here it is folks - take it or leave it
***
YOU KNOW ME WELL ENOUGH TO KNOW I SAY WHAT I THINK
Methinks they do protest too much.
I’m talking about the hit jobs I’ve seen over the last couple of days on the Rev. Jerry Falwell. I was particularly amused by CNN’s Larry King who kept goading the likes of Rev. Franklin Graham, Rev. Robert Schuller, and even Al Sharpton into saying negative things about Rev. Falwell. Of course there were all the numerous “tributes” and “toasts” celebrating his demise and wishing him good riddance on blogs and journals on the internet. The usual cliches and same old juvenile rants, not to be taken seriously. Most of these people are tuned in to a station the rest of us don't receive. ;-)
What are people really so afraid of though? Why is Christianity so worrisome to the likes of Bill Maher and Larry King? (Listen to this clip! Listen to what he said about NOW! What d'ya think about THAT? Wasn't he controversial?? - poor Larry) Last I heard, no one with any credibility has ever suggested anyone who does not accept Jesus into their life have their head sawed off with a rusty knife. Nor has anyone I’ve known ever been stoned to death for dating someone of another religion. Somebody needs to tell these people that there is really no Christian Right. These are not people who want to force their beliefs on anyone. These people are simply "religious", people who have a moral compass, faith in God, who don't want their institutions and beliefs outlawed and assaulted as they have been all too frequently in the recent past.
Yes, Rev. Falwell said many "controversial" things - some regarding homosexuality, salvation, NOW, etc., most that he went back and apologized for. One thing is certain though, and I’ve heard him interviewed and "baited" many many times, the man did not have a mean bone in his body. He spoke what he believed as someone who took what the Bible said seriously. I’ve never heard him say (as has been implied) that he hated anyone regardless of race, creed, nationality or sexual orientation. He hated sin, and some people disagreed with what his definition of sin was. I didn’t agree with many things he said, but I do not believe that the beliefs were created out of some hate or egomania or attempt to manipulate people. He believed in the "Good Book" and taught what he found in it.
I disagreed with a lot of things he said because I am not a biblical fundamentalist who interprets everything in the Bible literally. However, I recognize that most people who do see it as the unerring Word of God have a sincere desire to do what they think it has commanded they do. I’ve known many people like this in my life. There was a time when most people were God-fearing, or at least acted as though they were. Family, church, protection of the innocent, morality, were all things that people took seriously, and threats to these institutions and beliefs were not taken lightly.
That has changed somewhat. I recently incurred the wrath of some people by asking the question, “Is there such a thing as right and wrong?” In my wildest imaginations of childhood, I never thought there’d come a day when so many people would consider that question as an insult. I think we have become a very self-indulgent, immature lot, but that is my opinion. Others would say "To each his or her own". Rev. Falwell did not and, at least in that respect, I did agree with him. Some things are harmful and have consequences, I believe, although it's comforting to think anything goes as long as no one finds out.
Maybe that’s why so many people like Mr. King, so many networks like CNN, are intent on destroying the messengers of a better way, messengers like Mr. Falwell who do immeasurably more good than bad. We all run our mouth a little too much sometimes; we all make mistakes. Sometimes certain of the things we believe are not as well grounded in reality as others. Still, the concept of right and wrong has a way of upsetting the apple cart, and people do not often like to be reminded that there might be a greater power than themselves.
From what I always saw of Jerry Falwell, however, he was always soft-spoken and gracious in presenting his beliefs, offensive though they might have been to certain segments of the population. I never saw him respond in anger when attacked and I think this kindness and genuine concern he had for people disarmed more people than would like to admit it.
I’ve heard his many detractors suggest over the years that he needed to “change” which, on face, is like saying he needed to stop teaching from “that book” (as Bill Maher likes to refer to the Bible). It was of course, a losing fight because, unlike so many people who go with the flow, do what is in their interests, he stood for something beyond himself. As an aside, there was never a taint of impropriety or scandal with him, and don't think the media didn't try to find it. All they could do was get him to talk, to say what he believed about the issues they disagreed with (abortion, adultry, homosexuality, feminism, etc.) and then attack him personally.
I think people are not as dumb as media outlets like CNN think they are. This nation is not as soul-less as they think most people are. Most people are normal, hardworking, honest, loving, and fair and eventually they pick up on what’s going on around them. The elites don’t get it though. They see a Jerry Falwell and put together a few words from a lifetime of working to build something, to build people, and try to convince everyone that these words express who he was. In the process, they can cast aspersions on the message as well.
However, if diverse people like Al Sharpton and Hustler publisher Larry Flynt could see the goodness of the man and could genuinely call him a friend despite there differences and ideologies - well, I’m sure no one could ask for a finer tribute. The purity and essence of truth lives long past the attempts of small men to sully it. Actually, I think the fascist elites of this country have reason to be afraid. They’re kicking up a lot more dirt than usual these days and I think it’s going to blow up in their faces some day soon.
I think Rev. Falwell will be looking down with interest. For now though, I think he should take a break. This can be an exhausting game. And so I say to you Rev. Farwell, despite the occasional failings, and we all have many - well done sir, and rest in peace sir.
YOU KNOW ME WELL ENOUGH TO KNOW I SAY WHAT I THINK
Methinks they do protest too much.
I’m talking about the hit jobs I’ve seen over the last couple of days on the Rev. Jerry Falwell. I was particularly amused by CNN’s Larry King who kept goading the likes of Rev. Franklin Graham, Rev. Robert Schuller, and even Al Sharpton into saying negative things about Rev. Falwell. Of course there were all the numerous “tributes” and “toasts” celebrating his demise and wishing him good riddance on blogs and journals on the internet. The usual cliches and same old juvenile rants, not to be taken seriously. Most of these people are tuned in to a station the rest of us don't receive. ;-)
What are people really so afraid of though? Why is Christianity so worrisome to the likes of Bill Maher and Larry King? (Listen to this clip! Listen to what he said about NOW! What d'ya think about THAT? Wasn't he controversial?? - poor Larry) Last I heard, no one with any credibility has ever suggested anyone who does not accept Jesus into their life have their head sawed off with a rusty knife. Nor has anyone I’ve known ever been stoned to death for dating someone of another religion. Somebody needs to tell these people that there is really no Christian Right. These are not people who want to force their beliefs on anyone. These people are simply "religious", people who have a moral compass, faith in God, who don't want their institutions and beliefs outlawed and assaulted as they have been all too frequently in the recent past.
Yes, Rev. Falwell said many "controversial" things - some regarding homosexuality, salvation, NOW, etc., most that he went back and apologized for. One thing is certain though, and I’ve heard him interviewed and "baited" many many times, the man did not have a mean bone in his body. He spoke what he believed as someone who took what the Bible said seriously. I’ve never heard him say (as has been implied) that he hated anyone regardless of race, creed, nationality or sexual orientation. He hated sin, and some people disagreed with what his definition of sin was. I didn’t agree with many things he said, but I do not believe that the beliefs were created out of some hate or egomania or attempt to manipulate people. He believed in the "Good Book" and taught what he found in it.
I disagreed with a lot of things he said because I am not a biblical fundamentalist who interprets everything in the Bible literally. However, I recognize that most people who do see it as the unerring Word of God have a sincere desire to do what they think it has commanded they do. I’ve known many people like this in my life. There was a time when most people were God-fearing, or at least acted as though they were. Family, church, protection of the innocent, morality, were all things that people took seriously, and threats to these institutions and beliefs were not taken lightly.
That has changed somewhat. I recently incurred the wrath of some people by asking the question, “Is there such a thing as right and wrong?” In my wildest imaginations of childhood, I never thought there’d come a day when so many people would consider that question as an insult. I think we have become a very self-indulgent, immature lot, but that is my opinion. Others would say "To each his or her own". Rev. Falwell did not and, at least in that respect, I did agree with him. Some things are harmful and have consequences, I believe, although it's comforting to think anything goes as long as no one finds out.
Maybe that’s why so many people like Mr. King, so many networks like CNN, are intent on destroying the messengers of a better way, messengers like Mr. Falwell who do immeasurably more good than bad. We all run our mouth a little too much sometimes; we all make mistakes. Sometimes certain of the things we believe are not as well grounded in reality as others. Still, the concept of right and wrong has a way of upsetting the apple cart, and people do not often like to be reminded that there might be a greater power than themselves.
From what I always saw of Jerry Falwell, however, he was always soft-spoken and gracious in presenting his beliefs, offensive though they might have been to certain segments of the population. I never saw him respond in anger when attacked and I think this kindness and genuine concern he had for people disarmed more people than would like to admit it.
I’ve heard his many detractors suggest over the years that he needed to “change” which, on face, is like saying he needed to stop teaching from “that book” (as Bill Maher likes to refer to the Bible). It was of course, a losing fight because, unlike so many people who go with the flow, do what is in their interests, he stood for something beyond himself. As an aside, there was never a taint of impropriety or scandal with him, and don't think the media didn't try to find it. All they could do was get him to talk, to say what he believed about the issues they disagreed with (abortion, adultry, homosexuality, feminism, etc.) and then attack him personally.
I think people are not as dumb as media outlets like CNN think they are. This nation is not as soul-less as they think most people are. Most people are normal, hardworking, honest, loving, and fair and eventually they pick up on what’s going on around them. The elites don’t get it though. They see a Jerry Falwell and put together a few words from a lifetime of working to build something, to build people, and try to convince everyone that these words express who he was. In the process, they can cast aspersions on the message as well.
However, if diverse people like Al Sharpton and Hustler publisher Larry Flynt could see the goodness of the man and could genuinely call him a friend despite there differences and ideologies - well, I’m sure no one could ask for a finer tribute. The purity and essence of truth lives long past the attempts of small men to sully it. Actually, I think the fascist elites of this country have reason to be afraid. They’re kicking up a lot more dirt than usual these days and I think it’s going to blow up in their faces some day soon.
I think Rev. Falwell will be looking down with interest. For now though, I think he should take a break. This can be an exhausting game. And so I say to you Rev. Farwell, despite the occasional failings, and we all have many - well done sir, and rest in peace sir.