Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

[AP]

Gov. Sarah Palin’s church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer.

“You’ll be encouraged by the power of God’s love and His desire to transform the lives of those impacted by homosexuality,” according to the insert in the bulletin of the Wasilla Bible Church, where Palin has prayed for about six years.

Palin’s conservative Christian views have energized that part of the GOP electorate, which was lukewarm to John McCain’s candidacy before he named her as his vice presidential choice. She is staunchly anti-abortion, opposing exceptions for rape and incest, and opposes gay marriage and spousal rights for gay couples.

Focus on the Family, a national Christian fundamentalist organization, is conducting the “Love Won Out” Conference in Anchorage, about 30 miles from Wasilla.

Read more here.

[From me]

So what! I agree with her church.  God can change anyone through the power of prayer. I make no apologies for telling people about Jesus and what He can do for their life.  It is who I am.  I think it is who Palin is too. The media just doesn’t like Palin.  They are looking for anything to trash her.  If Sen. Obama’s former pastor’s views didn’t matter then neither should Palin’s church.  Give me a break!

What do you think?

[Yahoo News and Christian Post]

Less than two hours after expected Republican vice presidential candidateSarah Palin and her husband announced that their unmarried 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, evangelical leaders told U.S. News that they don’t believe the revelation will harm the GOP ticket within the conservative faith community.

“I don’t think it [hurts] at all,” saidRichard Land, president of theSouthern Baptist Convention’s Ethicsand Religious Liberty Commission, who hailed Palin’s nomination.

The media’s breathless reaction is proof that “you just don’t get it,” Land said during a U.S. News lunch roundtable here that also includedJim Wallis, president and executive director of Sojourners; Randy Brinson, founder of Redeem the Vote; and Chuck Donovan, executive vice president for the Family Research Council.

Read more here.

Reaction from religious conservatives was sympathetic.

Focus on the Family founder James Dobson issued a statement commending the Palins “for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances.” He added: “Being a Christian does not mean you’re perfect. Nor does it mean your children are perfect. But it does mean there is forgiveness and restoration when we confess our imperfections to the Lord.”

Roberta Combs, president of the Christian Coalition of America called the pregnancy private. “It’s a matter that should stay in the family and they have to work through it together. My prayers go out to them.”

Added Combs: “We’re excited about the governor and think she’s going to do well.”

Mathew Staver, dean of Liberty University School of Law, said: “We’re all sinners.”

Read more here.

[From me]

I would agree with what these leaders are saying but I can’t help but wonder if they would feel the same way if it were Obama’s children or Biden’s?  I give Obama props for saying families are off limits.  That is why this shouldn’t really be an issue.  I just hope when this happens to a liberal politicians family that Evangelical leaders show the same kind of compassion. 

What do you think?

Politics is ugly.  I don’t think there is anyway around that. In recent weeks people on both sides of the aisle have been lobbing ugly responses dragging the name of God into their responses.  Focus on the Family asked for people to pray during the Democratic National Convention so it would rain out Obama’s speech. Then Michael Moore said that Hurricane Gustav was proof that there is a God. 

Instead of praying against the candidates I’m going to take an approach that I actually think Jesus would have taken.

Matthew 5:43-45

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Why should anyone who considers themselves followers of Jesus wish bad things on anyone? The truth is either Obama or McCain will be our next president.  So instead of praying against one and for the other, I’m going to pray for both of them.  I’m going to pray that God’s Will be done and that God will bless both of them.  I’m praying that God will give them both wisdom to make wise decisions.  I”m going to pray that God will give them strength to stand up for what is right.  I’m going to pray that they are successful.  

So instead of praying against people, I’m asking that we all pray for everyone!

What do you think?

[Business and Media Institute]

Sometime you really have wonder at what cost some are willing to see their political ideology advanced. To liberal documentary filmmaker Michael Moore, the bounds are seemingly endless. Moore has made a recent career out of attacking President George W. Bush, bashing conservatives and criticizing business. His latest outrage occurred on MSNBC’s August 29 “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” and when he commented about the coincidental timing of an unfortunate disaster – the potential for Hurricane Gustav to make landfall at the beginning of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

 “I was just thinking, this Gustav is proof that there is a God in heaven,” Moore said, laughing. “To have it planned at the same time – that it would actually be on its way to New Orleans for day one of the Republican Convention, up in the Twin Cities – at the top of the Mississippi River.”

After that comment, Moore backed off a bit and did say he hoped nobody got hurt and he hoped everybody is taking cover. However, he failed to make note of the $43.625 billion in damage the last hurricane to strike New Orleans caused – Hurricane Katrina in 2005 – and the billions of dollars the storm cost taxpayers.

Read more of his stupid comments here.

[From me]

Sometimes I wonder where people get their lack of judgment.  I’m sure Mr. Moore was trying to be funny. But I don’t think a natural disaster that will affect millions of people is funny at all.  In fact, most of the people who live in New Orleans are democrats so Moore is happy that people in his own party are going to be hurt.  

Now in fairness, Chris Knight pointed out that Focus on the Family prayed for rain the night of Obama’s speech at the DNC.  I think that is wrong too.  

I lived through Hurricanes Bertha and Fran on the East Coast.  Then we were wiped out financially by Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis and Katrina.  Hurricanes don’t pick which political party they are going to affect. They are equal opportunity disasters.  There is nothing funny about “Hurricane deductibles” with the insurance companies.  No matter how much damage the homeowner pays 2% deductible of the value of their home for “EACH” hurricane.  Lets just say with 3 hurricanes in a 13 month period our savings was wiped out.  We were fortunate compared to people who didn’t have savings.

So, Mr. Moore and Mr. Shephard think next time before you start laughing at other people’s misfortunes.  I wouldn’t laugh if your houses burned down or you had some misfortune come your way.  Shame on both of you.

What do you think?

[AJC]

Barack Obama and John McCain are scheduled to make a joint appearance Saturday at Saddleback Church in Orange County, Calif.

No other candidates have been invited, which has ticked off Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr.Russ Verney, campaign manager for the former Georgia congressman, has just sent out a mass e-mail saying Barr will seek a court order to require the church to invite him, too.

Which perhaps is an odd thing for a Libertarian to do — asking a judge to determine whom a church should invite into its sanctuary.

Read more here.

[From me]

Bob Barr used to be my congressman.  He lived in a subdivision down the street from us in Canton, GA.  I saw him at a Starbucks in Town Lake and introduced myself to him.  No kidding, he sent me a card later that week.  I always liked him.  But when did he become a Libertarian?  

Do you think he should have been invited?  I wonder if he considers $150K middle class like one candidate did last night.  If that is middle class then I’m in the lower third!

What do you think?