Falwell says he'll sue, boycott groups he sees as muzzling Christmas

[Kadie]

Falwell fighting for holy holiday
He'll sue, boycott groups he sees as muzzling Christmas
Joe Garofoli, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, November 20, 2005


Evangelical Christian pastor Jerry Falwell has a message for Americans when it comes to celebrating Christmas this year: You're either with us, or you're against us.

Falwell has put the power of his 24,000-member congregation behind the "Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign," an effort led by the conservative legal organization Liberty Counsel. The group promises to file suit against anyone who spreads what it sees as misinformation about how Christmas can be celebrated in schools and public spaces.

The 8,000 members of the Christian Educators Association International will be the campaign's "eyes and ears" in the nation's public schools. They'll be reporting to 750 Liberty Counsel lawyers who are ready to pounce if, for example, a teacher is muzzled from leading the third-graders in "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

An additional 800 attorneys from another conservative legal group, the Alliance Defense Fund, are standing by as part of a similar effort, the Christmas Project. Its slogan: "Merry Christmas. It's OK to say it."

Fanning the Yule log of discontent against what the Liberty Counsel calls "grinches" like the American Civil Liberties Union are evangelical-led organizations including the 150,000-member American Family Association. It has called for a boycott of Target stores next weekend. The chain's crime, according to the group, is a ban on the use of "Merry Christmas" in stores, an accusation the chain denies.

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/11/20/MNGVDFRH081.DTL

[QC]

1. He must need a new fundraising gimmick. n/t

[havocmom]

2. Donations to Falwell Inc. must be down

[Botany]

3. Memo to self

Send letter to Falwell and ask him why he is such an asshole.

[ananda]

4. Muzzling Christmas?

Oh please, give me a break!

Christmas can't be muzzled. It starts the day after Thanksgiving, with five nonstop weeks of advertising and sales. Ugghhh.

If Falwell wanted to do something good, he'd wail about all the crass consumerism and consumption, the acquisitive proprietary mindset that is set into Americans from the day they're born.

The true message of Christmas.. or the winter season for those who are not Christian.. is one of giving, sharing, and thoughtfulness.

So isn't there a kind of cognitive dissonance or crass hypocrisy in a moralvalues conservative who wants xtianity to be the one true state religion but at the same time leads millions of people who are conservative racists and xenophobes with lots of money and a propensity towards conspicuous consumption? Jesus would be turning in his grave, if there ever really was a Jesus.

ananda

[RC]

7. Falwell must think he is in charge of the American Taliban.

Who'd he kill so he could inherit the position?

[Hugin]

16. Everyone knows it's Pat...

Strange thing is, I'd think it'd be someone who appears in the Bible.

[FreedomAngel82]

28. It even starts before that

Christmas deocrations and music is already playing and has been for at least a good two weeks or so. I get so burnt out. Even my mother and brother agree and we're all Christians.

[thinkingwoman]

41. Actually it starts right after Halloween

and before in some stores. :eyes:

[jmowreader]

43. What you mean "the day after Thanksgiving"?

We set our Christmas seasonal (except for the cut trees, which come in this week) in October. Lowe's set theirs even earlier than we did. The mall started building their Christmas village center-court display in late September, and with good reason--it isn't done yet. The general-merchandise stores in Fayetteville all did their sets in October as well. The crafts stores like Michaels and AC Moore set in August, but crafts stores almost have to--if you're going to give handmade gifts for Christmas, you've got to start working on them in the summer. We also have a Hobby Lobby, who has a huge and permanent Christmas set--we're talking fifteen percent of a 35,000sf store. The only stores around here I can think of that haven't done their Christmas sets are the supermarkets, who are still on Thanksgiving set with good reason (Thanksgiving is their most important holiday), and the non-crafts-store specialty stores.

If you REALLY want to talk disgusting, there's Rocket Auto Parts: Parts for Old Cars, two locations in Fayetteville. They took down their Fourth of July sign on the fifth of July and immediately replaced it with "Merry Christmas." Yes, they set on the fifth of July!

If there's a Jesus, I'm certain that He's sitting up in Heaven going through every known version of the Bible trying to figure out where this concept of celebrating His birthday by maxing out your credit cards and going to church your one time a year came from.

[CatholicEdHead]

52. Granted most business are 6 months ahead of the rest of us

planning and putting in orders so they will be in stock but that Auto Parts store seems like they pulled it out more than just a little bit early.

It is one thing to get the decorations in stock and quite another one to put on the sales floor. Espically the middle of July.

[jmowreader]

54. My little sister does Christmas seasonal. It's not a six-month thing

My little sister is in charge of Christmas seasonal for the combined Kmart-Sears retail empire. She's in charge of 30 people, spends half her life outside the US (most of it in China, naturally--if you're planning to visit Shanghai or Beijing in the near future and you've never been, give me a heads-up and I'll ask her where all the best hole-in-the-wall eateries are) and has a budget of over half a billion dollars.

And she does Christmas all year round.

[neebob]

51. I'm for anyone who wants to muzzle that stupid Christmas

always yacking. Most of the time it doesn't even know what it's talking about. I hear it bites people, too.

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. EVERYONE SHOULD SHOP AT TARGET NEXT WEEKEND...counter his BULLSHIT.

Falwell=lunatic.

[Crunchy Frog]

20. My problem with Target is that Planned Parenthood

is having issues with them over their refusal to guarantee that they won't prevent their pharmacists from filling women's prescriptions because of "moral objections". There actually was an incident in Mississippi where a pharmacist refused to fill a prescription for emergency contraception. So Target is on my shitlist because of that.

Why can't everything just be black and white?

[in_cog_ni_to]

24. I thought Target said their pharmacists didn't have to fill the BC if

their religious beliefs were against it, but OTHER pharmicists would be available to fill them or it would be handled so as not to be an inconvenience to the customer? They didn't do that? I KNOW Illinois pharmacists have to do that...IT'S THE LAW. Thanks to Blagojevich. :)That means MY Target has to follow the law.

[Crunchy Frog]

30. This was in one of the emails that I got from Planned Parenthood.

If you contacted Target about its policy, you may have received a response like this:


"Like many other retailers, Target has a policy that ensures a guest's prescription for emergency contraception is filled, whether at Target or at a different pharmacy, in a timely and respectful manner. This policy meets the health care needs of our guests while respecting the diversity of our team members."
In the last week, Target has changed its response, removing "or at a different pharmacy," from its standard reply. But, although it has taken that phrase out of the letter, as far as we can tell Target has not actually changed its policy. Currently, if a Target pharmacist refuses to fill your prescription, Target thinks it's all right to make women travel to another pharmacy to get their pills.

Sorry, Target, but this just isn't good enough. Planned Parenthood insists that pharmacies guarantee prescriptions will be filled in-store, without discrimination or delay.

We suggest Target take a look at the great policies of some of its competitors if it really cares about meeting the needs of its guests.

They're using alot of weasel words, but basically, no they will not guarantee that another pharmacist will be available in store to fill a prescription, and they think that sending a woman running around to other stores is respecting her convenience. I'm not buying it. I take antidepressants. What if they have a Scientologist pharmacist who is morally opposed to psychiatric medication? Will they do that to me? What if they have a Christian Scientist pharmacist who is morally opposed to all medication? Where do they draw the line?

I wish that Target would take a reasonable stand on this issue so that I could feel comfortable supporting them against Jerry Falwell.

Edit: Here's a site which keeps track of this sort of stuff. http://www.saveroe.com/fillmypillsnow/

[BobBoudelangFan69]

6. Oh The Poor Victims! 'Woe-Is-Me'ism, Let Us Laugh...

What a joke Falwell has become. Predictable, sorry losers all.

[gizmo1979]

8. How about Merry fucking Christmas?

Is that acceptable?

[Crunchy Frog]

9. Hatred and intolerance and boycotts and accusations

It's the reason for the Season.:eyes:

Why does Falwell remind me of this guy?

[classof56]

10. Well, I'm sure glad Falwell is setting the record straight on this subject

For years, Christians have been complaining about how Christmas is too commercialized. Now, with the boycott of stores that don't use "Merry Christmas" on their signs and in their advertising, we know the truth: Christmas is all about shopping! And now with all these thousands of lawyers, etc., patrolling stores and schools, ready to pounce on miscreants who don't do what Falwell, AFA, and crowd want them to, I'm sure everyone will soon come to understand that the baby Jesus came not only to die for our sins but to make sure merchants coin lots of bucks. Jesus preached that a lot when he was on earth, I seem to recall from my Bible reading days. And he also counseled his followers to spread the gospel by shoving it down everyone's throats. :sarcasm: HEAVY SARCASM!

Arghh...I give up on these people. I keep waiting for the lightning bolt, the one that lets them know God ain't too happy about what they're doing in his name. Maybe some day soon. Hope springs eternal.

Tired Old Cynic

[FreedomAngel82]

29. Good point

And Jesus wasn't even born on December 25th! According to Biblical scholars he was more than likely born in April or around that month. How do they know? Basically common sense. We're told about circumstances around his birth such as sheep grazing in the fields and there was a cenus being taken (that's why they were in Bethleham because it was Joseph's hometown and he had to register his name and all that stuff). So I don't understand anything about why Jesus' birth is celebrated on December 25th.

[BobBoudelangFan69]

11. Shouldn't The Opening Line Read " Radical Jehadist Cleric" ?

[Mend]

12. I think Target stopped the homophobic salvation army pot

ringers from invading the front of their stores. I don't shop for Christmas or any other holiday but I will make it into Target's next time I need a mop or something.

[jobycom]

13. Knock yourself out, Jerry.

No, really, knock yourself out.

[Hugin]

14. Funny, I was going to do the same thing to him for muzzling Halloween...

Hmph, small world.

[Bluebear]

15. We don't want to muzzle Christmas, we want to muzzle Foulwell. nt

[Marr]

17. Using Christ to make money, as usual.

I don't understand why anyone believes this guy's bullshit. He's such an obvious con man.

[NewJeffCT]

18. go ahead, sue Wal-Mart

Don't they make it a point to say "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays"?

I'm sure Wal-Mart, and their $300 billion in revenue, have very few lawyers at their disposal. :sarcasm:

[FreedomAngel82]

31. And than watch him

go to the ACLU. :eyes: Hasn't he used them before?

[NewJeffCT]

39. They all run to the ACLU, don't they?

Limbaugh ran to them.

the KKK

and others.

[NewJeffCT]

19. Didn't the Fundies start "Happy Holidays" a few decades ago?

Back when they did not like Christmas alone being associated with such crass commercialism? So, they started Happy Holidays since it was also the time around Hanukkah (sp), Kwanzaa (sp) and the like?

[cornermouse]

21. That reminds me. I have to buy an American Girl Doll.

[FreedomAngel82]

32. That would be a good present

I'd buy that for a young girl. Better than Barbie anyday. They're more life-like and not stick figures.

[greiner3]

22. Years ago, when I was living in another country (Virginia);

I knew this guy who went to school with one of Falwell's daughters. He got a date with her and when he drove up to the Falwell mansion, ol Jerry let this kid use a new Caddy for the date and gave him his unlimited Visa card for the evening. This kid did elaborate on the date though. True story!

[FreedomAngel82]

33. Wow

So he's a rich Pharasiee eh? Shows his proiorties. He does anything to make money.

[MaineYooper]

23. where can I sign up for the "foe" list? nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. So teachers who are abiding by federal law and district guidelines

are somehow on the wrong side of this issue? And Falwell is turning them into narcs. Sounds like he is embracing civil disobedience. I thought that was a left wing tactic.

[toddaa]

26. Christmas is for Christians.

I don't want no commies in my car. And no Christians either.
-Bud

[FreedomAngel82]

34. So I guess you wouldn't like me

and other DU Christians in your car? Please don't lump me with them. I'm not a fundie.

[toddaa]

38. generic outrage, let's get a drink

http://users.erols.com/bobcan/repo/repoman.htm

[FreedomAngel82]

27. Oh give me a freakin break!

Get off it Falwell you Pharasiee! Just like you tried to take away Halloween from other faiths? I get so tired of this crap! Does he think he's bringing anybody to the faith? Ha!

[Arkana]

35. "Grinches" like the ACLU.

Yeah, that pesky ACLU--always defending people's civil rights! Even if they're not right-wing Xtian crazies! The nerve!

[EFerrari]

36. I wonder how many emails the Chron got over the holy holiday

redundancy.

And, I wonder how many people there really are in the AFA?

[Hubert Flottz]

37. We should sue him if we don't get anything from Santa!

Did he mean Fitzmas?

EDIT...I wouldn't trust Jerry in a shithouse with a muzzle on!

[kevinbgoode]

40. Who the hell ever said this man was a "christian"?

Please...this faux religious person worships nothing more than his reflection in the mirror.

I'm sick and tired of these culture war terrorists. It's time to shut them down and remind them that Americans worship in the way our personal conscience dictates - not Jerry Falwells.

[Skidmore]

42. Oh, Lord, can you help us find someone who has pictures of bin Falwell

with live or dead boys or girls? We aren't asking much. Just help us rid ourselves of this pustulant creep.

[FreedomAngel82]

48. There is though a picture of him

with the famous Rev Moon.

[Kber]

44. Aw fer crying out loud

aren't we supposed to wait until AFTER Thanksgiving before we start this shit?

[stevietheman]

45. Happy Multiple Holidays and Merry Commercialism!

While Christians celebrate an illegitimate baby being born in a horse stable, they drag the rest of us into the nightmare of spend, spend, spend on useless crap to wrap up in pretty paper and a fuckin' bow to hand to all the people we would rather not be around.

Merry Christmas to that!

(OK, yeah, this was a rant)

[FreedomAngel82]

49. Looks like Charlie Brown was right

When he said Christmas was too commercialized.

[BOSSHOG]

46. GIVE UP YOU TAX EXEMPT STATUS JERRY AND I'LL LISTEN

[SPKrazy]

47. This is as idiotic as his selling videos: "the Clinton Chronicles"

Falwell is becoming a has been in my opinion.

Muzzle Christmas? How is that possible?

Idiot schmuck Falwell

[FreedomAngel82]

50. Yep

And there is one part in "The Hunting of the President" video where Falwell is stating he didn't know if what those people were saying were true or not. Go figure! If he is any sort of Christian he wouldn't have stooped to that level and he would've tried to find out the truth. He doesn't give a damn about Christianity or anything religious. As George Galloway has said about Bush: Falwell is the type that only worship's the god money.

[JerseygirlCT]

53. Boy, he's transparent

Wonder how much they plan to make from the mail campaign? And I guess there will be a phone component as well...

For my part, I hope they publicize the names. It will help me decide where to shop!