Education

Liberty University Fined $14 Million for Failing to Report Sexual Violence

Nadra Nittle / The 19th Mar 6, 2024 Liberty University's fine is the largest ever against a school for violating the federal Clery Act, which mandates support for sexual violence victims and campus safety initiatives. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

American History for Truthdiggers: The Reagan Revolution

Maj. Danny Sjursen / Truthdig Jun 22, 2019 The 40th president, though he proved to be less extreme than his campaign promises, ignited a wide transformation that resounds to this day. Dig deeper ( 33 Min. Read )

The Last Real Evangelical

Mel White / MelWhite.org Feb 23, 2018 Billy Graham wanted to preach the social gospel, but his associates silenced that voice to "protect" his ministry from controversy and financial loss. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Politics

Mel White: Evangelicals Do ‘Terrible Damage’ to U.S.

By Ryan Kohls / What I Wanna Know Oct 13, 2017 The clergyman, author and activist discusses Christian fundamentalism, Donald Trump and media mogul Pat Robertson. Dig deeper ( 27 Min. Read )

Donald Trump and His Angry Voters Are Furthering an Extremist Christian Agenda

Mel White / Truthdig May 19, 2016 Unwittingly or not, by tapping into a long list of “isms”—including nationalism, sexism, racism, heterosexism and militarism—the Republican presidential candidate is following in the footsteps of the late, archconservative, televangelist Jerry Falwell. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

AUDIO: Self-Described Evangelical to U.S. Christians: Jesus Would Vote for Bernie Sanders

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Sep 18, 2015 After the progressive presidential candidate spoke to 12,000 students, faculty and administrators at Liberty University, a stronghold of political and religious conservatism, a man who calls himself an alumnus of the school and an evangelical leader told listeners that the candidate’s policies are an embodiment of Christian values. Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

When It Comes to World Peace, Don’t Look to Sanders for Progress

By Sam Husseini Sep 16, 2015 His stated policy position is not meaningfully pro-peace, he seeks a more dominant Saudi Arabia in the Mideast and he seems remarkably uncaring to people who don't carry a nice blue U.S. passport. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Romney Doubles Down on Opposition to Gay Marriage

Staff / Truthdig May 12, 2012 Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romey confirmed Saturday that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction when he told an audience at Liberty University that marriage is between a man and a woman. President Obama had voiced his support for marriage equality just a few days earlier. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Falwell’s School Rolling in Federal Aid

Staff / Truthdig Jul 2, 2011 Given that so many of the religious right's mainstream leaders regularly spurn public assistance programs for allegedly creating government dependency, the fact that the late evangelist Jerry Falwell's Liberty University took $445 million in federal aid last year has been turning quite a few heads in the media. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Weighing Free Speech Against Hate Speech

Staff / Truthdig Oct 7, 2010 What do you get when you mix issues regarding a fallen soldier, free speech, homophobia and gays in the military and throw in hatemonger pastor Fred Phelps and Larry Flynt's famous court battle with Jerry Fallwell? Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Apocalyptic Times for the GOP Faithful

Joe Conason / Truthdig May 24, 2007 The party Jerry Falwell worked so hard to promote to white evangelical America may soon tear itself apart over one candidate who dares to be Mormon and another who is dangerously sane on gays, guns and abortion. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Flynt: Falwell Was a Friend

Staff / Truthdig May 21, 2007 Anyone who has seen "The People vs. Larry Flynt," or anyone who knows about the famous Supreme Court battle between Flynt (center) and the late Rev. Jerry Falwell (right) over the First Amendment, would probably be shocked to know that the two former enemies became friends after appearing together on "Larry King Live" 10 years ago. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )