McCain & Rod Parsley: Endorsment Enforcemnt

Senator John McCain hailed as a "spiritual adviser" Reverend Rod Parsley of the World Harvest Church of Columbus, Ohio. Parsely is a 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 Parsley. 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. With Parsley by his side at the Cincinnati rally, McCain called the evangelical minister a "spiritual guide."

Parsley has written several books outlining his fundamentalist religious outlook, including the 2005 Silent No More. In a chapter titled "Islam: The Deception of Allah," Parsley warns there is a "war between Islam and Christian civilization." Without specifying what actions should be taken to eradicate the religion, he essentially calls for a new crusade forgetting that that history has proven that a failing course of action.

As I look at the the modern mix of "faith" and "politics" I have a sudden urge to go take a shower and wash clean of all it. It's no longer faith and politics, it's more influence and power.

Why does McCain consider Parsely a "spiritual adviser?" It's not beacuse he has guided him on deep issues of faith. Rather Parsely puts 5,200 butts in the seats who eat up every word, and a television show where Parsley can distribute his instructions to his followers.

I'm no fan of Islam or Rod Parsley. But that's besides the point. It's clear McCain and his staff do not know how to deal with Republican Christians. Cuddling up to high profile televangelists is a weak attempt to prove otherwise.

Let's not forget during McCain's 2000 presidential bid, he referred to Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell as "agents of intolerance." Fine, if that's your view then go with it. But six years later, as he readied himself for another White House run, McCain repudiated his own remarks.

Recently, McCain accepted the endorsement of the John Hagee, a Texas televangelist who has called the Catholic Church "the great whore" and a "false cult system." After Catholics protested and called on McCain to renounce Hagee's support, he praised Hagee's spiritual leadership and support of Israel and said that "when [Hagee] endorses me, it does not mean that I embrace everything that he stands for or believes in." McCain then 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.

What is the purpose of endorsements and what do the endorsers get out of the deal? Parsely and Hagee got media exposure for their false preaching outlets. If a candidate disagrees with a person, then they should not accept that endorsement . Don't parade a line of people in front of voters in the hopes that they might like someone. If that's the case, then they vote not for the candidate, but the person who agreed to participate in the political marketing machine.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Well said.