Jerry Falwell will be buried tomorrow and maybe, just maybe, we can end the gluttony and excess of local news coverage about his death.
Falwell was a minister and a rabid right-wing demogogue and hardly worth the attention The Roanoke Times and other local media have given him. Lord, the local TV stations are even carrying his funeral live. You’d think the Pope died.
Like many of his ilk, Falwell played the religious card to poltiical advantage and often misused the Bible to further his agenda. He racism, homophobia and intolerance contrasted sharply with the religious faith he claimed to embrace. He was a religious con-man, nothing more.
For God’s sake, bury him so we can rest in peace.
Amen.
I think the excessive local coverage is warranted. While I’m no fan of Falwell’s political, social, or religious views he had a HUGE impact on Lynchburg which is a local story. Regardless of what one thinks of Falwell you have to admit that Lynchburg wouldn’t be where it is without Falwell and Liberty University. Then again, Lynchburg is still pretty lame