Even when they don't often they do sometimes, and it depends on which service they are attending. Regardless the Pastor is the spiritual leader of the church and all of the members. It is pretense and wish to pretend that this man wasn't the spiritual leader of that family. It is what people choose pastors for.
I think you are being disingenuous. This is the man who they have had as pastor for 20 years, who they chose to be in that position. He is the man that Obama selected for a position in his campaign. Who just a year ago spoke on how he and Obama planned on distancing Obama from him when it became necessary. The man who baptized his kids, who married Obama and his wife. The man he called his spiritual adviser, whom he credits for the title of one of his books.
I think reports of the demise of this story are greatly exaggerated.
I don't think so, I think that the speech gave a temporary respite and this will keep coming as more of the statements are 'found'. Soundbytes are almost always just "good news".
I've answered this same question from 5 different posters now. They don't, they get played and it hurts their candidates too. Especially with people like me.
Again with the stong conviction of your beliefs. Phenomenal.
It isn't my beliefs I have been speaking about, it is how it plays with others. People in politics do this often. It is phenomenal that you think that it is my beliefs talking when I predict that this will hurt Obama far more than he, and you obviously, thinks it will. It is because of what others think that it will do exactly that.
This is how Religion fucks up the political system. You don't stay in your church if your pastor is at all contraversial. You don't stay in your church if that membership is not considered "enough" of something, like McCain's change from the Episcopal church to Baptist. Relgious belief should be personal, it is your relationship with whatever god you choose to worship. I read MOST of your posts Damo and I know that I could probably vote for you if you ran for office even if we don't agree on all issues, but you being Buddhist would kill you in the republican party, probably even in Colorado if you are close enough to Colorado Springs. It is bullshit and should not matter. It has driven a wedge between americans and polarized our system more than is healthy.
Does that change the reality of what I am saying? No, it doesn't.
But because it is what it is, the Republicans tolerate hate mongers. They let them speak at their conventions. Reverend Wright has never done that and after this he never will. Can you say the samething about Roberston? He will speak again at a Republican convention. His history of blaming america for its own misfortunes will not change this. That being so, the Republican party must embrace this message of hate and blame toward america. Your logic not mine. The relationship with Robertson has been longer than 20 years and it is not just with one candidate, it is with the WHOLE party. When they tell Robertson he is no longer welcome at their political conventions then I will believe that your party is no different.
Again, the difference is in the membership. People who attend churches that speak that strongly against something they believe in either leave the churches or agree with what is being said. People will associate this with their own experience. They understand seeking the endorsement of an "other" even the advice of an "other" (those who will say things they don't agree with), but not such a personal thing as having them as their spiritual leader.
Robertson is one of the spiritual leaders of your party. If not then why does he get to speak at their national functions? You are the exception that proves the rule. I KNOW you don't buy into him but your party does every four years at least. He has had the ear of every Repub president since 1980. Jesus Christ on the cross your parties president right now had his DOJ hire Shit loads of attorneys from his law school. It was payback for all his support. The mote in your party's eye is every bit as large as the one in the dems.
