Jerry Falwell (1933-2007) dies at 73

Jerry Falwell died today in Lynchburg, Virginia. For better or worse, Falwell was one of the most influential and controversial religious leaders in 20th century America. How will he be remembered? What will his final legacy be? He founded the Moral Majority in 1979 and Liberty University in 1971. Thomas Road Baptist Church, which he founded in 1956, grew from 35 members to well over 24,000. I think his legacy should be defined by those who knew him personally and not necessarily by his public persona. I'll be more interested to read what other contemporary and notable religious leaders opinions, impressions and feelings are about Rev. Falwell than what the general media's opinions will be.

Sure, he said some stupid and controversial things in his life, the whole gay purple teletubby issue thing comes to mind. Many people make stupid comments every now and then and unfortunately, religious figures aren't exempt from that. While I didn't always agree with Falwell's beliefs or statements, I do think he was a good family man, a man of God whose heart was in the right place and a man who was not afraid to share his beliefs, even if they were not popular. His influence within the religious right will be missed.

Here is just one of the stories circulating in the news today regarding Falwell's death.