Palin's Theological Outlook: Spiritual Warfare Waged from the White House?

Back at the time of the Republican convention, Gov. Sarah Palin was accompanied by Sen. Joe Lieberman to a meeting with the board of directors of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee. "We had a good productive discussion on the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship," said an AIPAC spokesman, "and we were pleased that Gov. Palin expressed her deep, personal, and lifelong commitment to the safety and well-being of Israel."

Last week on CBN, the Republican vice-presidential running mate was asked to "clear up exactly what you believe in" as part of her religious faith--including her involvement with Pentecostalism. She responded in general terms about how she counts on God for strength and guidance. "My faith has always been pretty personal," she said. This is all well, and good.

However, Gov. Sarah Palin's faith warrants further scrutiny after two videos taken in her former church in Wasilla showed up on YouTube. The first shows a visiting preacher from Kenya praying over Palin, asking God to favor her 2006 gubernatorial campaign and to protect her from "every form of witchcraft."

The second shows Sarah Palin at an event this past summer where her former Assembly of God pastor from Wasilla prays over her and declares that Alaska is "one of the refuge states in the Last Days."

It is now relevant to note Palin's apocalyptic Pentecostal convictions when applied to foreign policy. Her church preaches that, after a "mushroom cloud" kind of war in the Middle East-- Armageddon--Alaska would be a shelter for "saved" Christians at the End of Times when they ascend to heaven.

Israel and Iran

In her second Katie Couric interview broadcast on CBS on September 25, there was a segment in which Palin revealed her simplistic overview of Israeli-Iranian relations:

"We don't have to second-guess what [Israel's] efforts would be if they believe that it is in their country and their allies, including us, all of our best interests to fight against a regime, especially Iran, who would seek to wipe them off the face of the earth,"

Palin said when asked whether the United States should ever second-guess Israeli policy.

Factoring in "The Rapture"

There are many examples of strange relationships between Jews and fundamentalist Christians. Evangelicals support Israel because of biblical prophecy, including passages that tie the survival of Israel to the Second Coming of Jesus. Explains a Southern Baptist church leader, Israel is supported because evangelicals "believe God blesses those that bless the Jews and curses those who curse the Jews. Consequently, we believe America needs to bless the Jews and Israel, because if we bless the Jews and support Israel, God blesses us."

But it goes beyond that. The establishment--and continuation--of the State of Israel is essential to set the stage for the imminent return of Jesus. At the time of the Second Coming, these Christians believe, Jesus will descend from heaven, subdue all of Israel's enemies and take believers to heaven in what is known as THE RAPTURE. This series of events--the time sequence is a subject of debate--ushers in the end-times.

"Pastor Strangelove" on a Showdown with Iran

Rev. John Hagee, an avid supporter of John McCain, spearheads a pro-Israel Christian lobby out of his Texas church. He believes THE RAPTURE won't occur until Israel is a completely sovereign theocracy. More to the point, Hagee has written extensively about an inevitable war with Iran. He has authored an incendiary book, Jerusalem Countdown, purporting to show that the Bible predicts a military confrontation with Iran.

Hagee has earned the nickname of "Pastor Strangelove" in this nuclear age, when Israel possesses nuclear weapons and Iran is trying to obtain them.

Waging Spiritual Warfare

Of course, it is difficult to be certain what Gov. Palin believes. However, she has had a long association with religious leaders who practice an assertive brand of Pentecostalism known as "spiritual warfare." Demons are identified by names and ZIP codes.

Bishop Thomas Muthee, the Kenyan preacher shown on the YouTube video anointing her as she ran for governor, is celebrated internationally as a spiritual warrior who led a prayer movement that drove a witch out of his town in Kenya.


Critics say the goal of the spiritual warfare movement is to create a theocracy. A researcher that tracks religious groups has said: "One of the imperatives of the movement is to achieve worldly power, including political control. Then you can more effectively drive out the demons. The ultimate goal is to purify the earth."

Prayer warriors


Ms. Palin referred to "prayer warriors" in a radio interview last week with Dr. James C. Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family. Dr. Dobson told Ms. Palin that he had convened hundreds of people people to pray for "God's perfect will to be done on Nov. 4."

Pentecostals or "charismatics" believe that the Holy Spirit can touch believers directly through spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, divine healings, casting out demons and the ability to prophesy.


The governor's relationships with practitioners of spiritual warfare appear to go back many years. An Alaskan Native woman, who helped bring together the prayer warrior networks in the state, told a conference in June that Ms. Palin "became a part of our prayer group out in Wasilla" when she was 24, and that "God began to speak" to her about entering politics.

Conclusion:

This citizen prefers political leaders who are steeped in the values of America's civic religion. But this requires a knowledge of the Constitution and our political history--knowledge that Gov. Palin has given little evidence of having assimilated--instead of the ethereal world of "charismatics." Who knows what secular demons (such as the idea of "the unitary executiive") in addition to religious notions are lodged in the Republican vice-presidential candidate's psyche?

*** I acknowledge the use of information contained in Laurie Goodstein, "YouTube Videos Draw Attention to Palin's Faith," New York Times. October 25, 2008.

Comments

[dembrooks]

Let me get this straight. You people are more disturbed by someone who believes in God, yet has NEVER given any indication that she wants others to agree with, or be forced to abide by, her own personal beliefs, than by someone who for 20 years listened to, ADMIRED and agreed with a pastor who blatantly spews hate speech?!? How hypocritical.

And as for the comment on Christians wanting to change the Constitution, you're looking in the wrong direction. It's Obama who doesn't believe in and wants to change that amazing document !

Be careful what you wish for!

[jaglon]

These people, who call themselves Christians (but really are not), are a scary bunch. Their ideas about a theocracy do not sound a whole lot different from the taliban. These are the people who helped me to decide to be against gun control. I may need to acquire a gun (or two) to protect myself from them, if God forbid, they should attempt to gain control. I am not kidding. These people are dangerous because they want to destroy our constitution and replace it with a different one; one that has been rewritten to reflect a completely christian point of view. And they will do it by claiming that they are 'saving America's democracy'.

There is a difference between the the crowds that flock to see Obama and the ones who show up for the McCain/Palin rallies. The Obama crowds are friendly and diverse. And this is after standing for 3 hours to see him (I know this from personnal experience). McCain/Palin rallies are populated with what seems to be a pretty intolerrant bunch. And not very diverse at that.

[MAragon]

Oh and by the way, for all those who rant about the 'anti-Christ', John of Patmos was writing about the Emperor Nero and he died roughly a couple of millenia ago. I do wish people would read more and read more widely. It would do the world a heck of a lot of good.

[MAragon]

What will these prayer warriors do if 'God' makes Obama our next President? They'll go absolutely schizo trying to explain how their 'God' could let this happen. Maybe they'll all climb into their remote little bunkers and leave the rest of us in peace for a change.

[Bradlinsky]

Personally, as an agnostic, I cannot wait for the day when religion is a complete NON-issue in our politics. Sure, call me a dreamer, but Muslim, Christian (etc) ALL rub me the wrong way .

To put it into perspective, there are billions of people on this earth, and many, MANY billions (trillions) of trees, animals, cells and other life. Our planet is one of several planets in our solar system, and our solar system is one of millions in this galaxy, the Milky Way. The Milky Way is one of hundreds of BILLIONS of galaxy's throughout the Universe. And what might be beyond that? Perhaps billions of alternate universes or planes of existence?

With that kind of incalculable ENORMITY in mind, think of the kind of absolute unfathomable FOCUS it would take any "God" to zero in on (and bless or in some other way prefer) one group or person or ideology or country or political party, and give them/it a special "gold star of extra special attention and reward".

Sorry folks, none of us are innately or otherwise selectively "more special" than anyone or any THING else. Until we all start thinking of this world (nay, EVERYTHING) as connected and inter-dependent, we will continue to stumble, fall, wage war, discriminate and destroy.

My only solace is that we aren't insignificant to ourselves. We have each other, and this beautiful planet, don't we?

Let's start acting like it.

Bradley

[RoloTomassi]

Sorry, but you're dreaming, and wildly so; I mean, we're talking about a "whack job" who believes that men, dinosaurs, and everything that has ever lived on the earth--and even the earth itself--was "created" within the last 6,000 years.

These folks make "Joe the Plumber" appear by comparison to be a Rhodes Scholar.

True ignorance may not be the norm, but willful ignorance in regards to the feasibility of religious dogma certainly is, and we have perhaps one of the most virulent strains of such here in the US. Intelligent yet platitudinous declarations roll off of a fundamentalist christian like water off of a duck's back.

[hindy]

Heaven save us from those who purport to arrogantly know the truth about what God is thinking. God must either be laughing or crying about these angry nut-case, ignorant proponents of creationism, and the end of days. The unfathomable intelligence of the universe that we call God gifted us with brains so that we can exercise our free will lovingly, with concern and respect for diversity.

The fact that so many ignorant know-it-alls not only exist but have managed to work their way up to the highest levels of governance in the US is terrifying to those of us whose spirituality is tolerant, wordly and private. It is a tragic testament to a failed education system that has sunk below 3rd world levels. That this has occurred in the richest, most democratic country in the world is a universal calamity that eclipses any economic disaster or tax policy.

Any thinking republican who simply votes on the basis of his or her wallet and ignores this calamitous threat to democracy will be responsible for the Fundamentalist Theocracy that God-forbid just may befall us all.

I call on every single thinking republican to reject these fanatics and vote Obama. Believe me, you'll continue to be rich under Obama. However under McCain/Pailin, your riches won't mean a thing if the American Ayatollas, God-forbid, win this election.

[vjskydog]

People might want to google "biblical code". Essentially it states that the original old testament is in fact a code which sets out the history of life. It is interesting because its most ardent supporters were jewish scholars who had set out to debunk this theory. One of the more interesting points is that it cannot be used to predict the future because the code itself recognizes that the choices we make can change the future.

In his treatise on Abraham Lincoln, The Redeemer President, Allen Guelzo goes to great lengths outlining the intellectual and moral struggle of Mr. Lincoln over ideas of predestination as they related to his decisions in office.

It is difficult to reconcile Mr. Lincoln's thoughtful and analytical approach to the problems that confronted him compared to "the bible said it; I believe it; that settles it" approach Mrs. Palin appears to follow.

I cannot help but believe that were Mr. Lincoln alive today, he would be the first to support Mr. Obama in his quest to be the president of this country at this time.

[Muriella]

Is failing to separate church from state cause for impeachment?

[duchessofbs]

Since the death of Jesus, certain groups of people have predicted the "end times" were near. In five billion years, the sun will extinguish and that will undoubtably signal the end of earth, if we have not destroyed it ourselves already by knocking it off its axis with nuclear war. The conclusion I have reached in the last decade is the citizens need to get their butts into a Walden Books or Barnes and Noble and read a little history. Gay people, sex outside of marriage, abortion, adultry, child molestation and other "modern evils" have been practiced since the dawn of recorded history. The religious right is just a power trip to convince gullible people to give them their money, so they can live like corporate big wigs with private jets to take them to 5 star hotels.

[CyrusBeaucephus]

It would seem that this is exactly what the Founding Fathers feared as they tried to create a fledgling Secular Democracy. I look forward to hearing Sarah Palin give us more juicy details about her bizzare belief system between now and 2012. Its good when the religious nuts get a spokesperson. Pat Robertson's bid for the Presidency damaged the Fundies more than it helped, as he articulated his irrational, impossible, dangerous ideas to moderate voters. She will do the same. Its a given that about one quarter of the America actually believes this nonsense, and I like seeing them drag down the GOP. McCain would have won if he ran as himself in 2008, but he decided to kiss evangelical butt. Bad move there Mr Straight talk

[aznurse]

I don't know much about theological matters, but I do know what I see.
The crowds at McCain/Palin rallies are angry and appear to only represent only a part of the US
The crowds at Obama/Biden rallies are friendly, happy and represent a diverse swath of the US