The whole point of free speech is not to make ideas exempt from criticism but to expose them to it.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

"I fear God's laws. I don't fear man's laws." -- Wayne Williams

The IRS received a complaint about Pastor Wayne Williams endorsing Gordon Howie from the (gasp, sonofaBITCH, slam your fist through the sheetrock) pulpit.

On May 16, Williams encouraged his congregation to cast their votes for state Sen. Gordon Howie in his failed bid for South Dakota's governor seat. Williams says his church doesn't claim any tax exemptions, so he can say any goddam thing he wants to say.

By gosh, I think he's right. But I'd say he was right even if his church was a 501-See-Three-Pee-Oh and a Bee-Bop-A-Ree-Bop Rhubarb Pie. Where on earth is there a better place to endorse fools than in a temple devoted to mythology?

The mere suggestion that government should be able to massage the message from a place where people go try to assure their eternal comfort is dagger-brandishing, sofa-flogging, raping-Rasputin crazy. The idea that any pastors buy into it is just plain depressing.

5 comments:

repete said...

... The idea that any pastors buy into it is just plain depressing.

Bullseye! And even more depressing that teabaggers and similar lack of mentality church going morons think it's ok too. Until of course another (and even more disturbing) religion gets elected and turns the tables on them... then they blame the media and liberals and anyone else they can point a finger at because "OMG it's a lack of godly morality that our country has come to this evil point in time!"
Christians everywhere need to take their god back from the neo-republicans. We must prey (upon someone).

larry kurtz said...

Non-denominational christian preachers operating small businesses from the pulpit differ significantly from a priest or pastor mouthing corporate lines from a hierarchical dogma, especially those with assets to protect.

Wayne Gilbert said...

Pastor Williams in fact does claim tax-exempt status for his church but, according to today's Journal article, he bases his claim on the first amendment not on IRS regulations. The guy is a vestige of the Wyoming Patriots of the 70s whether he knows it or not. Sermons posted on his church websites range somewhere between sophomoric rants and il-researched polemics. They don't even pretend to be an attempt to provide spiritual and ethical insights.

Donna said...

I would be more than happy to allow Pastor Williams the freedom to endorse candidates if he in turn will relinquish his non-profit church status. What a hypocrite ! Follow government guidelines when it is financially profitable for him and selectively choose to ignore others.

I hope Howie is pleased. This is his monster. When he finishes paying his property taxes, he should help Williams with legal fees.

taco said...

If I had a pastor and he/she told me how to vote, I would be out the door.