John McCain rally in Iowa marked by partisan prayer

Rev. Arnold Conrad, in delivering an invocation at a rally today for John McCain in Davenport, Iowa, apparently didn't get the word from the candidate about elevating the tone at such gatherings.

Conrad, who appeared before the crowd before McCain had arrived, offered a prayer that seemed to urge divine intervention to prevent Barack Obama from winning the presidential election -- and cast the outcome as a referendum on differing religions.

The Times' Maeve Reston was at the event, and she passed along the key passage from Conrad's words:

I would also pray Lord that your reputation is involved in all that happens between now and November, because there are millions of people around this world praying to their God -- whether it's Hindu, Buddha, Allah -- that his [McCain’s] opponent wins for a variety of reasons.

And Lord I pray that you would guard your own reputation, because they’re going to think that their god is bigger than you, if that happens. So I pray that you would step forward and honor your own name in all that happens between now and Election Day.

Oh Lord, we just commit this time to you, move among us, make your presence very well felt as we are gathered here today in Jesus's name I pray.

Some in the crowd greeted the prayer with applause.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[MacyDog]

It would appear from this report that Reverend Conrad is a polytheist. I thought there was only one God. Evidently Rev. Conrad has the inside scoop on this late breaking revelation.......

[Tar]

As a staunch catholic, I am ashamed and appalled by such a prayer IN POLITICS. The Lord asks us not to use his name in vain. This is just wrong. Jesus asked us to preach tolerance.

From the pulpit, this is sheer intolerance and ignorance. Not everyone is a christian... and even I, a catholic, am aware of that. This is getting out of hand.

[Scy]

These people are insane. End of the world crazies who want a theocratic America. Pity they are not only not going to get one but they will be lucky to have 40 Senate seats.

[Jon K.]

I love how people aggressively flout their ignorance. Why do they allow people this stupid to actually speak in front of other people? Crazy.

[rearden215]

Forget the backhanded slap at the gods and religions of of those of 'color', having the Republican party telling God what needs to be done to protect his rep in the earth 'hood is beyond the pale.

[David]

This was unbelievable! Look at the kind of people McCain will be supported by if he wins. Just disgusting, I can't believe these people live in America. It feels like I am watching a 1950's freak show. I am sorry Mr. Conrad but God will make you pay for what you said and what you believe.

[John]

What do you expect. I can't say I know who John McCain is deep down, but in order to win the Presidency he's made deals with all variety of bigots and scoundrels.

He accepted the endorsement of Rev. John Hagee who among other things:
1. Hates Catholics;
2. Believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment;
3. Believes God sent Hitler to make sure the Jews returned to Israel; and
4. Once described George Bush as a Messiah.

[cody mccall]

Religion has become just another commodity to sell and what this guy's sellin', I ain't buyin'.

[Tim McGarry]

Rev. Conrad indeed seems to have a little boy's view of God.

[Anish Banerjee]

Prayer aside, you would think the guy got the facts right. Hindu is not a God in Hinduism. Hinduism has many Gods and deities and is not a monotheistic religion. Furthermore, Hinduism seeks not to discredit any other religion. In fact, many leading theologists argue whether Hinduism is technically a religion or a way of life, seeing as how it has no procedure to convert and no standard set of rules.

[Cat]

In one week, without even an incident to point to, McCain has manage to open the nozzle of the fire hose that has been closed for three decades only this time it is aimed at anyone outside of the white box.

Whether McCain knew about the invocation in advance is a moot point. He green lighted this road to destruction.

[newageblues]

like a five year old trying to manipulate 'God'

[Marc Fischer]

When are people going to stop invoking God into politics. The Republicans are very dangerous and must be stopped. Obama will will by a landslide

[CCarter]

It's utterly ridiculous, especially when you consider that Barack Obama describes himself as "a committed Christian" (See http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/christian) -- which would mean that both candidates are on the same side, as it were.

Senator McCain says he is not "born again" and has not been baptized, although he does say he is "just a Christian" and attends a church in Arizona with his family when he's in town. (See http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1018/p01s06-uspo.html)

[janet]

jeez, i'm a catholic and pro-obama. so what God do i get?

[Richard]

Kinda reminds me of the old testament battle between Baal and Yahweh where one sends fire down to destroy the altar of the other! Too bad the Jews selected the "war god" instead of the more benign "weather god". Bronze age and maybe modern times could have been a lot better!

[Justice]

If Obama wins, the muslims and blacks win.

[Danielle Frenser]

That's not a prayer to God - that's a demand. Even Jesus on the cross, prayed "Yet not my will, but thy will be done".
What brazen arrogance, even to his own god!

[Ann]

Another example of why religion scares the heck out of me.

[Mark P.]

Tar said; "Jesus asked us to preach tolerance."

Where in The Bible does Jesus ask us to preach tolerance of other Gods?

You may not agree with the prayer, but in this nation that man has every right to do so.

Where is your tolerance?

[Alessandro Machi]

HOW DARE YOU IMPLY THAT JOHN McCAIN WAS THERE, WHEN HE WASN'T. (and I never use caps, other than links, to give you an idea at how offensive and misleading this topic is.)

http://www.HILLARY-WINS.com
http://www.WALLSTREETCHANGE.com
http://www.CAUCUSCHEATING.com
http://www.HILLARYCLINTONFORUM.net

[John]

I hope this mans church is not tax exempt. I don't have a problem with a church or preacher being partisan just as long as they pay their own taxes.

This is pretty vile stuff.

[lisa]

I am also praying that the truth will prevail and alk the greedy war mongers that are padding their own pockets will be exposed. Obama 08

[Atheist]

The Reverend should educate himself about the religions he is mentioning, and perhaps he will learn that Buddha is not a God and Allah is the same God as the God Rev. Conrad prefers. And of course as Mr. Anish Banerjee explains so clearly about Hinduism, they have multiple Deities.

Does the Reverend know that Muslims have to believe in the teachings of Christ?

I am an Atheist but even I respect the right of others to believe in whomsoever they wish to believe in and certainly would not think any less of them for believing differently than I and would never belittle their religion.

Please Rev. Conrad, kindly educate yourself before you are so disparaging of other people's beliefs. An ill-educated attack on others is proof only of your ignorance.

[Foreign Born American]

It is surprising to see how people who call themselves Christians are acting in America today. For a pastor to pray for the defeat of another Christian because he disagrees with a Christian brother is a shame, Pastor, who called you into the ministry? God or Satan? Go and read the beatitudes in the book of Mathews. The bible says " Pray for your enemies, bless told that curse you. This was the same type of hatred that helped to advance slavery in America. The church supported evil instead of condemning it. PASTOR YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF. We went to war to prevent such statements. If you are a Christian I rather have an atheist preach to me. May the true Jesus who we served convince you to repent of your wicked way. God bless you.