posted on November 15, 2004 11:58:39 AM new
I don't usually post articles, but this one is worth reading if you think Falwell is baked.
Reverend Jerry Falwell Planning an 'Evangelical Revolution'
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Morning Editor
November 10, 2004
(CNSNews.com) - The Rev. Jerry Falwell is launching a new organization called The Faith and Values Coalition, which he describes as a "21st century resurrection of the Moral Majority."
The new coalition will lobby for pro-life judicial appointments; a federal amendment barring same-sex marriage; and the election of another conservative president in 2008.
Falwell, now 71, said he would serve as national chairman of the new coalition for four years.
"Following the sweeping re-election of President Bush and a new generation of conservative lawmakers nationwide, a new organization, The Faith and Values Coalition (TFVC), has been launched," Falwell announced Tuesday from his headquarters in Lynchburg, Va..
He said the group would capitalize on the momentum of the November 2 elections "to maintain an evangelical revolution of voters who will continue to go to the polls to 'vote Christian.'"
Mathew Staver, founder and general counsel of the Orlando, Fla.-based Liberty Counsel, will serve as vice-chairman of The Faith and Values Coalition. Falwell's son Jonathan
will serve as executive director. And theologian Dr. Tim LaHaye will serve as the board chairman.
"One of our primary commitments is to help make President Bush's second term the most successful in American history," Falwell said. "He will certainly need the consistent prayer and support of the evangelical community as he continues to spearhead the international war on terror and the effort to safeguard America."
Three priorities
Falwell said the new organization has a three-fold platform:
-- the confirmation of pro-life, strict constructionist U.S. Supreme Court justices and other federal judges;
-- the passage of a Federal Marriage Amendment;
-- the election of another socially, fiscally, and politically conservative president in 2008.
"My new leadership role in TFVC reminds me of a similar commitment I made more than a quarter-century ago," Falwell said in a press release. "It was April 1979. I had just founded the Moral Majority and agreed to devote five years to its leadership. I actually gave ten years of my life before disbanding the organization in 1989 to focus on the expansion of Liberty University."
"At that time, God burdened my heart to mobilize religious conservatives around a pro-life, pro-family, strong national defense and pro-Israel platform, designed to return America to her Judeo-Christian heritage. And I distinctively feel that burden again," he said on Tuesday.
"Our nation simply cannot continue as we know it if we allow out-of-control lawmakers and radical judges -- working at the whims of society -- to alter the moral foundations of America."
Falwell noted that during Moral Majority's heyday, "we registered millions of new voters and re-activated millions more. More than 100,000 pastors, priests and rabbis and nearly seven million families joined hands and hearts to reclaim America for God. Many historians believe the result was the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 and the genesis of what the media calls the 'Religious Right.'"
Falwell said that on election night 2004, as the returns came in, "I actually shed tears of joy as I saw the fruit of a quarter century of hard work." Of the 116 Americans who voted, more than 30 million were evangelical Christians who voted their moral convictions, Falwell noted.
"I proudly say - they voted Christian!"
Falwell credits several "Christian giants" for turning out the vote: They include Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family; Dr. Donald Wildmon of the American
Family Association; Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries, Dr. John Hagee of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio; the many leaders of the Arlington Group; the "upstart, alternative" Internet news sites; and more than 225,000 evangelical pastors.
Falwell said his vision for the future includes an effort to multiply the voter turnout for the 2006 and 2008 elections.
"As national chairman of TFVC, I am committed to lending my influence to help send out at least 40 million evangelical voters in 2008. The thought of a Hillary Clinton or John Edwards presidency is simply unacceptable (and quite frightening)," he said.
Falwell said he is praying for the strength and wisdom to "successfully complete my 'salt of the earth' ministry. America is worth saving," he said. "Our children and children's children will hold us accountable if we fail."
The TFVC plans to organize in all 50 states, "enlisting and training millions of Americans to become partners in this exciting task of bringing this nation back to the moral values of faith and family on which it was founded."
Falwell said his National Liberty Journal newspaper will serve as a springboard for the effort.
"I urge my friends around the country to immediately get involved and join me in this four-year commitment, which is really an investment in America, in our children and in our children's children."
posted on November 15, 2004 02:14:15 PM new
Yes, he is another perfect example of the religious quackery sweeping the country. They like to vote their conservative values according to their god's design and the belief in their bible.
As I was driving past a house in the block last night, I recall the young couple had a pro marriage sign on their front lawn. What I thought was odd was the fact they cared about who marries who, but they obviously couldn't afford curtains for the front window as they had a printed bed sheet in it. How pathetic. So let's all go and vote for the social control of other people, as long as we have a spare sheet to throw over the windows.
I would bet the even the Great Jerry Falwell can't or won't be able to explain why the christian church murdered thousands and thousands of people over the centuries. The examples that I have sited here in the past are the Amish, who were drowned but christians for failing to baptize their children while still young, instead of 18 as the Amish do. There are no more Amish in Europe, as they fled to escape persecution by the christian church.
Let's not forget the people of the Wiccan faith who were burned alive at the stake from the 1400's to the 1700's. The reason for this was failure to convert to the "new" christian religion.
Let's not forget the Spanish Inquisition, where the government of Spain and the christian church joined forces to create a government sponsored religion. Anyone who dared to follow suit was executed.
And in more modern times, let's not forget the catholick priest that rape young boys and are hid by the church. Is that part of Falwell's conservative movement?
What about the bombing of abortion clinics? Is that part of it too?
posted on November 15, 2004 04:14:17 PM new
"What I thought was odd was the fact they cared about who marries who, but they obviously couldn't afford curtains for the front window"
So poor folks can't have morals?
"able to explain why the christian church murdered thousands "
Because the governments of the time were using religion as a motivator. Not the other way around, which you seem to imply. So long as we keep the state out of religion all will be well.
"Wiccan faith who were burned alive at the stake from the 1400's to the 1700's. The reason for this was failure to convert to the "new" christian religion. "
New Christianity in 1700? Right. They were burned for the same reason blacks and gays are still occasionally killed today- simple ignorance and hate.
"let's not forget the catholick priest that rape young boys"
I don't think that's possible, as you seem to bring it up at least once a day. Priest-rape seems to be your driving obsession. There is something seriously not right about that.
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We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing -- Anonymous
posted on November 15, 2004 05:34:22 PM new
I agree with Falwell's goals but I'm not for an 'Evangelical Revolution.' That might cause a backlash. I would prefer an 'Evangelical Evolution' and reach the goals incrementally.
I think republicans need to run a moderate republican in 2008 to give the country a breather from conservatism. Otherwise we might end up with a President Hillary.
posted on November 16, 2004 05:28:10 AM new
realplay, I think Guiliani would be a great president. I like him. But sometimes NY'ers do not go over well with the rest of the country, (although he may be able to pull it off as he is more refined than most.) I dont think Hillary could win the country. Too much controversey in her past to gain iffy voters. Although many either love her or hate her, I think with the morality movement shown in this election...many still will not pardon Clinton over the Monica thing, and where you see her, you will see him. Of course, they will bring up guilani's divorce, etc. too, should he think of running.
posted on November 16, 2004 07:10:47 AM new
replay,
"New Christianity in 1700? Right"
I was referring to the fact that Wicca was the "old religion" in Europe. In respect to the time frames of religion, wicca was the older of the two. Those who refused to convert were dealt with by the christian church. One of the gods in wicca was a horned god. That is why the christian church created the devil as a horned evil creature.
As far as the subject of catholic priest raping young boys, I don't bring it up every day as you imply. There are many days that I don't post. The fact remains that the catholic church seems to allow this in the fact they hide the priest who are responsible for it. They do this by moving them from city to city, and paying off the victims. Many times the victims are required to sign confidentially statements about the complete situation. All this while the US government allows the church to keep it's tax exempt status. Then when the church finds itself in fiscal disorder, they use the laws of the land to protect themselves by filing for bankruptcy protection so they can remain solvent and continue their operation. If that doesn't make you sick, I don't know what would. Do a little research on it, you will be amazed by the motives of the church.
posted on November 16, 2004 07:20:06 AM new
IIRC, Giuliani's popularity was pretty much nil until 9-11. His response there was what vaulted him in people's eyes.
____________________
"Bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are more bitter than to feel bitter. A man's venom poisons himself more than his victim." --Charles Buxton
posted on November 16, 2004 07:23:24 AM new
replay, here is TODAY'S news about the catholic church and bankruptcy.
Nov 14, 8:20 PM EST
Diocese Publicizes Abuse Suit Deadlines
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- The Catholic Diocese of Tucson is placing ads in publications nationwide to notify abuse victims that they must file claims by a deadline or lose the right to seek compensation.
The diocese, which became the nation's second to declare bankruptcy in September, is conducting a court-ordered campaign to locate victims of sexual abuse by clergy or other diocese employees.
The ads are estimated to cost about $60,000.
They began appearing Sunday in Arizona papers and are expected to run in USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, The Denver Post and El Imparcial of Hermosillo, Mexico.
The Tucson diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September in the wake of 20 lawsuits alleging abuse by clergy or other diocese employees.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court ordered that all persons claiming injury against the diocese for sexual abuse must file a claim by April 15.
An abuse scandal beginning in 2002 has affected the finances of Catholic institutions across the country.
In July the Archdiocese of Portland, Ore., became the first to declare bankruptcy. The bishop of the Diocese of Spokane, Wash., has said his diocese will file for bankruptcy at the end of this month.
Well............
Don't you wish you had $60,000 to cover your ass, and use the court system to protect your financial assets after you broke the law.
Don't you wish that you didn't have to pay any federal or state or city taxes on ANYTHING THAT YOU OWNED?
I think it might be fair to say that some people, if not many reading this don't earn 60,000 a year.
Oh, BTW. To me it's really strange that Falwell has a following of what one might consider rational thinking people after he made his most stupid statement ever. Twinky Winky who is a purple child's character is GAY. I guess you don't have to have a brain to be religious. Just blindly follow.
posted on November 16, 2004 07:56:24 AM new
bunni, it may have vaulted him onto the national scene, but in the tristate ny area(and the tourism industry throughout the country)he was credited with cleaning up times square and other seeder parts of the city. Previous mayors of ny either never cared, or could not accomplish much of that. So he was recognized for doing something before 9/11.
