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Thursday, September 11, 2008 12:00 AM

Where she was saved

The church where Sarah Palin grew up and was baptized preaches some of the most extreme religious views in the nation.

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  • Wednesday, September 10, 2008 09:56 PM

    Discernment

    In addition to a strongly dualistic world view of good and evil, pentacostals -- and evangelicals generally -- stress something called a "spirit of discernment." Evil in this context is not only evil, but capable of representing itself as Good. Satan posing as an angel of light. Another way of putting this is that a Lie is at the root of all sin. One is to be constantly "testing the spirits" to avoid deception.

    That said, one wonders, given the well-documented record of the McPalin campaign vis-a-vis the truth, whether she's ever read (or truly believes) the words -- attributed to Jesus -- promising heavenly exclusion of "everyone who loves and practices falsehood" (rev:2215). The sickening shamelessness of her inclines me to wish for the literal eschatological fulfillment of the texts she supposedly believes. As it is, we may have to merely hope that what "goes around comes around," that somehow they will "reap what they sow."

    But if all this deception is testing well with the Christian "conservatives" then where is the spirit of discernment they claim? Seems like quite another spirit is at work in this Rovian/Orwellian passion play.

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