Love him or hate him – and I’ve done both over the years – one has to admit that Jerry Falwell made a major impact upon American politics and religion.

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, who founded the Moral Majority and built the religious right into a political force, died Tuesday shortly after being found unconscious in his office at Liberty University, a school executive said. He was 73.

Ron Godwin, the university's executive vice president, said Falwell, 73, was found unresponsive around 10:45 a.m. and taken to Lynchburg General Hospital. "CPR efforts were unsuccessful," he said.

Godwin said he was not sure what caused the collapse, but he said Falwell "has a history of heart challenges."

"I had breakfast with him, and he was fine at breakfast," Godwin said. "He went to his office, I went to mine, and they found him unresponsive."

FalwellÂ’s death was clearly sudden and unexpected, and comes as a shock to those associate with him. May his family, friends, church members and students all be comforted in this time of loss.

And IÂ’d like to note that the classiest response IÂ’ve seen to FalwellÂ’s passing comes from Al Sharpton.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Reverend Jerry Falwell. Though he and I debated much and disagreed often, we shared a very cordial and warm friendship. I visited him in Lynchburg, dined with him, and even talked with him during personal crises. Though we were as politically opposite as two people could be, I truly respected his commitment to his beliefs and our mutual belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As I stated to my nationally syndicated radio show, I pray for the Falwell family and join the nation in mourning the passing of this religious leader."

Posted by: Greg at 10:47 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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