Considering what Barack Obama has been through/is going through with his pastoral problems, it’s only fair to point out that John McCain may have similar problems. While Obama was a member of Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s congregation and been associated with him for 20 years, McCain’s problem is not as long lasting, but comes with plenty of controversy.

At the heart of this issue is a man named Rod Parsley. Parsley is a “Christocrat”, read: hardcore Christian. Parsley endorsed McCain for the presidency, and in turn McCain referred to Parsley as a “spritual guide.” Therein lies the issue.

The issue is that Parsley has said some things in the recent past that I would think a major party presidential candidate would not want said by an endorser. Specifically, Parsley has said some very anti-Islamic things that may come to haunt Sen. McCain.

With a hat tip to Austin Cline at About.com, via Mother Jones, Parsley’s fundamentalist beliefs have found their way into the news.

Many of the quotes from Parsley come directly from his own book, in which he stated:

“I cannot tell you how important it is that we understand the true nature of Islam, that we see it for what it really is. In fact, I will tell you this: I do not believe our country can truly fulfill its divine purpose until we understand our historical conflict with Islam. I know that this statement sounds extreme, but I do not shrink from its implications. The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed, and I believe September 11, 2001, was a generational call to arms that we can no longer ignore.”

I’m going to repeat one part of that because it bears repeating — “The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed…”

I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that the United States was in no way founded in any way with the intention of destroying Islam. That is completely false, and entirely moronic.

Parsley has gone on in much more detail about his dislike of Islam and calls Allah a “demon spirit.” In the past, he has also compared Planned Parenthood to Nazis, and called for the prosecution of adulterers. All this and McCain not only accepted his endorsement, but called him a spiritual advisor.

While I don’t consider this to be the exact same thing as Obama’s situation, I consider it similar enough to discuss. The big difference is that Obama had a long history with his pastor, and had to know of the kind of things he said and/or believed. Through all of that, Obama continued to not only stand by him, but remain a member of his congregation.

McCain more than likely just used Parsley to help him win Ohio. It’s unfortunate that that’s what politics is these days, but it’s also likely true. As ignorant as his beliefs are, there are many people who agree with Parsley, and if McCain accepted his endorsement to win a primary, then it worked. But it doesn’t make it right. Not only should McCain denounce Parsley’s quotes, he should officially renounce him as a spiritual advisor.

As Steve Benen said on Crooks and Liars,

“But if McCain is going to tout Parsley as a “spiritual guide,” it’s certainly worth learning more about where Parsley might “guide” the Republican nominee.”

I’ve examined McCain’s religious beliefs in the past, and I’ve cleared him of being dangerous to those of us that want our religion and politics kept separate, this makes me reconsider. I honestly don’t believe that McCain agrees with Parsley, but I think he’s showing that he’s a little too willing to align himself with the wrong people just for votes.

If that’s true, then how do you trust the decisions he’ll make as president? I think McCain is so afraid of losing the conservatives, that he’ll take his PR beating on this one to try to appeal to the conservative base.

McCain needs to remember that the Independents and moderates are just as responsible, if not more, for him winning the nomination, than conservatives are.

I gave Obama the benefit of the doubt with his pastor situation, and I’m willing to give McCain the benefit of the doubt here. I don’t think either one believes what people associated with them may believe, but I think they both need to show better judgement and leadership to prove their presidential qualifications.

My conclusion is that this was just a case of bad politics, but McCain needs to take a stand and not be associated in any way with anyone who has this kind of hate speech on record.

I have a funny feeling that we haven’t heard the end of either of these stories. Both of them need to get this fixed before the general election, for the good of the nation.

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