Ted Kennedy & Jerry Falwell

Senator Ted Kennedy died while we were in Africa, so I missed most of the media coverage surrounding his passing. I was a fan of the man, as I admire people who don't hide from their brokenness (we're all broken in some way, it's just that most of us lie to ourselves and others about it) and live lives that exemplify the gospel concept of redemption. Call me a sucker, but frankly I think that is the way that the universe is designed. My heroes tend to be imperfect.

All that being said, you may be like me in that I think we're only starting to get a sense of the extent of Ted Kennedy's greatness. Some are describing him as the greatest Senator in history, and I don't think that is a stretch.

One of the best kept secrets about the man, hiding out there in plain sight, may be the fact that in October 1983 Kennedy gave a major speech on the subject of church and state at--wait for it--Jerry Falwell's then Liberty Baptist College, now Liberty University. I came across this fact via Brian McLaren's blog this week, and I must say I think the speech is nothing short of stunning. Here's a bit of the back story from the Americans United for Separation of Church and State blog:

How did this come about? Falwell’s Moral Majority was going great guns back in those days and would frequently mail solicitation letters seeking new members. For some reason, one of these letters ended up in Kennedy’s hands. It even included a membership card!

Kennedy wrote to Falwell to say that while he wasn’t interested in joining the Moral Majority, he would be happy to speak at the school. Perhaps feeling a little boxed in, Falwell accepted the senator’s offer.

Here's a brief clip of the opening of Kennedy's address:

Download a .pdf file of the speech, printed by Church & State magazine here.

The Senator is gracious, but pulls no punches in his presentation. This speech is yet another piece in the puzzle of "unity" theme that seems to be hammering me lately.

The formal part of Kennedy's presentation starts with these words:

"I have come here to discuss my belief about faith and country, tolerance and truth in America. I know we begin with certain disagreements; I strongly suspect that at the end of the evening some of our disagreements will remain. But I also hope that tonight and in the months and years ahead, we will never lose sight of our own fallibility--that we will view ourselves with a sense of perspective and a sense of humor. After all, in the New Testament, even the disciples had to be taught to look first to the beam in their own eyes, and only then to the mote in their neighbor's eyes.

I am mindful of that counsel. I am an American and a Catholic; I love my country and treasure my faith. But I do not assume that my conception of patriotism or policy is invariably correct--or that my conviction about religion should command any greater respect than any other faith in this pluralistic society. I believe there surely is such a thing as truth, but who among us can claim a monopoly on it? "

Brilliant words that we I need to take to heart.

Comments

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=627374079]

Mike...great reflection of Ted Kennedy and an excellent choice of videos to share. Grace ~Mac

[Wes Roberts]

..amen!

...preach it Brother Ted!!

...and Brother Mike!!!

[Jonathan Brink]

I actually thought the most telling moment came at the beginning. Kennedy said, "I never expected to hear such kind words." That's sad to me.

[Morgan K Freeberg]

Woe be unto they who call evil good, and good evil.

Isaiah 5:20.

[robert]

let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Jesus 4-1-1