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Falwell's Death Ends an Era

Fineman takes the measure of a partisan preacher and his political legacy

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted May 16, 2007 9:08 AM CDT

(Newser) – It's impossible to grasp the profound change in American political life in the last quarter-century without understanding Jerry Falwell and the movement he fostered, writes Newsweek's Howard Fineman. Falwell, who died yesterday, created the Moral Majority, helped launch the Reagan Revolution, and dug the evangelical foundations—currently shifting—on which the modern Republican establishment stands.

"By turns gracious and crude, Falwell was a maddening combination of worthy, lofty ambition—and mean-spirited, uncaring ignorance," Fineman writes. He traces Falwell's rise from storefront evangelist to shepherd of a huge, increasingly disillusioned flock to creator of a lasting yet checkered legacy, one that blends intolerance and a burning need for acceptance.

Advance, File) (Associated Press)

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Falwell's Death Ends an Era

Fineman takes the measure of a partisan preacher and his political legacy

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Falwell's Legacy

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Thompson Losing Evangelicals

Balk at endorsing candidate who won't talk about his religion, doesn't back gay marriage ban

Televangelist Falwell Dead at 73

Controversial conservative mixed religion, politics

US Youth May Yet Return to Religion, Despite the Right

The religious right has driven young people away, but a change in tone could lure them back: Putnam

Secular Kid Goes Undercover at Falwell's School

Book about his experience is out now

In Shift, Clergy Gives More Dollars to Dems

Donations favor Obama, Clinton over Huckabee

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Falwell's Death Ends an Era

Fineman takes the measure of a partisan preacher and his political legacy

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Falwell's Legacy

religious right • Republican • politics • Jerry Falwell • religion • Moral Majority • Reagan Revolution • evangelicals

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Thompson Losing Evangelicals

Balk at endorsing candidate who won't talk about his religion, doesn't back gay marriage ban

Televangelist Falwell Dead at 73

Controversial conservative mixed religion, politics

US Youth May Yet Return to Religion, Despite the Right

The religious right has driven young people away, but a change in tone could lure them back: Putnam

Secular Kid Goes Undercover at Falwell's School

Book about his experience is out now

In Shift, Clergy Gives More Dollars to Dems

Donations favor Obama, Clinton over Huckabee

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?