Group Coerced Censorship

I sincerely apologize to anyone who is upset about my decision to shut down the Falwell thread. It was not "group coerced censorship," it was one mod's censorship. For those of you who are concerned that it may become a theme, let me just say that I can count on one hand the number of threads that I have closed over the past 4 years.

I did not shut down the thread because of the views that were expressed. I personally find it to be in bad taste to talk ill of the dead the day after they died, but that's not why I shut down the thread. Why did I shut it down? I've been a member for years now and I feel like I can spot some trainwrecks before they take place. I saw a trainwreck so I closed the thread....perhaps my vision is bad.

No, your vision is 20/20.

I do have to say it seems to me that there is a lot of hate towards the man regardless, the same kind of hate he's being accused of. I haven't kept up with Falwells beliefs in part because I have found most main stream so called preachers are way off the mark when it comes to the bible, but I do believe he's being bashed by individuals who know nothing about the bible, nor have spent any significant time reading and studying it. Which would make me question why would you bash a man when you really don't know if he's right or wrong?

What I believe happens under these type of circumstances is people like to vent thier hatred towards God and christianity at a particular individual.


Matthew 5 - "11": Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.


"12": Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

I guess the real question is this, is the hatred that is spurn towards falwell really directed towards him, or God and the bible?

Offiss, I don't think anyone here can claim to be an expert on the bible. People dedicate their lives to reading and understanding such large and archaic pieces of work. However, there are basic rules in every religion. Most all of the big religions are the same:
1) Do unto others.
2) Don't lie.
3) Don't kill.
etc.

I mean, basically what someone would consider a 'good' person. I feel a majority of the world fills that criteria. And in all honesty, do you feel Falwell did? AMD put a solid list of many of the awful things that have happened under him. Has he done some good in his life, sure. Faith is what each individual makes of it, in my opinion.

At first I was very upset at the closing of the thread, but that's changed and I can definitely see why it was closed.

Isn't ironic that the thread about the thread has been testier than the thread itself?

anyone thats going to try and tell me Jerry Falwell was a good man...... well maybe they should dig alittle deeper into what he was all about. it has nothing to do with him being a Christian

I think Falwell's biggest indictment, in my opinion, was that he lacked balance in his interpretation and delivery of his convictions. Even truth presented without balance can lead to practical error and ultimately becomes divisive. I think this is why many, in fact, viewed him as divisive.

Whether or not he was a good man...I don't know. I'll say this, those who knew him privately probably have a different opinion from those who knew him through the public scope.

I think Falwell's biggest indictment, in my opinion, was that he lacked balance in his interpretation and delivery of his convictions. Even truth presented without balance can lead to practical error and ultimately becomes divisive. I think this is why many, in fact, viewed him as divisive.

Whether or not he was a good man...I don't know. I'll say this, those who knew him privately probably have a different opinion from those who knew him through the public scope.

Exactly!
While I personally have no idea if he was good, bad, or Batman???? Being convicted in the media is just spin, swill, and of NO consequence.

As with all things, we will be judged by our actions and Falwell intentionly chose to become a very public persona. The media conviction of Falwell was due in part to many things - some from a segment of media that has a strong anti-christian bias and some from out of context statements taken by Falwell. But, by and large, Falwell chose to act on the public stage and, with knowledge that they would be republished, made intentionally divisive and intolerant statements. If he has been judged harshly by the media, and in turn, the public, he has in fact brought these judgments upon himself.

Just b/c some in private have a different opinion of him does not render him free from judgment for very his public actions and public choices.

As in all things spiritual, judge for yourselves, not for condemnation purposes (i.e. - let one w/out sin cast the first stone), rather for your personal and our corporate wisdom.

Exactly!
While I personally have no idea if he was good, bad, or Batman???? Being convicted in the media is just spin, swill, and of NO consequence.

Today's media has become synonomous with entertainment. And more and more it's becoming a means by which the general public can judge others. It has very little to do with actual journalism and reporting, and is mainly driven by ratings.

We see it accross the spectrum. Whether it be sports, politics, religion, or entertainment, I think we're starting to cross over into dangerous terrritory with the way news is actually being reported.

Usually when I hear or see the media making an attempt to size up one's character, I try to take it with a grain of salt.

As with all things, we will be judged by our actions and Falwell intentionly chose to become a very public persona. The media conviction of Falwell was due in part to many things - some from a segment of media that has a strong anti-christian bias and some from out of context statements taken by Falwell. But, by and large, Falwell chose to act on the public stage and, with knowledge that they would be republished, made intentionally divisive and intolerant statements. If he has been judged harshly by the media, and in turn, the public, he has in fact brought these judgments upon himself.

Just b/c some in private have a different opinion of him does not render him free from judgment for very his public actions and public choices.

As in all things spiritual, judge for yourselves, not for condemnation purposes (i.e. - let one w/out sin cast the first stone), rather for your personal and our corporate wisdom.

Well said.