A faithful friend

Re “The porn king and the preacher,” Opinion, May 20

It took “sleaze merchant” Larry Flynt to convince me that there was a human being underneath the man I still believe did more damage to the credibility and dignity of Christianity than an inferno of Flynts could ever do. Wouldn’t you have guessed that Flynt would have been more likely to use his vast resources to bribe the organist at Falwell’s funeral to play “Ding-Dong, the Witch Is Dead”?

In the current political climate of moral hypocrisy, it figures that a notorious pornographer would turn out to exemplify genuine Christian values. Though a cynic may question his motives, it’s certainly to Falwell’s credit that he made the first conciliatory move toward his onetime nemesis.

KEVIN DAWSON

Tujunga

*

Lest readers misinterpret Flynt’s declaration that he and Falwell were friends, remember the good reverend not for what he preached but for what he practiced. The Hustler magazine publisher accurately centers Falwell’s heart right within the cross hairs: “The more I got to know Falwell, the more I began to see ... there was a dichotomy between the real Falwell and the one he showed the public.”

It seems hypocrisy, not honesty, was the reverend’s trademark. Finally, may we all rest in peace.

BRENDA MILLER

San Clemente

*

Flynt and Falwell were friends. They deserve each other!

TANJA WINTER

La Jolla