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| + | [[Image:Jfalwell.jpg|thumb|250px|Right|Where's my big mac?]] |
| | + | '''Jerry Falwell''' (August 11, 1933 – May 15, 2007) was a politically active [[United States|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]].<ref>[http://www.cmep.org/Alerts/2004March31.htm Washington Post on Evangelical-Israeli connection,] Bill Broadway, ''Washington Post'', March 27, 2004.</ref> 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. |
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| | + | ==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. |
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| | + | 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]]. [http://www.falwell.com/meet_dr_falwell.php] In 1956, he founded Thomas Road Baptist Church in an abandoned bottling plant, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/jerry_falwell;_ylt=Av1Rxhr4jqj67i6szuF7386s0NUE] and today the church has 22,000 members. |
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| | + | ==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]]. |
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| | + | ==Moral Majority== |
| | + | In June 1979, Dr. Falwell organized the [[Moral Majority]], a coalition of groups whose mailing lists reached over 100,000 clergy representing over 7 million conservative, religious Americans. The Moral Majority, part of 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. It is best known for supporting [[Ronald Reagan]]'s election in 1980, and registering millions of voters to act on his behalf. The Moral Majority played little role during the Reagan years; Falwell stepped down as its leader in 1987 and it was disbanded in 1989. |
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| | + | ==Controversy== |
| | + | Falwell is well known outside of Evangelical circles for his claim, made on "[[The 700 Club]]" on September 13 of 2001 that it was not just [[al Qaeda]] that was to blame for the terrorist attacks of [[9/11]]. He said, ""I really believe that the [[pagan]]s, and the [[abortionist]]s, and the [[feminist]]s, and the [[gays]] and the [[lesbian]]s who are actively trying to make that an [[alternative lifestyle]], the [[ACLU]], [[People For the American Way]], all of them who have tried to [[secularize]] America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'" The [[liberal media]] jumped on his statement and Falwell apologized soon after.<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/14/Falwell.apology/ CNN article on the statement]</ref> |
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| | + | [[Barry Goldwater]], far from being a social conservative in his old age, won the praise of the liberal media by his idiotic remark that "''Every good Christian should line up and kick Jerry Falwell's ass''."<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/08/religion.usa</ref> |
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| | + | Falwell once said that the [[Anti-Christ]] will be a [[Jew]].<ref>http://www.jewishjournal.com/articles/item/jerry_falwell_antichrist_is_jewish_19990122</ref> |
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| | + | == Personal life == |
| | + | Reverend Falwell and his wife Macel were married 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. |
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| | + | Reverend Falwell passed away on May 15, 2007. |
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| | + | {{Conservatism}} |
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| | + | ==References== |
| | + | <references/> |
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| | + | {{DEFAULTSORT:Falwell, Jerry}} |
| | + | [[Category:Religious People]] |
| | + | [[Category:Conservatives]] |
| | + | [[Category:Anti-Communism]] |