McCain's "spiritual advisor"

[rox63]

Why don't we discuss what can be done with this, instead of beating up on Dems for their religions.

~snip~

Senator John McCain hailed as a spiritual adviser an Ohio megachurch pastor who has called upon Christians to wage a "war" against the "false religion" of Islam with the aim of destroying it.

On February 26, McCain appeared at a campaign rally in Cincinnati with the Reverend Rod Parsley of the World Harvest Church of Columbus, a supersize Pentecostal institution that features a 5,200-seat sanctuary, a television studio (where Parsley tapes a weekly show), and a 122,000-square-foot Ministry Activity Center. That day, a week before the Ohio primary, Parsley praised the Republican presidential front-runner as a "strong, true, consistent conservative." The endorsement was important for McCain, who at the time was trying to put an end to the lingering challenge from former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, a favorite among Christian evangelicals. A politically influential figure in Ohio, Parsley could also play a key role in McCain's effort to win this bellwether state in the general election. McCain, with Parsley by his side at the Cincinnati rally, called the evangelical minister a "spiritual guide."

~snip~

Parsley is not shy about his desire to obliterate Islam. In Silent No More, he notes—approvingly—that Christopher Columbus shared the same goal: "It was to defeat Islam, among other dreams, that Christopher Columbus sailed to the New World in 1492…Columbus dreamed of defeating the armies of Islam with the armies of Europe made mighty by the wealth of the New World. It was this dream that, in part, began America." He urges his readers to realize that a confrontation between Christianity and Islam is unavoidable: "We find now we have no choice. The time has come." And he has bad news: "We may already be losing the battle. As I scan the world, I find that Islam is responsible for more pain, more bloodshed, and more devastation than nearly any other force on earth at this moment."

~snip~

Parsley, who refers to himself as a "Christocrat," is no stranger to controversy. In 2007, the grassroots organization he founded, the Center for Moral Clarity, called for prosecuting people who commit adultery. In January, he compared Planned Parenthood to Nazis. In the past Parsley's church has been accused of engaging in pro-Republican partisan activities in violation of its tax-exempt status.

Why would McCain court Parsley? He has long had trouble figuring out how to deal with Christian fundamentalists, an important bloc for the Republican Party. During his 2000 presidential bid, he referred to Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell as "agents of intolerance." But six years later, as he readied himself for another White House run, McCain repudiated that remark. More recently, his campaign hit a rough patch when he accepted the endorsement of the Reverend John Hagee, a Texas televangelist who has called the Catholic Church "the great whore" and a "false cult system." After the Catholic League protested and called on McCain to renounce Hagee's support, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee praised Hagee's spiritual leadership and support of Israel and said that "when endorses me, it does not mean that I embrace everything that he stands for or believes in." After being further criticized for his Hagee connection, McCain backed off slightly, saying, "I repudiate any comments that are made, including Pastor Hagee's, if they are anti-Catholic or offensive to Catholics." But McCain did not renounce Hagee's endorsement.

~snip~

Read the whole thing here: http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/03/john-mccain-rod-parsley-spiritual-guide.html

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

1. That's the old "We're not as bad as Saddam Hussein" approach

Since the Democratic race is not decided, why should we overlook aspects of a candidate because McCain is just as bad?

If Obama was the nominee I'd agree with you.

[rox63]

2. But why are Dems beating each other to a bloody pulp, when the real enemy is McCain and the repukes?

There's a lot of red meat for the Dems to use against McCain. Are we just going to let it go to waste?

[ellacott]

4. It looks like they want to let it go to waste

They are to busy eating their own.

I wish we(as a party) knew how to fight smarter.

[Umbram]

3. Is there harm in looking ahead at a response?

Or is it best for us to just rip apart our two very flawed candidates and pay no mind to the real long term goal?

[BeyondGeography]

5. Will McCain be called upon to repudiate these far more dangerous comments?

Of course not.

That's right, Rev. God damn America.

[rox63]

9. And don't forget McCain's other fan

The virulently anti-Catholic Rev, Hagee.

[MethuenProgressive]

6. Daily Kos: Antisemite James Baker Endorsed John McCain

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/29/84945/8084/949/465856

James Baker III endorsed John McCain for President. KOS quotes Baker: "Fuck the Jews. They didn't vote for us anyway." and "Don't worry, Jews remember the Holocaust, but they forget insults as soon as they smell cash."

Rod Parsley and James Baker, spritual advisors to John W. McCain.

[GoldieAZ49]

7. no endorsers of McCain

anyone and everyone on the right is going to endorse McCain, that doesn't make them his spiritual advisor

Look for his affiliations in Phoenix or Washington DC where he spends all of his time

Info:


Religion Episcopalian (to 1990s)
Baptist (by 2000s)

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain

Did not know all this:

Civilian
On May 24, 1999, McCain shared the Profile in Courage Award with fellow Senator Russ Feingold for their work in trying to enact campaign finance reform.<94>
In December 2004, McCain became an Honorary Patron of the University Philosophical Society at Trinity College Dublin.<190>
On September 28, 2005, The Eisenhower Institute awarded McCain the Eisenhower Leadership Prize.<191> The prize recognizes individuals whose lifetime accomplishments reflect Dwight D. Eisenhower’s legacy of integrity and leadership.
On December 5, 2006, McCain was awarded the Henry M. Jackson Distinguished Service Award by the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs.<192>
On February 13, 2007, the World Leadership Forum presented McCain with the Policymaker of the Year Award. The award is given internationally to someone who has "created, inspired or strongly influenced important policy or legislation."<193>

[Divine Discontent]

8. PARSLEY AND HAGEE - BIRDS OF A FEATHER

I wrote a journal post about one of these two Christofascists (Hagee). Both are warmongering anti-Christs in doctrine and are a threat to the safety and civility of the peaceful people of the world. Parsley and Hagee are both promoters of killing the Muslims, and they attack gay people vehemently -

If John McCain wants them, he can have them - and we should USE them as evidence of his old dark ways...

They will sling so much SHIT at Obama, but the forces of good will prevail. I mean that - we WILL prevail.

I am sick of these fake-Christians trying to steer politics.

Enough! We need a mass voter registration drive - I can see Obama winning 57-42 with one!

[Unsane]

10. McCain's probably secretly an atheist

I don't get a Biblethumping vibe from the man.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

11. K&R