And, lo, Mr. Hitchens has put his words to paper (internet paper!). You can read his column here. Some choice excerpts follow:
The discovery of the carcass of Jerry Falwell on the floor of an obscure office in Virginia has almost zero significance, except perhaps for two categories of the species labeled "credulous idiot."
Like many fanatical preachers, Falwell was especially disgusting in exuding an almost sexless personality while railing from dawn to dusk about the sex lives of others. His obsession with homosexuality was on a par with his lip-smacking evocations of hellfire.
It's a shame that there is no hell for Falwell to go to, and it's extraordinary that not even such a scandalous career is enough to shake our dumb addiction to the "faith-based."
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 12)
1. AMEN Christopher !! You nailed it!
John at 11:28AM on May 16th 2007
2. Well said. Thank you Christopher Hitchens! I shall certainly read your new book. Please keep speaking out.
John C at 11:37AM on May 16th 2007
3. Bravo Christopher! It's high time and past time that being a "reverend" means the normal rules of decent behavior apply--whether it's a Sharpton or a Falwell. The world is better off without this nasty little redneck.
Dennis at 11:38AM on May 16th 2007
4. Nothing is ever perfect, but these remarks come as close as possible.One can not over emphasize the evil the Fallwells of the world create and maintain.
Vic T at 11:39AM on May 16th 2007
5. of course, that should've read "no normal rules of decent behavior apply..."
Dennis at 11:39AM on May 16th 2007
6. The truth will set you free....I'm glad to see Mr. Hitchens getting more and more air time. Look forward to the new book coming out on the 28th.
Karen at 11:40AM on May 16th 2007
7. This "man" is a waste of air. He is excrement in the form of a human.
CN at 11:44AM on May 16th 2007
8. Having listened on more than one occasion to Mr. Hitchens and not always agreeing with him, though his points are often well founded, on this topic he is most extraordinarily accurate in his assessment of a charlatan. Falwell and his ilk whose consistent scam of followers, through faith not logic, crossed the line using his pulpit to politicize his fanatic agenda.
'The devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape.' The word pleasing in this specific regard might better be omitted since the visage of JW was anything but what that word implies. However, as with Falwell, and all such false prophets for prophet those with concern for their immortal souls will always make of themselves willing targets for similar hate filled vitriol. It is greatly desired that he find himself in the fires and brimstone he condemned others to while continuing his own fabrications, even putting words into the mouth of his idea of GOD!
Steve at 12:13PM on May 16th 2007
9. Falwell was a charlatan and this country is better off without people like him.Good for you Christopher.He was not a man of God,but a man of greed.He spread hate and lies.
marie at 12:30PM on May 16th 2007
10. Mr Hutchins hits the nail on the head. Falwell, Roberts, Haggard, and all the others are nothing but charlatans and confidence men. The only difference between them and the guy who takes your money while you try to guess which cup the pea is under is that the folks they bilked out of money kept coming back and giving them more.
These men know nothing of God. THEY are the "wolf in sheep's clothing" that the Bible warns of. It is a shame that so many are so gullible that they follow these men without recognizing that much of what they preach goes against the teachings of Jesus.
Maureen at 12:34PM on May 16th 2007
11. Jerry Falwell was a bigot. He was bigoted against women and other nationalities to put more money in his own pockets and for the pockets of his so-called ministry.
The fact that our own government used him as part of their compaigns is sick. Jerry Falwell did nothing for this country and I am even depressed that I am posting something about this. He was not worth our time.
Kari at 12:55PM on May 16th 2007
12. GOOD RIDDENCE TO A LITTLE BIT MORE BAD GARBAGE!!!!!THE WORLD IS BETTER OFF WITHOUT THE "PROFIT" JERRY FALWELL.
T. Hamilton at 1:19PM on May 16th 2007
13. Bravo Chistopher Hitchens for speaking out so eloquently on behalf of all of Jerry Falwell's victims - most importantly, the United States. I am buying your book. Christopher Hitchens is a voice of morality, not the self important leaders of today's major western and mideastern religions.
I'm not an atheist and I'm also not a member of any organized religion - throughout history, especially in the present day context of Fundamentalist Christianity and Islam - they are harbingers of evil. Instead, I believe in what I would like to believe, took the best I thought of various religions and made my own personal one. I fully believe I will get a faith "tune up" after my death, because quite frankly, I'm too stupid to know the answer, and too independent to join the flock of sheep that followed Falwell.
As a gay person who Falwell spent a great deal of his life victimizing, my first reaction to his death was "yeah, rah!" and then I caught myself. He is no longer with us to dislike or love, and is himself now finding out about something none of us really know about. I said a short prayer to the universe asking it to be kind to Falwell, and to make his next lifetime's goal to preach love, not hate.
Phil at 1:29PM on May 16th 2007
14. Bravo,, Falwell was the enemy of the teachings of Christ.. A bloated, bigoted, bully useing religion to line his pockets, intimidate those he perceived as enemies, and condem those whom espoused views different from his own.. Unfortunatly there will be more like Falwell to follow who will garner the weak minded who refuse to think for themselves.
Wallace at 1:34PM on May 16th 2007
15. Jerry Falwell is now in a better and hotter place that suits him! The expression is: Do/speak good and get good; do/speak evil and, brother, you deserve what you get in return!!
Robert Bova at 1:36PM on May 16th 2007