North Carolina church EXCOMMUNICATES all Democrats!!!

[GarySeven]

East Waynesville Baptist asked nine members to leave. Now 40 more have left the church in protest. Former members say Pastor Chan Chandler gave them the ultimatum, saying if they didn't support George Bush, they should resign or repent.

http://www.wlos.com/

Daily Kos has a link to someone who has the video:

www.spiffarino.completelyfreehosting.com/images/wlos.wmv

[TahitiNut]

1. If they retain a tax-exempt status, it's an abomination.

:grr:

[dissent1977]

30. For those who live in NC...

I would suggest that you attend this church decked out in anti-Bush gear. Bring huge groups of people and turn them into the most liberal church in the country. I don't live anywhere near NC so I can't be there, but it would great to see a story about this church being overrun by liberals.

[saigon68]

47. WASTING Time to Reform a buch of Crazy, Hateful Right -Wing NutJobs?

I can't wait to feel JayZeus love emanating from this foul CESSPOOL

[dissent1977]

80. The intent here is not to reform them

I don't have any illusions that these people can be reformed, I just want their efforts to backfire on them. If they try kicking out everyone who voted against * then I want to see even more anti-* voters in their congregation. The intent is not to change them, but to show them that we are not going away. We need to show them that we are going to keep talking about the evil that is coming out of the Republican Party whether they like it or not.

[ktowntennesseedem]

112. They wouldn't let you in, let alone let you join and become a member.

But I love the idea of showing up for a bit of peaceful protest. And not with merely anti-Bush paraphenalia, but pro-justice, pro-peace, pro-tolerance, pro-family (ALL families!), pro-life (not pro-fetus!)--everything that Shrub is not. Quote Jesus to them--he said a lot more about the issues above than he did about abortion or homosexuality (in fact, he said NOTHING about either!) Give that bunch of self-righteous hypocrites something to think about--that is, if any of them have a brain capable of higher thinking and aren't afraid of burning in hell for using it!

[dissent1977]

114. I want to make it clear my intention is NOT to join them

My intention is to protest them.

[ktowntennesseedem]

116. Oh, I forget before: Welcome to DU!!!

:hi:

[saigon68]

133. Thanks I understand Now

I just however wonder, what goes through the cretins heads.

Oh Well :-)

[demnan]

70. Ha-ha!

I like your style, but it would be dangerous, don't count on all those "Christians" being able to turn the other cheek.

This will dismay far more people than it inconveniences. They just lost 40 (probably) paying members. This cuts their revenue. Nothing a preacher hates more than that. I'd say the congregation handled the situation quite well.

[sarcasmo]

79. More on Cnn coming up at 2.

[Roland99]

117. What did CNN have to say about the situation?

[atreides1]

88. The RW Religious Nuts are Testing the Waters

If the IRS does its job, and concludes that this church has crossed the line then it's not that big of a deal. Who really cares about some little 450 member podunk church that loses its tax exempt status, only the members.

But if the Feds look the other way or decide that nothing is wrong, then watch for this exact same thing to start happening across the entire country. All conservative churches will start to pull this very same stunt, because they know that they'll have nothing to be afraid of.

It will also show the rest of us that the Xtian Taliban does control this administration and the government, and that's what they want to
determine.

So the Xtian Taliban have now openly started the war against us, the question we all have to answer is do we fight? Even if it goes beyond the use of words?

[goddess40]

2. They are a political entity and should pay taxes

Really despicable group of people, and certainly not a church. Cult maybe but not a church!

[Virginian]

77. Who do you report them to in order for them to lose Tax Exempt Status?

[Mizmoon]

3. LOL

What a maroon.

[GarySeven]

7. Why do you think it's funny?

Wait until the company you work for FIRES you for your political beliefs.

Oh - you say you'll sue? Who will take the case? Republicans have instituted tort reform to limit damages and thus make it unprofitable for lawyers to take your case. And even if it does go to court, the judge who hears it will either be a radical Christian or under threat of impeachment by radical Christians.

T'aint NOTHING funny about this.

[Mizmoon]

13. A church is not a workplace

there is no comparison between the two.

It's funny because it looks like the guy has managed to simgle-handedly destroy his own congrigation. If you've ever been involved in making a church run you will know it is not easy these days. Despite popular opinion, churches are on the decline and loyal parishioners are hard to come by. This guy is a supreme moran.

[w4rma]

135. Didn't one of the 9 who were told to go also work as the church treasurer?

Does this mean the church will not allow Democrats to work for it? The church did alienate at least 48 - 49 "customers".

[HuckleB]

14. Nope.

It ain't funny.

But you gotta laugh, anyway. It's human, and it's healthy, and it's a fine response -- as long as its not the only response.

[JRob]

Never found Religion funny...

dangerous, but definitely not funny.

Throughout history, more people have died in the name of God than (I believe) for any other other reason other than old age.

Religion and Democracy don't mix with is why we are supposed to have separation of Church and State.

[NYC Liberal]

4. If they want to partake in obvious partisan politicking

then they should pay the admission price like everyone else!

I say tax the hell out of them.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

5. a DU'er basically broke the story yesterday evening

here is the original thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3604552

and Spiffarino another DU'er captured the video, that is his link you got there from Kos.

here is another thread about it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3606871

and another: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3606082

[GarySeven]

10. Good - didn't mean to dupe anything.

Just wanted to make sure everyone knew about this. I just saw it today in Atrios.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

12. no, you didn't dupe, this is the first LBN thread for the story

i wanted to start one last night but all that was available was the video and i didn't know if you could start a LBN thread without an actual article.

thanks and kick!

:hi:

on edit: i can see how my orginal post sounded a little dupe accusatory, sorry about that, i was just trying to let everyone know how the story originated and propogated. It was very exciting to see this story make it out around the country so quickly with no "real" news coverage. DU rocks!

[GarySeven]

18. I didn't feel accused, but properly admonished.

Like all liberals I don't question rules, only blindly obey them.

[mcscajun]

37. Blindly obey? Say WHAT?

Hoping this was a joke.

[GarySeven]

89. It was. SHEESH.

Probably I'm not as funny as I think I am.

[TahitiNut]

95. Not many of us are.

:silly: (But I'm a legend in my own mind.) :crazy: :dunce:

[Pathwalker]

40. "Like ALL liberals I don't question rules, only BLINDLY obey them"

:wtf:

[GarySeven]

90. I was being satirical.

Try this:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=satirical

[Pathwalker]

100. Not very good at it, are ya?

AND you forgot the sarcsm smilie.

[GarySeven]

106. I'm not good at satire, don't understand how to use the internet.

I'm a liberal.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

107. lol

:silly:

[DrDebug]

6. Seperation of state and religion?

Why can't they see the hypocracy which we call Bush?

[NNN0LHI]

8. Just curious. How did he identify the Democrats?

From the horns on their heads or something?

Don

[Career Prole]

33. A dunking stool...

...or perhaps pressing.
:evilgrin:

[LuminousX]

53. If they burn, they aren't Democrats

[jazzjunkysue]

126. What if they sink?

[freedom_to_read]

9. "the actions were not politically motivated."

according to the wingnut pastor.

:wtf: :eyes: :wtf: :eyes:

[Inland]

15. Completely coincidental that all repugs are worthy, and no dems are.

Just happened that way. Don't blame him. Blame God.

[redqueen]

24. It must hurt to be that stupid. n/t

[TahitiNut]

64. "I believe in Bush, the Father Almighty,..."

I believe in Bush, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Dubya Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirits,
born of the Virgin Barbara,
suffered under Pontius Kennedy,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into drunkeness.

The fortieth year He arose again from the hangover.

He ascended into Air Force One
and sits at the right hand of Bush the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the liberals and the poor.

I believe in the Holy Spirits, the holy republican church,
the communion of wealth,
the forgiveness of war crimes,
the resurrection of the profits,
and oil everlasting.

Amen.

[Virginian]

78. Great Parody,

It only needs to have only son changed to oldest son. Some day we could be praying to Jeb, or Marvin, or Neil...

[TahitiNut]

85. Good catch.

I'll remember that when I tweak it again. :thumbsup:

[daleo]

82. Wickedly funny.

Especially the 'descended into drunkenness and arose from the hangover' part.

[ribrepin]

138. Sums it up nicely

You must have a Catholic background.

[HuckleB]

11. I guess old Chan found Jesus' voter registration card...

just lying in the street on a recent pilgrimage to the "Holy Land."

Or is it just a case of Chan the Baptist prophesying * as the second coming. Well, you know, God do work in mysterious ways.

;)

:freak:

:shrug:

}(

[NNN0LHI]

16. Wasn't Chan Chandler the bassist for Jimi Hendrix?

Oh, maybe that was Chas Chandler?

Don

[HuckleB]

21. It's very easy to confuse Chas the Bassist with Chan the Baptist.

I've done it before myself.

;)

:hi:

[KansDem]

29. So have I, so I merely refer to them both as...

"Chas Chan the Baptist Bassist"

[Dhalgren]

34. How about,

"Chan the base Baptist"?

[MN ChimpH8R]

102. FYI: Chas Chandler

was Jimi's manager and the former bassist of the Animals. Noel Redding was Jimi's bassist in the Experience.

:headbang:

Time for a Friday afternoon :beer:

[txaslftist]

17. Un-friggin'believable!!

Oh wait. I've been to Southern Baptist churches and I even attended a Baptist college.

Knowing that, I guess its not so unbelievable after all. I hope that community has a nice liberal methodist church to take in the excommunicated parishioners.

[Selteri]

19. Dupe, but this is eactly why we are supposed to have a seperation

of church and state!

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[snippy]

22. This is Bush's republican party in action.

It is an example of the inevitable consequences of republican slanderous lies and propaganda about the faith and patriotism of American citizens who support the democratic party. It is an example of what Cheney means when he talks about people in Congress of "the other faith."

Democrats probably will portray this as a quaint and quirky example of the behavior of a small and extremist minority of the republican party when it in fact is illustrative of the entire republican party. The entire republican party and every single republican voter bears responsibility for this and should be tarred with supporting this sort of unAmerican behavior.

[icymist]

23. First they demonize the Gays.

Then the Muslims. Now they demonize the Dems! Isn't that what Nazi Germany did right before the camps and the 'final solution'?

[NVMojo]

25. Time to tax the hypocritical sob's!!!!

And no more Faith-based GRANTS ON MY DIME!!!! FUCKERS!!!

[NVMojo]

26. Time to tax the hypocritical sob's!!!!

And no more Faith-based GRANTS ON MY DIME!!!! FUCKERS!!!

[expatriot]

27. The pastor says "politics were not involved." oh my god....

of course its not politics to HIM, to HIM its following the will of GOD. He is a Bushie.

[KansDem]

31. That in itself should be grounds for a "diminished capacity" lawsuit...

:crazy:

[Az_lefty]

111. The Pastors lying...another mark against him.

The Pharisees are on the march!

[Jack Rabbit]

28. Church-state separation as a two-way street

The state should not tell citizens how to worship and the church should not tell parishioners how to vote or parishioners who hold public office what policies they can and cannot implement.

Pastor Chandler has crossed the line. His church is now no more a house of worship than are offices of the North Carolina Republican Committee.

When officers of the state dictate religious belief, then it is time to remove them from the office whose power they have abused and the trust in which they have betrayed. When a church starts dictating political doctrine to the level of for which candidates one should vote, then it is time for parishioners of conscience to leave that church and for the state to revoke its tax exemption.

We should applaud the nine members who felt they had nothing to repent and just as much we should applaud the 40 members, who presumably voted for Bush last November, who stand with them.

[cally]

43. Yes. Let's remember that 9 Dems refused to change and 40

members left in solidarity. Those are the courageous folks who stood up against the hypocrisy.

[unblock]

32. so, jesus forgives murderers, but not democrats?

EVEN IF you think being a democrat or voting for a democrat is a sin (:wtf:), the entire christian religion, or at least one of its major selling points, is forgiveness for sins.

how can they pretend to be christians if they can't forgive something that's not even remotely sinful according to the bible??

[Dhalgren]

35. Yeah, but once you are forgiven you have to stop the sin.

If being a Democrat is a sin, then if you want forgiveness you have to stop being a Democrat...

[derby378]

36. Just posted it on Randi Rhodes' msg board (n/t)

[bluedog]

38. CNN Headline News

had a blip and I mean "little" blip of this item...they showed some real older folks sitting around........no more than that.........we must get this on the media news...........

[chomskysright]

113. Its going into Charlotte Observer and maybe Asheville C-Times

reporter for Charlotte: Christen Collins: 919 829 4881

[Willy Lee]

39. Just sent this to Paul Krugman (NY Times)

Rage. Outrage. These fuckers should be excommunicated themselves.

Tax the churches. Tax the FUCK out of the churches.

[MountainLaurel]

41. Somebody needs to alert the IRS

'Cause I sure as hell think this qualifies as political activity, don't you?

:grr:

[chomskysright]

118. IRS report page

http://www.irs.gov/help/page/0,,id=13148,00.html

[Greyskye]

42. Were they excommunicated or 'just' kicked out?

Being the sinner that I am, I'm not up on the technicalities, but the short news article linked above says nothing about excommunication, only that were "asked to leave" and that the "members were thrown out".

Isn't there a world of difference between being excommunicated and being asked to leave? :shrug:

Please note - no matter the semantics involved, the act (whichever it was) is reprehensible.

[Pirate Smile]

62. I believe it was also called "expelled" last night.

There was no "asking".

[jab105]

68. I dont think you can be "excommunicated" from a baptist church...

that's more of a Catholic thing...

[gordianot]

44. Jesus sounded to me like a liberal.

Worried about the poor all the time, despised wealth and chastised the wealthy, tried to run business interest out of places of worship, distinguished between government and religion "Caesar coin parable", clashed often with the religious authority of his day (who went to extreme measures), established dialog with dregs of his society; tax collectors, prostitutes and the military (Roman Centurion).

Obviously he should be excommunicated from this church if he was ever there in the first place.

[marions ghost]

54. well said

so many Christians never seem to "get" this guy they founded a religion on. It's mystifying since the basic principles are very clear. What is it they're preaching in these so-called "churches?"

One thing I hope starts to happen is that Christians who are offended by this stuff start to "walk out" on these fundies instead of just putting up with them. The more moderate Christian leaders need to speak out, I have noticed that some of the braver ones are beginning to...

[CWebster]

45. And in the meantime

Democratic leaders pander to fundamentalists.

[yorkiemommie1]

46. now if * or the GOP would repudiate this type of crap...

it would be a truly moral move..

OH! WAIT> (slaps head) this is what they WANT!!!

Silly, SILLY ME!!!!


:sarcasm:

[Rose Siding]

48. Loaves and fishes around...except for those 9 and their children

-can't stop tearing up about this.

What a destructive, ugly, hateful thing to have done. So now are there no "sinners" left in the pews at EW Baptist? Does the preacher believe this purge has rendered him a perfect flock?

The right reverends Frist, Bush, Cheney, DeLay have led to this place.

I'm praying that those 49 people will find welcoming fellowship and open arms at a church that is deserving of them.

[Strawman]

49. I applaud the 40 non-Democrats who left in protest

it's nice to see that there are some sane Republicans and Independents who won't stand by and allow their friends and neighbors to be subjected to this bullshit.

These extremists are overreaching.

[barb162]

50. I really like this! This idiot pastor will have fewer contributors

Let the Dems start their own church

[Jacobin]

51. Good.

Let the internal holy wars among radical christian clerics and their flocks of sheep begin.

Then, maybe mainstream America can see what Thomas Jefferson was talking about....and hopefully stop listening to these clerics and their tripe...and stop giving money to these radical clerics

[leftofthedial]

52. call the IRS

this is no longer a "religion"

[musiclawyer]

55. Someone please send this to the Daily Show

[Catherine Vincent]

56. I want to thank the Duer from last night that informed us of this crap.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3604552

I gather we would have found out about it anyways down the road, but if it wasn't for her mom sending her an email and she in turn reported it here, we wouldn't have found out about it right away.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

57. agreed, thanks libnnc!

thanks again!

:yourock:

[GarySeven]

92. I also would like to thank the Duer

I posted this, but didn't know someone else had done it in another forum - didn't mean to dupe; only to inform folks of this outrage. Congrats to the previous person for getting on this board first.

[leesa]

58. "Repent" for not supporting Bush? Is Bush Jesus himself, now?

I certainly hope these folks call the IRS and report this group of morans.

[HuckleB]

69. Yes. Chan the Baptist is prophesying * as the second coming.

;)

:o

:freak:

:shrug:

:banghead:

:rofl:

:popcorn:

[gitchel]

59. Perhaps a brief correspondence would explain?

East Waynesville Baptist Church
175 Woodland Drive
Waynesville, NC 28786-3413
Phone: [phone]

[Mrs_Beastman]

105. They are not answering the phone..

tried that eariler...could not find a private number for crazy chan chandler

[0007]

60. How many other churches have done the same thing that we

haven't heard about yet? Or is this just an isolated incident?

[justsomegirl]

61. Matthew 23:13

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to."

That's what Jesus would have to say about it.

[AspenRose]

71. AMEN! and amen.

Sojourners/Jim Wallis needs to know about this too.

[DinahMoeHum]

87. Another suitable verse: Matthew 21:31

especially the part that goes: "...the tax collectors and the prostitutes will enter the Kingdom of G*d before you..."


Link:
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/versions/1115405176-3269.html#31

[oldcoot]

63. Did they return all donations made by these 9 people?

I am sure that this church does not want to be sullied by accepting money from these evil Democrats.

[donsu]

65. does the church or pastor have an email address

(I'm on dial-up and it takes forever to search stuff)

[Joey Liberal]

66. That Church is Evil

[holboz]

67. I excommunicated the Baptist Church from my life 16 years ago

And I did it precisely because I found them grossly hypocrtical. I was sixteen at the time. The final straw for me came when a brand new mega-church for the Latter Day Saints was built across the street that had everything - basketball court, swimming pool, work out facilities, etc., and my Sunday school teacher said that God had placed that church there as a test to our faith. (Our little simple church had about 4 rooms total). She harped on and on that those Mormans were trying to tempt us and that we should stay away because they're blasphemous and all going to Hell, blah blah blah.

After her 30 minute soapbox rant she proceeded with the lesson for the day on loving thy neighbor. (I am not making this up). That was it. I never went back after that.


edit: for spelling

[Verve]

72. That is so frightening it's funny!

Can we give these church members an island to live on? Then they won't have to mingle with differing viewpoints that Americans are supposed to rejoice.

[quiet.american]

73. So when do they change the "house of worship" name

--to First Church of St. Bush?

[genieroze]

74. passing the word

to the usenet, alex jones, michael moore, air america and jon stewart

[BreweryYardRat]

75. Bleah.

:puke:

Scum. Worthless, intolerant scum. "Tax-exempt no longer" scum...

:evilgrin:

[JRob]

76. Religion and Democracy don't mix which is why we are supposed to have...

...separation of Church and State.

[BadGimp]

81. I can't even being to express my self

I've always said that the GOP has co-opted Religion and Religious groups and that they actually have alterior motives for doing so.

The Religio push on judges masks a more sinister agenda, to get judges on the bench that will give the comming Junta all the power they desire. It has NOT A GOD DAMMED THING to do with Christ, God or Religion.

[DearAbby]

129. Could it also be the FAITH BASED Initiative to be behind this

to show the Federal Government exactly where they stand, so they get their share as well? Something wrong with the government giving public funding to churches, no matter the intent.

[realFedUp]

83. term might be "defellowshipped", not excommunicated

Baptist pal said he thought this is the term,
not excommunicated.

[GarySeven]

94. Your Baptist pal is right

I was pretending I was a journalist and chose the most sensational word, not the most accurate.

[artemisia1]

130. Disfellowshipped?

That is the term used most often by protestant and separatist churches.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

84. These crazies are making the Repub Party look bad. Hope they keep it up.

They are going waaay too far. My Repub. family is getting very embarrassed by all the crazies that are part of their party.

[AgadorSparticus]

137. Absolutely!! They are a liability and I'm glad to see they can't even

contain their craziness anymore. They are rabid and they are foaming at the mouth and we are watching all this like some freaked out spectacle. It is pretty damn funny if it wasn't all so tragic.

They are going to alienate a lot of people in their base.

[yurbud]

86. Get rude White House reporter to ask McClellan if Bush condones this

This guy often asks the obvious, and embarassing questions at White House press conferences. See some samples here

http://www.commondreams.org/scottie/020105.htm


Contact him here:

[email protected]

[jbryant]

91. Talk to Waynesville residents Live

You can talk to Waynesville residents live and hear what they have to say!

http://waynesvillelive.com/chat.html

or voice your opinion on the message forums
http://waynesvillelive.com/yabbse/index.php

[SharonRB]

93. And they call this a democracy?

Where do they get off requiring church members to be of a particular party affiliation? I hope someone sues their asses. And I agree with others that they should lose their tax-exempt status.

[Virginian]

96. It's on MSM!!!!!

Saw it earlier on CNN.
Keith will talk about it on Countdown tonight.

Now, what does it take for a church to lose a tax exempt status?

[indepat]

97. An early phase of total war

[Hosnon]

98. So can we get ALL facts before I call and bitch? Please REPLY

if have ACTUAL facts about the situation...not from MSM.

[NNN0LHI]

99. Whats the big deal here? A few Dem's got thrown out of some cult

Whats is the downside of that? I don't get it? I wish more Dem's would get thrown out of all these different cults. I consider this development a positive thing.

Don

[Mrs_Beastman]

101. Chimp needs to stop playing these nutjobs for votes

and give a clear message to them that there is a separation of church and state AND the repugs do not hold the monopoly on Jesus.

[Bryn]

103. I am dumbfounded!

How could this be possible? This is crazy!! Thanks for posting that and let us know. What's the world coming to??

Religion should always be personal and for spiritual needs. It shouldn't be mixed with politics..what a shame.

[NightOwwl]

104. East Waynesville Baptist Church Calendar of Events:

Sunday, May 7: Democrats burned at the stake

Sunday, May 14: Democrats thrown to lions

It's a family affair! Bring a picnic lunch for the kids, and don't forget your camera!

[GarySeven]

108. Don't forget Wednesday night book burnings.

Every 2nd Wednesday is Jewish writer's night. And remember our special event focusing on homo-sex-er-al writers next month!

[Joey Liberal]

123. LOL! Good one! n/t

[GarySeven]

109. CALL THE CHURCH!!! - Here's the number:

828-456-6841

[GoddessOfGuinness]

120. Why not visit instead?

...with appropriate Bible-verse pickets in hand.

[Az_lefty]

110. One of the steps to Theocracy...

I'm glad this is on the National News. Real Christians need to wake-up to what the GOP is doing to the Church. This Church in particular needs to have it's tax exempt status revoked immediately. Is there anyway that we can push this? Isn't it possible to turn an institution in for abusing its tax exempt status??? This only has to happen once and every Church in America will be put on notice.

[Trish1168]

115. How can anyone think that Bush is Christian? Nevermind force support

The man is the polar opposite of 'Christian'.

What kind of clueless church will ignore Christ's teachings and mandate that their followers also follow someone who likes to kill people (from Karla Fay Tucker to Iraqi civilians), who steals from the poor and gives to the rich and who supports policies that decimate the environment (which causes untold numbers of death).

Yeah...all that is so very Christian. NOT.

[DARE to HOPE]

128. Really!! And if "gay marriage" is really what they are so worried about..

...they should WAKE UP and realize that BUSH HIMSELF IS GAY, that Rove is gay, McClellan is gay, Melman (former head of RNC) is gay, Gillespie is gay (current one,) Cong David Dreier is gay (Ahnold's spokesman,) and now we read today, even the Republican mayor of Spokane!

Those who press for gay marriage are at least trying to live a committed, moral life. What about all this Gannon business in the White House, and the young boys molested by the Spokane mayor?!

[Rose Siding]

119. Local print coverage: Church members say they were kicked out for being De

Church members say they were kicked out for being Democrats

snip>
Some members of East Waynesville Baptist Church voted the nine members out at a recent scheduled deacon meeting, which turned into an impromptu business meeting, according to congregants.

Chan Chandler, pastor of East Waynesville, had been exhorting his congregation since October to support his political views or leave the church, said Selma Morris, a 30-year member of the church.

“He preached a sermon on abortion and homosexuality, then said if anyone there was planning on voting for John Kerry, they should leave,” she said. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard something like that. Ministers are supposed to bring people in.”
...
Pastor Robert Prince III of First Baptist Church of Waynesville said he was "appalled to hear about this. One rule has been to speak to issues, but not to endorse particular candidates.”

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050506/NEWS/50506020/1001

Not ALL Baptists are as nutty as the ones left at EW Baptist. I'm glad this Asheville paper got the opposition quote.

[Jane Eyre]

121. NCDP Chair Jerry Meek's Statement

NC Democratic Party Chair's Statement on Reports of Waynesville Church Kicking Out Democrats

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek made the following statement about reports that the minister of East Waynesville Baptist Church asked nine church members to resign "saying if they didn't support George Bush, they should resign or repent." :

"One of the Bible's most repeated commands is to 'Love your neighbor.' If these reports are true, this minister is not only acting extremely inappropriately by injecting partisan politics into a house of worship, but he is also potentially breaking the law and threatening the church's 501 (c) (3) non-profit status."

[Rose Siding]

124. That's good. One of the AP rpts has this quote

Dems Booted From N.C. Church Over Politics

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-church-politics,0,5085866.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

About a dozen outlets had picked up the shorter version

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&lr=&tab=wn&ie=UTF-8&ncl=http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article%3FAID%3D/20050506/NEWS/50506020/1001&filter=0

[Megahurtz]

122. That Pastor is a real ignorant idiot.

I would love to send him some website links, if I could, about the Bush Klan's membership in the Bohemian Grove Club, the Freemasons, the Illuminati, and the push for "the New World Order" (coined by Poppy himself) just to show him what a phony "Christian" Bush really is.

He's a POSER!!!:argh:

[chomskysright]

125. OK: the SNAKE (HB 235): PREACHERS CAN TELL U TO VOTE:

FROM aMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE:


http://www.au.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr003=2u49khpxv3.app5b&abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=7353&security=1002&news_iv_ctrl=1241


Church Split In North Carolina Shows Dangers Of Partisan Politics In Pulpit, Says Americans United
Friday, May 6, 2005
Church Electioneering Bill In Congress Would Invite More Disputes Over Politics In Houses Of Worship, Says AU's Lynn

A bitter controversy over partisan politics at a North Carolina church shows the danger of electioneering in the pulpit, according to Americans United of Separation of Church and State.
According to news media reports, the Rev. Chan Chandler of East Waynesville Baptist Church in Haywood County told members that they must vote for President George W. Bush. Nine members who did not do so have since been told to leave the congregation. An additional 40 members have reportedly left in protest.
“This is an outrage,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Houses of worship exist to bring people together for worship, not split them apart over partisan politics.
“I think there is an important lesson here for the whole country,” Lynn continued. “Americans do not expect to be ordered to vote for certain candidates by their religious leaders.”
Religious Right groups have been pressing evangelical churches to get deeply involved in partisan politics, Lynn said, and this kind of controversy is the natural outcome.
Lynn said matters will become even worse if a bill now pending in Congress becomes federal law.
H.R. 235, a measure introduced by Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), would allow clergy to endorse candidates from the pulpit and still retain a tax exemption of their house of worship.
“Introducing partisan politics into our churches is a terrible idea,” said AU’s Lynn. “I hope this incident in North Carolina will cause our members of Congress to reject Rep. Jones’ bill.”

Here is e mail for Jones:

http://jones.house.gov/html/contact_form_email.cfm

other contact info:

Washington DC Office:
Congressman Walter Jones
422 Cannon House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[designforce]

127. Praise the Zealots

Well, I hope this is the tipping point for people to see what these zealots are all about. They are about hate, power, and domination.

Remember history.........

[moondust]

131. Red America does not value freedom.

They value control and manipulation of people and things. Occasionally it bubbles to the surface in stark relief.

[flaminbats]

132. I avoid all churches denying communion to anyone attending..

Once communion is denied, the central message of Christ sinks down a slippery slope. Excluding people for their politics, class, race, previous religion, and health problems suddenly becomes acceptable. The message that we are all sinners and therefore all welcome to share in a Christian community is lost. In the words of Paul "the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need for thee nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you."

"And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it."

[genieroze]

134. Everything that these people have done is anti Christian.

Yet they endorse * who is suppose to be Christian. Guess that makes * the anti Christ. lol

[The Flaming Red Head]

136. They're probably in line to receive a faith based initiative grant

or some federal monies and now they'll get it.

When the church and state aren't separate it's the state that controls the church.

[Moderator]

139. locking...with link to continued discussion

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1451614&mesg_id=1451614&page=