Falwell’s legacy of division

Re “Preacher built religious right into a political force,” Obituary, May 16

The death of the Rev. Jerry Falwell may be the rising of hope. His vituperation and self-satisfied pronouncements supposedly were biblical but were merely personal. He gave uplift to the religious right -- and nearly killed Christianity in the process. Too many people equate only fundamentalism with Christianity, and it has driven a wedge among people. Now, perhaps, we can come together to work toward a better world, for justice and equity, for peace and loving interactions grounded in respect and care for all. Those who wrap themselves in the mantle of religion but do so to justify spewing division and hate are the death, not the life, of faith itself.

ELIZABETH SHOLES

Director of Public Policy

California Council of Churches

Sacramento

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It is sad to think of all the damage done by Falwell and his followers. While Jesus Christ was dedicated to helping the weak and suffering, Falwell morphed the Christian message into hate against gays, Jews, Muslims and feminists.

It is a shame Falwell was successful politically. His influence took our country back decades in understanding and accepting diversity in humanity. Fortunately, despite the damage done by Falwell, many Christians are now focusing on helping the poor and our suffering environment. This new Christian movement is more aligned with Jesus Christ, who was truly about compassion.

KIM PAYNE

Santa Ana

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Re “A holy warrior, wholly committed,” Opinion, May 16

Zev Chafets’ folksy remembrance of Falwell was a whitewash unworthy of your pages. This self-worshipping demagogue used division and outright hate to get rich and powerful. In the AIDS scourge of the ‘80s, tens of thousands of gay Americans were dead before their government put any thought into saving them. Falwell was in the vanguard of those daring the Reagan government, which owed them for votes, to lift so much as one helping finger. I notice Chafets’ tribute neatly avoided any mention of that. And the “stupid things” Falwell said were not by accident. Like a Christian “shock jock,” he lobbed verbal red meat to his robot followers, knowing the charge it would give, and worried about apologizing for it later.

CHRIS DUFFY

West Palm Beach, Fla.