A couple of brief comments on the latest pastor-related contretemps in the 2008 presidential election.
It’s interesting that John McCain sought endorsements from reasonably high-profile evangelical leaders when conservatives were seriously questioning whether or not to support him for president. McCain can’t seem to get far enough away from Rod Parsley and John Hagee these days. Hagee is in trouble for preaching against Roman Catholic doctrine, while Parsley is under fire for remarks critical of Islam. Hagee even recently apologized to Catholics for his reported remarks.
Now, I haven’t reviewed in detail each specific statement by these men. I don’t agree with Parsley for his alleged statement that “America was founded to destroy Islam.” However, as a Christian, I do agree with him that Islam is a false religion, and that believing its teachings will result in eternal separation from God. There are other criticisms of Islam that I have made, and will continue to make. And I make no apologies for them either.
As for Hagee and Roman Catholicism, I don’t know why Hagee felt it necessary to apologize. Rome preaches a false Gospel of faith plus works, in addition to numerous other false doctrines. Perhaps Hagee went overboard with his rhetoric, perhaps not. I’d have to see the specific statements. But I make no apologies for my disagreement with the Roman Magisterium on doctrine. None. Period.
Since everyone is so interested in apologies, perhaps Rome will repeal the Council of Trent with it’s multiplicity of anathemas (curses) against Protestants and their doctrines. Perhaps Muslim leaders will apologize for not only the murderous acts being done in the name of Islam around the world, but also for saying that God has no Son. I find that offensive. Will they apologize? I doubt it.
I feel badly that Republicans (not to mention a growing number of evangelicals) are growing so lily-livered.
And while I'm at it, James Taranto of the Wall Street Journal's Online Journal posted this very interesting observation on Sen. Ted Kennedy and his possibly soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat in Massachussetts . . .
One-Party State
On Wednesday we wrote that if the ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy resigns or dies before his term ends, his seat will be filled by a special election, not a gubernatorial appointment. That is true under current law, but the Eagle-Times of North Andover, Mass., reports that one leader of the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is making noises about changing the law:
"The leader of the Massachusetts House says he will support giving Gov. Deval Patrick the power to appoint an interim successor to U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy if that becomes necessary. The Democratic-controlled Legislature stripped Republican Gov. Mitt Romney of that authority in 2004 because of fears he would name a Republican to replace U.S. Sen. John Kerry if he had been elected president. . . .
But House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi said yesterday if Kennedy should step aside or have to be replaced because of his brain tumor diagnosis, he'd be in favor of a gubernatorial appointment. "That was a good political reason (then)," DiMasi said of taking the power away from Romney. "It's a good political reason to change it back."
Well, one cheer to DiMasi for acknowledging his partisan motivation rather than pretending to be standing for some high-minded procedural principle. If the Legislature goes ahead and changes the law, though, it's conceivable it could backfire--if, that is, Massachusettsans are sufficiently put off by the opportunism to take it out on Patrick's appointee when he does face the voters.
In relation to this issue, I think it notable that Sen. Kennedy has already expressed the wish that his wife take his place in the Senate if it becomes necessary.
While I wish Sen. Kennedy well in terms of his health, I am very bugged by the notion of dynasties in the United States, whether said dynasty is Kennedy, Bush or Clinton. No one has the inherent "right" to the presidency or any other political office in this country. Perhaps Massachusetts would be served well by having someone other than a Kennedy in that position.
