Rev. Jim Wallis Debates Rev. Jerry Falwell on Tavis Smiley's NPR Show

[checks-n-balances]

As evangelical as an oak tree
by Jim Wallis

http://www.sojo.org/index.cfm?action=sojomail.display&issue=040714#3

I debated Jerry Falwell yesterday on Tavis Smiley's National Public Radio show. The subject was the current talk about "values" in the presidential election campaign. Tavis first asked Falwell to name a "short list" of the values issues that were important to him. It turned out to be a very short list indeed. All the Religious Right leader could talk about was the gay marriage amendment. That was it.

I pointed out that overcoming poverty was a values issue, as was protecting the environment, as was fighting unnecessary wars on false pretenses, as was the abuse of Iraqi prisoners. As he often does when he fears he might lose a debate, Falwell eventually began to interrupt what I was saying and moved into personal-attack mode, saying that I was "as much an evangelical as an oak tree." The television preacher from Lynchburg has such a way with words.

But then he really got vicious. He challenged me: "You voted for Al Gore, didn't you, Reverend? Admit it! Admit it!" he demanded. "You didn't vote for George Bush, or George Bush Sr., or even Ronald Reagan!" He had me. I was finally exposed on National Public Radio - a Christian who hadn't consistently voted for Republican candidates. How could I ever again claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, who, as we all know, was pro-rich, pro-war, and pro-American?

It was an absolutely partisan and theocratic moment. There is only one way that Christians can possibly vote: That's exactly what Falwell was saying. And that's exactly what the Religious Right is saying. And they say the only values issues are things like gay marriage and abortion. Forget everything the Bible says about the priority of the poor, about Christian peacemaking, about respecting God's creation, or about the image of God in every human being - including our enemies...

+ Listen to streaming audio of Jim's debate with Falwell on NPR:
http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=335400

[Not Me]

1. Bad (or removed) link.

[El Supremo]

2. Try this text link

http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=sojomail.display&issue=040714#3

[El Supremo]

3. Here is an audio link that works right now

http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=3354001

[checks-n-balances]

4. Sorry, everyone - thanks El Supremo! n/t