It’s been a looooong week for Jerry Falwell Jr.
On Tuesday, news broke that Michael Cohen allegedly helped stop the release of x-rated photos of the antigay activist shortly before he endorsed Trump for president in 2016.
According to Reuters, Falwell contacted Cohen seeking help regarding an “embarrassing personal matter” involving him, his wife, and their 20-something pool boy, er, pool attendant.
Reuters reports:
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Falwell, president of Liberty University, one of the world’s largest Christian universities, said someone had come into possession of what Cohen described as racy “personal” photographs — the sort that would typically be kept “between husband and wife.”
Related: Antigay activist Jerry Falwell Jr. embroiled in x-rated photos scandal
Not long after the story broke, Falwell’s lawyer put out a statement saying the allegations were false, telling The Washington Post, “There are no compromising or embarrassing photos of Falwell, period!”
Meanwhile, Falwell went on the Todd Starnes Radio Show to further deny the story, telling the conservative radio host, “This report is not accurate. There are no compromising or embarrassing photos of me.”
Now, Yonat Shimron over at Religious News writes that “the allegations of racy personal photos call into question Falwell’s own behavior and whether they align with evangelical sexual mores.”
Related: Jerry Falwell Jr.’s former pool boy says he doesn’t know anything about those x-rated photos
She continues, “While no one has accused Falwell of viewing pornography or straying outside his marriage to Becki, his wife, his alleged use of photos may be a sign that the culture of nude selfies may have reached Christian institutions–as has the widespread viewing of pornography.”
Shimron notes that Christian universities take the issue of naughty bedroom behavior very, very seriously.
“Many schools, including Liberty University, have strict codes regarding sexual misconduct,” she writes, “including the viewing and sharing of pornography and nude or indecent photos.”
Related: “God, save us!”: Twitter responds to Jerry Falwell Jr.’s x-rated photos scandal
Indeed, Liberty University’s official code of conduct states:
Media or entertainment that is offensive to Liberty’s standards and traditions (i.e., lewd lyrics, anti-Christian message, sexual content, nudity, pornography, etc.) is not permitted.
Involvement with pornographic, obscene, indecent, or other similarly offensive materials, expressions, or conduct is inconsistent with the Personal Code of Conduct and the Christian World View of the College and University. Use of the University’s computing network to obtain or distribute such materials constitutes a violation of the Code.
Which begs the question: If Falwell Jr. was involved in some sort of x-rated photo shoot, how might this affect his employment at the university his father founded and where he currently serves as president?
Related: Now people can’t stop tweeting about Jerry Falwell Jr.’s pool boy
The school has yet to issue any statement about the sex scandal, which seems to be growing by the day. Instead, it has been trying to distract people from the whole thing by hawking tacky Liberty University graduation swag on Twitter:
Graduation is a milestone in your life, and wearing a keepsake of your alma mater is a great way to showcase your Liberty pride: https://t.co/Cz5RlBLK3M. #LUGrad pic.twitter.com/b0LDooGAGt
— Liberty University (@LibertyU) May 7, 2019
Because, when all else fails, wave something shiny in people’s faces.
Chrisk
They won’t do anything because their hypocritical pieces of shit as they’ve always been. That’s the only code they live by no matter what they tell you. I’ve been around these people my whole life and it never changes.
jcoberkrom
Jerry, The gay community will forgive you when you come out. We’re not like your faux christians.
paulmodibe
COME OUT, THAT WOULD BE A DIVINE INSPIRATION.
spmboy
I hate to get pedantic, but the story raises, not begs, the question as to how this might affect his employment. It may even beg for the question to be answered, but it doesn’t beg the question (which is when a statement assumes a conclusion).