A Mercenary Passes

Mercenaries of the shrine
Who are you go speak for God?
With haughty eyes and lying tongues
Hands that shed innocent blood
Who delivered you the power
To interpret Calvary?
You gamble away our freedom
To gain your own authority...

~Indigo Girls, "Strange Fire"

I suppose I should say something about how the loss of any human life diminishes us all, and how sorry I feel for the family and loved ones of Jerry Falwell, who died today.

I should say something like that.  But I won't perjure myself so egregiously.  I'm too busy grinning ear to ear in fiendish Scorpio glee.

The world is not diminished by Jerry Falwell's death.  It's horrible that I can say that with no reservation whatsoever.  Hatred, fear, and ignorance are a sad legacy to leave behind.

Lest you think I am merely being callous, consider these quotes from the late Reverend, most of which I am sure will make the rounds of the Internet in the next few days while the media and White House laud him as some kind of hero:

Regarding September 11, 2001:  "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'"

"AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals.  To oppose it would be like an Israelite jumping in the Red Sea to save one of Pharaoh's charioteers."

"I hope to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we don't have public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them."

"The idea that religion and politics don't mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country."

"The Bible is the inerrant ... word of the living God. It is absolutely infallible,without error in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as well as in areas such as geography, science, history, etc."

The influence and power wielded by a man this ignorant is absolutely staggering, or at least it would be in a world where there was no George W. Bush.

Rest while you can, Reverend.  And may the Golden Rule hold true in the afterlife, if your God truly is infinitely just.

And may I be able to say on my dying day that it was my life, not my death, that made the world a kinder place.

Comments

[s1ren]

Amen. I take it as a blessing that today we have that much less manic hatred in the world.

[Derek]

I'm so glad you posted this! When I saw he died, I laughed out loud. I just couldn't help it.

And what a charming eulogy you've given. I'm right beside you on this one.

[Jess]

This post makes me sad. I've always been impressed by the depth and insight of the author's writing, but to express glee over someone's death seems to me shallow and immature. As a member of the Pagan and GLBT communities, I certainly won't mourn Mr. Falwell's passing, but he was still someone's child and a human being. I don't think you have to say you feel sorry about anything--let his death pass by unnoticed, as his words should have been in life.

I'll stop there because I don't want to sound preachy--I only took the time to comment because I respect the author so much that this post really bothered me.

[Beth]

I'd be lying if I didn't admit to a smirk or two or three at the reverand's passing! Can I get an amen!

[Hecate]

He's gone on the dark moon in Taurus and I feel fine. He's no longer here to hurt America and pagans. I'm glad.

[Terra]

Part of me is very happy to see the world rid of Jerry Falwell. And part of me is angry that he died of natural causes at a relatively old age and never had to face earthly justice for the harms he has caused.

The better part of me is sad to see a life so wasted in hatred. What a twisted and gruesome soul! And he died without ever experiencing the joy of a loving life.

But the better part of me also smiles indulgently at the part that celebrates our being rid of such a hate-spewing beast. The air does feel cleaner tonight.

[Mariele]

He was a Pharisee. I think on a popular phrase, "choose for others what you'd chooose for yourself - and would you choose justice or mercy?" Wonder on which side of the fence Jerry stood last night?

[Sarah]

Jess, I agree. I very much admire your writing and your ideas, Dianne, which is why I'm standing by my original opinion of this post. I always believe that we're on this earth to evolve and continue to grow. I've been the butt of much hate related stupidity as a witch and as a lesbian, and I purposefully chose to not take joy in this man's death. He was human, as are we all, and he made his own choices.

I figure that he would take joy if I - as a witch and lesbian - died. So I'll acknowledge that he was a human, and in some small way connected to me and rise above what he would do.

[amber simmons]

St. Peter sees Jerry Falwell approaching the pearly gates and IMs JEsus:

P34lyG4t3Pete: ROFLAMAO you're never guess who I've got approaching right now
S4v10rpwns: OMG who???
P34lyG4t3Pete: Jerry Falwell.
S4v10rpwns: ZOMG *crucified *
S4v10rpwns: I gotta wake up Dad 4 this, brb

[G0DFTW has entered the chat]

G0DFTW: WTF?
P34lyG4t3Pete: I have Jerry Falwell approaching the pearly gates, sir.
G0DFTW: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA N00B
P34lyG4t3Pete: Do you want me to handle this or should I send him to you?
S4v10rpwns: Is to be bitchslapping time nau, plz?
P34lyG4t3Pete: omg srsly.
P34lyG4t3Pete: he's here and demanding entry into heaven.
G0DFTW: ORLY.
P34lyG4t3Pete: YA RLY.
S4v10rpwns: LOL cry more emo kid

[Sylvan]

Amber: That's hilarious. :) Thanks for posting it.

(The rest of this comment has been moved to its own post; please see the main page.)

[Bonnie]

Bravo! Very well said. I certainly will not miss the supposed 'Man of God'. I feel relieved I will no longer be subjected to the warped and hateful words he spewed.

[Tirya]

I'm not "glad" that he's dead, however I don't mourn his passing, either. My thoughts go to his family and friends and those who will miss him, for the sorrow that they are feeling.

[Racu]

I forbade myself to rejoice at his passing, however much I was tempted. His close friend and associate said with a solemn face and respectful voice he was not filled with hate, but was kind and cared about all. That was the closest I came to laughing out loud the entire day...and I must admit I did scream out to Jerry...you fucktard, you were the epitome of hate, and worse, hypocritical hate.

One of the best commentaries I heard put it all in perspective and really pointed out the disservice Falwell did to his own faith. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10215606

We as the underdogs in this conflict of religious wills cannot afford to gloat...especially since another is always waiting in the wings to take a Rev. Falwell's place. However, much like a previous commenter, I really wish I could be a fly on Jesus' sleeve when *that* convo goes down...."Um, Jer...about those things you said in My Name...yah, we gotta tolk..."

Bright Blessings and may Jerry be the first to see the light.