Freedom Writer - September 1995 [ref001] 10 years ago:Is Falwell the phony? This summer's

Freedom Writer - September 1995

[ref001]

10 years ago:Is Falwell the phony?

This summer's visit to South Africa backfired on Jerry Falwell. Thinking 
he could come back to America waving the banner for white Christian 
South Africans, he went so far as to call Nobel Peace Prize winner 
Bishop Desmond Tutu a "phony" (he later apologized, claiming he was 
misunderstood). According to Falwell, contributions to his broadcast 
ministry have fallen sharply since his return from South Africa. In 
a fundraising letter he pleaded for increased support, as "contributions 
dropped off $500,000 in two weeks." According to the September 2, 
1985 issue of _Time_ magazine, Falwell needs $2 million each week 
to continue his broadcast ministry.
 
Falwell had hoped to get Americans to support a white minority-ruled 
South Africa by urging Christians to purchase Krugerrands. Recent 
news wrecked his plans. In a surprise change of policy, President 
Reagan banned the further importation of the South African gold coins.

Falwell supports the government of P.W. Botha because Botha's government 
is, in a sense, a theocracy. On September 15, 1984, Botha was sworn 
into office as South Africa's first president under a new constitution. 
That constitution gives Botha virtually unlimited powers.

During his inauguration, Botha referred to the pioneers who established 
the white minority in South Africa. He said they "heralded the advent 
of a new civilization here, which decades later met with other communities 
and their civilizations, thus forming part of God's plan for mankind." 
He added, "We are part of God's great design."

During the ceremonies, an invited Dutch Reformed clergyman prayed 
for President Botha to "have the spiritual courage and grace to follow 
that divine will." He continued to say that those who rebel against 
authority, quoting from the Bible, "rebel against what God has ordained." 
It is obvious that the Botha government feels that it is of divine 
origin.

Many of the South African laws fit into the Religious Right's way 
of thinking. It is no wonder that Falwell supports South Africa.

_This_article_first_appeared_in_the_September_1985__Freedom_Writer_._

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