Posted on 12/05/2005 1:39:46 PM PST by pkajj
Ohio Televangelist Takes to Politics By Andrew Welsh-Huggins
Evangelist Rod Parsley wants to gather voters as he wins souls, a mixture that’s causing a stir in the state that put President Bush back in the White House.
The televangelist opposed to gay marriage and critical of Islam hopes the effort he calls Reformation Ohio will convert 1 million people to Christianity, help the poor and register 400,000 new voters.
“We just seek to be a voice in the public arena,” said Parsley, who has a TV ministry seen around the country and a 12,000-member church. “For some reason, it has become chic to say that everybody should have a voice in that public square, but when born-again or evangelical Christians begin to lift up their voice, everyone gets nervous.”
Although ministers of all stripes have long taken stands on social issues and registered voters, Parsley’s political activities worry Democrats and more liberal churches.
His critics say it’s impossible to separate the goals of Reformation Ohio from Parsley’s work on a successful election campaign to ban gay marriage and his ties to Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, a conservative leading many polls in his bid for the GOP governor’s nomination next year.
In his new book, “Silent No More,” Parsley thanks Blackwell for his support, and Blackwell spoke briefly at a rally Parsley held in October outside the Statehouse. “If you’re not interested in influencing politics, you don’t hold a major rally on the steps of the Statehouse,” said Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer, a member of the national staff of the Cleveland-based and left-leaning United Church of Christ.
Parsley argues that homosexuality is morally and physically damaging. He calls Islam an “anti-Christ religion” that intends to use violence to conquer the world and writes that Allah is a demon spirit.
Although not a political group, Parsley says, Reformation Ohio originated with his 2003 invitation to President Bush’s signing of a late-term abortion ban. Parsley decided he needed to be more vocal about social issues and what he saw as the under-representation of evangelical Christians at the polls.
Parsley, 48, got his start preaching in the backyard of his parents’ home in suburban Columbus as a teenager. At 29, he built the 5,200-seat World Harvest Church that anchors a large complex of brick buildings – including two schools and an outreach program for ministers – tucked between fields and new subdivisions.
Last year he founded a center that helps mobilize churches on issues such as gay marriage, abortion and the placement of the Ten Commandments on public property. His TV show, “Breakthrough,” is broadcast on the Trinity Broadcasting Network among other networks and cable affiliates.
Parsley still lives in Pickerington, a fast-growing suburb not far from his church, in a $1 million home with his wife, Joni, and their son and daughter. He draws thousands to racially mixed Sunday morning and evening services in his auditorium-style Pentecostal church.
There he strolls back and forth before the congregation in a trademark dark suit, Bible in hand. He preaches with a mild twang – courtesy of his Kentucky upbringing – and just a hint of gravel.
Parsley’s style ranges from the casual – “Now I’m going to freak you out,” he said during a recent telethon on Trinity Broadcasting Network’s “Praise the Lord” show – to the impassioned. “Sound an alarm. A Holy Ghost invasion is taking place,” Parsley shouted at the Statehouse rally, to enthusiastic applause. “Man your battle stations, ready your weapons, lock and load.”
Parsley represents a new debate over the line between religion and politics, said Ronald Carstens, an Ohio Dominican University political science professor. “The problem with the left, the reason they can’t get elected, is they begin with the premise that anybody who believes in God is a moron,” Carstens said. “The other side now is reacting, and they’re trying to impose a moral ideology in the name of religion on people, when the best you can do, with any kind of moral ideas, is to try to persuade people.”
Parsley says it’s easy to separate his views on moral issues and the goals of Reformation Ohio. “I am neither Republican nor Democrat, I’m a Christocrat,” he said. “I love a democratic republic and I want to be right in the middle of that process.”
Oh, good Lord!
God has tremendous grace and patience other wise this dude would be ash.
Well said. It's too bad this guy is the face of Christianity to many in the world.
I have never seen nor heard this guy but it sounds like he just wants Christians to have the same right as any other group to stand up and speak their voice in the democratic process. Why is it wrong for conservative Christians to have the same rights as liberals to try to vote in people who represent their values?
Ah, the Raging Prophet! I've seen him on TV. He makes Pat Robertson look like a wuss. This should be interesting.
Sounds good to me.
You can watch a one-hour video of him talking about this here. I don't know if FR will make the link automatically, but you can paste it into your browser. Windows Media.
mms://wmedia10.cmh.gyrocast.com/breakthrough/bt_010905.wmv
Well, I agree with his political stands but I doubt I agree with his religious views. (How did he get a $1 million dollar home?) He's as welcome as the next guy I say what he thinks. Let the people of Ohio judge for themselves. That Ronald Carstens guy sounds pretty smart.
Quick! Send him your "seed money" so he can buy some more Mercedes and another guarded mansion.
God has tremendous grace and patience other wise this dude would be ash. j_k_l
ARTICLE: opposed to gay marriage and critical of Islam hopes the effort he calls Reformation Ohio will convert 1 million people to Christianity, help the poor and register 400,000 new voters.
- so can we assume non religious types like yourselves are for gay marriage, Islamo-friendly, anti Christians in favor of disenfranchising citizens of thier right to vote
Because - if not - Im not really hearing what your beef is with this guy - other than the fact he is on television
Here's another one for your Ken Blackwell pinglist
Perhaps he should consider a more stealthier approach. No sense telegraphing your intentions to the Libs.
Do like the lock & load bit, though.
Ping!
I used to live in Canal Winchester. Never been to his church, but I heard they charge to park!
Shame on him for not being current with DNC Gospel according to Marx
Ditto. He's opposed to the queers, the Islamonutbags, and the libertine liberals.
I guess that's over the top for some folks on here.
Too bad.
You misunderstand me. I have no problem with Christians having the same rights as liberals. The problem is with this particular guy putting himself out as the face of Christianity. He's one of the TBN crowd...you know, the network of false prophets and heretical teachers.
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