NoGodBlog.com

You hateful, hateful, HATEFUL BASTARD!!!

The world is a better place today for his death. A bully who knew only hate and bigotry will no longer be able to poison people's lives with his lies.

I can only hope for the day Falwell's kind of televangelism is dead with him. But that day will not happen with new ones showing up. It is really a shame that these folk can sell their crap in an educated society.

I know christians are going to post about our total dislike and disrespect of Falwell. I make no apologies for bashing him and his kind. I am glad he is worm food. The man robbed lots of people's hard earned money by stirring up hate and paranoia. The man did nothing to earn respect and I will give him none. He belongs in our past. A blight on our species, and someone best left for the amusement of future generations.

Now he can finally provide a useful function…worm dirt.

Let's not forget -- he will have a LOT more of a funeral than the GIs dying in IRAQ. Probably Bush will attend.

Reagan died, then Strom Thurmond, today it was Jerry Falwell, Jesse Helms is in a nursing home living with dementia, and Pat Robertson has but a few years left. Ted Haggard was exposed for the gay man that he is, Democrats are in control of Congress, and the next American president and/or vice president will be a woman or a black man. What we are seeing is the end to the old way of thinking as these people die off not to be replaced with any apparent heirs. The era of religious tyranny over people's minds is coming to a close and those who adhere to the ignorant old ideas are running scared becasue they feel what's coming.

Maybe god needed a bigot...bwahaaa!!!

Nothing became his life like the leaving of it.
Shakespeare, I think.

KA:
My first thought was from Mark Twain:
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."

The man was hateful and engendered intolerance and hatred in too many others. A true xtian. *grin*

I've about had to shut off all media today I'm so sick of all the fawning admiration. Bury him quick and let's move on.

Not all is admiration for Falwell's deeds. Right now I am watching Anderson Cooper interviewing the gay former ghostwriter for Falwell, Mel White, as well as leaders of the gay community and many other who saw him for the heartless man that he was.

I'd rather hear more endless hours of news about Anna Nicole Smith's death and burial than listen to one more minute of how this "great" (WTF?) man will be remembered.

emkay:

You should have heard Hitchens on AC360. really laid the smackdown on Falwell... it was great. (had to endure ralph reed first though uggg)

Oo, I missed it. Does AC360 reply later tonight?

Whoops, meant "replay" later tonight.

CAB4reason:

Its should be on again at 10 pacific time

Great, thanks!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q_PFLbitE8I

http://youtube.com/watch?v=96fj-ub642c

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h94KvYEbJ_o

I think the real problem is the way people pay attention to the Falwells and Robertsons of the world. I don't view People like Jerry Falwell as the problem, but simply opportunists who to make hay from gullible people.

As a result, I'm not so much looking forward to the day when people of his type are gone but when nobody pays attention to them. Then maybe the human race will be able to say it has made some progress.

who are you people to criticize falwell how many subdivisons have you built.have any of you built a church with a cafe and big screen tvs.would any of you have the courage to blame your fellow americans when foreign terrorists attack.how many of you would be brave enough to tell people their gay kids are vile brute beasts.
sen.mccain said he would be missed even homo loving baby killing rudy had kinds words i believe these men because they are godfearing family men.i am also amazed at what rev.falwell was able to accomplish with money from people on fixed incomes.rip jerry your labors in this world are done.

I can't help but think of something that I believe might have been Bette Davis who said: "We should speak well of the dead. He's dead. Good!"

Good Riddance....hope it takes its backward thinking bullshit with it

A new flavor from baskin-robins.
Berry Jerry
Well, it was funny when Garcia died.

Alex:

The era of religious tyranny over people's minds is coming to a close

I hope you're right, but this could just be another swing of the pendulum back to a saner climate in religion and politics. It could always swing back, but time will tell.

I'm not surprised, but I'm still greatly disappointed at George W. Bush's reaction to this.

From the BBC online article on Falwell:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6659457.stm

US President George W Bush paid tribute to Mr Falwell, 73, who he said lived a life of "faith, family, and freedom".

"Freedom"?? Where is that coming from? Bush is so fond of his buzzwords that they really have lost all meaning.

President Bush said both he and his wife, Laura, were "deeply saddened" by Mr Falwell's death.

"He taught young people to remain true to their convictions and rely upon God's word throughout each stage of their lives," Mr Bush said.

Saying stuff like this is like a jab in the eye to anyone who saw Falwell for what he really was: narrow, hateful, and morally corrupt.

I have to say who is worse the leader or his sheep who follow him?!?

HeatheNZ..

Hmmm...seem's like I hit a homerun...

Comment from: alexatheist

Falwell had a bully pulpit and millions of people, including presidents, listened to his hurtful lies

What lies...?

Comment from: David Silverman

Let's not forget -- he will have a LOT more of a funeral than the GIs dying in IRAQ. Probably Bush will attend.

Now if this statement isn't written to inspire hate I don't know what is...

Hey Dave...I've been trying to figure out exactly what AA has done for it's troops...

Since you're so quick to put Falwell down...why not list the accomplishments of AA...?

How has AA improved the daily lives of it's members...?

That is, aside from removing an occasional cross...

So many on this board focus on the negative side of life. What else could they do, but focus on the negative side of Falwell's life...it wouldn't take much effort to find stories of how he's helped thousands of individuals...but then again...that would take forgiveness and taking the high moral road...which from my observations is rare in the atheist community...

Here's a great example of someone who can take the high moral road...

Falwell maintained a constant rhetoric against homosexuality. But today, the staff and board of directors of Soulforce, which is committed to ending the political and religious oppression of lesb1an, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, sent “sincere condolences to his family, the members of Thomas Road Baptist Church, and the students at Liberty University.”

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/5274

This thread and it's comments are what fuel the question...where do atheists get the morals...?

The world will definately be more impressed with the reaction from Soulforce then they will be from AA...

Side note...it still cracks me up that this site hasn't fixed the filter to allow "L E S B I A N"

Notice that no one is reacting to your posts, Phreddie. Wonder why? I'm not wasting my time.
Move along.

CAB4reason,

I agree, don't let the troll bait you. It does no good. Don't feed it, let it starve. The crazy folks can't be helped without professional care, lots of medicine and a straight jacket.

Phreedm - It makes me laugh how right you were ... I too would like to know "where do atheists get the morals"?

You hateful, hateful, HATEFUL BASTARD!!!

Hmmm. Sounds like a good description of Falwell to me.

The world is better off without that immoral creep.

I was just reading the comments sections on a couple of falwell stories. It's quite funny how half the posters deride him for his racism and homophobia, while the other half profess christianity and praise him while ignoring the racism and homophobia. Their leaders can do no wrong.

this man was born into ignorance and died in ignorance. I have no pity or sympathy for him. I do, however pity the millions of followers who made him a millionaire for no other reason than to have someone spew out hatred they need to justify their religion.
"He was a man of great compassion" I heard one of his friends say on CNN. What compassion? for himself?
I'm sure you all know how it feels to have nothing to do with something like 9/11 and have Jerry FALLwell blame you for it then have all his followers do the same. Not very nice, is it.

Good fucking riddance to a boil on the ass of humanity.

not-interesting:
You're either stupid, or woefully ignorant, go read up on mammalian & insect social behavior for the answer. Hint: The tiny baby jay-sus doesn't have anything to do with it.

If you're too lazy/unintelligent to do that, bugger off.

Maybe the rapture just happened, and only Falwell was worthy enough.

And Phreedm?

It's = it is

Its = possessive ("its comments")

Borrowed from Berlzebub over at GifS

From a Yahoo article, early yesterday:
Last year, Falwell marked the 50th anniversary of his church and spoke out on stem cell research, saying he sympathized with people with medical problems, but that any medical research must pass a three-part test: “Is it ethically correct? Is it biblically correct? Is it morally correct?” [My emphasis]

Did they just give us proof that even Falwell didn’t believe ethics and morals came from the bible?

I think he makes a good point.

"this man was born into ignorance and died in ignorance"

Actually in his autobiography he claims that his father was a militant atheist. I wonder what went wrong with jerry that he turned to religion?

i couldn't help myself....please check out my newest painting: "Tinky's Revenge"
http://www.danaellyn.com/5_07/falwell.jpg

Enjoy!

It's = it is

Its = possessive ("its comments")

Iiitt's = Monty Python's Flying Circus

danaellyn,
Thanks for the laugh! Although that's unmistakably Fallwell, it is just as funny if you think of it as Cheney.

Jerry Falwell has passed? Oh my...
...

...

...

...GOOD LORD, SOMEBODY SAY, AMEN!

Ren: thanks for the comment. Happy to hear it got a laugh :)

Oh, but if painted Cheney, he'd be equally doughy but FAR more evil and sneering. I'll most likely be creating at least one Cheney painting this July....I do a project every year called "31 Days in July" - I create one new painting each day inspired by the top news of the day. Quite an undertaking. You can check out paintings from the past 4 years if you're interested:
http://www.danaellyn.com/31days.html

Thanks for looking!

anyone else have this tune in their heads :

Ding Dong the Di** is dead.

I hope that consciousness is retained for long enough through the process of death that you have time to realize you are going nowhere special. I hope he was terrified, in those last few moments, that there was nothing better coming.

So, did the gays and women having abortions cause his death?

(Maybe prayers are answered!)

Falwell was a menace to society.

He perpetuated ignorance and irrational thinking which unfortunately will continue on at his "university." Places like Liberty College (I use the term loosely) are an insult to real institutions of higher learning.

He especially hindered scientific education.

He has fought equalization of women and their rights.

He perpetuated willful ignorance, divisiveness, and magical thinking.

He damaged the wall separating church and state.

Good riddance. I can't think of anything positive to say about the man.

Jaydave,

Yes I have had that tune in my head since yesterday.
...
Good riddance.

And if you're a friend or family member of Falwell's offended by that, you have no one but Falwell to blame. Anyone who brings so much hatred to life deserves such disrespect in death.

Nice work on Tinky's Revenge, I spit water on my desk.

No Falwell fan here, wish he would have STFU years ago, but...

"I can't think of anything positive to say about the man."

How about - he was human, like the rest of us.

It is one thing to hate the man's ideology and speech. No opposition here.

But it is beneath anyone who claims to be progressive to be as hateful as the man they are saying is hateful. Shameful hypocrisy, that.

The original post was well done, BTW.

It's best Falwell's gone. I did not hate him. I just love all the people he hated.

"and they hide behind their God and pray, for those who they helped to kill today" - from song "Our Table Has Room For Everyone" - S.Branch

FP "I hope he was terrified, in those last few moments, that there was nothing better coming."

I also hope that as he clutched his chest and fell to the floor he had time to regret his career of hurtful lies. I hope as he gasped for breath, reaching toward the door for help that never came, he felt guilt for his vile words. I hope he suffered.

NV "But it is beneath anyone who claims to be progressive to be as hateful as the man they are saying is hateful. Shameful hypocrisy, that."

I disagree. Falwell visited incalculable misery on people through his viscious demonisation of gays and others who didn't fit into his narrow and bigoted vision of what an American should be. That man had the blood of gay and 1esbian suicide and bashing victims on his hands. In my opinion it is both healthy and cathartic as individuals and a nation to celebrate his demise. I, like countless others, hold up a glass and toast his death.

ahh...thank you nadavegan. Someone with a bit of rationality. I have always found difficulty in believing in the progressive ideology when those claiming the value of human life attack an individual man and wish him dead. Seems a bit of a contradiction.

I don't care how hate filled he is or is considered to be. I cannot say I agreed with much of his thought. Wishing death seems just a bit over the top. Also leaves me with the taste of VT and Columbine. Bullies, jocks, and stuck up rich kids could be justified as pretty evil. But I don't see anyone wishing them dead, yet. What would stop someone?

Sorry if this line of thought gets you riled. Just thinking...

Quite frankly I feel it got off far too easily.
Hork, plop, gone.
I'll not bother to enumerate ways in which I would have preferred it's extinction, just suffice to say it should have been painfully drawn out.
One menace to society down, far too many to go.

alexatheist - thanks for the reply...
"I disagree. Falwell visited incalculable misery on people through his viscious demonisation of gays and others who didn't fit into his narrow and bigoted vision of what an American should be."

I do not disagree with his culpability.

But to open that door, even just a crack, to say that because of his worldview and legacy, that hate is justified in any portion, gives a glimpse of terrifying repercussions.

When, ever, has man been able to draw the line with hate? There is either hate, or not. I can't see an appropriate amount, no matter the offense. The logical end game is only more hate, and it is only a matter of time until people, whether simgly or in masses, act on it.

Better to keep the door closed, says I.

I am willing to throw open that door and step right through to embrace the darkness in order to purge myself of falwell's toxic influence on my life as a gay man. Perhaps later I can forgive, but right now all I want is to revel in his death. I believe that Schadenfreude is a delicacy best served ice cold.

Phreedm,
You have no idea what a relief it is to know that there are atheists outside rural Texas where xianity is seen as the common and respected choice in religious views. There is a giant world of atheists and if it wasn't for them I'd not have the conviction to speak out many times. Yes, phreedm I fear for my family's safety in speaking out about atheism in rural Texas. If it wasn't for AA, FFRF, ACLU and AU the Texas government would probably ignore the Constitutional principles.

nadavegan wrote: "When, ever, has man been able to draw the line with hate? There is either hate, or not. I can't see an appropriate amount, no matter the offense."

Do you feel the same way towards men like Hitler and Pol Pot? Wanna give them a hug, too?

alexatheist -

"I am willing to throw open that door and step right through to embrace the darkness in order to purge myself of falwell's toxic influence on my life as a gay man."

But it's the same door Falwell stepped through. Nothing changes until someone says, "It stops here. I will not become the thing that I hate." He too thought he could make the world better by hating people. He didn't; how can you? How can anyone?

BTW - I realize that I know *nothing* of your life or person...please do not read any personal disrespect into the exchange. I am commenting on hate, not on you as a person.

CAB4reason -

No, no hug. But not a pat on the ass for a job well done, either.

Oo, I guess not. Pats on the ass can actually be a very nice thing, eh?

NV,
I understand your point of view and do not take it as a personal attack. Having said that, I will now answer your questions about how hate can make the world a better place. Falwell's brand of hate was born of ignorance and fear and has brought about a tremendous amount of pain, suffering, and death by giving justification to people's prejudice and acts of violence. Falwell's "Moral Majority" made the vilification of gays a rallying point used for political and financial gain. Falwell had a televised bully pulpit from whence he spewed his vile lies to an ignorant base as well as holding the ears of policy makers, including presidents. If not for the deplorable actions of Falwell and his ilke perhaps I wouldn't have been surrounded by the violent homophobes that terrorised me daily in rural Virginia during my teen years. Perhaps I would have come out earlier than age nineteen and been able to find love with another gay man who wasn't afraid to be open. Perhaps we would now have marriage equality. Perhaps I would be protected against discrimination in the workplace and in public accomodation. Maybe I could meet a gay man here in NC who wasn't married to a woman becasue of family pressure. Maybe my life and the lives of other gay Americans would be less filled with fear and more with hope. Hate is often the motivation for social change and the only good that falwell did in his life was to rally the gay community into taking action to counteract his lies.
My hatred is justified, his was not. I'm only sorry I wasn't there to spit in his dying face.

That they can. The universal language, even.

I wonder why we bother having sympathy for Fallwell's family. If they are REALLY xians, they must believe 100% that he is in heaven. They must be very happy knowing that he is safe with the lord - why would they need sympathy?

falwell's family are not worthy of sympathy. When did his wife or children ever speak out against his crazy and hurtful beliefs?

Tonight on Larry King Live he is interviewing Larry Flynt on jerry falwells death:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/

Let me raise a glass in celebration of the demise of an evil man.

I agree with Alex...hatred toward evil is not a bad thing.

OH This is great! Report: Hong Kong Authorities Ponder Labeling Bible 'Indecent'

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,272955,00.html

Time for a new thread. Fartswell is not worth a single post in MHO.

This is completely off topic, but if you need a juvenile break:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-WVC2JsJ9o

Not awful, but may not be something you watch at work. However, you'll be playing this at work in no time.

what will be this mans legacy.how will he be seen in say ten yrs.how will this effect the RR and what does it mean for we atheists.

Great quotes by Ellen.

Now if we can just get rid of Robertson and that clone son of his!

-------------------------------
Atheist Empire
http://atheistempire.com

For starters I am a Christian and I know I am treading on new grounds, but I was intrigued when I read this thread. So much so that I decided to register so that I may post a few questions.

Falwell, quite fankly, made me blush and embarassed to acknowledge him as a fellow Christian (Robertson as well). His remarks over 9/11 were ridiculous and I apologize, what little it means, to those he offended.

However, I have always encountered good natured Atheist and feel that for the most part they were decent humans. I am not implying that anyone that has posted here over Falwell is not a good person. I am simply trying to understand the hate for one single individual. We all make mistakes, unfortunatly, Falwell was able to make them in the public's viewing. He constantly made my job as an evangelist harder than it already is. Yet I still feel for his family and wonder if any of you that posted aggressive comments over his death deep inside feel some remorse for, if anything, his family.

Honestly, I am just trying to gain another perspective and broaden my horizions. Look forward to many more discussions in the future.

alexatheist, Rosemary, et al: Cheers!

Jaydave: I like the tune but did a house fall well on it to make it appear that way? Or was that house an outhouse? Seems like someone brought up an outhouse and Jerry before..Larry Flynt?

Christopher Hitchens has the appropriate comments on Anderson Cooper on CNN.

http://onegoodmovemedia.org/movies/0705/cooper_hitchens_falwell_051507.mov

BTW, have you seen Penn and Teller on the Boy Scouts? Atheists are not welcome since the religious rightwing, especially the Mormons, have taken it over.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__sJ5a6ZB7s&mode=related&search=

P&T sometimes get taken off rapidly, so go quickly.

Rebuilt:
Falwell and Hitler made mistakes. Falwell may have not killed millions of people, he did in my opinion, do more damage to our country. Hitler united us. Falwell divided us. Falwell spread lies, hate, and bigotry throughout this country. Falwell lived off the weak and gullible. So, why do you not understand the distain for this ass. Robertson is even worst. Could you find more evilangicals like this leading your fellow xtians. You bet.

Rebuilt said; "I am simply trying to understand the hate for one single individual. We all make mistakes, unfortunatly, Falwell was able to make them in the public's viewing. He constantly made my job as an evangelist harder than it already is. Yet I still feel for his family and wonder if any of you that posted aggressive comments over his death deep inside feel some remorse for, if anything, his family."

Welcome to the blog Rebuilt. If you wish to understand the hate for this sorry waste of humanity, you have to recognize the hate he poured out on whole segments of society. Don't dismiss his deliberate and calculated words and actions as mere mistakes.
I feel no remorse for my words and feelings at all, and I have zero sympathy for his family. Doesn't look like they made any attempt to change him. Meantime my sympathies will be reserved for those worthy of it.

You can hate the man all you want but understand one man can not do a lot without help so all the people out there that gave him money and air time should die right along with him they gave him power!!!

rebuilt, I think a lot of the aggression you're reading stems from Falwell's doctrine of hatred. A athiests, we can recognize those that he spewed his hatred at as real people (that would be ourselves, gays, pro-choice people, etc.), who have real lives, who have hopes and dreams, who love and grieve. To constantly see the fearless leader of hate (Falwell) at the helm tends to sicken one after a while and can wear one's sensitivity to the hate-monger's fate down to nothing.

In other words, you hate us in life, then we celebrate your death as the final demise of your long line of insults.

And yes, Robertson's next.

imacrook wrote: "Great quotes by Ellen.

Now if we can just get rid of Robertson and that clone son of his!"

And James Dobson, too. Please!

Rebuilt-
Welcome aboard!
Most atheists are very compassionate human beings. We usually live by the mantra of 'Do No Harm', and we try our very best to live our lives every day this way.
Falwell didn't live by this. He did irreparable harm to countless people, emotionally and financially. He was a very hateful and bigoted man who had no tolerance for anyone different than himself.
Am I glad he's gone? You bet I am.
Do I feel grief for his family? Only if they tried to change him or distance themselves from him.

It's just a fact of life that the world would be a better place if certain people were not in it, because of the harm they do.

Sometimes hatred is properly directed.

Evil people deserve the bad things that happen to them, and I won't feel bad at all for it.

For Falwell there is no farewell. In life he did not bid well, take well, or speak well. I'd like to say he fell well since he never seemed to sit well. The mood here was no farewell but more or less a go to hell. The life Jerry chose was a ne're do well and makes his end now oh so swell.

Phreedm,

Yes, you were correct. There is a lot of hatred being expressed toward Falwell. My objection to your comment was mostly that you were condemning an action before it transpired. That you predicted correctly, does not invalidate that criticism.

That being said I am somewhat surprised at the level of invective aimed toward this man. I understand where it's coming from, and after reading many of his quotes I certainly find it hard to criticize those that have spoken out. They make a strong case for his denouncement.

Personally, I'd lean toward the presumed xian ethic of hating the hate rather than hating the hater. (I can't bring myself to suggest loving the hater). I think the man was a charlatan who invoke hatred, divisiveness and bigotry. I'm not sorry to see such attributes consigned to the grave. I'd like to think there was something more to the man, something honorable that will be missed by those who knew him. If such attributes do exist, he certainly has kept them well hidden.

Boise Jim

Evil people deserve the bad things that happen to them, and I won't feel bad at all for it.

This sounds suspiciously like an invocation of divine justice. Death is not a bad thing; just a natural end to life.

Kinda reminds me of one of my favorite verses (not sure of the author):

The rain, it raineth of the just,
And on the unjust fellah.
But mostly on the just, because
The unjust hath the just's umbrella.

Rebuilt, Welcome to what for you will likely be an adversarial blog.

Falwell, quite fankly, made me blush and embarassed to acknowledge him as a fellow Christian (Robertson as well).

At least you do not try to disavow them as not 'real' xians.

His remarks over 9/11 were ridiculous and I apologize, what little it means, to those he offended.

You are not responsible for his remarks unless you endorse them. He bares that responsibility alone.

However, I have always encountered good natured Atheist and feel that for the most part they were decent humans. I am not implying that anyone that has posted here over Falwell is not a good person. I am simply trying to understand the hate for one single individual.

I think the feeling rests on a belief that Falwell personally has negatively impacted many people's lives on a personal basis. Reading Alex's comments for example gives me an understanding of the potential for increased happiness that was/is lost by people who do not fit in to Falwell's view of the 'right' kind of stock. That is a sad loss to our society and a personal affront to those at who his invective is directed. Falwell as an individual is an icon for bigoted vitriol. However to think that his passing will signal and end to those ideas is probably short sighted. There is, I'm sure, another nine heads of the Hydra vying for his place even as the undertaker drains his life's blood.

We all make mistakes, unfortunatly, Falwell was able to make them in the public's viewing. He constantly made my job as an evangelist harder than it already is.

From my point of view that would count as a point in Fallwell's favour :)

Yet I still feel for his family and wonder if any of you that posted aggressive comments over his death deep inside feel some remorse for, if anything, his family.

I know nothing of his family. Maybe they love him, perhaps they fear him, or maybe they were waiting for him to die in order to get their hands on his empire. The man lived a long life and had more than his fair share of wealth, power and influence. The family should celebrate of commiserate those facts as they feel fit.

Honestly, I am just trying to gain another perspective and broaden my horizions. Look forward to many more discussions in the future.

I'm fascinated that you profess to be an evangelist and yet have the balls to read and post on an atheist blog. I think that's great. I also think it's great that you are conversing rather than preaching. As one who has no respect for the arguments of evangelists, I'm interested to know whether you ever honestly listen to the arguments of those who oppose you, and if so what do you think of the more typical evangelists that override any intellectual objection by appeal to divine fiat.

I don't know if this is true or not, but if it's not it should be. I do so love irony.

Rev. Fred Phelps plans to protest Falwell's funeral because the late preacher was a "false prophet … who spent his entire life prophesying lies and false doctrines like 'God loves everyone.

HeatheNZ:

The man lived a long life and had more than his fair share of wealth, power and influence.

Exactly - which is why, after thinking about it, I believe that he triumphed. He succeeded in transforming the American evangelical movement into what is arguably the most powerful political lobby in our history, and he lived long enough to see it to fruition. Because of this, I don't think there is much to celebrate in his death. Death is inevitable and the only things that you can hope will live on afterwards are your genes and your memes. He succeeded with both. The organizations that he helped create live on, and his family is still at the helm. We still have a lot of work ahead of us in the effort to build our own movement to counter his.

I also have to say that I find it odd that we should be expected to feel any sympathy for his family. If they truly believe what I suspect a majority of them profess, then not only did Falwell realize his lifelong dream, but he is also being rewarded for his efforts in Heaven. Sounds to me like they should be the ones dancing, not us.

But then again, my observation has been that very few people really believe in an afterlife. They just chant it to themselves over and over again hoping that such rituals will make them feel better about death.

Rebuilt,

Welcome aboard, and thanks for not preaching a sermon to all us sinners.

Regarding Falwell - - He was a despicable person and he did a disservice to his country in general, and to his followers in particular. I am happy he is gone. While I have never felt the hatred toward the man like some have expressed here, I believe he was a despicable person, and the world is a better place for his passing.

R4D,

All good points. I think you're right that he did succeed in his machinations. How his legacy fares will be borne out in due course.

I think Christopher Hitchen's article on Falwell entitled Faith-based Fraud is well worth a read at Slate.com

http://www.slate.com/id/2166337/

HeatheNZ

Yeah, I saw the AC360 segment with Hitchens. Typical Hitchens - I'm onboard with him all the way until he makes some left field comment that totally throws me off the train. In this case it was the assertion that Falwell didn't believe the things he said and it was all a cynical ploy to empty his follower's pocket. Bullshit. Falwell may have admitted to using outrageous comments in a media-savy way, but there is no doubt in my mind that he also believed every word of it.

We underestimate the convictions of our enemies at our own peril.

R4D-
Hitchens did hit the nail on the head though when he said ole Jerry was an "evil little toad". Indeed.

Hitchens is certainly striking a cord with people. Several Christian acquaintances of mine have been asking what I think of him as well expressing an interest in learning more about my point of view. To paraphrase one rather nice and open minded fellow at work: "I can't agree with anything he is saying, but at the same time I can't help but take him seriously because he's obviously done his homework."

http://onegoodmovemedia.org/movies/0705/cooper_hitchens_falwell_051507.mov

thanks bernarda for the link...Hitchens was great!

..however, Hitchens suggested Falwell was aware of his own folly. Maybe. I'm more apt to believe Falwell was just plain tree-stump stupid and hopelessly delusional.

I'm not sure which disposition is worse. Dumb beyond repair?..or dumb without despair. Either way, Jerry Falwell was an abomination and an embarrassment to humanity.

r4d
Interesting that Hitchens is the spur for dialogue with your friends, as he isn't one to "catch more flies with honey". Have they heard Dawkins? Does he inspire them to ask questions of you?

Karen,

That's what is so weird about it. Many of them appear to be getting their first exposure to the 'Neo-Atheist' movement through Hitchens' appearances. He must be getting a lot more airtime.

Maybe Falwell was on to something: If you want to be noticed then it pays to be as outrageous as possible.

i didn't dislike falwell...UNTIL...he forced me to choose between loving him and hating him....HE CHOSE for me...i had no say in the matter...i could not have a neutral opinion of a person that blamed me and my family of heathens and women for ruining his life...we discussed it amongst ourselves and realized that we had never been within 200 miles of the guy, in spite of his girth...a stretch then for him to say he was disturbed by us in any way...if he perceived my disgust for him i am glad...and i am glad to see that my voodoo doll still works

r4d:
"Maybe Falwell was on to something: If you want to be noticed then it pays to be as outrageous as possible."

Noticed, yes. But that isn't always good, no?

But my vision would be for people to work together, rather than every interest group or worldview building their own machine and going to war.

Hitchens plays better than Dawkins IMHO because although just as aggressive, he comes off less arrogant. But "outrageous" will always alienate, as did Falwell.

Rebuilt,

Welcome to the blog. Feel free to ask questions to understand what atheists think. Atheists are very individual in our nature. The thoughts of one do not reflect the thoughts of all. We have no doctrine, but share a constant search for truth and how the universe really works.

Falwell will get no pity here for many reasons. His ignorant brand of hate being the most noteworthy. We do not see his "mistakes" as forgivable. If the man wanted forgiveness, he would have made a public apology. We did not harm him in life, but we are not afraid to speak the truth about a dead man. He is dead. His family reaped the rewards of his ignorant crusade. If they want forgiveness, they should ask for it publicly. They owe it to the world. In christianity a person has to want forgiveness. I have a similar policy, I will forgive a mistake, but willful ignorance and power grabbing is monstrous. I have no pity for those who would intentionally stir ignorance, hate, fear and paranoia in the name of money and power.

"....blessed are the meek....." sermon on the mount......"blessed are the peacemakers.." etc etc etc any christians ever heard of this hill where beatitudes were spoken? evidently not a hill near Echo Canyon

nadavegan

But my vision would be for people to work together, rather than every interest group or worldview building their own machine and going to war.

Ha... and what exactly where you smoking when you had this 'vision'? ;)

Hitchens plays better than Dawkins IMHO because although just as aggressive, he comes off less arrogant.

Funny, I get the opposite impression.

But "outrageous" will always alienate, as did Falwell.

Yeah, but being really polite about it, especially concerning controversial issues, doesn't seem to get you any airtime. Dilemma, I'm afraid.

r4d
Maybe Hitchens is riding Dawkins' wave a bit, and had the fortune to be hawking his book at the time of Falwell's demise. I agree with your assessment of him as compared with Dawkins in your discussion with nadavegan. I do enjoy hearing both of them speak, though HItchens comes across as more of the "angy atheist" IMO.

jshanewhit
regarding your comment to rebuilt:
Very well said, all of it.

r4d:

"and what exactly where you smoking when you had this 'vision'? ;)"

Nothing, but I'm open to suggestions!

"Funny, I get the opposite impression."

Maybe...but look at the titles of their respective books. One questions God's character, and the other insinuates that anyone who believes in God is deluded.

To understand the perception, subtitute 'gay' for 'god'. Hitchens' book would postulate that being gay is not great, to which many would disagree. Dawkins' book would suggest that being gay is delusional, which would straight away infuriate people.

People DO judge books by their covers, after all, or there would be no saying.

My two cents.

nadavegan,

Yeah, I guess my take on the difference between those two titles (and literary approaches) would be that Hitchens' is pretty much saying 'God is a loser' and Dawkin's is saying 'no matter who you think God is, it's all in your head.' But in either case, the thing to keep in mind is that the real goal of these books isn't to convert theists into atheists, but to convert atheists into "ATHEISTS!!!"

Well said, r4d.

So if as you say you have noticed a trend of theists paying attention, particularly to Hitchens, I wonder what might come of that?

Because when the country fills up with "ATHEISTS!!" and "THEISTS!!" it might just be time for everyone to take a step back and have a "BEER!!"

All the shouting makes a man thirsty.

Ha. I don't really drink beer, or anything. That's probably one of the reasons so many of my Christian friends think I'm Mormon when they first meet me. :p

OT
jcc,if you're out there, on an episode of house the other night, apatient suffered with cluster headaches.
Guess what gave him relief?


'shrooms!
:D

Really? Oo, I get bad cluster and migraine headaches. But imbibing in 'shrooms would be illegal... and scary, for me.

Hey, karen, I was actually having problems with cluster headaches a few weeks ago.

The shrooms cured it for me, too.
Seriously.

Hey Deadly D!

For real? Cool.
They worked on the show, but it was under very controlled conditions (CAB4), and of course, since it was House, that wasn't the main problem, nor the end of the story.

Phreedy

You are an unemployed (probably unemployable) xian ignoramous whose only joy in life is being a troll on the American Atheist NoGogBlog. You must be so proud.

Rebuilt

We all make mistakes, unfortunatly, Falwell was able to make them in the public's viewing.

He didn't just make HIS mistakes "in the public viewing" he influenced and infected people with his ignorance hyping divisiveness which had one and only one purpose - the galvanization of a political block of voters susceptible to his hate mongering for use in advancing a right wing agenda largely unrelated to the welfare of those that supported him.

He constantly made my job as an evangelist harder than it already is.

OK now you have given me reason to despise him slightly less.

Yet I still feel for his family and wonder if any of you that posted aggressive comments over his death deep inside feel some remorse for, if anything, his family.

Sure do! I feel for anybody raised as a xian evangelical.

Well said. I love the irony of Christian evangelicals: freedom of speech gives them the right to say whatever they want but the moment you want to challenge them they want to close down the conversation as inappropriate or unwarranted.

Anti-Christ: A Satirical End of Days
The funniest part about Falwell's death was that I didn't even notice until now that he was dead. I wonder what that says about me.

More fun with this little quiz about Falwell/Robertson vs Bin Laden.

http://www.funnystrange.com/quiz/

Also, it is interesting to look up what has changed and what has not in the Rethuglican Party. Here are some extracts from the biography of Dumbya's grandfather, Prescott.

"Bush was a typical New England Republican of his time; as a former banker, he was a pro-business conservative, but held many positions today considered socially moderate. Conservatives distrusted and at times openly opposed him.

Bush was involved with the American Birth Control League as early as 1942, and served as the treasurer of the first national capital campaign of Planned Parenthood in 1947. Bush was also an early supporter of the United Negro College Fund, serving as chairman of the Connecticut branch in 1951."

http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Prescott+bush&gwp=13

"Bush's ties with Planned Parenthood also hurt him in heavily Catholic Connecticut, and were the basis of a last-minute campaign in churches by Bush's opponents; the family vigorously denied the connection, but Bush lost to Benton by only 1,000 votes."

I would like to see a journalist ask Commander Guy what he thinks of that.

What,
I applaud your use of the word ignoramus. I have referred to the Ignoramus on previous posts.

As a committed antitheist I have no time for this particular waste of energy. He is not a Christian, only a pretender; a Pascal follower.

I would point out to all and sundry that 'ignore' is contained within Ignoramus.

What: "the galvanization of a political block of political voters susceptible to his hatemongering for use in advancing a right wing agenda"

So what's new? It seems so many would give Jerry credit for being some sort of a great builder of a political block. Anyone who thinks Jerry was great must hold Klan leaders and others who have