US evangelist Falwell dies

Leader of Moral Majority dies after being found unconscious in his Virginia office.

jerry falwell
Falwell was a leading member of the Christian right in the US [AFP]

Under the banner of his Moral Majority group, Falwell campaigned against abortion, homosexuality and feminism, as well as other issues that conflicted with fundamentalist Christian beliefs.

 

He became infamous for making inflammatory statements against blacks, Muslims, Jews, and civil and women’s rights activists.

 

His alliance with Republican conservatives was instrumental in helping elect Ronald Reagan to the US presidency twice in the 1980s.

 

He stepped down as president of the Moral Majority in 1987.

Source: News Agencies