I'm not sure why I bother reading the daily letters to the editor. I always want to send in a rebuttal, but always chicken out. I have doubts my ramblings would add anything significant to the debate anyway. On one hand, I would be simply taking part in circuitous conversation, but on the other hand, there may be something to be gained by my participation, if only to lend to myself a feeling of accomplishment. So here goes...
First, I'm not a follower of Jerry Falwell, and have not been a big fan. Therefore, I point to his comments regarding gays, bisexuals, and transgenders, and his fundamentalist rhetoric regarding political issues as something I have complete knowledge of. But here's the problem: the bad press he has received has literally identified him as a person, especially in his latter years. It is the case that we are more remembered for the bad things we do and say, rather than the good things. The facts are he was compassionate toward the underprivileged, and gave millions to help them.
According to Larry Flynt:
"Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. He would visit me in California and we would debate together on college campuses. I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling."
http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah5356.shtml
Among the good things: he founded the Elim Home for alcoholics, the Center for tutoring inner city children, the Hope Aglow ministry to prisoners, Liberty Godparent Home for unwed mothers, and a lot more...
Is it possible that those people who have denigrated Falwell (including me) have never gotten to know him, and, are just as close-minded toward him as they say he was toward them?
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