Jerry Falwell

From Conservapedia

Jerry Falwell (August 11, 1933 – May 15, 2007) was a politically active American evangelical, and one of the biggest influences on the conservative movement in the late 20th century and a leader in gaining Christian Evangelical support for Israel. ^[1] Falwell was born on August 11, 1933 along with his twin brother, Gene. Jerry and Gene were the youngest children in a family of 5. Young Jerry Falwell was recognized for his incredible intellect at a young age, skipping the second grade at Mountain View Elementary School. He held firm on this intelligence, even finding a way to obtain his driver's license at the age of 13 - 3 years before he was legally eligible.

Contents 1 Early years 2 Ministry 3 Controversy 4 Personal Life 5 Reference

Early years

During his teen years, Falwell excelled in athletic endeavors. During high school Falwell played football, basketball and baseball. He valued athletics for their numerous benefits: teamwork, coordination, fitness and overall health.

Dr. Falwell became a committed Christian on January 20, 1952 while enrolled at Lynchburg College. He bought his first Bible the day after his baptism, and carried it with him wherever he went. After graduating Lynchburg College, Falwell enrolled in Baptist Bible College in Missouri, later joining the vaulted rank of clergy. [1] In 1956, he founded Thomas Road Baptist Church in an abandoned bottling plant, [2] and today the church has 22,000 members.

Ministry

In 1971, Falwell founded Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. The University provides an opportunity for students to gain the benefits of a rich and diverse academic environment while simultaneously offering the opportunity to become closer to God.

In June of 1979, Dr. Falwell organized the Moral Majority. This organization is composed of over 100,000 priests, pastors and rabbis, and over 7 million conservative, religious Americans. The Moral Majority, also known as the Religious Right, organized a series of voting drives and political demonstrations to advance their conservative point of view and enhance the moral and religious attitudes of the nation. The Moral Majority is perhaps best known for their work in selecting California Governor Ronald Reagan to run for president for 1980, and registering millions of voters to act on his behalf. [3]

Controversy

In July 1985 South Africa declared its first "State of Emergency", and Falwell publicly denounced disucssions in Congress for disinvestment. ^[2] Falwell argued that the apartheid system would be eventually dismantled, and economic sanctions would create unemployment among the Black majority whom sanctions supposedly were intended to help. The alternative, Falwell pointed out at that crucial point in the Cold War, ^[3] is another Communist regime under the Soviet supported African National Congress. ^[4]

Falwell was best known for his beliefs in the benefit of public debate. At Liberty University, he hosted an annual undergraduate debate tournament that attracts schools all across the country. At the tournament, he provided the students with a banquet and allows the debaters to participate in a "question and answer" session with him. Falwell's rhetorical prowess shone at such events, as he systematically grounded his left-of-center critics. Falwell also regularly appeared on news broadcasts, preaching the word of God and his conservative point of view. He refused to back down from a position that may be considered unpopular.

Personal Life

Reverend Falwell was married to Mrs. Macel Falwell. The two tied the proverbial knot on April 12, 1958. The couple had three children: Jerry Jr., Jonathan and Jeannie. Jerry is currently an attorney and Vice-Chancellor at Liberty University. Jonathan is an attorney and pastor in Lynchburg, Virginia. Jeannie is a surgeon in Virginia.

Reverend Falwell passed away on May 15, 2007.

Reference

1. ↑ Washington Post on Evangelical-Israeli connection, Bill Broadway, Washington Post, March 27, 2004.
2. ↑ Argument of the Excluded Middle: The Jackson-Falwell Apartheid Debate, Craig Dudczak, Education Resources Information Center, 1988-04-00.
3. ↑ An Unholy Uproar, Time, Sep. 02, 1985.
4. ↑ The Transformation of the African National Congress (1979 — 1985), The Institute of Asia and Africa, Materials from the International Conference on Euro-centrism and Afro-centrism on the Eve of the Twentieth Century, Moscow 2000.