In a Newsweek Web exclusive, Lisa Miller and Amanda Coyne set out to find something juicy about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's house of worship, Wasilla Bible Church. But finding a "staid" worship environment that "steer[s] clear of politics" and whose main attraction is Biblical preaching, they opted to focus on where the governor used to worship regularly years ago, an Assemblies of God church:
Pentecostalism is one of the fastest growing branches of Christianity in the world, and the Assemblies of God is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the country, claiming 1.6 million members. Pentecostals are generally characterized by a strict adherence to moral codes--no tobacco, no alcohol, no social dancing, no sex outside of marriage--and by their belief that the Holy Spirit bestows upon some the gift of "speaking in tongues," a reference to Acts 2: "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues." A spokeswoman for the McCain-Palin campaign has said that Palin attends many churches and does not consider herself to be Pentecostal.
[...]
When Palin worships in Juneau, she attends an Assembly of God church there. Sarah Palin may not call herself a Pentecostal, but she has deep and long experience in Pentecostal churches. And as the race wears on, this biographical fact will likely become another religious Rorschach test--pleasing to some, discomfiting to others.
Sen. Barack Obama's long-time association with the theologically and politically liberal Trinity United Church of Christ, on the other hand, is ancient history to the media, unlikely to be resurrected (pardon the pun) during the general election campaign.
P.S.: Speaking as a Reformed credobaptism whose church practices infant dedication, I find annoying the use of quote marks around "dedications" in Miller/Coyne's piece.:
The Palins' new baby, Trig, was "dedicated" at the church two weeks ago, another pastor told NEWSWEEK. (Many conservative churches do "dedications" of infants instead of baptisms-postponing the baptism ceremony until the child is old enough to make a conscious decision for Christ. At a dedication, the parents and the pastor ask for the congregation's help in raising the child.)
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
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, but she has deep and long
September 2, 2008 - 18:33 ET by gopsteve, but she has deep and long experience in Pentecostal churches.
Oh, I see, she does have "experience" when the msm see fit...
chortle
September 2, 2008 - 18:36 ET by Dr_LibertyThat's funny Steve.
Speaking as an evangelical Christian, and one that is highly schooled, I am getting very sick and tired of how the media portrays believers. Methinks I'm not the only one.
<insert witty signature here>
You're not the only one,
September 2, 2008 - 18:48 ET by motherbeltYou're not the only one, believe me.
When did candidates' religion become such an obsession?
I really love this:
And as the race wears on, this biographical fact will likely become another religious Rorschach test-
(translation: We intend to see that it does, by bringing it up every chance we get)
The MSM would prefer a
September 2, 2008 - 18:56 ET by GregEThe MSM would prefer a church with someone in the pulpit who rails against America, who talks politics, who tries to keep race at the forefront, pushing the victim mentality wherever possible.
Now THAT'S a REAL church....
....a "Church We Can Believe In"
Evangelicals a large factor in GOP success
September 2, 2008 - 20:15 ET by nkviking75Religion, or at least evangelicalism, became a threat to Democrats when that branch of Christianity became active and helped propel Republicans to more success than they'd had in decades.
Ironically, this same segment of the church awoke to politics in 1976 when Jimmy Carter sold himself to the public as "born again". They were very excited about Carter, but they began to shift around the time that Reagan came to power.
Sadly, a large segment of the Republican party is embarrassed by these folks. If evangelicals are driven away, the GOP will be stuck in the minority for a long time to come.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
having been alive then
September 2, 2008 - 20:47 ET by WesenJimmah did claim the roots of evangelicaldom and we heard ad nauseam about the Bible Belt, his sister, his wife and who can forget Billah. Carter led this Country down the road of poverty and told us on TV to get used to it. The Jesus Movement was begining to mature and there was an enormous wave of prayer as believers appealed to God. It was from this prayer movement that Ronald the Great emerged. Out of this movement also sprang organization and the groups that came from it are mostly still with us. The Media does not fear Evangelicals, they fear God. Have you ever seen such "a hive of villany and scum"? They play with religion as a cat plays with a mouse while they demean faith and act like a controlling authority. I'm glad McCain has chosen a person who seems to have the ability to rock the boat. The rebels need a shaking up.
Minor Correction
September 3, 2008 - 00:02 ET by Dr_LibertyEvangelicals actually became increasingly active prior to Carter -- as early as the late 1960s. Indeed, they were one of the first demographic groups to master mass-marketing mailings (sorry for the excessive alliteration). It took them some time to become visible as they really weren't all that enthused by Nixon or Ford (part of the old line GOP). Carter offered a potential breath of hope given his religious affiliation, but he quickly showed (as you pointed out) that his values weren't quite aligned with the majority of white evangelicals who tended to be social conservatives but also worried about large government.
Interestingly, black evangelicals tend to be socially conservative but favor larger government in the are of social spending. That is a segment of the population that the GOP has been trying to wrest away from Dems lately, with only minimal success.
<insert witty signature here>
what Doc Liberty?
September 3, 2008 - 00:30 ET by candanceAbundant allieration acutely annoys attentive arbiters on NB?
that's interesting
September 3, 2008 - 00:56 ET by WesenMy impression was that their involvement had been limited to racial integration issues. I did not think the mainstream denominations responsible for these actions would have called themselves Evangelicals. You have an interesting point.
It Takes a Village
September 2, 2008 - 18:35 ET by Dr_LibertyAt a dedication, the parents and the pastor ask for the congregation's help in raising the child.
It takes a village, Hillary, but in this case no government bureaucrat need apply.
<insert witty signature here>
Huh...
September 2, 2008 - 18:42 ET by GrannyGrump42I was under the impression somehow that Sarah Palin was a Lutheran. I thought I saw it on some candidate profile someplace.
Gosh, if only she had been
September 2, 2008 - 18:42 ET by JerryGosh, if only she had been more "normal" and spent 20 years in a racist, seperatist church, mentored by a hate filled, venom spewing pastor (& close family friend).
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Add
September 2, 2008 - 20:21 ET by txco"Gosh, if only she had been more "normal" and spent 20 years in a racist, seperatist church, mentored by a hate filled, venom spewing pastor (& close family friend). " please add "and dedicated a book to him"!
How much u wanna bet her paster said: GOD BLESS AMERICA!
September 2, 2008 - 18:50 ET by upcountrywaterHUMMMMM
Liberals62%
IranianUranium
Maybe if.....
September 2, 2008 - 18:51 ET by richflanjMaybe if they screamed "God damn the US of KKK!!!!!" from her church's pulpit, the MSM wouldn't care.
The rule is now "Idiot + camera + lefist ideology = MSM reporter."
Translation
September 2, 2008 - 18:53 ET by Hooterville DenizenThis article could be reduced to:
"She's not like us! She's not like the people we hang out with! Stranger Danger!"
I would say they need an upgrade in the people they mix with. Try some non-insane people.
Let me get this straight.
September 2, 2008 - 18:58 ET by deerjerkydaveLet me get this straight. Obama's church is a haven for anti-American racism. Palin's church teaches people to have sex only in marriage. And between the two, Palin's church is the controversial one.
Honestly, do you think for a moment that the liberal media would have brought up Jeremiah White if the new media didn't? Not after they completely ignored and buried the Edward's affair. I think Sean Hannity was talking about White a full year before the liberal media finally gave it any attention.
About the baptismal theology question
September 2, 2008 - 18:58 ET by Rhymes With RightI'm a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We do dedications, and delay baptism until a more mature age. And it isn't like we are some radical cult -- we're as mainline as you get, and the denomination even has a close working relationship with Obama's United Church of Christ in certain areas of ministry.
But I find it particularly interesting that looking into the religious beliefs of a candidate by the press becomes compulsory when the candidate is conservative -- but intrusive when the candidate is a liberal.
Blogging at rhymeswithright.mu.nu
they're running late
September 2, 2008 - 18:59 ET by candanceI knew Palin grew up Assembly of God and have been waiting for the "crazy Pentecostals" hit piece for some time now. I'm surprised they waited a whole four days to print this.
Strange how such matters were no big deal back in the day.
HEAR YE, HEAR
September 2, 2008 - 19:04 ET by GregEHEAR YE, HEAR YE!!!
Everyone please step aside, as the MSM embarks on their quest to become the end-all authority on the Pentecostal church. Stand by, this phenomenal ascent should be complete in approximately 1.5 days.
It took the MSM a year to
September 2, 2008 - 19:07 ET by stratmanIt took the MSM a year to finally report on Obama's racist Black Liberation Theology Quasi-Christian "church".
It took the MSM LL OF 4 days to "report" (read as SLIME) about Palin's religious affiliations. And then there was only innuendo and unverified inflammatory remarks.
Goes to show that the MSM can actual report... when the hatred is in the correct alignment.
While there was an actual story behind Obama's religious connections, there is zero story behind Palin's affiliation... until DKos or the MSM (increasingly becoming the same entity) report more fantastical, irrelavent nonsense.
I am so looking forward to the richly deserved comeupance the MSM has earned.
RELIGION??? RELIGION???
September 2, 2008 - 19:09 ET by TheSterummmmm....
1) Nancy "Abortion Law" Pelosi??? I lost track on the rebukes by Bishops..help me out...
2) Wright is back in town...
puhhhhleeeezzze...make it an issue!!!
ps. this is my very first post. Please be gental <sarc>.
welcome Ster
September 2, 2008 - 19:11 ET by candanceSounds like you'll fit in nicely. :-)
THANKS CANDANCE!!!
September 2, 2008 - 19:23 ET by TheSterWOW!!
I've been reading your "stuff" for months!!!
I have 2 TV's...with 2 DVR's...on split screen...tracking Olberdink SNARK's...CNN catfight with Bennett and Wolfy....
I'm a newbe here...but is there going to be a live blog for the RNC here???
MSNBC AND OLBY IS GOING NUTS RIGHT NOW!!! 7:15 CENT TIME. HE'S LICKING GREGORY'S FACE....
Link
September 2, 2008 - 19:43 ET by Indiana JoeRight here.
TheSter,
September 2, 2008 - 19:17 ET by Indiana JoeWelcome to the machine. This will be a great election cycle to "release" a little on.
Have fun!
Thanks Indiana!!!
September 2, 2008 - 20:17 ET by TheSterI need the release!!!
I really look forward to adding my sarcasm and observations to this site...
I AM A REAL FAN OF NEWSBUSTERS!!!
ALL OF YOU DO A GREAT JOB OF WATCHING THE LIBERAL NEWS "SPIN"..I HOPE I CAN CONTRIBUTE!!!
rofl
September 2, 2008 - 19:09 ET by candanceSome members on another Sunday might murmur and keen in low voices, the sound of speaking in tongues.
Wow, Newsweek really knows all about speaking in tongues! Gosh you'd think we're secretly passing Nazi secrets to each other or something.
Bible = Mein Komf
September 2, 2008 - 19:18 ET by deerjerkydaveDidn't you know? Reading the Bible is like reading Mein Komf.
It's worse...
September 2, 2008 - 19:21 ET by Indiana JoeThey'd rather we read Mein Kampf, in fact.
It would put us on the same page as them.
Well, that settles it
September 2, 2008 - 19:16 ET by CobraManOMG! Sarah Palin is a Christian! The Horror, The Horror!
/sarc
Well, that settles it, she got my VOTE!
Obama: My job is above my pay grade
She's kept the baby???
September 2, 2008 - 20:36 ET by TheSterLibera media pissed...
One more Republican voter...
So now the MSM has resorted
September 3, 2008 - 10:44 ET by SnappySo now the MSM has resorted to making fun of her religion? How out of touch are these people. If I remember correctly wasnt religious persecution one of the reasons we are even here in America?.......interstingly enough I believe taxes was one of the other reasons. HHHmmmmmm Lets slam Palins religion and vote Obama so our taxes can go up.......