"Religious Zealots", Damage Control and a "Great Misunderstanding" !
May 8, 2005, 10:44PM
Pastor's welcome can't heal scars
Church members ousted for political beliefs say only his exit will do
By PAUL NOWELL
Associated Press
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. - Calling it a "great misunderstanding," the pastor of a small church who led the charge to remove nine members for their political beliefs tried to welcome them back Sunday, but some insisted he must leave for the wounds to heal.
The Rev. Chan Chandler didn't directly address the controversy during the service at East Waynesville Baptist Church, but issued a statement afterward through his attorney saying the church does not care about its members' political affiliations.
"No one has ever been voted from the membership of this church due to an individual's support or lack of support for a political party or candidate," he said.
Nine members said they were ousted during a church gathering last week by about 40 others because they refused to support President Bush. They attended Sunday's service with their lawyer and many supporters.
Chandler noted their presence in his welcome to the congregation, saying, "I'm glad to see you all here. We are here today to worship the Lord. I hope this is what you are here for."
But Chandler's statement and his welcome didn't convince those who were voted out that things would soon change.
"This all started over politics and our right to vote for whoever we wanted to," said Thelma Lowe, who has been attending the church for 42 years. She and her husband Frank, a deacon at the church for 35 years, were among those voted out.
"Things will never be the same here until he leaves."
Chandler, 33, has been at the church for less than three years.
The ousted members have said Chandler told them during last year's presidential campaign that anyone who planned to vote for Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry needed to leave the church.
"He needs to leave," said Marlene Casey, 42, a lifelong member. "A lot of blood, sweat and tears have been shed by the people he told to leave."
Added Lewis Inman, a deacon at the church who said he was voted out last week: "He could have apologized and made everything right. He's not man enough."
Chandler said he and his wife have received calls from around the nation — some of them threatening — since his politics in the pulpit made the news.
source: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/3172861
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Note the similiarities in Chandler's message (diatribe) to Brownwood's KXYL Talking Head/Brown County Republican Party Spokesperson ("Prophet") James Williamson. I believe Chandler just got busted for exposing in the light of day what has been going on within the walls of Churches for years (a litmus test ?). I'll call it "Legislating from the Pulpit" for those who are focused on the term "Legislating from the Bench" ! I don't consider it a "great misunderstanding" to understand what religious zealots are thinking, preaching and pushing !
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