Farewell to Falwell
Seems that "the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, [and] all of [those] who have tried to secularize America" have lost one of our primary opponents in our fight for a sane, more tolerant world. Jerry Falwell died yesterday due to heart failure. And while I don't gloat over his death, it is my sincere hope that if there is a heaven he's there getting a stern talking to from St. Peter and perhaps the Big Man Himself.
Falwell wasn't as out there as some of the other crazy fundies (paging Mr. Robertson, white courtesy telephone please...), but there is no denying that he did more than his share of adding to this country's growing culture of intolerance as well as the supposed moral superiority of the Christian Right. There's also no denying his history of racism, anti-Semitism, and homophobia, from his anti-Equal Rights statements of the 1960s all the way up through his heartless comments around AIDS (remember "AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals"?) and casting blame for 911.
And do not forget that the Anti-Christ will be Jewish. Thanks for the tip, Jerry.
It's too bad that a man of obvious intelligence and charisma (unfortunately clouded and obscured by the innate stupidity of intolerance) ending up pursuing his life in the manner that he did. Many will praise his accomplishments, especially his successful transformation of the fundamentalist movement from a fringe group of crazy people to a powerful political machine (comprised of crazy people). I will remember him for exactly the same reason, although considerably less kindly. His legacy may in fact be the true advent of political power for the Christian Right. "Family Values", "The Sanctity of Marriage" and other such repugnant (at least to me) ideas are the direct fallout of folks like Falwell.
He's gone, but no doubt hordes of likeminded folks are clamoring to pick up Falwell's standard and run with it. I suspect he is already being referred to in martyr- or savior-like terms by those in his extended flock. And folks like that will always remember the intensity of his faith, not the hate in his message. And that is more than just unfortunate.
It's blind and it's frightening.
Secularizing America with:
The Nefilim - Zoon
(the breaking of bodies and spirits)
Techno Animal - Dead Man's Curse
(JKFlesh and KMart rule forever)
Tom Waits - Small Change
(can't wait to get off work to see my baby)
Various - Speed Limit 140 BPM Plus
(glorious proto-dnb techno)
Various - Terry's Cafe 8
(down and out)
Falwell wasn't as out there as some of the other crazy fundies (paging Mr. Robertson, white courtesy telephone please...), but there is no denying that he did more than his share of adding to this country's growing culture of intolerance as well as the supposed moral superiority of the Christian Right. There's also no denying his history of racism, anti-Semitism, and homophobia, from his anti-Equal Rights statements of the 1960s all the way up through his heartless comments around AIDS (remember "AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals"?) and casting blame for 911.
And do not forget that the Anti-Christ will be Jewish. Thanks for the tip, Jerry.
It's too bad that a man of obvious intelligence and charisma (unfortunately clouded and obscured by the innate stupidity of intolerance) ending up pursuing his life in the manner that he did. Many will praise his accomplishments, especially his successful transformation of the fundamentalist movement from a fringe group of crazy people to a powerful political machine (comprised of crazy people). I will remember him for exactly the same reason, although considerably less kindly. His legacy may in fact be the true advent of political power for the Christian Right. "Family Values", "The Sanctity of Marriage" and other such repugnant (at least to me) ideas are the direct fallout of folks like Falwell.
He's gone, but no doubt hordes of likeminded folks are clamoring to pick up Falwell's standard and run with it. I suspect he is already being referred to in martyr- or savior-like terms by those in his extended flock. And folks like that will always remember the intensity of his faith, not the hate in his message. And that is more than just unfortunate.
It's blind and it's frightening.
Secularizing America with:
The Nefilim - Zoon
(the breaking of bodies and spirits)
Techno Animal - Dead Man's Curse
(JKFlesh and KMart rule forever)
Tom Waits - Small Change
(can't wait to get off work to see my baby)
Various - Speed Limit 140 BPM Plus
(glorious proto-dnb techno)
Various - Terry's Cafe 8
(down and out)
posted by Ben at 10:29 AM
1 Comments:
Saying there's worse than Falwell... well, you know, no matter how bad anything or anyone is, you can always find worse. Falwell definitely stays on the for setting the low-bar for racist, sexiest Fundie "Christian" whackos. Good riddance and I'm sure Satan's the one who's given him a talking to - if Falwell hasn't taken over Hell already. ;)
Post a Comment
<< Home