Missing from tonight's formal introduction of Sarah Palin to the American people was one extremely important detail: her wacko religious beliefs. Oh, you didn't hear about her nutjob religious beliefs? Well, you are definitely going to want to hear the spiritual leanings of the woman who will be one heartbeat away from the presidency:

Just 2 months ago, as reported by the Huffington Post, speaking before her Pentecostal church, Palin painted the current war in Iraq as a messianic affair in which the United States could act out the Will of thy Lord:

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending U.S. soldiers out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

-Sarah Palin, June 2008

God's Will, however, was not strictly a thread in Palin's foreign policy. It was also part of her energy proposals as well. Just prior to discussing Iraq, Alaska's governor asked the audience to pray for another matter -- a $30 billion national gas pipeline project that she wanted built in the state: "I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that," she said.

Frightened yet? Oh wait, it gets better. Much better. This is the church in which Palin was baptized at age 12 and at which she has attended her entire adult life. If you think the comments Sarah Palin provided at her church are outrageous, wait until you hear her Church Pastor's comments, Ed Kalnins. Pastor Kalnins has preached that critics of President Bush will all be banished to hell, questioned whether people who voted for Sen. John Kerry in 2004 would be accepted to heaven, charged that the 9/11 terrorist attacks and war in Iraq were part of a war "contending for your faith", and said that Jesus "operates from the position of war mode."

Wait, there's more. Her Church has asserted that Palin's election as governor was the result of a "prophetic call" by another pastor at the church who prayed for her victory who made "a prophetic declaration". And Palin's response to her Divine Selection to the governor's mansion by God Himself? Well, see for yourself....

"He was praying over me," she said in June. "He's praying, 'Lord make a way, Lord make a way...' And I'm thinking, this guy's really bold, he doesn't even know what I'm gonna do, he doesn't know what my plans are, and he's praying not, 'Oh Lord, if it be your will may she become governor,' or whatever. No, he just prayed for it. He said, 'Lord, make a way, and let her do this next step.' And that's exactly what happened. So, again, very very powerful things coming from this church."

In his sermons, Pastor Kalnins has also expressed beliefs that well outside mainstream Christian thought. He preaches repeatedly about the "end times" and the "last days". During his appearance with Palin in June 2008, he declared, "I believe Alaska is one of the refuge states in the last days, and hundreds of thousands of people are going to come to the state to seek refuge and the church has to be ready to minister to them."

He also claims to have received direct "words of knowledge" from God, providing him information about past events in other people's lives. During one sermon, he described being paired with a complete stranger during a golf outing. "I said, I'm a minister from Alaska and I want you to know that your wife left you -- you know that your wife left you and that the Lord is gonna defend you in a very short time, and it wasn't your fault.


Can anybody say "Cookoo! Cookoo!". And this crazy woman might be inline right behind an elderly man with skin cancer for the Executive Office of the United State of America. If that isn't a little disturbing, I don't know what is. Holy Smokes, haven't we all had enough of Republican Politicians taking us into Wars because they think these wars are God's Will? Haven't we all had enough of a President who think they're talking to God, have been Divinely picked by God, and wish to start wars they think God is telling them to start?

so umm does that mean that rev wright matters now?

We have been told he does not matter....

As a person of faith Patton, do you believe people who vote democrat don't get into heaven?

If not then what's the problem?


Ahk

I have been a member of IAP for a long time and I can say unequivocally you are hands down the very most ignorant member here, Republican or Democrat. Your participation in this forum reduces its value as a whole - without question. 

The fact Obama has never made strange religious suggestions himself and has denounced his FORMER pastor is a little different than Sarah Palin HERSELF saying she was choosen by God, that the Iraq War is a mission from God, and SUPPORTING her CURRENT pastor's comments that non-Republicans are all going to hell.

You honestly can't see the difference.

Let me give an example of what Ryan is referring to. Last night, Palin went into a little detail about energy independence. One problem:

"Nothing she said made any sense at all. The amount of new oil we can drill in the United States is tiny, not large. Nothing we do on that front will have the slightest impact on either foreign producers or the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Iran doesn't control a fifth of the world's energy supply. And clean coal doesn't exist. It was just a farrago of nonsense from beginning to end."
--Kevin Drum

See what I mean? When it comes to mocking sarcasm, the GOP is top-notch. First-rate. But actual policy discussions? Gibberish.

Aww did I hurt the little babies feelings???

Very well said. **applause**


Amen to that! (no pun intended)


Absoutely! Individuals in Palin's party are constantly whinning and complaining about how Muslim leaders will not stand up and reject terrorism yet are notably mum when it comes to radical Christian leaders claiming to speak on behalf on God in that God's wishes are for us to be in Iraq, for George Bush to be President, and for all Democrats and non-supporters of this war and of Republicans to go to hell.

I agree Ahk....if someone you've watched for 20 years or so and has baptized your children and whom you call a spiritual advisor makes claims like "No. No. No. Not 'God Bless America,' 'God damn America." or “They will not only attack you if you try to point out what’s happening in white America. U.S. of KKK A.” or "We started the AIDS virus. ... We are only able to maintain our level of living by making sure that Third World people live in grinding poverty.”....you should stand up and condemn the comments....

Can I get an Amen, brotha?