Those Guys Eat The Body And Drink The Blood

February 29, 2008 by John H. Taylor | Filed Under American Politics, Culture, Election 2008, Episcopal Church | Leave a Comment 

At the same time Sen. McCain struggles to shore up his right wing, pressure builds on him to renounce the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee, who calls the Catholic Church “the great whore.” Sauce for the goose, Democrats say, since Sen. Obama had to renounce Louis Farrakhan. The Catholic League also called on McCain to repudiate Hagee. Some ministers make statements that are beyond the pale. But where does this end? How about giving politicians a pass when it comes to their supporters’ and pastors’ wacky theology and eschatology? After all, a consensus formed among most observers that it was inappropriate to ask Mitt Romney to account for the specifics of LDS doctrine (though polls showed these made some voters uneasy). Should an Episcopal candidate, or a candidate endorsed (heaven and the IRS forbid) by an Episcopal bishop or priest, have to repudiate the Mother of All Moderate And Eager-to-Please Denominations because its prayer book, in a compendium of historical documents, still seems to promote “predestination and election” (p. 871) and says this about millions of devout Roman Catholics praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints (p. 872)?:

The Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping and Adoration, as well as of Images as of Relics, and also Invocation of Saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God.

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