Falwell, Jerry definition of Falwell, Jerry in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Falwell, Jerry (fôl`wĕl, –wəl), 1933–, American fundamentalist Baptist pastor, b. Lynchburg, Va. A popular preacher, Falwell began (1968) airing his services on television on a program that was later named "The Old-Time Gospel Hour." Falwell founded (1979) and led (1979–87) the Moral Majority Moral Majority, U.S. political action group composed of conservative, fundamentalist Christians. Founded (1979) and led (1979–87) by evangelist Rev. Jerry Falwell , the group played a significant role in the 1980 elections through its strong support of
..... Click the link for more information. , an organization devoted to reestablishing traditional religious values in the national consciousness through support of conservative political candidates (see also fundamentalism fundamentalism.

1 In Protestantism, religious movement that arose among conservative members of various Protestant denominations early in the 20th cent.
..... Click the link for more information. ). Falwell now heads the Liberty Alliance (est. 1991).

Bibliography

See W. H. Capps, The New Religious Right (1990).

Falwell, Jerry (1933– ) Protestant evangelist; born in Lynchburg, Va. He studied engineering, then turned to religious studies after a conversion. In 1956 he founded a Baptist church in Lynchburg. He later launched an extremely popular television program, "The Old-Time Gospel Hour," and established Liberty Baptist College. From 1979 onward his Moral Majority became a political force for advancing the social agenda of the religious right, although after 1990 he withdrew from the more public and political sphere to concentrate on his preaching. He wrote Listen, America! (1980) and Wisdom for Living (1984).