Religion, politics an unsettling mix
Both Barack Obama and John McCain have suffered embarrassment by religious leaders who support their political aspirations.
Presidential candidates are required to provide proof of their religious faith, often through religious leaders of questionable integrity.
Obama's pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, has made statements criticizing the United States for its support of Israel and its oppression of the Palestinian people.
McCain has accepted the endorsement of pastor John Hagee, who supports a program of bigotry and extremist thoughts.
The San Antonio evangelical minister promotes a Middle East controlled by Christians, with the exemption of the Catholic Church, which he despises. He also promotes hatred of homosexuals and demands that women submit to men.
He imagines a conspiracy by international bankers, the United Nations, the Council on Foreign Relations and other groups to deliver the United States into the hands of the Devil.
Most of those statements are code for traditional anti-Semitism. The outrageous thoughts of Hagee are acceptable, while those of Wright are not.
McCain has escaped the hard questions that should be asked about his embrace of Hagee, while Obama is held responsible for assorted inanities preached by Wright.
Eight years ago, the San Antonio minister was among the political preachers, including Pat Robertson and the late Jerry Falwell, who denounced McCain and proclaimed George W. Bush to be God's chosen candidate for the presidency.
Richard F. Nelson
Aurora