Reflections on the Death of Reverend Jerry Falwell

It was reported in the news yesterday that Reverend Jerry Falwell who was among the pioneers who placed the Religious Right into the political arena and founded the Moral Majority passed away. As with anyone's death, this among others, gives us a lot to reflect about in our own lives. Have we made an effort in our own lives, to be try to be the model human being? Have we treated others with respect and dignity? We're we bridge builders or bridge destroyers? Life is short and God can take you at any time. We all belong to God, and to Him he will all return.

Skimming through the various television media and print that covered this story and the many people who praised him, one would have to wonder how was he with the Muslim community? Was he a bridge builder like the majority of faith leaders in this country? Did he defend the Muslims from the vicious onslaught of Islamophobia? Was he respectful toward the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) and the religion of Islam?

Rather than use my own comments I leave for everyone who read this blog to decide based on what Rev. Falwell said on record:

Jerry Falwell asserted on 60 Minutes that 'Muhammad was a terrorist' and that he was 'a violent man, a man of war'

In the interview (from belief.net), Falwell said, "I think the Moslem faith teaches hate. I think there's clear evidence that the Islam religion, wherever it has majority control - and I can name a dozen countries - doesn't even allow people of other faiths to express themselves or evangelize or to exist in their presence..."

(Also from belief.net interview) Falwell sounded alarmed at the rapid growth of Islam in America, especially among the black community. "Islam is growing among African American young people. It's growing in the prisons. And whenever Islam, God forbid, ever gets a majority in the United States - like Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya, all the Moslem countries -free expression will disappear."


(From the Washington Post) Leading evangelical Christians, including the Rev. Jerry Falwell, are supporting a prominent Southern Baptist preacher's condemnation of the prophet Muhammad as a "demon-possessed pedophile."


Did Rev. Falwell continue to hold these beliefs about the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him), Islam, and the Muslim community? If he did, then it's too late for him to make it right and correct it.

God knows best, and He is sufficient for us and He is the Best Guardian!