God is Palin's Doorman

BE ELECTED
by Meg White

In an interview with Fox News this week, Gov. Sarah Palin once again addressed her ambitions for the White House in 2012:

"Faith is a very big part of my life and putting my life in my creator's hands.  This is what I always do, I'm like, 'OK, God: If there is an open door for me somewhere;' this is what I always pray.  I'm like, 'Don't let me miss the open door. Show me where the open door is.' And even if it's cracked up a little bit, man, maybe I'll plow right through that, maybe prematurely plow through it, but don't let me miss an open door.  And if there is an open door in '12, or four years later, and if it's something that is going to be good for my family, for my state, for my nation, an opportunity for me, then I'll plow though that door."

This is an example of two things: Palin's extreme religiosity and her extreme ambition. And in this statement, she tries to cover for her ambition by using God as an excuse. How far will that excuse go?  In 2013, will President Palin be telling us that the invasion of Iran was not her fault, that God told her to do it in order to bring on the Rapture?

If her religious handlers have their way, that's not too far off to consider a possibility.

Bruce Wilson, co-founder of TalkToAction.org, a Web site dedicated to "analyzing and discussing" the religious right, recently did an interview with BuzzFlash editor Mark Karlin about Palin's frighteningly extreme religious background and beliefs. Wilson said the groups backing Palin, often identified as Assembly of God adherents but operating under a variety of names, are far from apolitical.

"They're working to bring about a Christian theocratic government," Wilson said. "This is about their efforts to take control of society and government and they blatantly state their intent to do so. The seven mountains are religion, family, education, arts, media, government, and business. They believe that once they take full control of these seven mountains, they will be well on their way to conquering evil in the world."

Assembly of God churches, such as the ones cheering Palin on all this time, call for an infiltration of Christians on each of these seven "mountains."

Mary Glazier, the Alaska Coordinator for the United States Global Apostolic Prayer Network linked Palin's political ambition to her religious associations when describing earlier this year about bringing her into the fold:

"There was a 24-year old woman that God began to speak to about entering into politics.  She became a part of our prayer group out in Wasilla.  Years later, became the mayor of Wasilla. And last year was elected Governor of the state of Alaska. Yes! Hallelujah!  At her inauguration she dedicated the state to Jesus Christ."

The danger in this goes far beyond the erosion of separation of church and state. This "end of times" belief translates to the end of responsibility and custodianship for leaders. As Wilson puts it, "since they believe the world is spiraling to a terrible end anyway, why bother preserving the environment? Also, they find everything from war to natural disaster quite exciting because it means the Rapture is near."

This is why I cringe when I hear Palin say the Iraq war "is a task that is from God." People like her want to fight religious extremism with more religious extremism, and think that the Rapture is not an event to wait around for, but something they need to hasten. 

I don't think very many Americans want someone who wants the world to end ASAP to have nuclear codes. All the same, I don't think most Americans know Palin has these types of views.

Just as these churches resist being labeled as any specific denomination, Palin hides from scrutiny by saying she's not a member of any specific church.  But if her location on any given Sunday is any indication, she's a part of this as much as anyone else. Either way, people such as Glazier and Bishop Thomas Muthee seem to believe that her political ascension is due to their support, so there's no doubt that if she amasses any more power, they'll come calling.

In an election that featured strong scrutiny of Obama's former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, whom the senator rejected, Wilson said that "journalists are asking the wrong questions."

Now that Palin is in 2012 mode, she's going to hide her connections to these wack jobs. Therefore, over the next four years, journalists have to do the job they shirked in the past few months.  Ask Palin what she really believes. If you're not sure where to start, here are seven solid questions right off the bat.

Either way, America can't wait for Palin to admit her extremist views. She's gunning for the Oval Office now, and as the wildlife of Alaska might concur, she's got laser-quality aim, even from four years away.

BE ELECTED

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