Rod Parsley: McCain's Other Pastor Problem

The Huffington Post:

UPDATE: Around 10PM ET, McCain rejected the endorsement of another right-wing pastor, Rod Parsley, "an Ohio preacher who has sharply criticized Islam and called the religion inherently violent."

[I]n an interview with The Associated Press, McCain said he rejected Parsley's support, too.

"I believe there is no place for that kind of dialogue in America, and I believe that even though he endorsed me, and I didn't endorse him, the fact is that I repudiate such talk, and I reject his endorsement," McCain told the AP. ...

[Parsley] has described Islam as an "anti-Christ religion" and the Muslim prophet Muhammad as "the mouthpiece of a conspiracy of spiritual evil," according to ABC News.

Watch video of Parsley produced by Brave New Films:

Read the whole story: The Huffington Post

Comments

[PioneerKing]

The pastor of the church that McCain attends has said horrible things about Blacks, Jewish, Gays and Lesbians.
Why isn't anyone questioning McCain about his own baptist minister?

[JohnJames]

Because the MSM consider it only natural when a preacher condemns minorities, especially gays. In fact isn't that their job - to spread intolerance? But a preacher going after whites? That's another story as Obama has learned.

[robokop]

How about giving a few things that he has said and sources. Saying someone says something horrible then not being or not willing to back up your statement is like mudslinging.

[pkohan]

Good point.

But let me also just add that I love that as the GOP nominee McCain can either offend evangelicals or non-evangelicals - and either way he loses. If he offends the evangelicals, then he loses his GOP base support, and if he keeps the support of right-wing nutjobs like Hagee or Parsley, then he risks alienating independents and conservative Democrats (and some less religious Republicans).

Loving it.

[GoodbyeKitty]

First off, as far as America being founded in part to destroy Islam; from the 1797 US Treaty with Tripoli- article 11:

Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

SECOND

Isn't Parsley that useless garnish everyone leaves on the plate, so it can be tossed in the garbage?

[BushBites]

He's basically rejecting the Republican base.

The guy really should have thought of that before he decided to run.

[KOisGod]

The Republican "base".

A collection of ill informed, easily duped, frightened suckers who believe they are being attacked by "Godless liberals", while being fleeced, gouged, robbed and used.

They are perfectly deserving of their sorry fate.

[coyote4]

What! the Extremists are being tossed out by the Republicans? Whose left?

[conniedogs]

David Kuo must be sitting back saying I told you so!

[DesertLight]

Hate to clue everyone in here but Islam really is an "anit-Christ" religion. Can't find anything wrong with thst statement. Now, linking McCain to him anyway is a stretch at any regard.

He still didn't sit in Parsley's church for 20 years and hear, "God hates America."

[Eoin45]

Islamists have killed Christians and Christian Crusaders slaughtered Islamists. The extreme wings of both religions have blood on their hands. Your statement is a generalization. McCain actively sought the endorsement of both Parsely and Hagee, something Obama did not do with Wright, so linking McCain to them is not a stretch at all. As usual, desertlight, your thinking is heavy on the 'light' part.

[DesertLight]

To say that Obama did not actively seek out the endorsement of Wright is a bit of a disception there. Since, he sat there for 20 years and had his children baptized there, he already had the support of Wright. He didn't need to ask for it.

You wrote:As usual, desertlight, your thinking is heavy on the 'light' part.

Isn't it funny how many people can't disagree without taking a personal attack on someone else.

I don't see any point in it.

[DesertLight]

Not fooling me at all Leland. There is only one person here that pulls the stuff you do.

I am on to you.

[paganmist]

Blah blah blah blah.

These men are so well-televised that you don't have to sit in church for 20 years to hear them, you can just turn on the radio on television. Same thing as sitting in a church.

How do you know McCain was watching these men on TV when they said these things? Funny you should ask. I know it, the same way you know that Obama was sitting in church every week while Wright was saying things.

[KOisGod]

God loves the America that allows each individual the freedom to pursue their dreams, find the God of their realization or the freedom to worship no God at all.

I am guilty of war when I proudly exercise my intelligence to the disadvantage of my fellow man.
I am guilty of war when I distort other's opinions, which differ from my own.
I am guilty of war when I show disregard for the rights and properties of others.
I am guilty of war when I covet what another has honestly acquired.
I am guilty of war when I seek to maintain my superiority of position by depriving others of their opportunity of advancement.
I am guilty of war if I imagine my kin and myself to be a privileged people.
I am guilty of war if I believe a heritage entitles me to monopolize resources of nature.
I am guilty of war when I believe other people must think and live as I do.
I am guilty of war when I make success in life solely dependent upon power, fame, and riches.
I am guilty of war when I think the minds of people should be regulated by force, rather than by reason.
I am guilty of war when I believe the God I conceive is the one others must accept.
I am guilty of war when I think that a land of a man's birth must necessarily be the place of his livelihood.

[KOisGod]

By Ralph M. Lewis, Rosicrucian Imperator, from 1939 - 1987

[Zankee]

Me TWO...!

[BushBites]

Ah, your hero Jerry Falwell said America was to blame for 9/11 too.

[DesertLight]

Which was why I was on the phone with my local radio station the next day, as a minister in my community of over 1 million to let them know all evangelical ministers didn't share that sentiment.

You might have me confused with Jeremiah Wrights' The Chickens Have Come Home to Roost message.

[Jonski1917]

The idea that Islam is in any way an "anti-Christ" religion is completely contrary to the very precepts of Islam. Indeed, Islam recognizes the fact Jesus Christ was a prophet, much as Muhammad was a prophet (in fact the final prophet). True, Islam does not recognize Jesus as the savior or the Son of God as Christianity does (keep in mind that I'm a Catholic, and hence believe the latter). However, I truly believe that the fundamental principles of both religions (and many others) is that we need to respect each other as human beings.

The fact that scum like this Pastor Parsley (I guess there are no Pastors Sage, Rosemary or Thyme) somehow calls himself a Christian and yet uses his position to argue for the destruction of others' religion somehow seems antithetical to the Christian ideal. Therefore, I have to seriously question his use of Christianity as a tool for hate, and therefore question his qualifications as a pastor.

I heartily applaud McCain distancing himself from fools like this, just as I applaud Obama from distancing himself from Reverend Wright. Discourse like that which Hagee, Parsley AND Wright used is just completely unproductive.

[DesertLight]

You are a pretty confused individual, who does not identify with his own faith. in the Eurcharist you are actually eating the body and the blood of Christ in atonement for your sins, an addition to the Council of Trent called, "Transubst­antiation.­" Point is, that Jesus is not only the Son of God, but God the Son is an issue for you. Read the gospel of John Chapter 1. I aleady know the Muslim claims since many of my friends and business associates are Muslim.

Where I have issues with Parsley is his view of the end. He is a Dominion Theology Teacher and I do not hold that position. I believe in the pre-wrath rapture of the church.

[marignymitch]

Nut job christianists (I know this is redundant but what the heck) are becoming radioactive even to their fellow travelers, the Republicans. This is a good thing.

[Zankee]

As long as we are capable of recognizing "insanity" we may stand a chance..; "insanity" gives no recognition to "sanity" as it attempts to survive...­.

[ObamaEdwards]

Politicians would not face this problem if they didn't overstate their religious devotion in order to impress Christian voters. I'm an atheist, so all of this is moot and kind of ridiculous to me. When I was a kid, everyone I knew went to church--and NOBODY talked about it. To talk about personal religious beliefs was considered cheap.

[DesertLight]

You wrote: "Politicians would not face this problem if they didn't overstate their religious devotion in order to impress Christian voters."

You could not be more correct. And I am a Christian.

[nick1936]

Lets see this Preacher say that the USA was started to wipe out Islam because they don't believe in Jesus Christ well does that also include our Jewish friends.

And this is mcCain's moral leader

[paganmist]

My mom talks about her Christianity all the time.

People talk about things in regards to how deeply they affect them. Christ might mean more to Obama than it does to you.

And considering how much money and time Obama has devoted to doing Christ-like things - helping the poor, helping the disadvantaged, contributing money to get people into college, etcetera - I'd say that Christ (from what I know of him) has a big part in his life.

[Zankee]

What we observe and witness in life are structured reflections of our projected perception­s....
Yesterday is a memory.., tomprrow is a dream.., your only HERE and NOW, like reading these words, become aware of this, and you will know where you are, for a change.., and "it's" always available to the sincere...­.

If you do not understand "my point".., you didn't get it.., Grasshoppe­r....

[KOisGod]

"I" understand master.

[humuhumunukunukuapuaa]

My deepest thanks to the Jews, the Christians and the Muslims for making me realize what a pile of garbage organized religion is. I've been now "religion free" for almost two years and I've never been happier in my life!

[nick1936]

AH welcome my enlighten friend

[toby25]

This one wont hurt McCain that bad. Most people in America agree with this preacher when he slams
Islam. It is an anti Christ religion and right or wrong most voters are leary of muslims.

[econdr]

"we get off on warfare"

isn't that in line with the views of the republican party?

[knowhelpnow]

He has dug himself in a whole, the war, not knowledgeable about the economy, the neo-right wing fundamentalist, Bush supporting him, the straight talk express has really taken a beating, but I'm sure that those 26% will explain that away and the media will give him a fly. Wow and it's a liberal media where have I heard that before..

[Forest]

Hagee and Parsley turn the brotherhood as preached in Christianity on its head. As counterpoint to their rantings against Islam, here's an intriguing link to a growing, Islamic peace movement:

http://www.latimesinteractive.com/advertising/ahmadiyya/

[oogabooga]

Now will McCain repudiate the anti-Catholic bile? How about it John?