Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Road Walker who wrote (232313)	5/11/2005 1:23:50 PM
From: tejek	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1574483

This blows me away! When did a church become a political forum? ******************************************************** North Carolina Pastor Who Urged Parishioners to Vote for Bush Resigns, Leaving Cultural Chasm by Tim Whitmire WAYNESVILLE, NC -- A Baptist pastor accused of threatening to banish from his church anyone who didn't vote for President Bush has himself chosen to depart, leaving in his wake a divided community and a cultural chasm. The Rev. Chan Chandler, 33, walked out of the church he had led for three years Tuesday night after delivering a brief statement of resignation. With him went many of the young congregants he had attracted to the modest brick church on the outskirts of this small mountain town in western North Carolina. In leaving, Chandler did not apologize for the controversy that made him a national lightning rod - the claims by some church members that they were told to leave if they voted for Democratic nominee John Kerry. "For me to remain now would only cause more hurt for me and my family," Chandler said. "I am resigning with gratitude in my heart for all of you, particularly those of you who love me and my family." The dispute that engulfed East Waynesville Baptist Church in recent months would have sounded familiar to many an American congregation: Aging congregation brings in dynamic young preacher to turn things around. New pastor attracts young members who push for change in traditional ways of doing things. Battle ensues. As Chandler and his wife drove out of the church's parking lot followed by a police escort, about 40 of his supporters walked out as well, with many saying they were resigning their memberships. "I'm not going to serve with the ungodly," an angry Misty Turner declared.** But Maxine Osborne, 70, and among those who stayed behind, had a different view of what had transpired. "A lot of these young people had not been in the church more than a year," she said. The Chandlers "brought in a lot of young people, but they also brainwashed them." Members said the troubles had been simmering since last fall, when Chandler endorsed Bush and denounced Kerry from the pulpit - saying those who planned to vote for the Democrat should "repent or resign." Tensions escalated last week, when several members said Chandler called a meeting of the church's board of deacons and declared his intention for East Waynesville to become a politically active church. Anyone who did not like that direction was free to leave, Chandler said - a statement that caused nine members to walk out. Many of those who opposed Chandler's leadership said they agreed with the pastor's positions on abortion and other hot-button religious topics, but disliked linking those beliefs to specific political positions and candidates. "If we wanted politics, we would stay home and watch it 24 hours a day on TV," said Charles Gaddy, 70. "I like Chan. He can preach a good sermon. I just wish he would keep some things out of the church." Frank Lowe, 73, a leader of the members who left the church in opposition to Chandler's leadership, said, "I think his duty was to preach God's word and let the people sort out what they want to do." Chandler supporter Rhonda Trantham, 27, saw no problem with Chandler's approach. "If it's in the Bible, I believe it should be preached," she said. Norman Jameson of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina said the convention - which generally allows its congregations free rein to conduct their business - will try to help Chandler find a new church position if he so desires. "There was evidently a politicization of pulpit in that the pastor is passionate and he interprets that one political party had a stronger stance on abortion than the other," Jameson said. "Passion makes things happen. In a church leadership role, it can also divide people." Speaking to those who remained after Chandler's departure, Lowe acknowledged the pain on both sides of the schism. "This is a sad hour in this group's life. This is a sad hour in the other group's life," he said. But he was firm in his opposition to Chandler. "A person that will take abuse and not stand up for what's right is not worth their salt," he declared. Out in the parking lot, as she got into her truck, Trantham was equally adamant. "God will always fix things in the end," she said. © 2005 The Associated Press

To: Road Walker who wrote (232313)	5/11/2005 10:27:32 PM
From: steve harris	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1574483

Here's what the republicans are doing about the "no idea" whining democrats.... Sound familiar? rnc.org "Party of No" [Voice Over and Text on screen] Wanna "no" something? Just ask a Democrat and see how well they "no" the presidents agenda. [Cuts of Democrats saying "No"] "Sad to say, the Democrats are becoming the party of no." (Gloria Borger, Op-Ed, U.S. News & World Report, 2/28/05) "So far this year the Democrats have been holding fast on a lot of issues, they have been really obstructionist and effectively obstructionist on the courts, on social security, not giving an inch." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 5/2/05) "Why should we put a plan out? Our plan is to stop him from - Stop him - He must be stopped." (Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Fox News 3/17/05) [Cuts of Democrats saying "No"] "I can't believe the Democrats have painted themselves into this corner when it's so transparently obvious that they are obstructionists." (Hugh Hewitt, "Kudlow & Company," 4/29/05) "Voters are looking for reform, change and new ideas but Democrats seem stuck in concrete." (Stan Greenberg & James Carville, The Washington Post, 3/8/05) "It may take 60 days, it may take six months, it may take six years. But it doesn't matter; We're not going to back down." (Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) - Social Security Rally, 4/26/05) [Cuts of Democrats saying "No"] [Voice Over and Text on screen] The Democrats think they "no" everything. Well... They do. [Text: No to Qualified Judges. No to Preserving Social Security. No to the Agenda the American People Voted For.] [Text: Call your Member Of Congress today and tell them to support the President’s agenda. Paid for by the Republican National Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. www.gop.com]