gays, abortions, adultery, fornication etc.

Now, our dearest brother Jerry Falwell is rest in the Lord's Arm and living in the Eternal Kingdom forever. let's put on full Armor of God and stand firmly to follow our dear brother/pastor -Jerry Falwell's steps on our Cross road until we reunite with him someday, until our Lord coming back second time soon, Amen !

Anonymous | May 16, 2007, 3:39pm | #

Hallalujah!!! Or however the Hell you say it! At last the pompous douchebag will finally keep his fat, fucking nose out of politics and other people's lives!!! I only hope Pat Robertson soon follows him!!! LET'S ALL PRAY!!!

freedomfromreligion | May 16, 2007, 4:05pm | #

Maybe this sorry excuse of a Christian will lead his whole army into hell, if there were one. Why can't anyone see that Christianity is being used to hate anyone you want.

Scott | May 16, 2007, 4:37pm | #

As a former student of Liberty University (my parents would only pay for this school) all I can say is THANK GOD the evil bastard is dead. A sick piece of crap like him doesn't even deserve a funeral for all the pain and hatred he caused here on Earth. He ran his school like a military academy and I hope he's burning where ever he's at now. I bet he wishes he had a couple of gay guys to piss on him so he they could put out the flames on his fat ass body.

Zachary Trent | May 16, 2007, 4:42pm | #

Good Riddens you piece of shit. You stuck your nose in politics and other peoples lives for way to long. You should of minded your own damn business and kept your nose out of it. Your death brings no sorrow from me but only happiness. GOOD RIDDENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!


****** LIVE AND LET LIVE ***********

If your not sleeping with them, It's NONE of your business.

Brent | May 16, 2007, 4:46pm | #

I just heard the wonderful news. I'm so happy I'm gonna go smoke a joint and jerk off to the new gay porn dvd that just came in the mail. Oh what a wonderful day!!!

Brent | May 16, 2007, 4:47pm | #

**** All in the Honor of the memory of Rev Falwell of course :) hahahahahahah

Jockboy | May 16, 2007, 4:55pm | #

I'm glad he's gone. He only caused pain in this world and he was a pro at it. Only the religious phanatics will miss him and mourn his death. In my opinion, he's unworthy of tears.

Moses | May 16, 2007, 6:22pm | #

Falwell like so many others living this ignorant lifestyle laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims about gods sleeping with women, but they have no problem believing that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the sky.

And they live there life by it! LOL!!!

Uncle Fester | May 16, 2007, 11:37pm | #

Thank God the evil bastard is FINALLY dead! Falwell is the cause of ALL of America's problems today. May he burn in hell!

FOX news is teying to cover up the fact that he died of a heart attack while banging a little boy in the butt in his office.

Let's declare a national holiday to celebrate the slimy bastard's death!

God is love | May 16, 2007, 11:52pm | #

As Christians, Let's pray all those whose voices are controlled from Satan directly but they don't know themselves. because, the Lord still love them and still be patient for their repent hearts, Amen !

Richard C. | May 17, 2007, 5:10am | #

I've decided that the best way to commemorate the death of this hideous hate-monger is to go out and engage in as many perverted homosexual acts as I possibly can.

jf | May 17, 2007, 7:52pm | #

Wow, the latecomers to this thread are hilarious. On both sides. Welcome to reason.