Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain Spiritual Leader, Rod Parsley, No Better Than Jeremiah Wright

It is quite obvious that Fox News' Sean Hannity, of Hannity & Colmes, is on such a quest to disparage Barack Obama, that he somehow neglected to ask questions of John McCain's ("spiritual guide") relationship with Rod Parsley of World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio. The McCain camp has said disputed the comparison between Rev. Rod Parsley and Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Barack Obama continues to take heat for anti-American and racially divisive comments made by his longtime pastor and spiritual guide, many have, myself included, that McCain should be receiving similar scrutiny for provocative remarks made by Parsley.

Parsley has made a number controversial statements about Muslims, previously calling Islam an “anti-Christ religion” based on “deception.” In a recent book, he also wrote that the prophet Mohammad “received revelations from demons and not from the true God,” adding that “Allah was a demon spirit.” These statements are divisive and patently wrong. But I must add, they are along the same lines as Rev. Wright's statements.

According to the campaign, McCain met Parsley for the first time three weeks ago, when the pastor served as an introductory speaker at a February 26 rally in Cincinnati. I recall seeing Parsley getting off McCain's campaign bus for the rally. I must also add, this was the same event Bill Cunningham spewed his hatred of Barack Obama and his middle name.

During the rally, McCain praised most of the leaders in attendance, saying of Parsley: “I am very honored today to have one of the truly great leaders in America, a moral compass, a spiritual guide…thank you for your leadership and your guidance. I am very grateful you are here.” So, shouldn't McCain's relationship with such a divisive figure be fodder for criticism as well? He should be pressured to reject Parsley's positions, unless, just maybe, he holds the same ideology and positions. Then we would know the true McCain.

A campaign official disputes that argument, adding that any comparison between the Wright and Parsley situations is ”totally absurd.” The official notes that Rev. Wright married Obama, baptized his children and has served as his spiritual adviser for 20 years, whereas McCain received Parsley’s endorsement at one event and has never attended his service. Fine, but why did McCain call Parsley a "spiritual guide" unless he was forging a new relationship with him?

Campaign officials point to McCain’s denunciation of similar comments made by Rev. John Hagee–noting that the presumptive GOP nominee was not endorsing Parsley by accepting the pastor’s endorsement and does not agree with all of his views. McCain has vowed repeatedly to run a “respectful campaign,” condemned any personal attacks on Obama and Clinton.

More about Rod Parsley...

He is the leader of 12,000 member World Harvest Church. He has written several books outlining his fundamentalist religious outlook. Parsley in his book "The 2005 Silent No More" in a chapter titled "Islam: The Deception of Allah," warns there is a "war between Islam and Christian civilization." He urged the US to launch a new crusade to eradicate Islam. During the two last presidential elections, I specifically remember seeing his church engaging in pro-Republican partisan activities in violation of its tax-exempt status. How come the IRS hasn't launched an investigation of this church His relationship with McCain's is politically significant, as I stated previously, he drove Christian fundamentalist voters to the polls for George W. Bush. Again, the IRS did not bat an eye, but they have swooned down after Jeremiah Wright's church.

Final thoughts......

Sean Hannity, with your holier-than-though attitude and swagger, what do you have to say now about this? If you have any decency and fairness, you will condemn whatever relationship John McCain has forged with Rod Parsley. Let's not forget Pat Robertson's statements about gays and Evangelist Billy Graham's comments about Jews. We cannot have a double-standard here. The black man should not be held to the fire, while you turn a blind eye and deaf ears to John McCain's growing relationship with Rod Parsley. The bottom line is that there must be a separation of church and state. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. We cannot have a double-standard. Just my thoughts, you be the judge......