I am not an atheist.  But, if what we have seen in this election is representative of organized religion, I may need to rethink my values.  My values are not those of Jeremiah Wright, John Hagee, Rod Parsley, or Michael Pfleger.  That brings me to my concerns.  Either all the preachers and priests in today’ market are lunatics, looking for fifteen minutes of fame, trying to undermine the candidate they claim to support, or hiding in shame in the closet because of those seeking the spotlight.

While I do not attend a church, I consider myself spiritual.  Of course, I am well aware that those who are deeply entrenched in church-going would say that without the church I am on the path to hell.  I still have doubts about heaven and hell being tangible places, even if one is something like floating on a cloud or the other requires an eternity of stoking the fire.  That said, perhaps I take the position of Blaise Pascal. 

Self-interest, said Pascal, dictates that we believe in God: If he exists, then it is important that we believe in him, whereas if he does not, then it does not matter whether we believe in him or not. We should therefore play it safe by believing in God and living out a Christian life.

Well, I try to lead a life that is in step with my reading of many of the world’s great religions.  That is not to say that I now claim one or another as the “only religion.”  But, I certainly wonder if Wright, Hagee, Parsley and Pfleger are reading from the same Bible I have read.  In short, if any one of those men is representative of Christianity, I will never strive to be a Christian.  That much hate requires more energy and effort than I am willing to put into anything these days.

I’m sure there are more fringe preachers in the country who are going to try to capitalize on the year’s political scene.  And, it’s a shame that we as Americans have decided, against the advice of our forefathers, to use a religious litmus test to determine the validity of our candidates.  For one, I cannot believe that either McCain or Obama harbor the hate of their so-called pastors or endorsers.

I am sickened to think that our Christian churches teach so much hate.  And, it makes me wonder how in clear conscience any one of us can dare judge Islam.  Perhaps, we have not in the name of fundalmental Christianity plowed a plane into a Mosque, but under the direction of our Christian President, we have invaded a country without cause, killed thousands upon thousands of innocents at the cost of over 4000 American lives.  And, for what?

Any way you look at it, or ever how you want to phrase it, Obama dumped Wright and McCain dumped Hagee.  Both have openly distanced themselves from their fringe pastor endorsements.  But, is Joe Lieberman undermining McCain’s denouncement of Hagee?

You can hardly see a picture of McCain without Joe Lieberman lurking somewhere in the background.  They toured the mid-east together not so long ago.  Remember the whispers from Lieberman into McCain’s ear, correcting McCain’s obvious errors on who the terrorist players are?  Since that time, old Joe stands in the background as often as not, looking over McCain’s right shoulder and watching his back.

According to the Huffington Post

Senator Joseph Lieberman is scheduled to headline Pastor John Hagee’s 2008 Christians United For Israel Washington-Israel Summit this July 22. In accepting Hagee’s invitation, Lieberman became the most senior elected representative confirmed to appear at the annual gala. Last year, when Lieberman spoke at Hagee’s summit, he compared the Texas televangelist to the biblical prophet Moses, dubbing him “an Ish Elochim,” or “a man of God.” Unless he rescinds his pledge to appear at this year’s summit, Lieberman can be expected to deliver another soul-stirring tribute.

In case anyone doubts Hagee’s stand on issues and non-issues…

Hagee’s vitriolic condemnation of Catholicism, his jeremiad declaring Hurricane Katrina divine punishment for New Orleans’ hosting of a “homosexual rally,” and his generally disturbing apocalyptic theology became national news last February when John McCain accepted his endorsement in a widely publicized ceremony.

A true nutcase!  But, at least John McCain recognized him for who he is, even if Lieberman doesn’t.  Or maybe, Lieberman has gone over the edge, too.

At the time, prior to McCain’s sweeping renunciation, Lieberman could have reasonably claimed to be unaware of the preacher’s repugnant views on the Holocaust. Now, he has no excuse for ignorance. As a key McCain surrogate who McCain may selectas his running mate, Lieberman must know why Hagee is no longer welcome on the so-called Straight Talk Express.

Well, we are all free to associate with whomever we choose… even Lieberman. 

It seems to me that while we all expect the Republicans to court the right wing fundamentalist evangelicals, the preachers… those who stand behind the Republicans and the Democrats… are seeking their fifteen minutes of fame.   

Politics and religion, a match made in heaven… or hell… can bring votes to candidates from the pastors’ followers.  Or, on the other hand, perhaps the preachers are the ones seeking the benefits.  Let’s face it, being seen and pictured arm in arm with a presidential candidate can possibly bring in more money for the churches.  People are fickle that way.  They love to be associated with the limelight.  So, when a preacher is seen endorsing a candidate that can work both ways… good for the candidate and good for the collection plate.

Now, the real question is will Lieberman keep his date with Hagee?  Or, will political pressure overrule the appointment?  It makes me wonder if it will become necessary for John McCain to ask Joe Lieberman to stand just outside the frame at the next photo op.

Senator John McCain is preparing to enjoy a weekend at Hidden Valley Ranch, scrutinizing three possible running mates, Mitt Romney, Charlie Crist, and Bobby Jindal.  Others are expected the join the group, including Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina and Meg Whitman, former CEO of eBay.

On a positive note or two, McCain has been declared free of skin cancer and given a clean bill of health.  This was one of the concerns that many had brought up, especially in light of the fact that McCain if elected, would be the oldest elected President.  Hopefully, that is not an honor he will experience.

McCain has had five skin cancers, including a growth that was removed in February of this year, but there is no sign any of the cancers have recurred.

Still, each incidence of cancer increases the likelihood he will have a new tumor, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta said.

But his doctor on Friday said he is currently in “excellent health and displays extraordinary energy.”

“While it is impossible to predict any person’s future health, today I can find no medical reason or problems that would preclude Sen. McCain from fulfilling all the duties and obligations of president of the United States,” said Dr. John D. Eckstein, an internal medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic.

And, McCain realized that while the strong right wing ultra-conservatives… the Karl Rove masses… have been the supporters of many of the latest successful Republican candidates, the times are changing and these fundamentalists have lost their power to shoe him into the White House.  The truth is McCain doesn’t have the appeal to get that ark afloat, having compromised on issues more than is acceptable to the ultra-conservative masses.  Along with that realization, McCain has denounced the endorsement of Reverend John Hagee, the lunatic that spreads hate in the name of religion. 

 A Texas pastor and televangelist says his life’s work has been “mischaracterized and attacked” in the media storm over his endorsement of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

McCain on Thursday rejected the Rev. John Hagee’s endorsement after an audio recording surfaced in which the preacher said God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land.

At a news conference Friday, Hagee said parting with McCain is “best for both of us and the country.” He went on to say he in no way condones the Holocaust or “that monster Adolf Hitler.”

Hagee said, “I have worked tirelessly to eliminate the sin of anti-Semitism from the Christian world and to ensure the survival of the state of Israel.”

Perhaps, it’s time that all of us came to the conclusion that the preachers who have been named in the political scene this year on both sides of the election process are on the fringe.  Maybe it’s time to put them back in the pulpit and stop giving them political air time.  It would be insane for anyone to believe that John McCain believes what John Hagee espouses any more than one should believe that Barack Obama believes in the hate that Jeremiah Wright spoke.  Both preachers probably started out with a truth, but as with so many things in life, embellishment and emotion have seemingly pushed them to the edge of sanity.

Hillary Clinton is campaigning on.  At this late stage in the game, with only three primaries left, she should continue to the finish line.  On the other hand, it has been rumored that husband Bill is trying to get Hillary a second seed position on the Democratic ticket for fall.  From all reports, everyone in the Clinton campaign is beginning to speak what they may have seen and felt for a few weeks.  It’s over and it’s time for the lady in the pants suit to sing. 

Apparantly, Hillary put her foot in her mouth once this week.  It’s a weak and uncalled for argument, but…

 Sen. Hillary Clinton referred Friday to the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968 Democratic campaign as a reason she should continue to campaign despite increasingly long odds.

Barack Obama is courting Cuban Americans in Florida, appealing more to the younger voters than the older ones.  Older Cubans who have sought refuge in America still maintain a hard line against the Castro regime, be it Fidel or Raoul.  Obama told a crowd that he would work for freedom for Cubans, but there is doubt in the mind of the older generation.  It’s true that Obama has his work cut out for him with the Cuban community.  Some aren’t quite ready to try diplomacy.

Sen. Barack Obama called today for “direct diplomacy, with friend and foe alike,” saying he would meet with Cuba’s Communist leaders in hopes of advancing democracy on the island.

In a luncheon speech to the most powerful Cuban exile group in the country, the Illinois Democrat vying for his party’s presidential nomination also said he would immediately allow unlimited family travel and remittances.

Additionally, it seems that according to many reports, Obama has set the wheels in motion to begin looking for a vice presidential running mate.  There is still the dream among some that he will select Hillary Clinton, but it looks more and more doubtful.  She may have carried the fight a little too far to back up for the second seat.

Well, it’s not over until it’s over.

After the debacle with Reverend Jeremiah Wright, it would seem that the other spreaders of The Gospel or whatever it is they claim to spread would stay behind the pulpit and speak to the congregations.  But, no… and I suppose it is just as well to clear the air before the political battles really begin.

So, today according to the AP

John Hagee, an influential televangelist who endorsed John McCain, is apologizing to Catholics for referring to the Roman Catholic Church as “the great whore” and calling it “the apostate church.”

Well, I suppose calling the Roman Catholic Church “the great whore” should draw an apology… and maybe a few “Hail Mary’s”.  There are some comments that really don’t deserve the attention they get.  Perhaps, that was one of them. 

In a letter to William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, Hagee wrote: “Out of a desire to advance a greater unity among Catholics and Evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful.”

Donohue, one of Hagee’s critics, said, “To me, it’s basically over.” He planned to meet with Hagee.

It is well known that John Hagee is one of those hate spewing Christians that has little love or compassion in his heart and less brains in his head.  But, one would have thought, if he sincerely endorses John McCain, that he would have had the good sense to have kept his mouth shut.  Although I am not all that familiar with Mr. Hagee’s religious principles, it seems that his history of vile rhetoric goes back as far as Rev. Wright’s.

And, for the life of me I can’t understand why McCain actively sought Hagee’s endorsement.

Hagee explains “the great whore”… Does anyone really take this seriously?