Posted on 11/10/2007 6:29:19 PM PST by PAR35
PLANO – Republican presidential primary contender Mike Huckabee received a major vote of confidence Sunday from the pastor of one of the nation's largest churches.
Pastor Jack Graham told the congregation of Prestonwood Baptist Church before Mr. Huckabee's sermon that Christian values have a crucial role in the political process. Although Dr. Graham said his church doesn't endorse candidates, his praise for Mr. Huckabee was unambiguous.
-snip-
Dr. Graham said the sermon from Mr. Huckabee, who is an ordained Southern Baptist minister, was a message of "God's word from God's man."
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
Here we go again...getting closer to the elections and they all go out and speak at churches. It’s SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO very phony.
There’s nothing wrong with speaking to a congregation.
I’ll note that many times when republicans do this, they are actually preaching to the church, and don’t make a political speech.
In this case, Huckabee is a Baptist Minister. Him showing up in a church is hardly phony.
The story tried to make a big deal of this, but it isn't:
Dr. Graham said the sermon from Mr. Huckabee, who is an ordained Southern Baptist minister, was a message of "God's word from God's man."Note how they essentially have to admit he didn't do politics during the sermon, they give the impression his press conference was in the church, which it wasn't.Dr. Graham added, "Here's a man who comes and says: 'I'm not looking for your endorsement. I endorse what you believe. I endorse your values.'"
...
While his sermon mostly steered clear of political issues, he said during a news conference that the two aspects of his life are tightly linked.
However, since the topic has come up, I've heard Huckabee say several times, and it makes sense to me, that if he is going to be constantly questioned on his faith, the other candidates should in fairness be asked similar questions. Huckabee is not saying this should happen, only that if one candidate is asked, all should be, and if none is asked, none should be. Also, while we are on the subject, it seems to me that with regard to his faith Huckabee has lived an exemplary life.
For what its worth, here is some additional information about Huckabee's views on Faith and politics from the Huckabee website.
The First Amendment requires that expressions of faith be neither prohibited nor preferred. We should not banish religion from the public square, but should guarantee access to all voices and views. We should share and debate our faith, but never seek to impose it. When discussing faith and politics, we should honor the "candid" in candidate - I have much more respect for an honest atheist than a disingenuous believer.
My faith is my life - it defines me. My faith doesn't influence my decisions, it drives them. For example, when it comes to the environment, I believe in being a good steward of the earth. I don't separate my faith from my personal and professional lives.
Real faith makes us humble and mindful, not of the faults of others, but of our own. It makes us less judgmental, as we see others with the same frailties we have. Faith gives us strength in the face of injustice and motivates us to do our best for "the least of us."
Our nation was birthed in a spirit of faith - not a prescriptive one telling us whether to believe, but one acknowledging that a providence pervades our world.
Source: Huckabee's website
- Sales Tax, 1996 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/07/96)
- Gas and Diesel Fuel Taxes, 1999 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 04/02/99, 04/25/99)
- Sales Tax, 2000 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 09/25/02)
- Cigarette Tax, 2001 (Associated Press, 04/02/01)
- Nursing Home Bed Tax, 2001 (Associated Press, 06/25/01)
- Sales Tax, 2002 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/15/02)
- Income Surcharge Tax, 2003 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/09/07)
- Tobacco Tax, 2003 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/09/07)
- Internet Taxes, 2004 (Bond Buyer, 02/24/04)
Well, there goes that Church’s 501.c.3.
Huckabee is the wrong color and party for such activities.
Now if his first name was Barack....
This is the stuff that turns off independent voters. It also reinforces the stereotypes of Republicans being “religious extremists.” I don’t think Huckabee realizes how much over his head he’s in. He has no clue that he’s being exploited by those with a higher agenda.
This is one slam that just won’t fly.
You are Huckster’s huckster
BINGO!
He is an excellent speaker.
Does not answer my question... speaking about Jesus and teaching Jesus are two totally different things.
I find this election so interesting and frustrating!!! I see so many franctions in this group more so than ever before. OK this primary season is the only one I have paid this much attention. Huckabee, Thompson, Ducan are going with the same group of people. Romney and McCain are sorta with the same group of people and Guiliani has the rest. Ron Paul has his little nitch too. Did I cover then all? lol. I hope that Huckabee does not take away votes from Hunter though.
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