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Religion and Politics Clash Religion and politics clash over a local church's declaration that Democrats are not welcome. East Waynesville Baptist asked nine members to leave. Now 40 more have left the church in protest. Former members say Pastor Chan Chandler gave them the ultimatum, saying if they didn't support George Bush, they should resign or repent. The minister declined an interview with News 13. But he did say "the actions were not politically motivated." There are questions about whether the bi-laws were followed when the members were thrown out.

Religion and politics clash over a local church's declaration that Democrats are not welcome. East Waynesville Baptist asked nine members to leave. Now 40 more have left the church in protest. Former members say Pastor Chan Chandler gave them the ultimatum, saying if they didn't support George Bush, they should resign or repent. The minister declined an interview with News 13. But he did say "the actions were not politically motivated." There are questions about whether the bi-laws were followed when the members were thrown out.

Another 40 members have left in protest. Waynesville, NC-- The minister of a Haywood County Baptist church is telling members of his congregation that if they're Democrats, they either need to find another place of worship or support President Bush. Already, the Reverend Chan Chandler has ex-communicated nine members of East Waynesville Baptist Church. Another 40 members have left in protest.

The minister of a Haywood County Baptist church is telling members of his congregation that if they're Democrats, they either need to find another place of worship or support President Bush. Already, the Reverend Chan Chandler has ex-communicated nine members of East Waynesville Baptist Church. Another 40 members have left in protest. During last Sunday's sermon, he acknowledged that church members were upset because he named people, and he says he'll do it again because he has to according to the word of God. Chandler could not be reached for comment today, but says his actions weren't politically motivated. One...

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. The pastor of a small Baptist church in western North Carolina has been accused of leading an effort to kick out members because they didn't support President Bush. Two members of the congregation say nine people were voted out of the East Waynesville church on Monday. And T-V station W-L-O-S in Asheville reports 40 other members have resigned in protest. The church's treasurer says, "It's all over politics." She says pastor Chan Chandler told the congregation in October and again last Sunday that people who didn't support President Bush should leave the church. The wife of one of...