Palin Falsely Claimed She "Would Never Presume To Know God's Will"

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin told ABC's Charles Gibson on Thursday that "I would never presume to know God's will or speak God's words."

The response came in answer to question about comments Palin made to a group of graduating Wasilla high school students earlier this year, first reported by the Huffington Post. At that ceremony, Palin said: "Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she said. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

In her interview with Gibson, Palin sought to compare her words to those of Abraham Lincoln, who famously urged citizens to pray that the country was on God's side, not the other way around.

And it's easy enough to see how Palin's comments on the Iraq war could be viewed through a Lincolnesque lens. But it's simply not true that Palin has "never" presumed to know God's will. In the same speech to graduating high school seniors, Palin explicitly referenced an in-process natural gas pipeline as part of God's will -- in terms much less open to Lincoln-esque interpretation.

"I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gasline built. So pray for that," Palin said at the time.

Comments

[RedneckDem]

Switch out God and replace with Allah and this lady sounds just like the religious nutjobs who we hate so much... We pray for them to die, they pray for us to die. You want peace in the Middle East? Stop propping up dictatorships by selling them arms. Does anyone realize that Iran Air force consists of American made F-14's? Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia... All of these countries sit on the precipice of war and we have armed them all at some point over the years. Yes, this means we are sending American soldiers over to possibly be killed by weaponjs made by Americans. Maybe if all we did was buy their oil and help them with infrastructure things would cool down on the "Death to America" mantra. If you could get China and Russia on board, it could happen. The Middle East has thousands of years of mind numbing, reckless and seemingly idiotic killing of each other and the rest of the world. Why do we continue to up the ante on such reckless hate???

It sucks that you need to be a non-religious person to be able to sit back and watch the religious hypocrisy in action.

[DesertRatzoRizzo]

America's Evita: stupid AND crazy. Wow, we are really screwed if McCain/Palin take control of the US Government.

[RallyGrrrl]

"I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gasline built. So pray for that," Palin said at the time.

What the F**K? Are you serious Govenor Palin? It is God's will that a specific piece of equipment be built that just so happens to be in line with your gubernatorial agenda? Well that's convenient. Hey, did God happen to tell you which way the almighty was leaning on Blue-ray vs. HD DVD? I really wanna know which way to pray. Let me know when you get the chance, k? Oh, I wish George Carlin had lived long enough to see this.

Here's the thing - I like Jesus, but keep God out of our energy policy. Unless the plan is to melt down every gold crucifix in the U.S. and make a giant windmill out of them that will save our country from dependancy on unstable governments and contributing to the global human-environmental crisis, God has no place in the conversation. Ok, with the exception of "God, please let global warming not get any worse until we have time to do more. Thanks."

These are not slips of the tongue, they are big flashing red lights warning me, and you, that there is something very wrong and to evacuate immediately.

God's will is to get a gasline built? Which way to that emergency exit...

[SunshineDaydream]

emergency exit:

www.barackobama.com

[MikeKilo]

>>God has no place in the conversation.

[BaxterJ]

If you don't feel like watching the whole video (or want to clip it for your own site), here's the audio about God's pipeline: http://www.entertonement.com/clips/21994/Sarah-Palin/Sarah-Palin-At-Local-Church/John-McCain%27s-VP/God%27s-will

[tsat]

Where in the bible does it mention natural gas??? Does it say anything about tax breaks for corporations? Which verse acknowledges the need to have sex and drug parties with the representatives of energy companies? Surely all things are part of God's plan for us all. (Oh yeah - I'd hardly say "mission accomplished" about that pipeline, God's will is not yet done.)

[IRepTheKing]

I'm an Obama supporter and a Christian. I must be missing something: I didn't see the flub. She was basically saying that she hopes what we're doing in on the side of righteous.

Now, I don't see this Iraq war as on the side of righteousness but it's obvious she was praying that what we're doing (over there) is somehow pleasing to God.

[SunshineDaydream]

no, she specifically said it is a plan from god. we have destroyed an entire country. we have decimated countless families. i find it hard to believe a "christian" would consider that god's plan.

[MickyD10]

Oh, but to many a far right Christian, destroying a country and killing innocents is all perfectly acceptable. It's in God's plan. It must be. We are America and we are never wrong on anything. God guides every decision our leaders make. Didn't you get the memo?

Forget the fact the whole thing was based on lies. That was part of the plan, too.
I mean, they (Iraq) are Muslim, ya know. The mortal enemy of many far right Christians. So again, this war must be part of Gods plan. What was it one far right nut ball said from the Pulpit.? Oh yeah....."America was created to defeat the Muslim Nation". Sarah is just trying to stay with "the Plan". Cut her some slack.

Snark!

[fredamae]

I respect your view...however...what they are trying to tell you she meant is Not what she said....and according to her...she always means what she says....

I am an O supporter, a woman and a Christian...I Disagree, On Many levels, that the matters of God, the Bible and Christ should be "mixed" up in Politics that are to serve ALL people of ALL denominations and belief....

That is how I read the intent of "separation of church and state"....for Any politician to stand before the American People espousing policy derived from the Bible and Christianity would, to me be like "setting Christianity" as the American Standard and it is wrong.

Matters of Politicians Faith should be private, IMHO.

[EternalHope]

IRepTheKIng - watch the entire video given to the school in June 2008. As with most things, you have to see the whole to make an educated opinion.

[Rumba]

Well Palin received her crash course in politics, and we have partially seen the results. In the video in her church, she clearly pronounced that the war in Iraq was carrying out "God's work."
In her interview with Charlie Gibson, she was obviously trying to "wing it". She tried to amend her religious pronouncement by saying that she hoped God would protect the soldiers....Huge difference.
The first statement was her religious dogma, the second a prayer that millions of Americans hope will come true.
When asked about the "Bush doctrine" an illegal position on pre-emptive strikes, she hadn't a clue what it meant. She interpreted it as Bush's general philosophy of republicanism, and tried vainly to take an aggressive position with Charlie to cover her lack of knowledge.
None of this worked except with the gullible.
Later on CNN, the right wing talking heads made up stories about her brilliance and directness. Hopefully today is the beginning of new strategies by the Obama campaign to expose McCain and Palin for the charlatans that they are.

[cabledave]

The suggestion that it is God's will that we attacked, without any justification, Iraq is 'speaking in tongues' to this American.

The Bush/Cheney Iraq war is 100% a human decision based on ignorance and hate.

[Diplomacy]

Sarah Palin is dangerous & scary! Sounds like a Crusade to me! We've had ENOUGH of this with George W. Bush. There is NO appetite for this kind of RHETORIC.

Go back to Alaska from whence you came!

[IndyWmn]

Palin wasn't addressing the high school graduating class,
she was talking to the Master's Commission graduates
of the Wasilla Assembly of God.
She said "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for,
that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."
As a former zealous, thoroughly indoctrinated member of a fundamentalist,
evangelical organization,
I don't think most voters, Christian or others,
have a CLUE about Palin's religious beliefs and
how extreme they are.
To me, that is the most frightening thing about her
being anywhere near the presidency of the this country.
I shudder to think of the White House being staffed with
people who are convinced they are the true believers
with a mandate from God to convert the world of unbelievers to Christianity,
by force if necessary.
Surreal!

[SunshineDaydream]

could you just imagine if these jesus freaks got ahold of our justice dept.? oh wait......

[wdw101]

yes there is an appetite......about 50%

[wrightthewrong]

I believe if you fact check this, you will see it is 35%, not 50%.

[BassMent]

She weasled out of the question in the interview, but the fact is that her Christian denomination is one of several who have departed from conventional theology. They do in fact believe that anyone who has been saved through rebirth in Jesus Christ is privy to God's will. They also take it upon themselves to try to second-guess God's will when God isn't doing what they want. This is why there are ranchers in TX and OK who have dedicated themselves to breeding truly red cattle, because the birth of red cattle is a sign of the coming apocalypse (and these people think God is dragging his feet in the matter of Armageddon). They can't wait for the end times because they are certain that by virtue of their rebirth/salvation, they will be taken up to heaven as our planet burns, and they are ready to go NOW.

Which is all very presumptuous and quaint and so forth, and wouldn't be such a bother to sane people (Christian or otherwise, and I am a Christian) if it weren't for the fact that we're talking about giving the power to destroy the Earth to people who think that's a darn good idea. Despite their yammering about keeping nuclear technology away from Iran, they would like nothing better than a nuclear exchange in the Middle East, because this of course is the actual location of Armageddon as prophesied in the book of Revelations.

Where's the MSM coverage on THIS?

[SunshineDaydream]

they're too busy with lipstick and pigs

[wdw101]

msm is nowhere because it is all bull......and overblown.......but funny

[sawdustinhershoes]

Better go read a little bit more about your hero and her religion. These people are end of times wack-jobs, Just like Reverend Hagee. What is it about the end of times and John McCain?

Personally, I think McSame is insane in the membrane.

[Hare]

Thanks for explaining it so clear. Now I'm really scared. I know I'll be the first to be whacked on the head by the angel of death since I'm a non-believer. Hey but like I've said before... I rather burn in Hell that be in "Heaven" with those sort of people.

[IndyWmn]

"...these people think God is dragging his feet in the matter of Armageddon.
They can't wait for the end times because they are certain
that by virtue of their rebirth/salvation,
they will be taken up to heaven as our planet burns,
and they are ready to go NOW."

They believe this is their COMMAND from God!

"...we're talking about giving the power to
destroy the Earth to people who think that's a darn good idea."

You expressed it so clearly.
Thanks so much for your insightful comment.

[EternalHope]

Well at least Larry King showed parts of the video in question on his show the other night. I believe the video should be shown in full many times so that voters can know Palin better.

[WFV]

So, what she meant is that she said it before she said she didn't say it.

Come on, people! Keep up!

[IRepTheKing]

While there are legitimate issues to attack Palin for being wrong on, I don't think this is one of them.

[middleclassmom]

If Palin would never presume to know God's will, why did she write Trig's birth announcement as if it were the voice of God? Source: http://www.adn.com/626/story/382864.html

[SunshineDaydream]

that was creepy. and i don't want to get pummeled for this, but having two kids myself (at 1/2 her age, mind you) - i find the entire trig story questionable, to say the least.

[texastrixie]

The problem is not that Palin thinks whatever our govt does is God's will, the problem is that the entire Middle East will believe that we think our govt's actions are the will of God, i.e., Iraq, etc., is a Holy War. If this is a Holy War it plays into their religous tenant that Muslims have to comvert the world to Islam, and if that's done violently, that's just icing on the cake.

[Gjam]

It was not an address to a group of high school seniors, it was an address to students being trained to be God's Soldiers on Earth by the Wasilla Assembly of God's Ministry. Look up "Third Wave" and "Joel's Army". Where that research will take you is truly frightening. We, as Americans, must demand to know more about Gov Palin's views in this regard.

[Zanti]

As energy interests write our environmental laws, as the gap between the haves and have-nots widens at a record rate, as greed rules the day, what do we liberals get all hot and bothered about? Religion!

Bad air--not good. Further untaxing of the rich--highly annoying. Power for power's sake--immoral.

But conservative Christianity--AIIIIIIEEEE!!! DESTROY, DESTROY!!!!!

If we libs could somehow put our philosophical and class prejudices on hold long enough to effectively fight the right.... But I'm dreaming.

[Gjam]

Zanti,
I certainly agree that all the points you raise are most significant. My comments on religious views are just in context of this particular topic. Nothing more, nothing less.

We need to know if an extreme religious fanatic, who's church(s)/pastor(s) preaches end-of-days scenarios, AK as a refuge for post-Armageddon Soldiers of God, advocates WAR WITH RUSSIA, and who may one day hold our nuclear codes, may become our next VP.

[wdw101]

demand all you like......she will tell you what she wants

[sparafucilli]

Is this a reflection of her basic philosophy? Is she a "True Believer? Or is she simply pandering to a constituency like one of those Washington "Elitists"? I hope this gets thoroughly researched and she gets confronted with it in front of a national audience. "If she can't stand the heat then she has no business being in the kitchen".

[stargazer13]

God said let there be light and right now I would like that light shined on Palins Closet

you know what I mean !!

[Zanti]

You want to see how many shoes she owns?

[sueno]

She lied, pure and simple-
WHY ARE THE NETWORKS NOT TALKING ABOUT: (re: islandgyal)

About one-third of the absentee ballot applications received at the Hamilton
County Board of Elections have been ruled invalid because Republican Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign printed a version of the form with an extra, unneeded box on it.

THIS IS IMPORTANT!

[SunshineDaydream]

the msm will not report it. it is up to us to spread the word ourselves.

bradblog dot com

gregpalast dot com

blackboxvoting dot org

we can prevent election fraud from selecting yet another four years of repube rule, but we have to get involved.

[lepere]

When you pretend to know or think you know the mind of god the sin is called hubris. Classically, that sin was punished severly by the offended deity. I have long thought that if the god which these pseudo-religious daily profane really existed ,they would be dead or dying of anal fistuli.

There is no evidence that this is going on. As we are besieged daily with a torrent of 'god's will' one has to suppose that the proponents of this nonsense have a tenuous grasp on the notion of DEITY.

Although, in their defense, we have had eight years of travesty in our government which upon summation could be construed as a national fistula. One only hopes that it isn't fatal.