I watched yesterday as many individuals recounted their experiences with Falwell. Many others, friends of his no doubt, fought verbally to defend his “honor.” I listened to Larry King live, Anderson Cooper 360, CNN and many others talk about what legacy, if any, he would leave. It seems to be very apparent that people literally either loved him or hated him. What was it about Falwell that stirred up so much controversy? What caused him to be a lightening rod on so many issues?

Falwell began the movement that is now referred to as the religious right, or what I like to call, the self righteous religious. He personally mobilized a group of “Christian” right wing conservatives to get former President Reagan elected. He spoke out against things that challenged his belief system often times in a condescending manner as perceived by many. Falwell wore the banners of Christianity and judgment with vigor. He did not care who he offended. He was against so many people that it was often hard to find any one that he agreed with. What is his legacy?

Falwell is going to forever be credited as the one person that, through the exploitation of spreading the news of Christianity, actually mobilized the atheist movement in America. What has Falwell and descendants of his rhetoric caused to happen to the Christian community? They’ve created a public relations nightmare for followers of Christ. I am a Christian and I believe in standing up for what you truly believe in, however, I do not believe that my message gains any weight by belittling those who are living contrary to my belief system. What am I saying? Christ taught love. Love draws, love changes people, and “love conquers all.” The message of Falwell would have been better served if it would have been more clearly delivered under the umbrella of the theologically inherent Christian principle of love….

Falwell had many opportunities to utilize his influence to bring people together, but in my opinion, he made the choice to present Biblical truths in such a way that it actually divided people. The message delivered through the inherent principle of love would have given Falwell a clear legacy. Falwell is credited by some for standing firm on what he believed and criticized by others for not being open-minded. Although standing up for your beliefs is often commendable, it becomes problematic when the foundation is not solid enough to support your weight, or in this case your spiritual baggage. Falwell’s legacy is clear to me…it is a legacy that proves standing firm without moving forward produces the same result as not standing at all…nothing.