Skeptic Friends Network

Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?
Home | Forums | Active Topics | Active Polls | Register | FAQ | Contact Us  
  Connect: Chat | SFN Messenger | Buddy List | Members
Personalize: Profile | My Page | Forum Bookmarks  
 All Forums
 Our Skeptic Forums
 Religion
 Jerry Falwell: an enemy of christians?!
 New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly Bookmark this Topic BookMark Topic
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

the_ignored
SFN Addict

2562 Posts

Posted - 10/19/2002 :  14:46:57  Show Profile Send the_ignored a Private Message
Someone seems to think so. It seems that Falwell has made so many gaffes that even other religious people are embarassed by him.

Check out http://www.raptureready.com/rap16.html
second article from top.


quote:
Jerry Falwell: An Enemy of The Gospel of Jesus Christ?

I'm really starting to wonder if Jerry Falwell is a closet opponent of Christianity. In theory Falwell is on the team that preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ, but the man keeps dropping the ball.

For several years now Falwell has made one embarrassing misstep after another. Here is just a few prime examples:

In 1985, when a wave of freedom was sweeping over Africa, Falwell chose to defended the racial policies of the White controlled South African government.

In 1995 Falwell's organization receives a large donation from Rev Moon's Unification Church. Moon later purchased $70 million dollars worth of bonds that Falwell used to build up Liberty University. Moon is a cult leader who believes he, and not Jesus, is the promised Messiah.

In 1999 Falwell upset several Jewish groups by saying the Antichrist would be a male Jew. I agree with Falwell, but the way he presented the argument made it appear to be anti-Semitic smear.

Also in 1999 he suggested Tinky Winky, the purple, purse-toting character on PBS's Teletubbies children's show, is gay. His claim made him an easy target of comedians everywhere.

Last year Falwell told CBN news that the 9/11 was part of God's judgment on America. His statement was condemned from nearly every high office of Government.

Jerry Falwell latest gaffe came Oct 6 in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes." On the program Falwell said, "I think Mohammad was a terrorist." The conservative Baptist minister told the television network Islam's prophet "was a - a violent man, a man of war." "Jesus set the example for love, as did Moses," Falwell said. "I think Muhammad set an opposite example."

His comment didn't generate a great deal of domestic interest, however, it did get a strong international reaction. In India five people were killed after riots broke out during a general strike to protest Falwell calling the founder of Islam a terrorist. Forty-seven others were injured. The rioters attacked each other with knives and stones.

As soon as I read the initial reports in the press about Falwell's appearance on "60 Minutes," I knew there would be a humble apology shortly to follow. Every time a firestorm erupts around Falwell, he quickly retreats from his earlier statement. His frequent apologies either prove the reverend doesn't know what he's talking about, or it clearly indicates he has no backbone when it comes to stand up for what he believes in.

True to form Falwell said in a prepared statement that he was sorry for the hurt feelings caused by his comments. "I sincerely apologize that certain statements of mine made during an interview '60 Minutes' were hurtful to the feelings of many Muslims. "I intended no disrespect to any sincere, law abiding Muslim," he said. Falwell said his error came from answering a "controversial and loaded question" at the end of an hour-long interview. "That was a mistake and I apologize," he said.

This is now the third I've reported on Jerry Falwell making a controversial statement and then recanting of it. I am 100 percent certain that self-glorification is the primary motivation for his strange series of proclamations. Whenever he falls off the public radar screen he says something outrageous to get himself back in the news.

I witnessed Falwell love for media attention first hand last December. I was at The Annual Pre-trib Study Group in Dallas, and Big Jerry was coming to the meeting's Banquet dinner to show his gratitude to Tim LaHaye for giving his Liberty University 4 million bucks.

Falwell flew into the city on his private jet, he had walked into the Harvey hotel, and while he was in the hotel lobby, CNN called him asking if would appear on a program.

Because Tim LaHaye was back home in California with the flue, Falwell was the lone headliner for the banquet. Did that small fact prevent Jerry from turning down CNN? No, the check must have already cleared the bank. Falwell did an immediately U-turn and raced to the nearest TV station, leaving several people to tap dance until he decided to return.

Jerry Falwell also has a negative influence on Christianity that is very subtle in its impact. It is widely known that there is a limit amount of money that will be donated to the cause of Christ each year. Because of his high profile, Falwell draws in nearly $100 million each year to operate various ministry and academic operations. One gentleman gave him $70 million. All this money goes into back hole of worthless political and social causes that have had zero influence on society.

It is true that Falwell does generally says things that are Biblically sound, but he proves himself to be a false prophet by his gross lack of diplomacy. It is bad enough to directly offend the lead of a group you're trying to reach. It is doubly offensive to cower from those remarks under pressure. "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8).

Falwell is simply a man that does stand for anything. In 1988 he sued Larry Flynt, the publisher of Hustle magazine, over a parody advertisement in which Falwell was portrayed as having sex with his own mother in an outhouse while they both were drunk on Campari liqueur. Falwell lost the suit, and the cased proved to be a landmark decision that helped pornography freely spread to the internet.

You would think Falwell would have a lasting disgust for a man like Flynt. Unfortunately, it appears Falwell's memory is very short. In June of 1997, he visited the porn king for coffee and a friendly chat in his Beverly Hills office. At the meeting they were reported to have acted like long-lost pen pals. Falwell praised Flynt: "He is a warm-hearted, very talented and very generous person whom I believe has much to offer the world."

Perhaps after the passage of a decade, Falwell finally understood the ad's humor. Oh But never mind the fact Flynt is still the head of one of America's largest porn empire. It must have been really good coffee.


Slater
SFN Regular

USA
1668 Posts

Posted - 10/19/2002 :  18:35:57   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send Slater a Private Message
quote:
His comment didn't generate a great deal of domestic interest, however, it did get a strong international reaction. In India five people were killed after riots broke out during a general strike to protest Falwell calling the founder of Islam a terrorist. Forty-seven others were injured. The rioters attacked each other with knives and stones.

But you have to admit, as far a black (really deep- dark-not a touch of gray-black) humor goes five people being murdered and forty-seven injured while protesting how peaceful and non violent their religion is, is pretty funny.

-------
I learned something ... I learned that Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Halloween. I guess they don't like strangers going up to their door and annoying them.
-Bruce Clark
There's No Toilet Paper...on the Road Less Traveled
Go to Top of Page

ljbrs
SFN Regular

USA
842 Posts

Posted - 10/19/2002 :  19:04:55   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send ljbrs a Private Message
Slater:

quote:
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
His comment didn't generate a great deal of domestic interest, however, it did get a strong international reaction. In India five people were killed after riots broke out during a general strike to protest Falwell calling the founder of Islam a terrorist. Forty-seven others were injured. The rioters attacked each other with knives and stones.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


But you have to admit, as far a black (really deep- dark-not a touch of gray-black) humor goes five people being murdered and forty-seven injured while protesting how peaceful and non violent their religion is, is pretty funny.


I do not think *true believers* would understand the ridiculous inconsistency of such behavior. However, all true believers can become murderous if their purported *true faith* is challenged. Then again, they may not understand the *true faith* which they are murderously defending.

ljbrs ;)

"Nothing is more damaging to a new truth than an old error." Goethe
Go to Top of Page

Lisa
SFN Regular

USA
1223 Posts

Posted - 10/19/2002 :  19:55:30   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send Lisa a Private Message
Ah, good old Jer. Not only is he his own worst enemy, he's also a source of humor for us all.
Interesting that "peaceful protests" should be mentioned. I'm going to the JREF conference in January. Word is going around that there may be some people there who will be trying to *save* us.
I will try to behave. I really will.


From James Randi radio show:
Randi: "well, hi SweetLisa..."

(via Johnno, who will, one day, pay for this)
Go to Top of Page

Slater
SFN Regular

USA
1668 Posts

Posted - 10/19/2002 :  22:28:59   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send Slater a Private Message
quote:

... all true believers can become murderous if their purported *true faith* is challenged.

That's very true. We even find that on these boards now and then. Just recently Darwin Alogos appealed to his sky god that he be allowed to commit physical violence on some of us.
quote:
Then again, they may not understand the *true faith* which they are murderously defending.
ljbrs ;)



Mmmm, that part I'm not so sure of. All three major western religions not only condone violence on non-believers, they insist on it.
These days you find Humanism creeping into all 3. You even find them claiming that humanitarianism is taught by their religions. But a close reading of the "holy" books tells quite another story.

-------
I learned something ... I learned that Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Halloween. I guess they don't like strangers going up to their door and annoying them.
-Bruce Clark
There's No Toilet Paper...on the Road Less Traveled

Edited by - slater on 10/19/2002 22:30:37
Go to Top of Page

Mespo_man
Skeptic Friend

USA
312 Posts

Posted - 10/21/2002 :  06:41:56   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send Mespo_man a Private Message
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.


(:raig
Go to Top of Page

Lars_H
SFN Regular

Germany
630 Posts

Posted - 10/21/2002 :  09:58:45   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send Lars_H a Private Message
quote:

But you have to admit, as far a black (really deep- dark-not a touch of gray-black) humor goes five people being murdered and forty-seven injured while protesting how peaceful and non violent their religion is, is pretty funny.


Well, protesting that the founder of your religion has been called a terrorist is not quite the same as claiming that your religion is peaceful and non violent. Besides the way I heared it the killings came about, because the muslims wanted to strike the hindus didn't and they disagreed rather violently in parts. As violence on both sides was mostly done against unbelievers I guess it is OK with their religions.

Unrelated to that it just occured to me, that the current usage of the word Terrorism could be seen as describing rather well what Jesus was supposed to have been crucified for.

Go to Top of Page

Slater
SFN Regular

USA
1668 Posts

Posted - 10/21/2002 :  10:36:57   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send Slater a Private Message
quote:

Unrelated to that it just occured to me, that the current usage of the word Terrorism could be seen as describing rather well what Jesus was supposed to have been crucified for.



Oh? How's that?

-------
I learned something ... I learned that Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Halloween. I guess they don't like strangers going up to their door and annoying them.
-Bruce Clark
There's No Toilet Paper...on the Road Less Traveled
Go to Top of Page

Bradley
Skeptic Friend

USA
147 Posts

Posted - 10/21/2002 :  11:11:53   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send Bradley a Private Message
So, what have the "liberal" xians actually done to disassociate themselves from yahoos like Falwell? I haven't even heard any statement issued, let alone a strong statement. Gawds forbid that anyone should offend anyone's sincerely held beliefs, no matter how barbarous.

"Too much doubt is better than too much credulity."

-Robert Green Ingersoll (1833 - 1899)
Go to Top of Page

walt fristoe
SFN Regular

USA
505 Posts

Posted - 02/02/2003 :  16:33:02   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send walt fristoe a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Bradley

So, what have the "liberal" xians actually done to disassociate themselves from yahoos like Falwell? I haven't even heard any statement issued, let alone a strong statement. Gawds forbid that anyone should offend anyone's sincerely held beliefs, no matter how barbarous.

"Too much doubt is better than too much credulity."

-Robert Green Ingersoll (1833 - 1899)



"The principle upon which all intellectual freedom depends is this:
there is nothing wrong with offending someone in the pursuit of
truth
". George Will (emphasis in original)

"If God chose George Bus of all the people in the world, how good could God be?"
Bill Maher
Edited by - walt fristoe on 02/04/2003 18:30:04
Go to Top of Page

Infamous
Skeptic Friend

85 Posts

Posted - 02/03/2003 :  07:26:25   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send Infamous a Private Message
Falwell is an idiot and a general ass. He seems to have no control over what comes out of his mouth.
Go to Top of Page

Wurrwakh the Ass Monkey
New Member

USA
18 Posts

Posted - 02/05/2003 :  02:57:50   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send Wurrwakh the Ass Monkey a Private Message
I think dealing with Falwell's crazy ass is too big a burden to lay on Christians, even if there are a bazillion of them. I think where Falwell is concerned, everyone will have to rely on common sense. Unfortunately, common sense ain't so common anymore.

--Wurrwakh, A.M.
Go to Top of Page

walt fristoe
SFN Regular

USA
505 Posts

Posted - 02/11/2003 :  14:08:31   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send walt fristoe a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Infamous

Falwell is an idiot and a general ass. He seems to have no control over what comes out of his mouth.



Falwell says that if you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being!

I don't feel like a failure.

"If God chose George Bus of all the people in the world, how good could God be?"
Bill Maher
Go to Top of Page

darwin alogos
SFN Regular

USA
532 Posts

Posted - 02/25/2003 :  00:03:59   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send darwin alogos a Private Message
Slater:
quote:
That's very true. We even find that on these boards now and then. Just recently Darwin Alogos appealed to his sky god that
he be allowed to commit physical violence on some of us.
Would it be to much to askwhere I supposedly made such a remark???

To deny logic you must use it.To deny Jesus Existed you must throw away all your knowledge of the ancient world. To deny ID
you must refute all analogical reasoning. So the question is why deny?
Go to Top of Page

Dave W.
Info Junkie

USA
26022 Posts

Posted - 02/26/2003 :  17:44:55   [Permalink]  Show Profile  Visit Dave W.'s Homepage Send Dave W. a Private Message
DA wrote:
quote:
Would it be to much to askwhere I supposedly made such a remark???
How quickly they forget. Well, at least what I found was only directed against one person, not Slater's "some of us," but perhaps there will be more as I continue perusing old posts around here.

DA wrote, on 10/03/2002, in reply to ConsequentAtheist:
quote:
I'll continue to pray that before I shuffle off this mortal coil the privilege of putting my fist into your arrogant fat head.
So much for turning the other cheek.

- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too.
Go to Top of Page

filthy
SFN Die Hard

USA
14408 Posts

Posted - 02/26/2003 :  22:02:26   [Permalink]  Show Profile Send filthy a Private Message
Falwell an enemy of Christians? You betcha!

This clown has given the faith more bad press than even Jim Baker or Jimmy Swaggert. And when he gets up with his tag-team partner, he of the recently yanked prostrate, they top the charts.

The question I have is: whydahell does anyone listen to these turkeys. Why should anyone give a rat's ass what they have to say? They, with all of their wealth, are a burden on society. They take a great deal and give little back beyond empty, even destructive, retoric.

They will soon become richer due to this administration's faith-based give-away.

No, Falwell is no friend of the rank and file Christian.



f

"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)

"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres


"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude

Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,

and Crypto-Communist!

Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly Bookmark this Topic BookMark Topic
Jump To:

The mission of the Skeptic Friends Network is to promote skepticism, critical thinking, science and logic as the best methods for evaluating all claims of fact, and we invite active participation by our members to create a skeptical community with a wide variety of viewpoints and expertise.


Home | Skeptic Forums | Skeptic Summary | The Kil Report | Creation/Evolution | Rationally Speaking | Skeptillaneous | About Skepticism | Fan Mail | Claims List | Calendar & Events | Skeptic Links | Book Reviews | Gift Shop | SFN on Facebook | Staff | Contact Us

Skeptic Friends Network
© 2008 Skeptic Friends Network Go To Top Of Page
This page was generated in 0.09 seconds.
Powered by @tomic Studio
Snitz Forums 2000