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

[Chas53]

Parsley and Hagee make Rev. Wright look like Billy Graham. I agree that it is time to elect a secular humanist to the Presidency.

[mikie63]

Oh, you could'nt be more right, I really mean correct!!!!

[Bluedog12]

Parsley is a middle eastern herb. How ironic.

[miltshook]

So, this is a guy (McCain) whose judgment we're supposed to trust, when he surrounds himself with scumbags like Hagee and Parsley. Yeah, right.

I'm not sure if McCain even realizes it, but he's screwing himself with two groups at the same time with this series of stunts. He's already alienated independents and political moderates by embracing these idiots in the first place. By 'suddenly discovering' they both were, well, kind of evil (both on the same day, no less -- does anyone else see this is a little convenient?) he won't get the independents and moderates back, but now he'll also lose the Republican "base," if he had them in the first place.

The 2000 version of McCain might have had a slight chance this year. This version ain't happening.

Milt Shook
http://www.pleasecutthecrap.com

[helonias]

Isn't it funny that men who claim to espouse christ's teaching are so unlike him

[paulfromportland]

As Double Talk's adivisor frantically checks others from Paul and Jan Crouch's Trinity Broadcast Network. Perhaps Paul could bring his boyfriends, or Jan, her boy friends to run as VPs for Double Talk.

But, Hagee and Paisley, er Parsley, slip intended, have all given Christianity a bad name. Perhaps if we just get back to that Old Time Religion, and, simply, be a Fluid Druid, or a Zarathustra boosta, all might be better. Thanks to Pete Seeger.

[ClevelandTom]

Let's see. In 200 McCain criticised some of the pastors in the Christian conservative movement is intolerant and divisive. In 2006-7, McCain courted and won the endoresements of those same leaders. Now in 2008 McCain rejects their endorsements.

In 2002 and 2004, McCain criticised Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy as irresponsible. In 2008 he says he wants those cuts made permanent.

In past years, McCain has been an eloquent spokesman against torture, especially the US's use of torture. In 2008, he agrees with Bush's policies on torture.

In 2007, McCain said the U.S. should engage Iran diplomatically. In 2008, he criticizes Obama for saying the same thing.

If McCain is elected, which one of him will end up in the White House? Darned if I know.

[blytzd]

Like the lobbyist he took their endorsements to get him the nomination and now he is backstabbing them all. I think he left his honor in Vietnam but I can't complain considering the likes he stuck the knife into.

[TraitorRick]

So many whackjob preachers, so little time...

Since John McCain likes to be portrayed as mister authenticity, maybe he could just admit that religion really isn't that important to him, and he doesn't even have a pastor. Guess that would be just a little too honest.

[conniedogs]

The problem I have is Hagee has proclaimed and preached many times how the US must go to war with Iran. Well what has Mccain been singing...­...bomb, bomb, Iran. That scares me, it makes me wonder if they struck a deal, instead of a blood for oil deal, more like a "blood for votes" deal.. I see a HUGE difference in Sen Obama and Mccain, yes Wright was Sen Obama's pastor but that was more of a personal relationship no deals were made, Mccain purposely sought out this pastor's endorsement. Talk about bad judgement! What deals would he be willing to seek out if he were president.

[lewes17266]

I am praying to God that Pat and Gordon Robertson will be brought out into this mix so they too can be scrutinized and exposed. Gordon had an extramarital affair and his daddy helped him keep it hidden, and they continued their "healings" and "words of knowledge" throughout the affair. They tell others to confess their sins and repent, yet they hide their own. They make money off of their gullible viewers by using all that fake holiness. People want to be a part of that. People want to be close to God and they want to believe it is possible. Pat Robertson has gotten away with lying and stealing all these years and now his adulterer son is in that seat to take over the con games. It makes me sick. I want those two to be outed too. They are completely immoral.

[returnofthejedi]

Islam is ATI-CHRIST? Question for right wing Christian zealots. Do you remember history at all.
If I am not mistaken most slave owners in America where Christians and not Muslims. You actually believe that the man you call Jesus would endorse chattel slavery, jim crow, white supremecy, and other Injustices? If you are willing to come out of hypacracy for a while maybe you could see your delusion. Anyone can be Anti Christ. It does matter if you are muslim or christian or buddhist. If you perpetrate or support opression, and evil to humanity you are in league with ANTI CHRIST. whatever title you sport gives you no excuse.

[qdog112]

I'm no bible scholar and I did not sleep at Holiday Inn last night.

But isn't there supposedly justification for slavery somewhere in the bible?

EVER NOTICE HOW REPUBLICANS ESCAPE SCRUTINY BY SIMPLY CLAIMING:

"i haven't read that report, article (fill in the blank) or seen or heard that statement". It always works no matter what the issue.

Nobody ever says, you are paid to know this stuff.

Now McCain just has to say, I DIDN'T KNOW, yet anyone with a PC did know. He should be PRESSED.

[LawrenceL]

'But isn't there supposedly justification for slavery somewhere in the bible?'

Sorry, I haven't read that "report." (Laughs)

- "Pastor" Rod Flash

[dougbob]

weren't many of the slave traders muslims? doesn't slavery exist in muslim countries even today (sudan)? i don't have much nice to say about christian zealots, either, so don't flag me as a muslim hater.
the part of the deal that seems to be overlooked is that "zealots", no matter what their religion, are the main source of instability and strife in the world. stick the words hard core fundamentalist or zealot next to any religious group and you'll soon see hatred, discrimination and oppression spreading through the culture that they inhabit.
seek to isolate or eliminate those zealots and you'll find yourself becoming one of them, at least in terms of tactics, much like our "war on terror" has spread terror around the world.

[returnofthejedi]

Again I will say If you perpetrate, or support oppression and evil against humanity, it does not matter what TITLE you sport you are in league with with evil. Simple, why complicate it.

[southafrica4obama]

Next: Mccain rejects his wife because of business connections. Mccain is toast, not because of democrats, but the disgruntled republicans.

[LawrenceL]

That's not going to happen. Among his other dubious achievements, wasn't it McCan't who inserted into the Campaign Financing laws a provision that exempted the use of *family* aircraft?

Certainly very convenient, for a politican with a wealthy wife whose business happened to *own* a jet.

The Straight Talk Express... This phrase deserves as much scorn as can possibly be heaped on it. McCan't changes his positions more frequently than the weather.

[Kepps]

Well, in that case, I say we should now rename it "The Flip-Flop Express"

[hnealehcn]

This guy knows nothing about religion. I am not a muslim but I read the Quran. Muslims have verses for Issa(Jesus) and Mariam(Mary) and they say Jesus Himself was never crucified. An unkown man resembles Jesus was crucified. They also say Jesus ascended to heaven unharmed.

[sassafra]

*gasp* mccain's fired both of the two pastors who endorsed him. oh noes! he is *bereft* of spiritual guidance! he...he must be....an..­.atheist !

well, isn't *that* special...

[TraitorRick]

He isn't completely bereft of spiritual guidance. Don't tell anybody, but his real "spiritual advisor" is one of those magic talking eight balls...

[sassafra]

it'd be a step up.

[realpeace]

It began with lobbyists. Now it's Evangelical Christians. It's seems he uses people to get things done then throw them to the dogs. Isn't that called betrayal. At least we know he will fire people easily from his would-be cabinet when the heat is on.

If elected will he be the leader of this country or someone else, Cheney like, behind the scenes will tell him what to do. Yet better, how about a McCain-Cheney ticket!!

The Republicans are being exposed for what many of them stand for, and will have the worst defeat ever in November. How long it would it take them to recover? Probably decades.

[Philly4Obama]

I think McCain did the right thing to reject their support. Beyond the opportunistic aspect of it, it is likely McCain didn't even know half the crap these guys were spewing, and just wanted their endorsement because fundamentalists didn't like him in the first place because of his ambiguous half conservative half liberal past. He saw their endorsement as opportune, and later found out what they were teaching.

He did good to reject them.