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US evangelist Jerry Falwell dies US evangelist Jerry Falwell dies
(40 minutes later)
Leading US conservative evangelist Rev Jerry Falwell has died in hospital in Virginia after being found unconscious in his office, his assistants said. The Reverend Jerry Falwell, a leading US conservative evangelist, has died in hospital in Virginia after being found unconscious in his office.
Doctors gave Rev Falwell emergency treatment at Lynchburg General Hospital but could not revive him. Doctors gave Mr Falwell emergency treatment at Lynchburg General Hospital but could not revive him.
Rev Falwell, 73, survived two serious health scares in 2005 but had a history of heart problems. US President George W Bush paid tribute to Mr Falwell, 73, who he said lived a life of "faith, family, and freedom".
He became a figurehead of the religious right in the 1980s, founded the Moral Majority and later Liberty University. Mr Falwell, a leader of the religious right, survived two major health scares and had a history of heart problems.
Dr Falwell is a huge, huge leader here in this area and in the nation at large Ron GodwinLiberty University vice president class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6659537.stm">Obituary: Jerry Falwell class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6660057.stm">In quotes: Jerry Falwell He rose to prominence in the 1980s and founded the Moral Majority and later Liberty University.
Rev Falwell was regarded as the father of the political evangelical movement. Dr Falwell is a huge, huge leader here in this area and in the nation at large Ron GodwinLiberty University vice-president class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6659537.stm">Obituary: Jerry Falwell class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6660057.stm">Jerry Falwell in quotes
Mr Falwell was regarded as the father of the political evangelical movement.
As one of the first television preachers, he reached millions on his programme The Old Time Gospel Hour.As one of the first television preachers, he reached millions on his programme The Old Time Gospel Hour.
Ron Godwin, executive vice president for Liberty University, said Rev Falwell was found unresponsive in his office at about 1045 local time (1535 GMT) after missing an appointment. Ron Godwin, executive vice president for Liberty University, said Mr Falwell was found unresponsive in his office at about 1045 local time (1535 GMT) after missing an appointment.
Mr Godwin said: "Dr Falwell is a huge, huge leader here in this area and in the nation at large."Mr Godwin said: "Dr Falwell is a huge, huge leader here in this area and in the nation at large."
ControversialControversial
Rev Al Sharpton said he was deeply saddened and was praying for the Falwell family. He said although he often disagreed with the reverend, they had a cordial relationship. The Reverend Al Sharpton said he was deeply saddened and was praying for the Falwell family. He said although he often disagreed with the reverend, they had a cordial relationship.
The BBC's Vanessa Heaney in Washington says Rev Falwell was a controversial figure who offended many. The BBC's Vanessa Heaney in Washington says Mr Falwell was a controversial figure who offended many.
But his alliance with Republicans in the 1980s was a key help in the elections of Ronald Reagan as president and many political leaders have since continued to seek his support.But his alliance with Republicans in the 1980s was a key help in the elections of Ronald Reagan as president and many political leaders have since continued to seek his support.
Among them is Senator John McCain - a Republican contender for US president - who described him as "a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country".Among them is Senator John McCain - a Republican contender for US president - who described him as "a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country".
Rev Falwell was a strong opponent of abortion, homosexuality and many other issues that conflicted with his fundamentalist Christian beliefs. Mr Falwell was a strong opponent of abortion, homosexuality and many other issues that conflicted with his fundamentalist Christian beliefs.
His statements on feminism and race issues often outraged liberals.His statements on feminism and race issues often outraged liberals.
In 2002, he sparked anger across the Muslim world by calling the Prophet Muhammad a "terrorist". He later apologised.In 2002, he sparked anger across the Muslim world by calling the Prophet Muhammad a "terrorist". He later apologised.
Shortly after the 11 September 2001 attacks, he said that gays, atheists, civil-rights activists and legal abortions in the US had angered God and "helped this happen".Shortly after the 11 September 2001 attacks, he said that gays, atheists, civil-rights activists and legal abortions in the US had angered God and "helped this happen".
In 1999, he denounced the BBC TV children's show The Teletubbies, because he believed one character, Tinky Winky, was homosexual.In 1999, he denounced the BBC TV children's show The Teletubbies, because he believed one character, Tinky Winky, was homosexual.