The story:
SAN ANTONIO — Senator John McCain got support on Wednesday from an important corner of evangelical Texas when the pastor of a San Antonio mega-church, Rev. John C. Hagee, endorsed Mr. McCain for president. Mr. Hagee, who argues that the United States must join Israel in a preemptive, biblically prophesized military strike against Iran that will lead to the second coming of Christ, praised Mr. McCain for his pro-Israel views.
The response:
Yesterday, Senator John McCain said he was “very honored by Pastor John Hagee’s endorsement.” The Republican presidential hopeful also called Hagee “the staunchest leader of our Christian evangelical movement,” citing the minister’s pro-Israel stance.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue addressed this today:
“There are plenty of staunch evangelical leaders who are pro-Israel, but are not anti-Catholic. John Hagee is not one of them. Indeed, for the past few decades, he has waged an unrelenting war against the Catholic Church. For example, he likes calling it ‘The Great Whore,’ an ‘apostate church,’ the ‘anti-Christ,’ and a ‘false cult system.’
Hagee, to put it mildly, is an unpleasant fellow – I went over to McCain’s website to see if there was more on this, and so far I haven’t even found it mentioned. I hope that Senator McCain will address this issue – but I am also quite confident, due to McCain’s past actions vis a vis Catholicism, that he doesn’t in any way, shape or form agree with Hagee’s views of the Catholic Church. My bet is that McCain was aware of Hagee’s staunchly pro-Israel stance, and that is what McCain was thinking of in obtaining this endorsement.
In general terms, I never engage in a fight with my brothers and sisters in Christ – and even though I view Hagee as terribly wrong, I won’t even fight him on this. I’ll pray he’ll allow God to enlighten him on the truth of these matters, but I see no profit in fighting a fellow Christian – however erring – when the whole of religion is under attack in our nation. I understand, and respect, Mr. Donohue’s position and agree that such things need to be brought up, and condemned, but in my view there is a need, also, for a careful understanding of the real stakes in 2008; Hagee’s influence is relatively small, and no matter how destructive he might be, he won’t do nearly the damage that a President Obama or a President Hillary will do.
UPDATE: Given that our lefties are trying very hard to pick a fight between McCain and Catholics over this, I think it worthwhile to bring up Catholics for McCain; there are quite a lot of my fellow Catholics who are enthusiastic backers of John McCain and this is a much stronger indicator of McCain’s views about Catholicism than the fact that the anti-Catholic Hagee endorsed him.
UPDATE: John McCain responds to the firestorm:
Yesterday, Pastor John Hagee endorsed my candidacy for president in San Antonio, Texas. However, in no way did I intend for his endorsement to suggest that I in turn agree with all of Pastor Hagee’s views, which I obviously do not.
I am hopeful that Catholics, Protestants and all people of faith who share my vision for the future of America will respond to our message of defending innocent life, traditional marriage, and compassion for the most vulnerable in our society.
Of course, it would have been better if the endorsement had never happened – but it did happen, and one can’t undo the past; meanwhile, we don’t want to alienate those followers of Hagee who are sincere, if misguided, Christians who do want what is best for America and the world. This is the best way around it all – making lemonade out of the lemons, as it were.
Blogs For Victory 
Pastor Hagee was right when he said that ‘Katrina was an act of God and His righteous judgment.’
Only we’ve just seen the tip of the iceberg.
Our schools and government are becoming more corrupt by the day.
One of the worst mistakes this country made was when they allowed the ACLU to get started.
It’s really sad what is happening to America, folks.
Wait ’til the Democrat Presidency gains power and the sodomites start coming in your homes and arresting you for the simple reason that you’re a Christian!
Christians made a big mistake when they believed the lie of tolerance that the left started spreading.
Tolerance for deviant lifestyles has no place in our society!
–Jeremiah–
There’s nothing like talking about the generality of the separation of church and state in order to avoid talking about Senator John McCain’s pandering to a group that he used to believe (at least he said he did) were “agents of intolerance”. That’s got to be a pretty uncomfortable topic.
So, Jeremiah, are you anti-Catholic like the Rev. John Hagee or is he just right about some things and wrong about others? If he’s wrong about some things, how do you distinguish the difference?
Actually its a far step from the concept of rights emanating from the laws of nature and of natures God when we actually forbid recognition of Christianity in our public schools and force the nomalization of deviant sexual behavior before children who dont even know what sex is for the most part.
Maybe we need another revolution.
“Pastor Hagee was right when he said that ‘Katrina was an act of God and His righteous judgment.’”
Really, I thought it was because of poor engineering combined with years of neglected levy’s ontop of two pretty much back to back hurricanes. And then to add insult to injury, the inablity of the US government to respond to a natural disaster and protect it’s citizens.
But yep, your right God’s judgment. Tomorrow I’m going to quit my job and build a boat. Sorry bro, theres only room for two of each animal, gotta draw the line somewhere you know…
If you look back into history and anyone arrests anyone for being a certain religion it will be someone of Jewish Faith. So I’m pretty sure your safe being a Christian and all… sheesh.
js – the phrase “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” separates Church and state in the USA. It has been universally understood to do so since the first amendment of the constitution. If you can find a single serious historian or constitutional law professor or ANYBODY serious who thinks otherwise please let us know. The supreme court has ruled with singular consistency that the constitution explicity separates Church and State in the country you are lucky enough to live in. If you want to live in a theocracy I suggest you emigrate to any hellhole you like in the middle east. You sure don’t post like an American.
Diana,
That pastor Hagee is for “tolerance” is just one aspect of the big picture, although I disagree with him there. He is right in the fact that Katrina was an act of God. Everything that takes place under the Sun has a purpose and is part of God’s plan for America.
This reason I disagree with Pastor Hagee that we should be “tolerant” is it then gives the State power to do what they want, sodomites can live however they want, abortions on demand….and pretty soon before you know it, our freedoms are completely gone.
So, no I have to disagree with his statement that we are to be a “tolerant society”.
Go to onenewsnow.com and read the little preview to the right of your screen … it’s called … Speechless: Silencing the Christians.
It’s time for Christians to take action, or else lose their freedom and wind up imprisoned.
–Jeremiah–
Incase you view my last statement as anti-semantic. Know this, if Hitler did not lose the war I would be in a concentration camp because my grandmother was Jewish. Along with that I have family members who were survivors of Auschwitz. One even wrote a book on his experience.
So Jeremiah, you’ve been brave enough to say you believe “Pastor Hagee was right when he said that ‘Katrina was an act of God and His righteous judgment.’”.
Interesting. Do you also think that September 11th was God’s righteous vengence against New York City for that liberal metropolis’ sindful ways? The terrorist A-holes who flew those planes into the towers certainly thought they were agents of God so at least you have that much in common with them.
Or perhaps you only believe that God vents His fury through natural acts such as earthquakes, hurricanes, etc? So, I guess you believe that all people who die in natural disasters deserve their fate because God is angry at them for some transgression or other.
What an evil-minded supersitious clown you are Jeremiah.
Mark, I’m just curious to know something. JS and Jeremiah are too of the most frequent posters on these boards on the right wing side. Do you support their views?
The Hagees, Roves, Limbaughs and Hannitys are not part of McCain’s world. But each time he tries to be their love child, he learns the hard way how detrimental they are to the American way of live and why he distanced himself from them in the first place. The straight talk express is in a perpetual skid.
I keep thinking there must be a reason the Huckster has not thrown in the towel.
Deleted – this blog won’t link directly to bigoted statements.
Deleted – this blog won’t link directly to bigoted statements.
Deleted – off topic
Deleted – complains about comment policy.
Southerner,
That video is from September of last year. As I’ve said, McCain is probably keyed in on Hagee’s support for victory in Iraq and is likely unaware of Hagee’s views on the Catholic Church.
Diana,
I, however, am not as unmerciful as you are, it would seem – it was wrong for McCain to accept this endorsement and I hope that we soon will receive some clarification on the matter; but I’m not going to condemn a man who in his lifetime in politics has been a friend of Catholics and Judeo-Christian morality. No matter how hard you try to pick a fight here, you’re not going to get one from me.
“That video is from September of last year.”
What does that have to do with anything?
You’re assuming McCain’s ignorance of this man’s viewpoints based on … what, exactly? Because you guess that’s what it has to be?
The US Catholic League and Catholics United have both contacted McCain and asked him to reject Hagee’s endorsement, so it seems likely that even if he wasn’t aware when he made the remark about being “very proud,” he’s aware now. So how is this still acceptable to you?
30. southerner | February 29th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
“js – the phrase “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” separates Church and state in the USA.”
No it does not. It tells congress that it can not make any law that respects an establishment of religion. It gives Congress ABSOLUTELY no authority to restrict relgion, IN ANY WAY.
Now, if you were actually educated, you would know that liberal activism on the judicial bench is why your are spouting off this way. The Supreme Court has violated the constitution by ruling for the “separation” of Church and State as you claim (and which does not, nor has it ever, existed in the US Constitution).
“As I’ve said, McCain is probably keyed in on Hagee’s support for victory in Iraq and is likely unaware of Hagee’s views on the Catholic Church.”
Unaware of his views on the catholic Church… Southerner just proved with a quick youtube search appauling videos can be found about his views. So to say that neither McCain, or anyone of his advisors right now are unaware of Hagee’s views because it was last year really really qualifies him for a oval office. Afterall, if proper intell is not something required for a president to make decisions (sarcasim)
welll….
Ralph is running…wonder if this will help him?
Mark, you’ve deleted (censored) two of my posts above which show video of Hagee spouting his anti-Catholic claptrap and then you delete my post complaining about the deletes. In the last case you say you’re doing this because I complain about something called your “comments policy”. I was not aware you HAD a comments policy. Where is it located on blogforvicotory.com? I’d hate to think you were just deleting people you don’t agree with.
Jeremiah,
I asked you if you agreed with John Hagee’s being anti-Catholic since you agreed with his assessment of Hurricane Katrina. In response, you rambled on at some lenght about his “tolerance” which wasn’t even a word that was in my comment. So, I repeat my question. Are you anti-Catholic like the Rev. John Hagee or is he just right about some things and wrong about others?
Mark,
The idea that Senator McCain was or is somehow oblivious to the fact that the Rev. John Hagee is anti-Catholic certainly doesn’t wash now, if it ever did. Even if he didn’t know, that’s why he has staff members to tell him that he’s about to embrace a religious bigot. If he were to come out today and say something along the lines of, “I failed to realize that the Reverend Hagee has condemned the Roman Catholic Church before I accepted his endorsement. Now that I am aware of his views I must reject his endorsement because his views bring shame on our faith, our party and our country”, then I think he could begin to put this behind him. Until then, he is clearly a hypocrite and a panderer-extraordinaire on this issue and there’s no way to put a good spin on it.
Since you don’t see that as a problem then clearly this is not about integrity or honesty, it’s only about Senator McCain being the presumptive Republican nominee. That’s fine. That’s politics, where people can sell their honesty and integrity for cheap. Senator McCain can pander to Catholic-haters and repudiate his own words on waterboarding (“It is torture”). The important fact is that he’s a Republican and it’s okay to pander if a Republican does it.
Diana,
I thought I made myself pretty clear on your question. To clarify…
Yes, I do disagree with his position of criticizing the Catholic church, and other areas I agree with him. But I’ll say this, I disagree with him more than I agree with him on many things…such as Once saved always saved…I disagree with that. Jesus is coming back to set up a kingdom on earth…I disagree with that. There also areas I disagree with the Catholic Church such as going before a priest to confess you sins, I disagree with that.
But of all the areas that I disagree with them, that doesn’t mean that I am “anti-Baptist” or “anti-Catholic” Does it?
Where I think America has failed, is when they decided that God no longer belongs in our schools and government: Here watch this video– The day God was kicked out of schools
I ordered a book yesterday called — The Christian Life and Character of the Civil institutions of the United States — You might have heard of it.
I encourage all Christian Conservatives to purchase it if you haven’t already.
You will be armed to fight the ACLU with that book.
–Jeremiah–