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Falwell Hopes to Give New Meaning to 'God's Country' : Conservative pastor envisions cradle-to-grave services in a master-planned Christian community. (CHRIS KAHN, 6/29/02, ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The Rev. Jerry Falwell pulls the wheel hard right, sweat budding across his cheeks as he guides the Chevy Suburban around potholes in the dirt road.

It's a rough drive to the mountaintop overlooking his 4,300-acre property. But the view, he promises, is worth the trip.

Sprawled below is the red brick of Liberty University and his beloved Thomas Road Baptist Church. Now imagine golf courses, recreation centers, apartment complexes, he says. Maybe a ski lift up the mountain; maybe one of those revolving restaurants on top. At 68, Falwell thinks often about what will remain when he's gone. If he gets his way in federal court this summer, the conservative pastor will leave his most visible legacy twinkling below--a master-planned Christian community where members of his flock can live from "birth to antiquity."

It's easy enough to make fun of the Reverend Jerry Falwell, but as you read this story ask yourself how many of us are likely to leave such good works behind us when we depart this vale of tears. If you like nothing else about the man, you can still admire him for establishing a university, can't you? Posted by Orrin Judd at July 2, 2002 8:29 PM