I'm certainly no fan of Falwell(made a descendant of his the head of the evil empire in a novel I'm writing), but I think publicly calling him a monster is going a bit far.  Mainly because I won't even call Hitler or the other epically abusive people in history monsters, but also(and in large part) because there are many people mourning his death.  Just seems in poor taste to me.

That's the problem with hanging around with people who agree with you. Gradually any view different to your own comes to seem monstrous.

Anyway, if the death of a single religious homophobe can bring you joy then the death of thousands in the Middle East must be absolutely tickling you pink.

OK, sarcasm aside I have a serious point. Do you hate religious fundamentalism or religious fundamentalists? And do you only hate Christian bible bashers or do you hate the Muslims equally?

How about if he was a Christian fundamentalist but not a homophobe? Would that make him any less monstrous? How about if he were a homophobe but not a Christian?

Of course I anticipated that you wouldn't admit to hating anyone. "Hate" is a cardinal sin these days, hence the popularity of hate crime legislation. However, hate is also a part of human nature and a useful tool for getting what you want.

Enemies of scientific progress know how to exploit hatred, and they do so. It remains to be seen whether and liberal inclusiveness is a potent countervailing force, but I have to say the signs don't look good.

Incidentally, I followed your link and I don't see anything outrageous about Jerry Falwell's comments. He's just a straight-talking Christian. Please see my comments below:

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On Sept. 11: "When we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad."

As a physicalist, I have no problem with destroying a foetus or even a newborn if necessary (so I guess I agree with Singer). However, for a Christian, pro-life is the only logical stance. Pro-choice Christians are either hypocrites or haven't thought it through.

On AIDS: "AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals."

Again, for someone who believes Christian teaching this is a consistent explanation.

On homosexuality: "I don't believe anyone begins a homosexual."

A lot of liberal environmentalists said the same thing before they learned it wasn't P.C.

On Martin Luther King Jr.: "I must personally say that I do question the sincerity and nonviolent intentions."

How dare he suggest our heroes were more complex than the cardboard-cutout models of sainthood that we make them out to be!

On public education: "The churches will have taken them over again, and Christians will be running them."

A totally rational thing for a Christian to say, just as it's totally rational for me (as an atheist) to hope that our schools be dominated by scientists.

On feminists: "They hate men; that's their problem."

You would need to have your head firmly buried in the sand to think that the aims of the feminist movement had not been largely hijacked by psychotics. That is sad, but it is true.

On global warming: "I can tell you, our grandchildren will laugh at those who predicted global warming."

A significant minority of scientists agree.

On Islam: "I think Mohammed was a terrorist."

I'm no scholar of the Koran, but as far as I can tell that's correct. Pretty much all of the prophets in Islam or Christianity were important political figures in their day, and many of them used violence.

On Jews: "The antichrist will be male and Jewish, since Jesus was male and Jewish."

Presumably this is supposed to be anti-semitic gobbledegook, but from my perspective it looks like just gobbledegook.

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Ultimately, I think we should be extremely uncomfortable about a society which condemns Falwell because he is politically incorrect rather than because he is unscientific.

Monster?

He gave direction to many people and urged them to behave.

No, I didn't agree with him as far as the existence of supernatural entities goes.

But I doubt he prevented any of his followers from becoming rocket scientists or brain surgeons.

CP wrote, "But I doubt he prevented any of his followers from becoming rocket scientists or brain surgeons."

He might have, CP.

There is probably a significant number of his followers who believe in utter nonsense like the biblical story of creation. Modern medical technology is based on a foundation of biology, which is in turn, based on evolution.

The biblical literalists who were parents did whatever they could to prevent their children from being exposed to such threatening concepts as evolution. Over the last thirty or so years, many of them even constructed a whole separate educational system of home schooling and universities to prevent their children from ever encountering scientific ideas that might shake belief in a literal interpretation of the Bible.

Think of how many potential scientists might have been among these chidren. What a loss to the world. Instead they graduated from academic jokes like Oral Roberts University or Liberty University.

And not only that.

Many of Falwell's followers worked hard, and are still working hard, to try and warp US educational policy at the local, state and federal level. This harms not only their children but also the children of parents who are not followers of Falwell, Robertson, etc. etc.

It's hard to judge the damage of more than 30 years of these erosive anti-science forces in the United States but it's disturbing to think about. What did the country lose because of this?

Yes, Falwell wasn't as bad as Pol Pot, Hitler, Stalin, Pinochet, Papa Doc, Kim Il Sung, the Shah, Khomeini, etc. But that's really the best I say about his legacy. Mother Theresa he's not. Heck, he's not even Pope John Paul. Maybe he's not even Billy Graham.

This brings me to the Mister Burns Problem.

The Mister Burns Problem is a phrase I've seen used to describe the social purgative effects of death. Monty Burns was memorable character in the Simpsons, known for his wealth, his obstructiveness, his silly evil plans and his great longevity. The person who coined this phrase was obviously thinking of how Springfield might have been improved if Burns shuffled off this mortal coil.

Imagine if anti-aging treatments were given to Falwell? Imagine many more decades of the machinations of a restored and vigorous Falwell.

And before we can say he would have rejected such treatments, being as they are based on stem cell research, genetics and other biological concepts based on evolution, let's remember the ideological double-think religious fanatics are capable of. I don't know how many Biblical literalists still accept blood transfusions, chemotherapy, heart operations and other modern medical treatments despite their ultimate connection to heresy like evolution but I'm guessing it's a pretty large number.

I guess you could argue that a restored and vigorous Falwell might in those ensuing decades come to change his mind and relent from such stupidity. I would hope so but, I think there is something to think about in considering the Mister Burns Problem.

About ten years ago I was working as a checkpoint security screener when none other than the Rev. Jerry Falwell came through the walk through metal detectors. lol  He kept on ringing so we asked him to come through and be handwanded.  I had seen him on TV and actually up to that point had a good impression of the man.  Falwell was rude and uncooperative with the security check (he could have said no to it) and I wish I had been much more assertive with the man and stated bluntly "we don't have to do this because you don't have to board your plane, but if we do continue I must have your full cooperation!"  I got the strong impression he had become "too big for his britches" when it came to his sense of self-importance.  But he was not the only powerful religious leader to come through and show me attitude.  

Arnold Schwarzenegger on the other hand was very cool when he came through the security checkpoint.  We jumped for joy as he turned to depart and said "I'll be bockkk!" hee  But meeting Louis Freeh, then Director of the FBI, was the highpoint of my time there as a supervisor.  He was and is a man I admire and who possesses a larger than life charisma (something he shared with Schwarzenegger).  I had some interesting experiences doing that airport job and met some nice and not so nice celebrities, law enforcement and vip's.      

John Grigg  

I doubt that most of his serious followers COULD be brain surgeons or rocket scientists.