US evangelist Jerry Falwell dies
Leading US conservative evangelist Rev Jerry Falwell has died in hospital in Virginia after being found unconscious in his office, his assistants said.
Doctors gave Rev 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.
He became a figurehead of the religious right in the 1980s, founded the Moral Majority and later Liberty University.
Rev Falwell was regarded as the father of the political evangelical movement.
Ron Godwin, executive vice president for Liberty University, said Rev Falwell was found unresponsive in his office at the university at about 1045 local time (1535 GMT) after missing an appointment.
Rev Falwell was a strong opponent of abortion, homosexuality and many other issues that conflicted with his fundamentalist Christian beliefs.
The 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.
Please, no snide remarks. This man was my pastor, the chancellor of my university, and in general a good man.
It's kinda sad when a good man like this dies. I hope that someday I can live up to the standards people like Mr. Fadwell set.
