Saturday, May 7, 2005
**Update--May 11, 2005
WAYNESVILLE - Pastor Chan Chandler submitted his resignation to the members of East Waynesville Baptist Church on Tuesday, a move some said was the only way to resolve current tensions at the church. link
Members Say Church Ousts Kerry Supporters
A Baptist pastor in North Carolina has touched off an exodus in his church by declaring Democrats are not welcome as members.
The Rev. Chan Chandler of East Waynesville Baptist Church in Waynesville ex-communicated nine members who refuse to support President Bush, according to WLOS-TV in Asheville, N.C.
Another 40 have left in protest in a controversy that began before the election last November and came to a head Sunday.
"He preached a sermon on abortion and homosexuality, then said if anyone there was planning on voting for John Kerry, they should leave," said Selma Morris, a 30-year member of the church. "That’s the first time I’ve ever heard something like that. Ministers are supposed to bring people in." "[Chandler] told us that if we didn't support George Bush we needed to resign our position and get out, or go to the altar and repent, and support George Bush."
Chandler, who could not be reached for comment, has insisted his actions are not politically motivated.
North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Meek sharply criticized the pastor Friday, saying Chandler jeopardized his church's tax-free status by openly supporting a candidate for president.
A contributor to the leading liberal weblog Daily Kos wrote: "For those that thought that there has not been a full scale war lanched against liberals; for those who didn't take the radical right's promise to "eradicate liberals" seriously, I present to you, Exhibit A: East Waynesville Baptist Church has just kicked out all its Democratic members."
This sad spectacle is the predictable consequence of the radical religious right's insistence on measuring a person’s religion by social-political litmus tests. How soon will others follow suit? [more »]
WAYNESVILLE - Pastor Chan Chandler submitted his resignation to the members of East Waynesville Baptist Church on Tuesday, a move some said was the only way to resolve current tensions at the church. link
Members Say Church Ousts Kerry Supporters
A Baptist pastor in North Carolina has touched off an exodus in his church by declaring Democrats are not welcome as members.
The Rev. Chan Chandler of East Waynesville Baptist Church in Waynesville ex-communicated nine members who refuse to support President Bush, according to WLOS-TV in Asheville, N.C.
Another 40 have left in protest in a controversy that began before the election last November and came to a head Sunday.
"He preached a sermon on abortion and homosexuality, then said if anyone there was planning on voting for John Kerry, they should leave," said Selma Morris, a 30-year member of the church. "That’s the first time I’ve ever heard something like that. Ministers are supposed to bring people in." "[Chandler] told us that if we didn't support George Bush we needed to resign our position and get out, or go to the altar and repent, and support George Bush."
Chandler, who could not be reached for comment, has insisted his actions are not politically motivated.
North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Meek sharply criticized the pastor Friday, saying Chandler jeopardized his church's tax-free status by openly supporting a candidate for president.
A contributor to the leading liberal weblog Daily Kos wrote: "For those that thought that there has not been a full scale war lanched against liberals; for those who didn't take the radical right's promise to "eradicate liberals" seriously, I present to you, Exhibit A: East Waynesville Baptist Church has just kicked out all its Democratic members."
This sad spectacle is the predictable consequence of the radical religious right's insistence on measuring a person’s religion by social-political litmus tests. How soon will others follow suit? [more »]
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