Powerful pastor D. James Kennedy dead at 76

[Synnical]

Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel

Led Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church to national prominence

By James D. Davis | Sun-Sentinel.com
10:04 AM EDT, September 5, 2007

FORT LAUDERDALE -- - Conservative leader the Rev. D. James Kennedy died Wednesday morning, sources at his Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church reported today.

The 76-year-old pastor died "peacefully, in his sleep, at home" around 3 a.m., according to the Rev. Ronald Siegenthaler, executive minister at the 10,000-member church. By his side was Anne, his wife of five decades.

Kennedy, who also founded a broadcast ministry, a seminary and an annual series of conservative conferences, suffered multiple complications ever since Dec. 28, when he suffered arrhythmia and cardiac arrest. He never fully recovered, despite a rigorous rehabilitation regimen in Florida and Michigan.



Read more: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-djkennedydead0905,0,4390768.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout

[Benhurst]

1. Only the good die young.

[Ian David]

2. Long May He Burn. n/t

[rsmith6621]

3. I Guess He Now Knows What Jesus....

...Felt about his interpretation of the bible...I pray Pastor Kennedy was right...

[A HERETIC I AM]

4. He'll be missed about as much as Falwell.

Kennedy was a Dominionist who promoted the idea that xtians would transform the US into HIS vision of a Christian nation.

One can only hope that his death will slow down that movement, but that is a slim hope.

[Scurrilous]

16. The Crusaders (Apr 07, 2005)

Christian evangelicals are plotting to remake America in their own image

<snip>

"It's February, and 900 of America's staunchest Christian fundamentalists have gathered in Fort Lauderdale to look back on what they accomplished in last year's election -- and to plan what's next. As they assemble in the vast sanctuary of Coral Ridge Presbyterian, with all fifty state flags dangling from the rafters, three stadium-size video screens flash the name of the conference: RECLAIMING AMERICA FOR CHRIST. These are the evangelical activists behind the nation's most effective political machine -- one that brought more than 4 million new Christian voters to the polls last November, sending George W. Bush back to the White House and thirty-two new pro-lifers to Congress. But despite their unprecedented power, fundamentalists still see themselves as a persecuted minority, waging a holy war against the godless forces of secularism. To rouse themselves, they kick off the festivities with "Soldiers of the Cross, Arise," the bloodthirstiest tune in all of Christendom: "Seize your armor, gird it on/Now the battle will be won/Soon, your enemies all slain/Crowns of glory you shall gain."

Meet the Dominionists -- biblical literalists who believe God has called them to take over the U.S. government. As the far-right wing of the evangelical movement, Dominionists are pressing an agenda that makes Newt Gingrich's Contract With America look like the Communist Manifesto. They want to rewrite schoolbooks to reflect a Christian version of American history, pack the nation's courts with judges who follow Old Testament law, post the Ten Commandments in every courthouse and make it a felony for gay men to have sex and women to have abortions. In Florida, when the courts ordered Terri Schiavo's feeding tube removed, it was the Dominionists who organized round-the-clock protests and issued a fiery call for Gov. Jeb Bush to defy the law and take Schiavo into state custody. Their ultimate goal is to plant the seeds of a "faith-based" government that will endure far longer than Bush's presidency -- all the way until Jesus comes back.

"Most people hear them talk about a 'Christian nation' and think, 'Well, that sounds like a good, moral thing,' says the Rev. Mel White, who ghostwrote Jerry Falwell's autobiography before breaking with the evangelical movement. "What they don't know -- what even most conservative Christians who voted for Bush don't know -- is that 'Christian nation' means something else entirely to these Dominionist leaders. This movement is no more about following the example of Christ than Bush's Clean Water Act is about clean water."

The godfather of the Dominionists is D. James Kennedy, the most influential evangelical you've never heard of. A former Arthur Murray dance instructor, he launched his Florida ministry in 1959, when most evangelicals still followed Billy Graham's gospel of nonpartisan soul-saving. Kennedy built Coral Ridge Ministries into a $37-million-a-year empire, with a TV-and-radio audience of 3 million, by preaching that it was time to save America -- not soul by soul but election by election. After helping found the Moral Majority in 1979, Kennedy became a five-star general in the Christian army. Bush sought his blessing before running for president -- and continues to consult top Dominionists on matters of federal policy."

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/7235393/the_crusaders/

[Ilsa]

20. I was on another discussion board, ad some Christian

conservatives tried to deny there was any activism in this area, even after I found their own articles and linked them for them.

[Megahurtz]

22. ...

:puke:

They can dream all they want but it'll never happen.

[FiveGoodMen]

23. That's what I used to think about Americans giving up their rights to BushCo

...and starting wars for no reason.

You never know what'll never happen...unless you can stop it.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. I'm sure Falwell will be there to greet him.... whereever they are.

[POAS]

6. What? No Rapture?

[PlanetBev]

7. Is this who I think it is?

Isn't this the same fuck-wad who has a real loud voice and tries to out-shout others in TV debates? I seem to remember him going against Stephanie Miller one time.

[PlanetBev]

9. Nah, I just realized it's someone different

The James Kennedy I'm thinking about is an even bigger asshole.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

8. Good riddance to a hate-mongering evil person.

[indepat]

10. The Lord calling another of his conveyors of love and peace home for an eternity of peace and

brotherly love.

maybe just a smidgen of extreme :sarcasm:

[bemildred]

11. And the rush begins to take up his "ministry". nt

[musette_sf]

12. Kennedy had a "gay-curing" "ministry"

at one time called "Worthy Vessels". the word is that Babs and Poppy made Georgie Butch attend "Worthy Vessels" after college, due to their concern about his obvious proclivities.

you used to be able to Google this stuff a few years ago, but it has all gone down the memory hole. another Bu$h secret taken to the grave. we can only hope someone will speak out about this.

[Divine Discontent]

32. it may have been called what you said it was

but it's called "Worthy Creations" now, and those SOB's are going to area churches in Ft. L and South Beach all the time and finding all the gay people they can in the congregations and teaching them they can resist those evil desires and live a clean life still in Christ (excuse me while I VOMIT!). Such a horrible thing they're doing - people are made how God makes them (imo) and what they do is so disgusting.

here's an article about Bushie being sent there in 86 ----
http://allspinzone.blogspot.com/2005_03_01_archive.html

"Why is Bush so hostile to the idea of gay marriage? Perhaps because until 1987, George W. Bush was gay. According to a group of 29 Yale classmates who comprise Gay Ivy Leaguers for Truth, Bush was "known to be at least sexually experimental throughout his time in college." One of Bush's alleged former boyfriends, Anthony Berusca (class of '70), told The Dallas Morning News that Bush was "deeply conflicted about being gay, even somewhat self-hating." Berusca is convinced that this conflict led to Bush's drinking problems, but describes the President as a "gentle, caring lover". In 1986, the Bush family arranged for George to join Worthy Creations, a church group in El Paso that focuses on converting homosexuals through faith. A year later, Bush claimed to be straight, born again, and engaged to Laura Welch (Kitty Kelly in THE FAMILY wrote that Bush's twin daughters were not his offspring, but from a donor at a fertility clinic). Bush at all-male Phillips Academy in Andover , Massachusetts was "head" cheerleader. Drama club and cheerleading are where the gay boys hang out. George earned the nickname Lips Bush for his skill at giving blow jobs to his fraternity buddies, according to Kitty Kelley. Bush has gay-style excrement nick names for the people he hangs out with: "Turdblossom" term for Karl Rove Note the classic juxtaposition of the obscene with the feminine to come up with a nickname for a gay man. For example, the late David Lewis went under the name Sally Suckemsilly. "Bulldog" term for both Victor Ashe and Jeff Gannon aka Jim Gluckert "Pooty Poot" term for Vladimir Putin, Russian President. "Mr. Big O" term for lispy treasury secretary Paul O'Neill."

[musette_sf]

34. many thanks for the follow up post

i do believe it was called "Worthy Vessels" at the time but you have the info spot on. and it was under Kennedy's, ahem, "ministry".

[Dr.Phool]

13. Good riddance!!!! The old saying is, "It happens in threes"

I'm hoping for "fours". Dobson and Robertson, come on down.

[hyphenate]

25. Actually, I'm kind of hoping 2 sets of three

With Dobson taking care of #3 and Robertson, Wildmon and good old Fred Phelps as the next set. :)


* small print: this is in no way a threat to any of the above mentioned people, only a sincere hope that if there IS a god, that he realizes that all of the above mentioned are hypocritical bastards. :hi:

[Critters2]

14. I only heard one sermon this jackass ever preached

I was channel surfing one day, and happened upon him. So, I stopped to listen. He was preaching about the poverty that hit the Jerusalem Church in the first few decades of the church's history. He pointed out that the book of Acts says the Jerusalem Church "held all things in common". Then he explained that they were hit with poverty and other problems because THEY WERE COMMUNISTS. They deserved what they got. And strong hints that electing liberals and/or democrats would lead to the same thing in our time.

Just a royal asshole.

Sorry for his friends and family...but sheesh!!

[fedupfisherman]

15. Sad

n/t

[toddaa]

17. Will there be an open casket? I need to spit

[Binka]

26. Hah! I Just Laughed Really Loud In The Library! Thanks

:hi:

[underpants]

18. Most likely that the family doctor helped him pass more peacefully

Oh, was I not supposed to mention that?

Happens all the time.

[Malikshah]

19. May he receive the same fate as Falwell.

He was lucky to die peacefully in his sleep--a courtesy he did not extend to those who were victims of the hate he helped spread.

[bighughdiehl]

21. I just found out accidentally.

I work at a tv station that airs lots of RR drivel on Sundays. We were just asked to take a special feed of the program, I found out that way about 20 minutes ago. The memorial service will air Sunday in most markets that aired his stuff, I think. I will not miss him. WIth both him and Jerry gone, I'm crossing my fingers for ol' Patty boy. We'll see if those "age-defying" shakes work:-)

[mitchum]

24. Rest in dirt

[Binka]

27. Ah Pithy And Pointed

You my dear are the King Of Barbs!:loveya:

[Vidar]

28. There are religious leaders whose demise I would mourn. Kennedy

is not among them.

[Thor_MN]

29. At least he's stopped blinking.

If you could have attached a generator to his eyelids while he was preachingm he could have powered all of Florida and parts of Southern Georgia.

I've never trusted anyone who blinks faster than their heart beats while speaking. If you have a strong stomach, watch some of these televangelists speak and try to count how many times they blink. Don't worry, you will counting so fast you won't hear any of what they are trying to say.

Sorry for his family and freinds, but I wish a few more of these evangimercial advertisements were replaced with ads for Pocket Fisherman and Ginsu Knives.

[melody]

30. Yet more ongoing evidence of evolution

The old thinkers die, the new ones come into replace them. Yesterday's liberal ideas will become tomorrow's conservative
acceptances.

[Zhade]

31. Good. Less hatred parading as morality in the world today.

Too bad hell doesn't exist - people like him deserve what they'd bring on themselves.

[shenmue]

33. Goodbye to a person who reflected absolutely *nothing* about Christ

D. James Kennedy hated gay people, hated equality for women, hated science... he couldn't have his head stuck further up his wazoo if he used super-glue.

:party: :bounce: :toast:

I, for one, smiled a huge smile of relief when I heard the news.

[maseman]

35. Agreed

Screw Kennedy. I actually went to the Coral Ridge church once when I lived in South FLorida. I love organs (OK insert joke here) and the church has a very large, beautiful Ruffati Pipe Organ. I nearly had to vomit during the sermon to make it to the final hymn and postlude to hear the organ.

The guy was a pure turd-burgler. Rest in Purgatory. (RIP)

[bjorkfan]

36. He left no descendants

I have detailed knowledge about Kennedy's family and CRPC. What I find remarkable is how small his family was. He had only one daughter, Jennifer, and she at 45 has no children (she married at 38). That is unusual for Evangelical Christians.

It seems that the church was very personality driven. Essentially, no one on the staff or in leadership thought, "this guy is getting old, we need to plan for his sucessor." The pastoral staff expects to take two years to find a permanent replacement. In any case, CRPC has had enough impact that Kennedy's Dominionist ideas will be influential in Christian circles for years to come even if his particular church drops off in membership.

[ProudDad]

37. My last word on this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVIb72b12OI

I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!
When you dead in your grave,
No more women will you crave.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!

I trust you in my home, you rascal, you.
I trust you in my home, you rascal, you.
I trust you in my home,
You wouldn't leave my wife alone.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!

I fed you since last fall, you rascal, you.
I fed you since last fall, you rascal, you.
I fed you since last fall,
Then you got your ashes hauled.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!

You asked my wife to wash your clothes, you rascal, you.
You asked my wife to wash your clothes, you rascal, you.
You asked my wife to wash your clothes
And something else I suppose.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!

You know you done me wrong, you rascal, you.
You know you done me wrong, you rascal, you.
You know you done me wrong,
You done stole my wife and gone.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!

You asked my wife for a meal, you rascal, you!
You asked my wife for a meal, you rascal, you!
You asked my wife for a meal,
And something else you tried to steal.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!

Please don't me find you, rascal, you.
Please don't let me find you, rascal, you!
Please don't let me find you
'Cause you'll leave this world behind you.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!

Ain't no use to run, you rascal, you.
Ain't no use to run, you rascal, you.
Ain't no use to run,
I done bought a Gatling gun,
And you still having your fun, you rascal, you!

I'm gonna kill you just for fun, you rascal, you!
I'm gonna kill you just for fun, you rascal, you!
I'm gonna kill you just for fun;
The buzzards gonna have you when I'm done.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!

You done messed with my wife, you rascal, you!
You done messed with my wife, you rascal, you!
You done messed with my wife,
And I'm gonna take your life.
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!