Gingrich lauds Falwell at Liberty graduationEx-speaker condemns ‘growing culture of radical secularism’http://www.msnbc.msn.com:80/id/18759973/Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told Liberty University’s graduating class Saturday to honor the spirit of school founder Jerry Falwell by confronting “the growing culture of radical secularism” with Christian ideals.
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Despite the somber tone of the day, graduates who covered the football field chanted “Jerry! Jerry!” in tribute to Falwell.
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Falwell intended Liberty to be his most enduring legacy. He envisioned it as a “Protestant Notre Dame,” projecting fundamentalist Christianity for generations. It was to be a training ground for conservative politicians, lawyers and judges — warriors in what Falwell perceived as a cultural war against liberals, gay rights, legalized abortion and forces he saw as a threat to Christianity.
Gingrich said after his speech that Falwell’s death would not slow the Christian right’s efforts.
“Anybody on the left who hopes that when people like Reverend Falwell disappear that the opportunity to convert all of America has gone with them fundamentally misunderstands why institutions like this were created,” Gingrich said.
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It makes me sick to my stomach that 17 people would sit still for this crap, let alone 17,000. Chanting "Jerry! Jerry!?" That's just creepy. As I said, I'm an optimist. I have to believe American religious radicalism will eventually burn itself out. In the meantime, I'll do what I can to spread a different message. One of peace, compassion and social justice.