I have no great love for Jerry Falwell. Between his racist background and his union of politics and Christianity, I think he did plenty to tarnish the reputation of Jesus. Whether he was simply wrong in some areas, yet a man trying his best to follow Jesus, or an evil shepherd fattening himself on the flock of God is something for his Master to judge.
In today's society, "hate" is used far too liberally, applied to and assumed of anyone who does not approve of your choice of life. And so many people believed Falwell hated them, and they loathed him in return. Feel free to see the vitriol for yourself, but be careful where you look.
He stands to me as a reminder that when we claim to speak for Jesus, we had better have a very, very firm footing before we do so. And as a reminder why I do not demand that we make (or remake) America a "Christian Nation" in the common political sense. If Jesus spoke truly, there is NO "Moral Majority," for the way of life is narrow, hard, and sparsely populated. If ever we look to Christianity to be wide, easy and popular, we had best carefully consider whether we are on the right path.
As for his many failings, I ask that God have mercy on a sinful man.
A man just like me.
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