Founder of Moral Majority spurred evangelical activism
(Caucus President Michael Albetta quoted)
By James D. Davis
Sun-Sentinel Religion Editor
The Rev. Jerry Falwell, whose Moral Majority launched conservative Protestants into politics, elected Ronald Reagan to the White House and secured Republican control of Congress for three decades, died Tuesday. He was 73.
He was found unconscious in his office at Liberty University about 10:45 a.m. and taken to Lynchburg General Hospital in Virginia, where resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, said Ron Godwin, the university's executive vice president.
The cause of the collapse was unknown, Godwin said, but the Rev. Falwell "has a history of heart challenges."
The Rev. Falwell, a founder of the Moral Majority in 1979, stepped out of his fundamentalist background and spurred millions of conservative Christians -- who had been averse to "worldly" affairs like politics -- into voting, campaigning and signing petitions.
The Rev. Falwell was "the first person to be effective in a political movement based on furthering conservative Protestant principles," said Fred Greenspahn, director of religious studies at Florida Atlantic University. "He paved the way for ecumenical activism."
In one of his first campaigns, the Rev. Falwell joined forces with Anita Bryant in the 1977 "Save Our Children" campaign to have sexual orientation removed from Miami-Dade's newly passed Human Rights Ordinance. South Florida's gay and lesbian community finally succeeded in securing such protections in Miami-Dade in 1998.
"He spoke predominantly to Christian conservatives," said Michael Albetta of Fort Lauderdale, president of Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus. "His validity started to disintegrate as time went on. People didn't buy the rhetoric and the nonsense as people were more educated on social issues."
Among local leaders inspired by the Rev. Falwell's Moral Majority was the Rev. D. James Kennedy of Fort Lauderdale. Kennedy founded a similar organization, the Center for Reclaiming America, and presided over annual conferences to train Christians in conservative activism.
As news of the Rev. Falwell's death spread on Tuesday, he remained a controversial figure.
"One of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century," Brian Fisher of Coral Ridge Ministries, which ran the Reclaiming America rallies, called the Rev. Falwell in a statement. "We shall miss this great man."
Janet Folger, of the Dania Beach-based group Faith2Action, praised the Rev. Falwell as "a Moses of our movement ... a visionary and courageous leader who stood in the face of physical and fierce attack with Christ-like love. I am honored to have known him."
But to Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists, "Jerry Falwell was instrumental in galvanizing millions of American evangelicals into an intolerant, sectarian and authoritarian political movement. Gays, women, secularists, civil libertarians and other groups who did not fit into his plan were stigmatized and attacked."
The Moral Majority, and the movements it inspired, gave voice and power to many Americans who felt overwhelmed by liberalizing tides: abortion, gay rights, pornography, teaching of evolution, and limits on prayer in schools.
He "crystallized a mood in the country that we'd gone too far in permissiveness," said Lesley Northup, an assistant professor of religion and culture at Florida International University. "And he combined his religious point of view with patriotism, associating values of the movement with being a good citizen."
The Rev. Falwell and other conservatives borrowed political organizing techniques from anti-war activists and other liberal movements, including public rallies, petition drives, and the use of TV. He and his allies also wielded rhetoric to shape national conversations -- calling abortion opponents "prolife," and opposing gays in the name of "family values."
His death comes at a time of retrenchment for the Religious Right.
Kennedy, of Coral Ridge Ministries, has been convalescing from a heart ailment since December. The Center for Reclaiming America, which he founded, closed on April 26. Ted Haggard stepped down in 2006 as head of the National Association of Evangelicals after admitting to sexual misconduct. And evangelicals have split publicly over environmental issues.
Greenspahn, however, said the movement has yet to be eclipsed. "Religious liberals are a little more outspoken these days, but none are as recognizable as conservatives."
Another scholar said the Rev. Falwell has already made a lasting mark on the political scene.
"He produced a set of values as a key component of Republicanism," said political scientist George Rabinowitz at the University of North Carolina. "At least in the foreseeable future, it looks like it will be a part of the Republican base."
By James D. Davis
Sun-Sentinel Religion Editor
The Rev. Jerry Falwell, whose Moral Majority launched conservative Protestants into politics, elected Ronald Reagan to the White House and secured Republican control of Congress for three decades, died Tuesday. He was 73.
He was found unconscious in his office at Liberty University about 10:45 a.m. and taken to Lynchburg General Hospital in Virginia, where resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, said Ron Godwin, the university's executive vice president.
The cause of the collapse was unknown, Godwin said, but the Rev. Falwell "has a history of heart challenges."
The Rev. Falwell, a founder of the Moral Majority in 1979, stepped out of his fundamentalist background and spurred millions of conservative Christians -- who had been averse to "worldly" affairs like politics -- into voting, campaigning and signing petitions.
The Rev. Falwell was "the first person to be effective in a political movement based on furthering conservative Protestant principles," said Fred Greenspahn, director of religious studies at Florida Atlantic University. "He paved the way for ecumenical activism."
In one of his first campaigns, the Rev. Falwell joined forces with Anita Bryant in the 1977 "Save Our Children" campaign to have sexual orientation removed from Miami-Dade's newly passed Human Rights Ordinance. South Florida's gay and lesbian community finally succeeded in securing such protections in Miami-Dade in 1998.
"He spoke predominantly to Christian conservatives," said Michael Albetta of Fort Lauderdale, president of Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus. "His validity started to disintegrate as time went on. People didn't buy the rhetoric and the nonsense as people were more educated on social issues."
Among local leaders inspired by the Rev. Falwell's Moral Majority was the Rev. D. James Kennedy of Fort Lauderdale. Kennedy founded a similar organization, the Center for Reclaiming America, and presided over annual conferences to train Christians in conservative activism.
As news of the Rev. Falwell's death spread on Tuesday, he remained a controversial figure.
"One of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century," Brian Fisher of Coral Ridge Ministries, which ran the Reclaiming America rallies, called the Rev. Falwell in a statement. "We shall miss this great man."
Janet Folger, of the Dania Beach-based group Faith2Action, praised the Rev. Falwell as "a Moses of our movement ... a visionary and courageous leader who stood in the face of physical and fierce attack with Christ-like love. I am honored to have known him."
But to Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists, "Jerry Falwell was instrumental in galvanizing millions of American evangelicals into an intolerant, sectarian and authoritarian political movement. Gays, women, secularists, civil libertarians and other groups who did not fit into his plan were stigmatized and attacked."
The Moral Majority, and the movements it inspired, gave voice and power to many Americans who felt overwhelmed by liberalizing tides: abortion, gay rights, pornography, teaching of evolution, and limits on prayer in schools.
He "crystallized a mood in the country that we'd gone too far in permissiveness," said Lesley Northup, an assistant professor of religion and culture at Florida International University. "And he combined his religious point of view with patriotism, associating values of the movement with being a good citizen."
The Rev. Falwell and other conservatives borrowed political organizing techniques from anti-war activists and other liberal movements, including public rallies, petition drives, and the use of TV. He and his allies also wielded rhetoric to shape national conversations -- calling abortion opponents "prolife," and opposing gays in the name of "family values."
His death comes at a time of retrenchment for the Religious Right.
Kennedy, of Coral Ridge Ministries, has been convalescing from a heart ailment since December. The Center for Reclaiming America, which he founded, closed on April 26. Ted Haggard stepped down in 2006 as head of the National Association of Evangelicals after admitting to sexual misconduct. And evangelicals have split publicly over environmental issues.
Greenspahn, however, said the movement has yet to be eclipsed. "Religious liberals are a little more outspoken these days, but none are as recognizable as conservatives."
Another scholar said the Rev. Falwell has already made a lasting mark on the political scene.
"He produced a set of values as a key component of Republicanism," said political scientist George Rabinowitz at the University of North Carolina. "At least in the foreseeable future, it looks like it will be a part of the Republican base."
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