Moral Majority founder the Rev. Jerry Falwell died Tuesday. What do you think his legacy will be?
Jerry Falwell had an immeasurable impact on church and politics. Of course, the church has always been political, but Falwell affected politics with a distinct Christian perspective. As Falwell defined himself, he helped to define and mold the religious right. His polarization of the Christian conservative, what he redefined as evangelical, allowed for an emergence of the progressive Christian.
Falwell represented a Baptist perspective much different from our American Baptist angle at Fairview Community Church, but what he did by vocalizing his views was give us permission to name our beliefs and stand and be counted as Christians with another perspective. His radical-right beliefs compelled formerly reticent leaders forward to give voice to the silent majority.
