Palin linked electoral success to prayer of Kenyan witchhunter

The pastor whose prayer Sarah Palin says helped her to become governor of Alaska founded his ministry with a witchhunt against a Kenyan woman who he accused of causing car accidents through demonic spells.

At a speech at the Wasilla Assembly of God on June 8 this year, Mrs Palin described how Thomas Muthee had laid his hands on her when he visited the church as a guest preacher in late 2005, prior to her successful gubernatorial bid.

In video footage of the speech, she is seen saying: “As I was mayor and Pastor Muthee was here and he was praying over me, and you know how he speaks and he’s so bold. And he was praying “Lord make a way, Lord make a way.”

“And I’m thinking, this guy’s really bold, he doesn’t even know what I’m going to do, he doesn’t know what my plans are. And he’s praying not “oh Lord if it be your will may she become governor,” no, he just prayed for it. He said “Lord make a way and let her do this next step. And that’s exactly what happened.”

She then adds: “So, again, very very powerful, coming from this church,” before the presiding pastor comments on the “prophetic power” of the event.

An African evangelist, Pastor Muthee has given guest sermons at the Wasilla Assembly of God on at least 10 occasions in his role as the founder of the Word of Faith Church, also known as the Prayer Cave.

Pastor Muthee founded the Prayer Cave in 1989 in Kiambu, Kenya after “God spoke” to him and his late wife Margaret and called him to the country, according to the church’s website.

The pastor speaks of his offensive against a demonic presence in the town in a trailer for the evangelical video “Transformations”, made by Sentinel Group, a Christian research and information agency.

“We prayed, we fasted, the Lord showed us a spirit of witchcraft resting over the place,” Pastor Muthee says.

After the spirit was broken, the crime rate dropped to almost zero and there was “explosive church growth” while almost every bar in the town closed down, the video says.

The full Transformations video featuring Pastor Muthee’s story has recently been removed from YouTube but the rest of the story is detailed in a 1999 article in the Christian Science Monitor, as well as on numerous evangelical websites.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, six months of fervent prayer and research identified the source of the witchcraft as a local woman called Mama Jane, who ran a “divination” centre called the Emmanuel Clinic.

Her alleged involvement in fortune-telling and the fact that she lived near the site of a number of fatal car accidents led Pastor Muthee to publicly declare her a witch responsible for the town’s ills, and order her to offer her up her soul for salvation or leave Kiambu.

Says the Monitor, “Muthee held a crusade that “brought about 200 people to Christ”.” They set up round-the-clock prayer intercession in the basement of a grocery store and eventually, says the pastor “the demonic influence – the ‘principality’ over Kiambu –was broken”, and Mama Jane fled the town.

According to accounts of the witchhunt circulated on evangelical websites such as Prayer Links Ministries, after Pastor Muthee declared Mama Jane a witch, the townspeople became suspicious and began to turn on her, demanding that she be stoned. Public outrage eventually led the police to raid her home, where they fired gunshots, killing a pet python which they believed to be a demon.

After Mama Jane was questioned by police – and released – she decided it was time to leave town, the account says.

Pastor Muthee has frequently referred to this witchhunt in his sermons as an example of the power of “spiritual warfare”. In October 2005, he delivered ten sermons at the Wasilla Assembly of God, the audio of which was available on the church’s website until it was removed around the time Mrs Palin’s candidacy was announced. The blog Irregular Times has listings and screen grabs of the sermons.

It was during that these sermons that Mrs Palin, who was then preparing for her gubernatorial run, was anointed by Pastor Muthee. His intercession, she says, was “awesome”.

Her June 8 speech was to mark the graduation of students from the Wasilla Assembly of God’s Masters’ Commission, which, as Pastor Ed Kalins explains, believes Alaska will be the refuge for American evangelicals upon the coming “End of Days”. After her speech, Mrs Palin was presented with an honorary Masters’ Commission diploma.

Comments

[David Bennington]

Are these people idiots, or what? The mix of religion and politics creates the most dangerous form of government. Bigotry is combined with idolatory; common sense and humanity flies out of the window and everything is sacrificed to some totally subjective 'divine leading'. Both we and the US need a wholly secular state where religion is given no privileges.

[Greg Lorriman]

Witches in Africa are no joke: they aren't like the benign picture of the western Witch. They are violently superstitious, and nothing is beyond their capabilities.

In Africa Witches are a serious problem.

[Alan]

Barking !

[Balbou]

Are you just kidding ? Even putting apart all my rationality, I can't believe this is not a hoax...

[David]

Why are we surprised? This woman wants Creationism taught in schools and polar bears slaughtered so the US can drill for oil in Alaska. What's a little voodoo thrown in going to harm?

[Scott Benowitz]

Your point being.... ...?

[Spencer]

Cuckoo Cuckoo Cuckoo. Isn't it funny that evangelicals think that we shouldn't use the one gift that god gave us which distinguishes us from animals - our brains!

[DON]

It's rather mistaken to think that Evangelism involves NOT using one's brains or reason. On the contrary, it's mainly those who are skeptical of religion and all things spiritual that end up seeing religion as some sort of wierd fantasy or joke.
Faith is real and it's amazing how limited the human mind and capability appear once you view it from a Spiritual perspective and it's not something you can make up. I'm talking Christian faith here by the way...

[John funk]

Re Kalin - power of prayer and witchcraft.
Its all in the Bible - the same book that says Israel will be destroyed, the people scattered worldwide and return by plane "as birds flying", and be restored as a nation, plus many other predictions that have come to pass.

And in it Jesus talks about a heaven and a hell - so where does that leave you?

[eric ct]

Hmmmmm. He still makes more sense than Jerimiah Wright!

[BlueMax372]

And the point of this article is just exactly what? Has the author ever visited Africa or, for that matter, Haiti?

[Inconvenient Truth]

I love the comments from those who preach separation of religion from government, yet support regimes who literally worship questionable environmental theories. The truth is that the US was founded by Christians and has enjoyed success because of adherence to Judaeo-Christian values. Yes, we are the good guys and have prospered because of it.

Now regarding the witch thing...who the hell knows.

[tuma]

if you think moose-hunting and Bible-thumping is what this nation needs go ahead and vote saint Palin. What did you get from saint-born-again Bush?

[patrik]

Oh Boy!

[Shannon]

I love any reporting that lets us bring back the Rev. Wright clips.

Who has the longest relationship with a crazy pastor??? Let the games begin!!

[mike]

well, he and she are up against Obama this time...a candidate for AntiChrist of the Last Days...
well, give it a try....good luck

[L Haris]

American candidate Palin had not much to do with the Kenyan religious leader apart from sharing a stage for a few minutes.
Witches are a serious problem, and Africans seem to recognise the spiritual realm much more than northern europeans. A reader thinks it's barking? So much for cultural sensitivity eh. Have not come a long ways in the course of history have we. The spiritual cannot be intellectualised. Additionally, it plays a large role in American politics no matter what your worldview.

[Bizarre]

On the one hand, I'm an Obama voter because I think his policies will help the USA regain international influence, stabilize the economy, improve education, and begin to pay down our massive debts. On the other hand, if Palin wins (who talks about McCain anymore?), it'll be the best reality TV show ever! The fun just never ends. I wake up every day wondering what the crazy Palins are up to now. Teen pregnancy? War on Russia? Pigs with lipstick? Curing gays? And now, witch doctors helping her ascend to power? You can't make this stuff up, people, this is 100% pure comedy gold.

[davenjan]

He was only a guest speaker at her church. At least you CAN say that she wasn't a member of his church for 20 years like Barack Obama was with Rev. "Anti-white bigot" Wright.

[George Masters]

Having lived in Africa (Kenya included) for over thirty-five years, I am fully aware of the power of witchcraft. You really have to be there!
Doubt its existence? Why not check out any media outlet and see the battle between good and evil where evil descends to unconscionable depths. Demonic is what some would call it. Outrageous is what others would call it. Whatever term you use, there are many educated folks who see the struggle between good and evil as a spiritual one for the allegiance of people's lives.

{That Pastor Muthee prayed over Governor Palin - so what? Who among us (who have a faith based life) would not be appreciative of prayers?}

C.S. Lewis (a brilliant Oxbridge professor wrote a classic "Screwtape Letters" on the workings of the demonic world -- check it out and enjoy the redings.

[Міша]

Compared to the "God damn America!" pastor, who preached to Obamas for decades, the "achievements" of this guy, who visited Wasilla only a few times, is fairly benign...

[Scott]

The only crazy stuff I see are the comments left by some of the leftist types out there. The story rather craftily avoids clearly stating whether or not Pallin knew about this guys witchhunting background. Also, this guy wasn't her main religious advisor and leader like Obama's Rev. Wright. Rev. Wright is clearly a dangerous nutbag that may not want to do away with witches, but does want to establish black dominion over other races.

Kill all the polar bears? Why has their population increased recently? Besides, if it comes between human developement and the polar bears I say wrap the baby humans in Polar bear furs.

[Brett Pedersen]

Of course, the secular progressives do not believe that there are such things as good and evil. That is why they tend towards evil.

[KAM]

I lived in Africa for 13 years. You would be hard pressed to find an African that does NOT believe in witchcraft. That proves nothing about the truth of the matter... except that commenters here don't seem to know much about Africa.

[The Haimster]

Well, if we are going judge our politicians by the religions to which they subscribe, at least we know that Barack 's church is completely mainstream, not in any way racist, and always preaches American exceptionalism.

God Damn America!

[Rick]

Spiritual warfare is real, I have experienced this myself, though not to the degree described here. I have also been a part of church services similar to what Sarah Palin describes, where ministers have spoken to people about things they could not have known beforehand. God does work through others. Given the media basis, I'm sure some of the accounts given of Pastor Muthee's Kenyan ministries is skewed to make Palin look bad.

Creationism should be taught in schools, it is much more plausible than Evolution. In fact, Evolution is being increasingly discredited at an expanding rate while evidence of 'intelligent design' is being accepted my more and more scientist.

For me I would welcome a woman of strong Christian faith in the White house. Christianity played an important role in the founding of our country. The more we have tried to erase God from our culture the worse things have become. I'm certainly praying for a McCain-Palin win!

[Will B Dun]

The most dangerous cult is one that worships government and political power. Its' adherants want you to believe money is evil (but they want to take it from you), that the earth is warming because of our sins, take you should just shut up if you disagree with them. They are funded by big business, and tell us the lie that they are opposed to big business. Look at the Wall Street bailout: privatized gains, socialized losses. The cultists in government want to have money created from nothing (just like God could do) to give to big business when times are tough. Now everyone face DC and bow down to pray.

[Give Me A Break]

So, Sarah Palin met a minister once that prayed for her, and it just so happens he is nuts. Whoa, what a story! I can't believe how unqualified that makes her to be Vice President. This might be the biggest non story of the entire year.

I'm sure Obama hasn't had any wackos pray for him. Oh wait, I forgot Obama hangs in the congregation of Reverend Wright an American hating left.

We won't even start talking about Obama's connections with 1960 radical William Ayers.

Its funny how the left is quick to point out the speck in Sarah Palin's eye but don't notice the plank that is in their own. I'm convinced the left in this country would vote for Mao Zedong or Stalin before they would vote Republican.

[Ron]

For the thousands who live in this country under the oppression of gangs and drug dealers (the bible calls that sorcery) with literally thousands gunned down on our streets I bet they wished someone would come in and run those vermin off even if it is called a "witch hunt". Without the details I would assume this is a similar situation. For the mindless Christian hating liberal, when is the last time you saw an evangelical Christian stone someone or cut someone's head off? Yet, it is the liberals who scream "choice" as they institutionalize butchering millions of defenseless children and can see no wrong in that but are shocked at the thought of this “witch hunt” conducted by “Sarah Palin”. You do a good job of justifying it as progressive. The German's didn't call it Choice or Progressive they called it the Final Solution yet you call Republicans Nazis. Just wait, Islamic law is now recognized in the UK and with Obama's call for "Change" the U.S. will be next. Then all the gays, drug heads, rappers, Hollywood elitist, left wing media, teens with attitudes, abortionist, feminist and even evangelical Christians will truly see what religious oppression is all about. We don't need change we need leadership BACK to the fundamentals that made our nation great. For those of you who think America is the Great Racist Satan, the poorest black man in Chicago is better off than half the people in Africa because of this great nation. You libs are quick to call someone racist and to say the religious right is intolerant of others yet your own racism, intolerance, hypocrisy, double standard and stupidity cannot stand the honest scrutiny by anyone with intelligence. In Jan.08 there were 35 Americans killed in the entire war zone of Iraq and the democrats howl yet in only one American city, Detroit, there were 39 killed in the same month. Where is your outrage? And by the way man-made Global Warming is nothing more than the tool of Socialist/Communist Elitist who could find no other way to destroy Capitalism, our economy and take away our freedom. But it’s all for the sake of our Children. I think this covers the basics.

[Daniel Jones]

Either Jesus was a liar a lunatic or He was truly God. If what He said is true, then we are not fighting against only politicians but demons as well. The Bible says that the god of this world is Satan.
So, if what Jesus said was true, then He is truly God and we need to take into account everything that He said.
If your perspective is that there is no god or that you are god or that everything is god, then you are right. There is no place for politics and religion. But if you are wrong, then there is no place for politics in religion but there is definitly a place for religion in politics.
Google "soccer lighting strike kills whole team" and you will see what the BBC says about how a whole team scattered on a soccer field was killed while the opposing team scattered on the same field was unphased. The BBC says that it was witchcraft and that it happens all the time in that area.
If God did create the earth and all that is, then it's time to get to know Him.

[TJJ from Alaska]

Hunting Polar Bears is illegal. At least try to get SOME facts correct.

[JB]

When are we ever going to do a side by side comparison of the qualifications of Obama and McCain? And why was John Edwards, a one term Senator, never given this degree of scrutiny?

[Bruce V]

Ignorant are the ones who have never seen witchcraft first hand. Mr. Muthee's story is well documented and anyone from Kenya knows the story is true. Only stupid Westerners are ignorant enough to disprove factual data without investigating it first hand. To try to allude that Mr. Muthee's non-violent prayers for God to either convert "Mama Jane" or remove this practicing witch from town could be compared to "witch hunting" demonstrates the irresponsible biased journalism that seeks to slander Christians and anyone that even leans to slightly to the right.

[Jim]

there is nothing wrong with mixing ones faith
with government. SCOTUS does it every time
that they are in session. They pray to the
almighty before the start of each session.
Prez Bush prays each day to the Lord for
forgiveness, blessings and guidance.
Furthermore, religion is a state of mind. Jesus
doesn't mention religion but to believe in him and follow his teachings.

[Miguel Campana]

And THIS is what the Republicans want to be a mere heartbeat away from the presidency? She's more like a young Hitler -- promising the world to her inane followers, and planning to send Brownshirts on a rampage. Anyone who votes for or supports her is a danger to democracy in the US and elsewhere.

[Kevin]

I've posted a conservative reply and the Times won't post it. I'm wondering if they'll post this?

[Brenton Bills]

@David Bennington:

Having stated your opinion, let's list off just a short sample of people, starting with those who disagree with you: George Washington, John Adams, John Jay, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Noah Webster, etc., etc. Now for those who agree with your belief that we need a "wholly secular state:" Adolf Hitler, V.I. Lenin, Josef Stalin, Mao Tse-Tung, Kim Il-Sung, and Saloth Sar (better known as Pol Pot).

That's one heck of a like-minded group of comrades, eh David?

As for me, I throw my lot in with the first group. Some quotes from them:
"Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
-George Washington
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
-John Adams
"The greatest glory of the American Revolution was this: It connected in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity."
-John Quincy Adams
"No power over the freedom of religion [is] delegated to the United States by the Constitution."
-Thomas Jefferson

[Osamas Pajamas]

Ho hum. This atheist will be voting for McCain-Palin, and given OhBummer's religious history and his family's dubious religious connections, Palin certainly appears no worse than OhBummer does. And unlike OhBummer, she doesn't appear to have any interest in my wallet, or in shutting me up.

[Local Village Idiot (visiting)]

Man this guy ought run for Vice President! Forget Palin, true she gots experience, but this guy is Da Master! He's got the "touch" McCain SHOULD HAVE CHOOSEN THIS GUY!
I'm local [visiting] idiot, and I APPROVE of this message!

[Gerry]

People understand. It is not he Pastor or the individual...it is the Power of the Resurected Son of God. Don't get it twisted. If you don't understand, then I suggest you seek salvation. Truth is real and God himself chooses leaders and bring down nations all in accordance to His will...not mans! All to prove to man that he loves us and that he is the one and true Lilving God. So you folks who think this is funny...I really feel sad for you missing out on all the joy and blessings he can bring or allow in someones life...yes, even making a country girl a Mayor, a Governor and yes even Vice President. And if the Lords choose know one can stop it. As it is wrritten 'let God be true and every man a liar.'

[Dunder]

OMG!

[Russ Hewett]

Evangelicals don't use their brains? Perhaps discounting things that you obviously have no knowledge of or experience with is a better example of not using one's brain.

[FreeMan]

Why is it that the media is attacking Palin because she attended a church which believes in God and the supernatural? Doesn't Obama's church believe in those things? Maybe the Rev. Wright's church places more emphasis on politics.

[steve]

A missionary praying against a witch doctor doesn't equate a "witch-hunt" in my book. There was no violence, unless I'm missing something. The lede made it sound like he was going after the witch with a posse of torch-and-machete-weilding fanatics.

From what I've heard from immigrants, everyone in Africa - Christians, Muslims, those who still adhere to tribal religions - all believe in spirits and demons and/or spells pretty strongly. Praying (or casting spells) against each other wouldn't be that unusual.

I just wonder how this guy from Africa ended all the heck the way up in Alaska of all places.

[Just one man]

Interesting that no body is debunking this man's claims. Did the crime go down? Did the bars close? If he is lying, expose him. If what he is saying happened really did happen, then it sounds like God is with him.

Just because he prayed for Sarah Palin once and preached in a church 10 time that she used to attend, does not mean that she should be held responsible for everything the guy has ever done or said.

The Dems want it both ways. They want to tear down Palin because they do not believe or understand this preacher that she has had very limited contact with, yet it is racist or unfair to associate Obama with the person that Obama claims on several occasions was his close spiritual adviser for over 20 years. Obama did not distance himself from Rev Wright (the man that officiated Obama's wedding and baptized his two daughters and was his closest spiritual adviser for over 20 years) until people began hearing the hate and racism that this man had been spewing from the pulpit all the time that Obama was there.

Compare the situation. One preacher is a close adviser of Obama for 20 years and hates America and is racist to the extreme. The other is a missionary in a part of the world most of us would not begin to understand, but spreads the good news of the redeeming love of Jesus Christ, and by the way, spoke 10 time at a church Palin used to attend.

Which situation really is bad?
Hate vs love

20 years vs max of 10 sermons as a visitor

closest spiritual adviser vs one known contact

racist vs possible "religious bigot" at worst

known liar vs accused liar with no evidence of the alleged untruth

Looks pretty clear to me.

[divamama]

God is not mocked. Evil exists.
Evil comes in the form of those who back 0-zerobama with money.
These people who back 0bambi with cash and faux compliments to this idiot are out to destroy this country. Ya'll better watch your tongue. Do you nay sayers forget how and why our country became great? Not by liberals. Liberals are scum.

[Scared Liberal]

Palin is the Devil incarnate, obviously. I'll take Islam anyday. Oh Lord, save us from Conservatives.

[No'bama]

Obama's Liberation Theology professes that there is NO SEPERATION of church and state!!! In LT, everything is political and politics are the vehicle for the progression of religious values.

It is a fact.

Ridicule "evangelicals" all you want. There is NO ONE more religious than Obama and he is intent on legislating those religious values. It is the core tenant of his religion.

[TAGW]

I am an evangelical. I have a college degree, along with an MBA, and did very well with them. I have a brain, and use it, thank you. Superstition is quite prevalent in Africa and in the religious life there. The Christian Church in Africa is a different culture than that of the Christian Church here in the U.S. Most U.S. Christian believe in good and evil. They don't go around talking about evil spirits, or attempt to cast them out of people at their workplaces, or even in church, but there is a belief in them by some. Sarah Palin was simply commenting on the man's prayer as being powerful. Find something more damning about her and her religion, then I'll be swayed. She is an evangelical Christian - so what? Barack Obama says that he is a Christian, and his supporters don't seem to be bothered by that. Thank you.

[keith]

The more these people attack this women the more I think she must be pretty good.

[Mitch Coleman]

An atheists believe in nothing? Why are you not considered dangerous and stupid. Ignorance cuts both ways. Dont be so quick to give opinions on things you know nothing about(obvious).

[Paul]

The gift that God has given us is our brains to use to see what is real. How do you explain that crime went down to near 0 after prayer and fasting???? I guess that is just some sort of coincidence? People who are at their core afraid of what is really out there tend to mock and belittle the ones who have accepted the truth. All politics is about some sort of religion even the religion of politics (which is born out of man's emotions for sure) or the moral code that has sustained many nations for thousands of years. Just because she is an evangelical does not mean she is not ready to be the VP any more than Barrack being a community organizer or a Muslim (Rumor or fact?) disqualifies him..........

[Conservative&Christian]

Praise Jesus . . . and praise Pastor Muthee for recognizing their is evil in the world. God expects us to pray to ward off evil . . . and evil is everywhere my friends . . . pedophiles, child porn, and every other perversion along with the crooks on Wall Street, in the US Congress, and in the corporate board rooms. Those of us who support Governor Palin, and will vote for McCain because of her, agree with her ideology . . . there is a God, God matters, and the US of A is still the best place to live in the world, it is worth fighting for, and we cannot let it go the way of the Cuba, Russia, or Norway, for that matter.

[jeremy jones]

I saw the video before youtube yanked it, I hope it gets reposted. This moose chick into some next level weird stuff. Frankly I can't believe protective services lets her keep custody of her children...

[RaM]

Let me understand this: Palin's crime here is that a weirdo preacher prayed for her and she expressed gratitude for his words of encouragement. Meanwhile, Barrack Obama spent 20 years in a church with a pastor who screamed "god***n America" on the Sunday after 9-11. I'm not a pentecostal or fundamentalist Christian, but I'm less offended by Palin's church than Obama's. And please note that Palin hasn't been a member of this church for four years, whereas Obama only left Rev. Wright's church after the controversy over Wright's hateful sermons forced him to leave.

My late father used to tell me about the sickening bigotry spewed at JFK during the 1960 election because he was a Catholic. We're now seeing something similar happening to Palin. If you want to tear apart her religion, fine. But every time you do so, please remember to also mention Obama's crazy racist pastor.

[Ken]

And Obama slipped a note to God into the Western Wall so now we know--this election is a battle between gods and religious faiths. In less than 2 months we'll know once and for all who's is the more Powerful Deity.

[Mr. Happy]

If he challenges a practitioner of the occult then he's "wacko."
But if he had been shouting "Goddamn America" then he's okay.

[Matt]

I would challenge anyone who doubts that some of this could happen (note I say some) to talk with Anthropologists who have spent time in Africa. Whether its blind faith (aka a mind trick) or "something else", there is significant evidence that witches and witch doctors actually do things to people - heal, curse, etc.

We ultra-rationalists in the West want to believe that there is nothing outside our understanding, but that is only faulty logic. We don't have a clue for how little we understand about the world. Who could have predicted the near collapse of our financial system a mere 18 months ago, but that is what we are living through today. Its not rational, nor do our markets behave rationally.

[texasguy01]

Welcome to modern America. The problem today is that this is a problem of cultural literacy. This is basic Christian theology. Check the book of Acts (after the Gospels for the non bible folk). The Apostle Paul does the same thing. Basic mainline denomonations have stripped these teachings out. This is actually Biblical Christianity. It is also a two way culteral problem. You basic generic secular humanist American does not understand Christianity or African witchcraft. African witches are trained to kill through poisons mostly or other means as needed. They target people specifically. This is to obtain finances or power. Spiritual warfare is important to Christians and it does have amazing results but it will always be downplayed and mocked the the secular population. The Bible says every one has a choice. Make your choice. Just because someone poked their head in a church window not because they are interested in what is going on but only for political gain does not mean they are wrong for beliving it. This is America. Check the history of America that has been expunged from the school history textbooks. Abraham Lincoln made a name for himself in the Duffy Armstrong trial over a murder at a revival. In the 1906 Azuza rocked the world. the 1950's seen millions in healing revivals with Doyle Branham. All of this is buried. I will be more of a supporter for her now.

[m. browne]

why is it only okay for obama to say he is a man of faith?

[JD White]

The comments I'm reading here display an astonishing ignorance and hypocrisy. I seem to recall folks crying "racism" and "unfair" when Obama's pastor reported barking his curses and hatred from the pulpit. Now someone tries to link Palin to some small-time nobody who prayed over her once, and we're all supposed to jump in like piranhas. Get a grip, people. I'd take a Creationist over a baby-killer any day.

[John Doe]

Palin's no more responsible for the actions of Muthee than Obama is for Wright on Ayres. If you're willing to blame Palin then accept the same for Obama.

[MARK SMYTH IN TORONTO]

For all you doubters, you better all go to bible dot com and read a choice of bibles. Evil spirits are real and they control many people in Washington, New York and especially Hollywood. It's time for reality people. You cannot deny that Lohan and others like her are not being manipulated by evil spirits. Just because you are not a drug addict does not mean you are not influenced. A very wise man once said, "the truth will set you free."

[Chuck]

Sarah Palin and a Kenyan witchhunter helping her become governor. Is he going to help her become VP too? Or the American voters going to wake up in time to stop Sarah Palin and her witchhunter friend from residing in the white house?

[Common Sense]

Typical liberal response...it's OK for everyone else to speak their views and evangelicals should just shut up and let them speak their piece...but the moment an evangelical dares to speak up, they are shouted down with hatred and name-calling and told their views have no place in today's society...all the while the self-righteous liberals are pounding their chest proclaiming how tolerant they really are. Bunch of hypocrites...

[Roberto Munoz]

Witchcraft in Africa is different than what people in the West think of it. Of course, violence and threats against anyone is wrong. For those who wish to attack Sarah with this article, why is she responsible for what this guest speaker believes? He prayed for her, and she was inspired. So what? She has no way of going to Africa and trying to verify this man's story.

[Mike]

Why is it that when a person is an evangelical the liberal left labels them as an idiot. But when someone comes out of the closet as a gay -they are a progressive? Which is the covert word for Communism.
America was founded on Christian values. Don't like these? Go live under Sharia law.

[J Hess]

This woman is a psycho. She must be stopped.

[Jim]

A wholly secular state? That was the Soviet Union. They were real civilised huh. You are safer with one that feels accountable to God, than one that feels accountable to no one . Consider it.

[Naomi]

Let's see now, we who are sooo smart and use our brains - what has it led this country to. Our society has grown more uncivilized since we got rid of prayer and the study of the Bible in schools.
Sex, violence, filthy language in movies, TV, and internet porn bombard us 24/7. An 8th grader in the 1800's was better educated than college grads today.
"The foundation of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country." President Calvin Coolidge.
Sadly we now see the results of an ungodly society and Coolidge was right.

[kevin]

Animals have brains too, Spencer. We should use all our gifts - including spiritual gifts.

[Sam]

Go Sara Go. USA needs leaders like Mccain and Sara Palin to Spread word of GOD all over the world. As Sara said US army is doing work of GOD in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sara will be placed in white house by the grace of GOD and all liberals and leftist will be stunned.

[Trafford]

And? I'd heard about this last week. Trying to make mountains out of plains.

[DaKingIsComing]

She is so way cool eh? Man I love it. Not like the hate from the Obamphile Trinity racists. Just plain old evangelical prayer and worship.

[Joseph Cabadas]

Well, I see there are the typical comments by some that those who hold religious beliefs are kooky or bigoted or whacky and that some how a "secular" society is better -- i.e. banning people from having or holding religious beliefs. Sadly, we have many examples of secular societies at work, such as the Soviet Union, Communist China, Cuba, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc. where their answer was either educations, torture or reeducation camps. Millions and million of people were slaughtered in the name of secularism. Much more than any anti-Christian/anti-Catholic horror story/myths you get about the Inquisition or the Crusades. You also deny basic human freedom by trying to remove God from the public square. How about Barrack Obama's connections with William Ayer of the Weatherman Underground? Doesn't that give you a pause? Or that he and his wife don't seem to love this country? Or that they want to shut down freedom of speech of their opponents if they get into office? That scares me more than some Christian minister praying for someone. If someone says that they are going to pray for me, I don't know what their background necessarily is nor can I control someone else's actions. Should we all get affidavits from everyone we contact so we know whether they're kooky or not? That would be cumbersome and unrealistic.

[BobN]

I miss the Enlightenment...

[Jay]

>

Reading between the lines, the Spirit of God had a lot less to do with this than just a plain old Evangelical vigilante mob. It was "get out of town or else".

[Beatrice]

I don't care what the media said about McCain and Sarah. I will vote McCain/Palin.
All my friends will vote for McCain/Palin.
The more the liberals attack Sarah the more we like her.

VIVA McCain/Palin/08

[Tom Tammaro]

Westerners who do not know of african culture are ignorant. Just because people do not believe in the supernatural does not mean it does not exist. People speak with authority on things they know nothing about

[gary]

crime down, people becoming a family, things becoming safer for kids, god bless this man and his works.

[Ray]

Witches are the tool of satan to bring chaos and fear upon humanity, but thank God for Pastors that recognize Gods power is greater than satan. Go Sarah!!

[Steven]

Yeah, yeah. Nobody cares about this. Palin is the golden girl.

[Mike Pike]

Different cultures, different beliefs.... So LITTLE tolerance. It is the story of Good vs. Evil as told from this man's cultural belief perspective - The left will turn this into everything it is NOT. The mocking comments are nothing less than the sound of bigotry - The most revolting kind of senseless biotry. Maybe the left should take up cross burning to match their prose

[Keith]

This is a sad commentary on the state of political work in the West. It is, in fact, in ad hominem against Pailn. Is it so strange to suppose that people actually believe in spiritual beings? I read nothing of violence on this man's part. Did he commit violence of some sort? Was this woman perhaps using or promoting drug-induced altered states as in many animistic religions? This is not a complete accounting of these phenomena. Please give a full rendering!

[DARK MATTER]

According to the Wasilla Assembly of God website, Mr. Muthee will be at the WAoG church this weekend. Hopefully, a reporter in Wasilla can interview Mr. Muthee about his prayer sessions with Governor Palin.

DM

[herb]

this is video is all about her church, pretty odd stuff folks. See for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naXqE4dTxPA

[Douglas Love]

Here's the thing: Just because some liberals in media have become complete rationalists, it doesn't disprove the spiritual realm! All believers in Christ acknowledge that the spiritual realm and spiritual entities are present day realities. To even believe in God requires the acceptance of a spiritual being. So, for the media to attack Palin is to attack the 97% of American's who believe in God.

[Judy]

If any of you knew anything about God and the Bible you would know witches and witchcraft has been around since God created the world.

Witches and witchcraft are very prevalent in foreign countries, and by the way, demons are very real too not just something Hollywood dreamed up.
If you really want to hear the truth go here
http://www.gfa.org/ and order the Free book
Revolution In World Missions by K.P. Yohannan.

[Rodger]

This is the devil’s greatest accomplishment to date. An Un-Godly Generation has been raised up in America. Unfortunately for them but to there surprise they will find out the hard way. When you breathe you last breathe and go out to meet your Maker it will be too late for you. You will not get a second chance at life, Hell is For Ever.

You say I do not believe that mumbo jumbo about the Devil and Demons! But I ask you what you base that belief on, is it a feeling you have in your gut, or maybe you took your position because someone you respect did not believe in Christ or were you enlightened by a university professor? Let me ask you a question? Did you ever think about doing your own research to see if the Bible is what it claims to be The Inerrant Word of God.
So let me get this correct; your going to take a stand not fully knowing the facts, you are going to Risk your Only Soul, pass judgment on a topic you can not talk intelligently about because you know nothing about the Bible! You must be Dumber than Dirt.

Personally I’m just like anyone you meet, but when I was a young man in Vietnam you probably would never think about doing some of the things I have done. You know it takes Guts to become an Animal and that was what I became. I saw men that should be dead by all accounts but death passed them by and no reason on earth could explain it. You would say Lucky. There is only one way to explain these types of events Divine Intervention. Later I researched and realized the Big Picture of Life and found Christ. I saw Hell and I do not care what you or anyone else thinks, I Know it’s real and I’m not going there. Maybe you will be a lucky one and meet the Devil face to face. But before I pass it off to Mumbo Jumbo I would find out First. That’s what intelligent people do. We are not alone on this Earth, we are pawns.

[Dwayne Seibert]

Mr. Bennington,
Please find yourself a copy of "The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States" by Benjamin F. Morris (1864).

Read the first 150 pages +/- and see for yourself what this country was originally founded on,why and how, then re-comment.

[Russs]

There is only one acceptable religion...the religion of the left. Pure rationality about politics and social systems... which means we believe in just what the leftists allow. Any other belief, even if a matter of faith, only shows ignorance and superstition. That is why I am a believer in science and social programs developed at the Harvard law school. As for God?...or anyone elses hocus pocus beliefs...well I just laugh and riducule such nonsense.....I AM A LIBERAL...My RELIGION is GLOBAL WARMING...to hell with anyone with any belief outside my own. Hahahahahahah.... (and yes I believe obama is "the one")

[Dave]

I think people can experience powerful, personal and meaningful moments in their lives, regardless of the intents of those in their presence at the time.

Just because Jimmy Carter and I enjoyed a few peanuts and a Coke, and it was a very meaningful experience for me personally, does that make me responsible for every idiotic comment he's made or stupid thing he's done?

I think not.

[George Masters]

Everytime I post comments (must be at least four by now), you ignore them.
Would you be good enough to publish what is
acceptable? Also, what does a prestigious (?)
paper like yours doing practicing censorship of
legitimate opinion that needs approval of the
author?
Just curious!

[bryceboy]

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Do we share the same country? There comes a time in every nations history when it must ask...do we share the same ideals?

It is not as much the elected officials I question as the sea behind the tide. Is it time to consider seperating our now one nation.

[Eric]

You non-christians are so judgmental. It is a big world and and you should consider that maybe there are some things out there that you don't know about. I realize it is easier to put people down than it is to dig for the truth. But maybe you should try to find out the truth, you might learn something.

[Jerry]

The book of Epehsians (New Testament) and other books in the Bible tells us that, "as a Christian" we are in a Spiritual Warfare-and we have the armour to overcome and win this warfare.
From what I read in the article, laying on of hands, prophecying over someone, and praying against evil is Scriptual.
The folks on the Left all they can do is scream and point fingers.

[Sakaki]

Yo, Times crew: No one cares, and no one cares what you think. Especially now that you're allowing Sharia Law to be dominant in your country.

[Steve Morgan]

I can't believe the TIMES is even reporting this garbage. Who the bloody-heck cares. Palin is a fantastic leader and will help bring the western world into a future that Obama would only hold hands in and sing kumbaya!

[Linda]

If you think politics and religion shouldn't be mixed you must not know our Founding Fathers or the documents they penned very well. The basic principles of Christianity are what our Country was founded on. Which “Creator” do you think they were referring to? Read the documents and it will be clear. The farther we move away from God as a Country, the worse our societal ills become. The great thing about our Country is that we can vote according to our respective consciences and this doesn't make us bigots; this makes us Americans. For me, a competent candidate is who I look for; a Christian competent candidate is even better. The true Christians (meaning “followers of Jesus Christ”) put God first, family second, “neighbors” (all others) third and themselves last. They do not worship money. They hate sin but love sinners. They are compassionate but will not water down their beliefs to please the media. They are by far the most generous with their time and money. For those of you who have determined you don't believe in God just know that He still believes in you.

[Larry Beck]

Say hello to the next vice president.........ding dong ding dong ding dong