Sen. John McCain's embrace of the endorsement of Texas televangelist, prosperity preacher, and Christian Zionist zealot John Hagee has led many astute and inquiring minds to ask: Will Tim Russert ask McCain to "reject and denounce" Hagee's support, just as he asked Sen. Barack Obama to "reject and denounce" the support of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan -- even though Obama had never even asked for Farrakhan's support as McCain had solicited Hagee's?Posner has done a lot of research into the preaching and politics of prosperity gospel preachers like Hagee. Her new book, "God's Profits," is so thoroughly documented with abuses of the gospel that it should fill any conscientious Christian with shame and horror.
The answer, of course, is no, and here's why: Hagee is a good, white Christian leader -- controversial, inflammatory, and divisive to many, but a hero to millions of Americans and therefore to Republican candidates who want those millions of votes. But Hagee's influence doesn't end with his audience taken in by his "anointed" preaching or his claim to understand God's biblically-prophesied plan for the end of the world. For the neoconservative punditocracy, the fact that his eschatology aligns so nicely with their real politik objectives is more than a coalition-building convenience. Although someone like Bill Kristol, who is scheduled to speak at this year's Christians United for Israel (CUFI) summit, would probably not openly embrace Hagee's dispensationalism, the fact that marching to war is buttressed by a divine mandate helps build a shield of self-righteousness. How dare you patchouli-scented pacifists question us now?
Sarah will be my guest on the "Religious Talk" radio program on Sunday March 9.
1 comment:
I am glad to see there are clear minded religious people who are at least talking about this development. In an age where we seemed to have lost our compass when religious leaders are openly endorsing candidates- and those religious leaders do not even dream of losing their tax exempt status, it is sickening to see John McCain pander to a person who believes the Catholic Church is a "great whore" and New Orleans got Katrina because there was a gay pride parade being held there. As usual, the press' silence on this story is "deafening."
Peace
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