John McCain told to dump spiritual guide in row over "war" on Islam

Times Online ^ | 13/03/08 | Hannah Strange

[isrul]

(Reuters)

John McCain described Rod Parsley, a televangelist who urged a Christian war on Islam, as his spiritual guide

Hannah Strange John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has been called upon to renounce a church leader he considers his spiritual guide for urging a Christian war to destroy the “false religion” of Islam.

A number of prominent US weblogs demanded he reject the support of Reverend Rod Parsley, of the World Harvest Church of Columbus, an influential televangelist and political figure who campaigned alongside him in the run up to the Ohio primary.

On February 26, a week before the Ohio vote, Mr McCain appeared at a campaign rally in Cincinnati with the evangelical pastor, who praised the candidate as a “strong, true, consistent conservative”. With Mike Huckabee, a Baptist preacher, then continuing to snap at his heels, Mr Parsley’s endorsement was a boon to Mr McCain’s efforts to knock out his last remaining challenger and win over social conservatives. Standing side-by-side with the minister, Mr McCain hailed him as a “spiritual guide”.

Since then, the writings of Mr Parsley have attracted attention from political commentators. Several have noted that Mr McCain's Democratic rival, Barack Obama, was forced to publicly denounce and reject the support of Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, after he received unsolicited praise from the controversial figure.

[isrul]

So will McCain throw his spiritual adviser under the bus? Perhaps the question should be when and not will.

[cardinal4]

Apples and Oranges. Most people know Islam is a false religion..

[Red Badger]

But O’Bama’s spiritual adviser is aok?..............

[goldstategop]

Liberals will demand McCain dump a pastor who gets it about Islam but they excuse Obama's retaining a pastor known for his anti-America views. No bias there!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[indcons]

McInsane will apologize first. After he apologizes, he’ll throw him under the bus and then will apologize to Obama for the “dishonorable” questions re: arch-racist and terrorist sympathizer, Jeremiah Wright.

[misterrob]

I really wish these evangelists would stay the hell out of politics. They damage candidates while abusing their tax exempt status.

Or maybe we should have government get involved with religion since so many of these types think it’s okay to get involved with government.....

[isrul]

That's an interestinmg question. I would like to hear McCain answer it.

[RedRover]

The Obama camp makes a preemptive strike on McCain.

[isrul]

You may be right.

[silverleaf]

So now candidates (or anyone else) must kowtow to “prominent weblogs”? I don’t think so.

Any idiot with a keyboard can be a weblog...and call himself “prominent”. Get real.

[TheBattman]

What about Obama’s hyper-racist Black Liberation Theology preaching pastor?

[isrul]

Be interesting to see how McCain handles it.

[LowTaxesEqualProsperity]

We are in a war with Islam. Islam freely admits this. What’s the problem?

[farmer18th]

Rod Parsely. It sounds like we actually have someone in the pulpits telling the truth about Islam. (They won’t let him last long.)

[isrul]

McCain would repudiate you for mentioning that.

[isrul]

We are not in a war with Islam!! Bush says so. Rice says so. McCain agrees. You need to get with the program. It’s a great religion of peace. So roll over and bend over and believe what your betters tell you.

[isrul]

Nope. Truth is dangerous, these days.

[camerakid400]

Europe is in a predicament, and so is America. They should agree to become Islamic in the course of time, or else declare war on the Muslims.

-Muammar Qaddafi

http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/1121.htm

[Retired Greyhound]

sounds like a Bush Air National Guard story designed as a counter-attack.

[isrul]

alas, I think I know what the choice they will make.