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Falwell-Called 'American Taliban'
-- Responds to Bob Kunst

Tells West Palm Beach Baptists that 'Bob Kunst is Reachable'

Explains: 'I like Bob Kunst. I may not approve of his Lifestyle'

By Jack Nichols

The Rev. Jerry Falwell met with activist and Florida gubernatorial candidate Bob Kunst in West Palm Beach Wednesday

West Palm Beach, Florida-Gubernatorial candidate Bob Kunst, a long-time nemesis of the Reverend Jerry Falwell, stood on the corner of Okeechobee Boulevard Wednesday in front of the Berean Baptist Church when the homophobic clergyman stopped his car, reached out of its window and shook Kunst's hand.

Kunst was carrying a sign: "Falwell Leads America's Taliban." According to the Palm Beach Post, Kunst told Falwell: "I'm here to put you into perspective." Kunst told GayToday about what he felt had been a "surreal" experience:

"A newswoman (Elizabeth Clarke) from the Palm Beach Post came over to interview me, and while this was all going on, a large SUV pulled over to us and Jerry Falwell called out 'Bob' and held out his hand for me to shake, which I did and then immediately I offered him a "No More Bushit/Kunst For Governor" bumper sticker and flyer.

"You don't like Bush?" Falwell asked Kunst. The activist/candidate replied: "I'm running against him for Governor, and you can read about it on my web site." He gave Falwell a flyer and a 'No More Bushit' bumper sticker.

Kunst said that Falwell then introduced him to the car's driver, the minister of the church where he would be speaking , and the two clergymen drove away.

The Palm Beach Post (February 7) covered Falwell's speech in the church in which he attempted to show a conciliatory approach to candidate Kunst. The Post article said:

'Bob Kunst is reachable,' Falwell later told about 800 eager and appreciative listeners gathered to hear him at the suburban West Palm Beach church. 'That's why I stopped -- because I like him. I may not approve of his lifestyle.'

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
Falwell Calls Activist Bob Kunst 'Sinful and Dangerous'

Falwell's Fears and Hates (by Bob Kunst)

Falwell and Robertson Burn in the Fire of Angry Media Scorn

Related Sites:
The Rev. Jerry Falwell

Bob Kunst for Governor

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The Post noted:

"Falwell received his biggest applause of the night when he described his encounter with Kunst.

" 'I'd love to see old Bob walk in here,' he said. 'I'd tell him, 'God loves you. He'll save you from a perverted lifestyle.' "

Kunst later reflected:

"Mind you, after protesting Falwell since 1977, and ever since, this was indeed an amazing moment.

"When I protested at his church in Lynchburg, Virginia two years ago, he did give me a column to say my say in his newspaper and I went for the jugular in my contempt for him and he didn't change a word.

"But calling me 'Bob' and stopping to shake my hand as he received my message, is a bit too much."

It was, in fact, a kind of about-face for Jerry Falwell who, in October 1999, had labeled Bob Kunst "sinful and dangerous."

Then, Falwell compared himself to the Apostle Paul as he addressed Kunst's protest:

Bob Kunst

"I vrealize that many will continue to stridently oppose my message. Bob Kunst, leader of the homosexual-rights group known as the Oral Majority, is one such person. Bob also protested our anti-violence summit, saying that I should stay out of homosexuals' business. He also believes that my insistence in calling homosexuality sin is, in itself, a precarious insult to homosexuals.

"Nevertheless, I cannot turn a blind eye to Romans, Chapter 1, and several other biblical passages simply because Bob Kunst doesn't like the message that his actions are sinful and dangerous.

"My objective is not to challenge Bob's right to conduct his life as he pleases - within the bounds of law that we all must observe. My intent is rather to challenge the homosexual agenda which, I believe, not only counters the Bible, but also contradicts the Judeo-Christian values set forth by our nation's Founding Fathers.

"I not only have a right to challenge him, I believe I have a biblical mandate to confront the culture - as did the Apostle Paul - with the Truth of Christ."