McCain, Episcopalians, and Baptists

John McCain raised more than a few eyebrows recently on the campaign trail when he described himself, not once but several times, as a Baptist. He first made the statement while campaigning in Charleston, South Carolina, and then again while campaigning out west.

Apparently the flap revolves around McCain's past description of himself as a lifelong Episcopalian.

During the 2000 Republican Presidential nomination process during which McCain irked many on the conservative 'religious right,' a move that many claim cost McCain the nomination, the candidate often referred to himself as a 'lifelong Episcopalian.'

McCain never amended that self-description until the campaign appearance in Charleston a few weeks ago, in spite of the fact that he and his family have been attending the mega-church in Phoenix called 'The North Phoenix Baptist Church' for almost a decade.

A reporter asked McCain about it when there was time for a brief news conference.

McCain responded that at first he did not join the church; he merely attended with his wife and family who had joined. Sometime between the 2000 Republican Presidential race and September of 2007 McCain apparently joined the North Phoenix Church.

When asked about his silence about the matter, McCain responded merely that he never made it practice to wear his religion on his shirtsleeve.

The fact that McCain would join the mega-church is really no surprise to those who have followed him through the years. He is avidly pro-life. So is the church. He defends America against multiculturalism by saying that America has its roots in Christianity though some of the Founders were not Christian. They believed nonetheless that the principles that established liberty as the basis for the nation came from Christian concepts as taught in the Bible. One will often find these ideas taught at the North Phoenix church as well.

It is no insignificant fact that in order to join a Baptist church one must verbally express faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.

Though he rarely leads with his religious beliefs, which to McCain are sacred and deeply personal, one can readily see in the candidate an intensely held religious conviction and sincerity. Perhaps his horrific experiences in a prisoner of war camp as a young American soldier helped to solidify in McCain's mind the importance of faith as a sustaining power through the ups and downs of life.

Thus, it is difficult to understand James Dobson's dislike of McCain, given that Dobson's views are generally on the same page when it comes to spiritual matters. The same could be said for Fred Thompson, who stated in a Fox News interview this week that perhaps it was time for Dobson to offer yet another apology for casting aspersions on Thompson's faith.

A fine line exists between exercising prudent judgment and disintegrating into judgmentalism. All too often Christian evangelicals have difficulty walking that line, stepping off course into the practice of judging another person's innermost spiritual life.

While McCain's views on a variety issues have often provoked ire on the part of this writer, we do admit we have noted movement on the part of the candidate on some of these critical matters, such as securing the borders and stopping illegal immigration, and recognizing that McCain-Feingold had many 'unintended consequences.'

But when it comes to religion, McCain is certainly no stranger to the experience of the evangelical brethren...and 'sistren.'

The Dobson Snub of Fred Thompson

Washington, DC (TLS). Evangelical Christian leader James Dobson recently stated that while Fred Thompson is definitely conservative and espouses views that Dobson's listeners support, there are concerns about 'whether or not he is a Christian.'

Former U.S. Senator and actor Fred Thompson has suggested in recent days that he would consider entering the race for the Republican Presidential nomination.

Thompson's announcement has enlivened disheartened conservatives who have lamented the lack of viable conservative candidates in the Republican field. In the two weeks or so since Thompson indicated he may run, there has been a 'draft Fred Thompson' movement afoot among Republicans, including some with far-reaching influence and deep pockets.

Dobson, however, expressed hesitation over the possibility.

No doubt Dobson's listeners value a Christian candidate. As the most widely influential evangelical Christian on the scene today, Dobson's radio program, 'Focus on the Family,' is carried by over 2000 radio stations and boasts an audience of over 40 million listeners, most of whom are very politically active and support candidates who espouse traditional values.

Dobson's presumption that Thompson is not a Christian seems a bit over the top, however.

A Thompson spokesman responded to Dobson's remarks by stating that Thompson is, indeed, a Christian, having been baptized into the Church of Christ. A Dobson spokesman clarified the evangelical leader's remarks by stating that Dobson was not suggesting that the group to which Thompson belonged was not Christian but that Thompson had never spoken openly about his faith.

Evangelical Christians believe it is vital that followers of Christ give verbal assent to their faith. However, historically this has never been viewed as a license to pass judgment on a person's faith or lack thereof. Those matters are usually left up to the individual and God.

It is no secret that Dobson prefers Newt Gingrich, who recently confessed to Dobson's audience that he had an adulterous affair while serving as Speaker of the House. However, Newt has some negative baggage. Gun Owners of America is rather cool toward a Gingrich candidacy due to the difficulty of getting the Speaker to place on the docket bills of vital interest to gun owners. In addition, outside of conservative Republican circles, Newt's negatives tend to be rather high.

This is not to say that Newt would be snubbed by Republicans if he threw his hat into the ring or that he would not make inroads into the general population. He is certainly intelligent and articulate enough to bring people on board with him.

Yet so far no conservative candidate has created the excitement and the 'buzz' that Thompson has managed to create by merely suggesting that he 'might' run. Columnist Mona Charen wrote today that there are numerous reasons that a Thompson candidacy may be the only viable hope for a Republican win in 2008, not the least of which is his appeal to independents.

The bottom line is that Dobson's analysis of Fred Thompson's faith may not be a very important factor, not even to Dobson's listeners. Evangelical Christian voters today are intelligent, informed, and well-read. Their level of sophistication is such that an opinion expressed by a beloved evangelical leader will be viewed as nothing more than just that--an opinion.

Conservative voters are well-aware of the nature of politics. They are not looking for sainthood but for someone who shares their values, their ideals, their world-view. Above all they want someone who respects their faith.

Absolutely nothing in Fred Thompson's history or political career even remotely suggests that his views will not resonate with the vast majority of conservative evangelical voters.

The Liberty Sphere Top Stories for Monday

GOOD MORNING!

Scroll down for these stories and commentary on The Liberty Sphere this Monday morning.

**Fred Thompson, well-known actor and former U.S. Senator may run for the Republican Presidential nomination. This will change the face of the entire race.

**Newt Gingrich confessed to James Dobson that he had an affair in the 1990s. Will this help or hurt?

HAVE A GREAT DAY, EVERYONE!