Palin's worship and politics, straight from the word of God
Published Saturday, September 6, 2008
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Stumble It!WASILLA — Shortly after taking office as governor in 2006, Sarah Palin sent an e-mail message to Paul E. Riley, her former pastor in the Assembly of God Church, which her family began attending when she was a youth. She needed spiritual advice in how to do her new job, said Riley, who is 78 and retired from the church.
“She asked for a biblical example of people who were great leaders and what was the secret of their leadership,” Riley said.
He wrote back that she should read again from the Old Testament the story of Esther, a beauty queen who became a real one, gaining the king’s ear to avert the slaughter of the Jews and vanquish their enemies. When she is called to serve, God grants Esther a strength she never knew she had.
Riley said he thought Palin had lived out the advice as governor, and would now do so again as the Republican Party’s vice-presidential nominee.
“God has given her the opportunity to serve,” he said. “And God has given her the strength to carry out her goals.”
Palin’s religious life — what she believes and how her beliefs intersect or not with her life in public office in Alaska — has become a topic of intense interest and scrutiny across the political spectrum as she has risen from relative obscurity to become Sen. John McCain’s running mate.
Interviews with the two pastors she has been mostly closely associated with here in her hometown — she now attends the Wasilla Bible Church, though she keeps in touch with Riley and recently spoke at an event at his former church — and with friends and acquaintances who have worshipped with her point to a firm conclusion: Her foundation and source of guidance is the Bible, and with it has come a conviction to be God’s servant.
“Just be amazed at the umbrella of this church here, where God is going to send you from this church,” Palin told the gathering in June of young graduates of a ministry program at the Assembly of God Church, a video of which has been posted on YouTube.
“Believe me,” she said, “I know what I am saying — where God has sent me, from underneath the umbrella of this church, throughout the state.”
Janet Kincaid, who has known Palin for about 15 years and worked with her on some Wasilla town boards and commissions when Palin was mayor here, said Palin’s spiritual path, from the Assembly of God to Wasilla Bible, has had a consistent theme.
“The churches that Sarah has attended all believe in a literal translation of the Bible,” Kincaid said. “Her principal ethical and moral beliefs stem from this.”
Prayer, and belief in its power, is another constant theme, Kincaid said, in what she has witnessed in Palin. “Her beliefs are firm in the power of prayer — let’s put it that way,” she said.
Maria Comella, a spokeswoman for the McCain-Palin campaign, said Palin had been baptized Roman Catholic as an infant, but declined to comment further.
“We’re not going to get into discussing her religion,” she said.
In the address at the Assembly of God Church here, Palin’s ease in talking about the intersection of faith and public life was clear. Among other things, she encouraged the group of young church leaders to pray that “God’s will” be done in bringing about the construction of a big pipeline in the state, and suggested her work as governor would be hampered “if the people of Alaska’s heart isn’t right with God.”
She also told the group that her eldest child, Track, would soon be deployed by the Army to Iraq, and that they should pray “that our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God, that’s what we have to make sure we are praying for, that there is a plan, and that plan is God’s plan.”
Larry Kroon, who has been the presiding pastor at Wasilla Bible for the last 30 years, declined to describe Palin’s beliefs or the role she plays in the church, but suggested that she is more of a back-bencher than a leading light.
“Todd and Sarah come in as Todd and Sarah — they’re very discreet about it,” he said, referring to Palin’s husband.
Some Jewish groups have raised concerns since the announcement of Palin’s selection to the Republican ticket that discussions in the Wasilla Bible Church might go beyond conservatism. Last month, a leader in the group Jews for Jesus, which advocates converting Jews to Christianity — but which has been accused by some Jews of anti-Semitism — spoke at the church. The speaker, David Brickner, spoke enthusiastically about the “miracle” of conversions in Israel by the group’s missionaries.
The church has also come under fire among some gay advocacy groups for promoting an upcoming Focus on the Family conference in Anchorage dealing with the so-called curing of homosexuality. The Wasilla Bible Church, which draws 800 to 1,000 people for Sunday service, is discreet to the point of self-effacement. Only a single small sign on the gravel road leading up to the property declares the name. On the three-year-old building itself, which looks more like a warehouse than a cathedral, a large cross over the rear entrance is the only declaration of purpose.
People who know the church and its parishioners say that the mix of simplicity and quirkiness is common in Alaska, where many people have moved over the years and left their pasts and old church lives behind.
Homegrown churches like Wasilla — started in the early 1970s by a handful of families during the construction boom in building the Trans-Alaska pipeline — have become singularly Alaskan. Kroon still remembers the days of a single room with a wood-burning stove that he would have to fire up before services.
Kroon said the Alaskan spirit of go-it-alone individuality gives the church a mix of joiners and resolute non-joiners. The church offers full-emersion water baptism, which some people want and others do not.
“I have people who’ve been here since I got here, and they still say don’t put me on the membership roll,” he said. “There’s definitely a cultural element.”
Community Discussion
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"Emersion" is a word; but I think you meant "immersion".
sounds all perfectly normal to me. but why am i worried when it comes from the new york times?
she's a quack!! keep church and state seperate.
hmmm, about as much as Sarah has littlemikey, at least Obama doesn't claim to get messages from God.
Or is she special because she's white and Obama isn't?
(tell the truth now littlemikey)
dubya had guidance from "the lord" too, look at all the "good" that claim has done for our country.
I guess God's purpose for us is NOT good given the trend lately, maybe the baptists are right. Unless of course these high fuel, food and living expenses are considered a "good" thing today.
Thanks for the crappy economy bushies! too bad you have to give your "lord" up this November, I hope McCain is NOT capable of accomplishing half the deeds dubya has (IF he gets elected).
I think the Repubs have done enough damage, time for the Democrats to clean things up........................again.
Sarah is a hypocrite, like so many of the religious right. She seeks guidance from the Bible, but is so quick to lie and insult others in the name of her political career. She thinks the Iraq war is a religious war, so that makes it okay to kill innocent people, so long as a few bad people are killed along the way. She supports the death penalty. If all of these actions are so very Christian, I don't want to meet your God, Sarah. I guess you'll wait until the end of the campaign season to go to confessional, so you only have to confess the sins you committed in the name of your political career once.
Hmmmm: Is this the same god who brought us the Holocaust and the 200,000,000 people killed in the 20th century by other people in various wars?
This sounds all very normal and nothing to write a story about. Unless of course you want to twist religion and highlight things that make a person sound like they are strange or extreme in their beliefs. Here is a newsflash: all Christians (those who supposedly are disciples and followers of Jesus the Christ) believe in prayer and getting direction from the Bible. That should include Obama, as well. He says he is a Christian. They all want GOd's will to be done - that would include most religions, wouldn't it? Let's grow up and start focusing on the issues. Sarah's personal position is for traditional marriage but she governed from the Constitution. That says it all for me.
Newsminer - how about some real news?
Another article that sells papers, but has nothing to do with what really matters to people in this country who will elect the next President.
Hmmmmm....... did God cause the holocaust or was that Hitler? Please don't tell me you believe Hitler is God.... that would be terrifying.....
I do find it interesting that one could be "Christian" and pro-death penalty, pro-war. "Who Would Jesus Bomb?" is one of my favorite bumper stickers.
Has Sarah made her religious views part of her politics? I don't recall that happening. Seems like the media is digging stuff up.... Sarah talking to high school graduates about following God's call and praying for His will to be done in the government doesn't sound like she's trying to build a theocracy to me.....
I would agree with bigjoe on one point: keep the religion and politics separate.
A lot of threads here have at least one complaint that the DNM is running articles regarding Palin (usually about those that don't paint her in the glowing light you'd like).
You have obviously read them, so, the DNM's mission is accomplished. Now, it is up to you to ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND what's been written. Is it possible that the rest of the nation is asking for the same articles, looking for information on a largely unknown woman who wants to be the VP? Is is possible that the rest of the nation is actually doing their homework here? Why in the world is information bad?
The media has a responsibiliy to inform. In Alaska, you Palin supporters claim to know everything wonderful about her (which amounts to "she's pretty and gives us money" in a lot of cases). Are you looking for the DNM to keep printing the same old Palinpraise or do you want it to give you all the information it can in order to make an informed decision?
teenadvocate is a prime example of what I'm talking about.
You should do some research, advocate. Perhaps you could start by reading a newspaper.
Lets see, there is Obama who holds those of us living in small towns in derisive contempt, "...they cling to their guns and their religion..." or Sarah.
Sarah is the most humble elected official I've ever met, and I've never seen her wear her religion on her sleeve. Even the New York Times seems to agree.
Article VI of the US Constitution is very clear: "(N)o religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office...." "NO" MEANS *NO*! I was offended by commentary about Obama's former minister; I am offended by innuendo about Palin's presiding pastor; I shall be offended if discussion of Joe Biden's relationship with his Pope enters American political debate. The Framers understood that such talk, if tolerated (and some things are Constitutionally intolerable), results in a world where Armagedon --in one way or another-- is too good for the transgressor.
Yes, lets get the word out on the insane state trooper that threatened to kill Sarah's Dad, drove a trooper vehicle while drinking, illegally shot a moose, and tasered a child.
If the Secret Service will not let Wooten near the governor for her safety- based on past threats- please, lets investigate why this trooper's boss can't fire him.
Inquiring minds wish to know.
Sarah is so powerful because shes on gods mission!
Tell me how a normal person like me can acquire this power.
Palin has a history of pushing her religious beliefs onto others. Last week the national news reported that when she was mayor of Wasilla, she tried to get certain books banned from the local library because they offendered her religious beliefs. When the librarian refused to go along with this act of censorship, Palin fired her.
haha good one teenadvocate. people just can't comprehend the concept that god doesn't do all these bad things. people do. god lets us do these bad things because he gave us free will. now, if god stepped in every time we were about to do something wrong, where would free will be? btw... we always have consequences for behavior. do something good, something good comes back to you. do something bad.....
right, something like.....condemning people based on their PERSONAL LIFE instead of worrying about YOUR OWN LIFE.
42% say yes to Sarah palin
50% say no to Sarah Palin
(CNN National poll as of ten minutes before this posting)
Obama/Biden08
There is nothing in this article that is "bad" about Sarah Palin. The fact is normal, personal beliefs are twisted by critics (the opposition desperately trying to discredit, on all sides) There is a place for facts about religion, and certainly stances on abortion and marriage are legitimate topics. This kind of story is just fodder, not respectable journalism. It could have been written in a relevant way, but falls short, in my opinion.
I appreciated the following reminder: Article VI of the US Constitution is very clear: "(N)o religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office...."
I am not voting for McCain or Obama.
There's a world of difference between
"our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God",
and
"that our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God."
Unlike the second quote, the first quote presupposes a knowledge of God's will.
The first quote was attributed to Palin in a previous article (http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/sep/0...). That article portrayed the governor as a religious fanatic who would presume to dictate God's will to everyone. If this article's portrayal of Palin's statements is correct, then the previous article is guilty of some serious misrepresentation.
This article portrays the governor as a person of faith who seeks guidance from God. In that respect, she follows in the footsteps of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and doubtless many others.
Whether or not Palin (or Obama, or any other politician) is anointed by a higher power is a different question, one I hope will not be debated here. But I have no problem with any leader praying that God's will be done, as long as they keep their impression of God's will to themselves and as long as they strive to carry out the duties of their office by thoroughly studying the issues and using their absolute best judgment, always bearing in mind the will of the people whom they are elected to represent. Palin may seek divine inspiration, but nothing here suggests that she does so at the expense of good judgment.
I wonder what the fox news poll says.
>>Hmmmm: Is this the same god who brought us the Holocaust and the 200,000,000 people killed in the 20th century by other people in various wars?<<
Akmimi, don't be so quick to blame God for the actions of men. We each choose our way, and just because we invoke the name of another, including God, doesn't mean that we're not the one pulling the trigger.
I know Esther and Sarah Pailin, you are no Esther.
Assembly of God,wow does that explain a lot, please I do not want her as my Vice President. God has all kinds of people in his house all over the world,happy are those who come to his supper.America is a diverse group with many points of view who do not want to be run by a right wing Christian,there is a New Testament you know and it differs from the old.There is a law,separation of church and state you know.I think God would believe in health care for all,not just the rich.I think the Bible says give men a fair wage for a days work,not get more productivity at an all time high but put Americans in a pay grade two thousand dollars short of where they were just a few years ago,I think he would want to protect the Earth from further pollution.Well, you get my drift,check your Bible and pray to God with your whole soul,your whole mind and your heart and spirit. Church and religion do not always mean a pure heart.Even Jesus was a Jew and went against that way and was mad when merchants sold their goods in a place of worship.What does he say about the rich going to heaven and how difficult it will be for them to let go of that wealth and follow him to make real prosperity. I could go on. We need to fix a country here that is in a huge economic downturn on the backs of people who are working harder than ever for no return,something is not right and we know it and it is not about which church you go to but your God given judgement to run a country out of the grave of oppression and dispair.
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