Posted on 09/09/2008 5:48:03 PM PDT by markomalley
At the outset, it's important to note that Sarah Palin is free to embrace any religious beliefs she wants. It's between her and her conscience what, or even whether, she believes. For that matter, the Constitution makes it abundantly clear that there is no religious test for public office.
But there's been a push of late, most notably from the right, to make candidates' spirituality an important aspect of evaluating those seeking national office. And with that in mind, Palin's beliefs, which stray a bit from the mainstream, are drawing closer scrutiny.
For more than two decades, vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin was a practicing Pentecostal.She belonged to the Wasilla Assembly of God church in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska. But though she attended the church from her teenage years to 2002, the Alaska governor hasn't talked much about her religion since joining the Republican ticket.
Palin's former pastor, Tim McGraw, says that like many Pentecostal churches, some members speak in tongues, although he says he's never seen Palin do so. Church member Caroline Spangler told CNN, "When the spirit comes on you, you utter things that nobody else can understand ... only God can understand what is coming out of our mouths."
Some Pentecostals from Assembly of God also believe in "faith healing" and the "end times" -- a violent upheaval that they believe will deliver Jesus Christ's second coming.
The McCain campaign told CNN that Palin "doesn't consider herself Pentecostal," but McGraw said Palin's Pentecostal roots may be being downplayed for political reasons. The campaign would not elaborate further of Palin's spirituality, saying only that she has "deep religious convictions."
Now, there are probably going to be some who look askance at a practicing Pentecostal who attends a church where people speak in tongues, and people are free to draw their own conclusions about their comfort level. From my perspective, I'm very much inclined to consider all of this a personal matter, outside the political realm.
I do, however, think Palin, given her public comments, should answer a few reasonable questions:
* Does she believe in the separation of church and state? Is she comfortable with a government that remains entirely neutral on matters of faith?
* Does she believe public officials should use religious beliefs to shape public policy? Palin recently said those fighting the war in Iraq are "out on a task that is from God," and added, in the same remarks, that "God's will" was responsible for a national gas pipeline project in Alaska. Might she be willing to elaborate on what this means?
I urge everyone to do what I have decided to do to counter all of the Palin smears. Whenever I see a new smear of Mrs. Palin, I do a drinking trick. Instead of downing a beer, I go to the RNC site and donate. The more egregious the smear, the higher the donation. Its up to you all what you feel is egregious-but to me, little Trig brings out the beast in me, so, if it involves Trig, its at least a $25 donation, belittling religion gets you $25-$50, and bashing anyone in the family is minimum $15. Criticizing Piper and her hair styling, for example, net the RNC another $50. Decide for yourself and what you can afford.
I love this game......the Palin family wins. The RNC wins. McCain/Palin combo wins. BTW-This is the first time I have ever given to a political campaign and I love it!
ETA—The lipstick on a pig rates a $10 and the slam on her religion is a $50....woo-hoo. Drink up-oops I mean Pay Up to the RNC!
Right Mr. Benen, that's why you would never consider bringing it up, would you ... [/sarcasm off
I really don’t think Obama wants to get into a battle over religion. Jeremiah Wright will trump ANYTHING the MSM can bring to the fore regarding Palin’s faith. I will bet the McCain team will welcome that debate.
What this journalist also appears not to know is that there has been a Charismatic movement in most mainstream Protestant and Roman Catholic Christian faiths. This does not put Sarah Palin beyond the pale in matters of faith.
Wasn’t John Ashcroft an Assemblies of God member also? They hated him the same way - coincidence?
They mean jeremiah Wright is mainstream.
Well, I would say that her faith is mainstream compared to bambi’s so called psuedo christianity.
How about the beliefs of Barack Obama, who out of one side of his mouth says...
“I THINK AMERICA’S GREATEST MORAL FAILURE IN MY LIFETIME HAS BEEN THAT WE STILL DON’T ABIDE BY THAT BASIC RECEPT IN MATTHEW THAT WHATEVER YOU DO FOR THE LEAST OF MY BROTHERS, YOU DO FOR ME.”
...and out of the other side of his mouth, protects infanticide and promises to immediately sign a “Freedom of Choice Act,” which would obviate all states’ restrictions on abortion for any reason or no reason at all.
Obviously they don't have any idea what the mainstream is.
I was watching some Lib talk show in a hospital waiting room with a program on Palin, and they flashed on the screen about her being baptized in The Assembly of God at 12, seems like 20 times, but they aren’t biased. What’s wrong about The AG anyway?
barbra ann
Not a thing wrong with Assembly of God. They are non-denominational Bible believing Christians... Some of the best people you could ever know..Let’s put it this way, they don’t believe in G-d damn America...Furthest thing from their thoughts.
sw
And when will CBS drill into Obamas religious beliefs that might be objectionable ?????
crickets.............
The MSM has completely thrown off all pretense of fairness in this election. They are no more than an arm of the Obama campaign. Palin should NOT talk to any of them but speak directly to the American people over their heads , missing no opportunity to show her contempt of their bias and dishonesty. There’s nothing to be gained from talking to people whose sole object is to destroy her. Boycott the MSM.
Hey Steve, did you miss THIS religious activity?
THANKSGIVING DAY 1789
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A PROCLAMATION
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
GO. WASHINGTON.
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