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Alaska Governor Talks Church and StateThe governor, following the lead of fellow evangelistic Christian Perry in Texas, proclaimed August 6 as a day of prayer.Governor Sean Parnell raised a few eyebrows last month when he issued a proclamation for a day of prayer, explicitly following the lead of Texas Governor Rick Perry, a candidate for president. The governor recently discussed the intersection of his faith and his role as governor in a sit-down interview. Parnell says that voters get the totality of the people they elect -- including their religious views. "I'm really here to provide the constitutional duties that the state asks of me to provide. As a person, i'm here to love our people well and provide opportunity for our people. I'm not here to establish any particular religion. But I certainly, I don't run from the fact that my service and my living for others merely reflects the person I am because of the faith I carry." The governor, following the lead of fellow evangelistic Christian Perry in Texas, proclaimed August 6 as a day of prayer. "I felt it appropriate in our present day circumstances, with men and women at war, with men and women unable to find work in this country, with the unsustainable spending that we're on at the national level, just the economic malaise that we're experiencing." And Parnell says calling upon the creator is a well-established American right and tradition. "I point back to the constitution and talk about that first amendment that affirms every American's right -- every Alaskan's right -- to practice and freely exercise their religion, whatever religion that is." "While the governor points to the nation's core documents as proof that the founders contemplated religious expression in political discourse, others say it shouldn't come from the secular cathedral behind me." The Alaska day of prayer sparked a small backlash, including this column in the Anchorage Daily News. Julia O’Malley wrote: “I don’t have anything against prayer. But I don’t like politicians getting involved with my relationship with God. A lot of people in Alaska feel the same. We are private about religion here. It’s part of our culture.” Brendan Joel Kelley-Hellenthal, editor of the Anchorage Press, also takes issue with the proclamation. “It excludes anyone who's not a Christian. And if you look at the statistics, Alaska usually ranks around 46th, 47th as least religious state in the union. So you're excluding a lot of Alaskans by calling for this." He also says the proximity to Perry's presidential campaign made the proclamation look political. "To me, it's sort of a tacit endorsement, on state time -- a state proclamation -- this is on the state website. You can look it up yourself." Pastor Richard Irwin of Anchorage City Church, who knows the governor well, says he's got a tough balancing act but has handled it well. "I think you can work really hard at trying not to impose your beliefs on policy, but at the end of the day, I don't know how you honestly separate who you are and what you believe and what makes good reasoning, how you separate that from evaluating and establishing good policy." The governor says: "And my hope is that Alaskans will know that they have a governor that loves and cares for them, who also wants the best for them and wants to unleash economic opportunity for them." Some Alaskans might take that on faith, while others will not. The governor has made no endorsement in the presidential race. He said it would be premature to do so, and that he did not want to discuss the matter in his state office.
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remembering2008 said on Tuesday, Sep 20 at 8:07 PM
articles tell of a "prayer warriors " led by our governor during the campaign...wonder what else Sean did for Sarah before - during - after 2008...hypocrites are Christians who live in glass houses...most are smart and live in log homes...separate church and state is law...
74113556hypocrite said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 6:28 AM
Gov. Sean needs to choke on his religion...he doesn't care about anyone but himself...and serves those who demand his attention (Palin) and keep cooking the books and all the lies.. Can't cover up science or DNA dude...but try...
73856769lightwell said on Thursday, Sep 8 at 3:43 PM
Thank you for your comments young miss OMG.
73566636Anonymous said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 9:53 AM
Keep religion out of politics,is right, however LEAVE "CHRISTIANITY"in.If there were MORE real christians in the United States, then the corruption in Washington would be far less.Those without christian foundations,have no morals, principals,or God given values.They are "self" promoters and are greedy, dishonest,liars,decievers,and are never sat isfied with the millions they already have, but want to steal more from tax payers.Most politicians go into this occupation for "MONEY", not to represent the people. Its worse each year. Trust NO MAN, they will fail you. Trust ONLY GOD< he won't!!
73497462OMG said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 6:31 AM
Lightwell better light your brain dearsome of the worst in the world claim religion as the reason for their actions...aka crucifying Jesus for walking and talking...nowadays if we do that we still get crucified...sound to me like " those that need God " are into God...has it occurred to you God might be screaming thru them and asking WTF??? And speaking of that didn't Christian Palin say that about the State of the State Address? How Christ like of her...toss them all out...
73486539lightwell said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 7:44 PM
Governor Parnell violated the law by establishiing a christianist day of worship. If as Pastor Richard Irwin of Anchorage City Church is right when he says that Governor Parnell is unable to separate his religion from his job.. then he needs to resign effective immediately and step down.... if the judeochristoislamist cults want they can 'elect' their priestcrafters for their cults .. but leave statecraft to statesmen and keep your priestcraftery from splashing on me. That being said I am shocked at all the comments .. some in capitol letters stating that they need God in their lives... I was shocked I tell you at the number of writers who purport to be christianists ....but have no God in their lives... if this is the case .. then you christianists are barking up the wrong God. You have been sent a delusion to make you believe a lie [even the elect]
73471074Andrew J. Chikoyak said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 6:44 PM
Under democrasy, we can do and say anything withim the frame of law. And the governor has the same rights as we do. It takes courage to speak his mind. But we're old enough to pray on our own without being reminded.
73469237AkAngel said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 5:33 PM
Gov Sean thinks the earth is only 6000 years old. Therefore, I have no intention of letting him win another term as my governor. Ignorance is no excuse and religion has no place in my government.
73466592SoldierofGod said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 3:21 PM
Yes.Prayer is what you need Govenor. Ignoring a child-rape case that Frank Murkowski started in 2006 that Palin ignored and now you ignore it. Well now DNA gets the rapist brother and the pics that match the composite in ADN. How CHRIST like of you. Hypocrite and EVIL U R And you cannot be in a position of power and impose your belief system on everyone... Violation of more ethics here bubba...
73461788Michael said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 1:21 PM
Why are we limited to one day of prayer, why not make everyday a prayer day. Thanks Gov. for standing up to your beliefs.
73456767Cal said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 12:19 PM
I disagree with the concept of a government "Day or Prayer." Those of us Christians should understand that all days are days of prayer and setting one aside as a government act is nothing more than a political move and not one of faith. The truly faithful believe in praying and not for what we want but only for what is the will of God. Besides, at the Sermon on the Mount, Christ said that when you pray, go into your closet because prayers are supposed to private and not as "the heathens."
73453599Anonymous said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 11:46 AM
Rick Perry was Al Gore's campaign manager, loves carbon taxes, and is part of the machine killing off this country!
73451964Anonymous said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 11:45 AM
How about a day of mourning for the loss of our country?
73451873Karlsie said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 11:18 AM
I'll pray when and if I feel like praying, not on an ordered day of the year. The government assumes too much control over our lives already. It doesn't need control over my religious functions.
73450424Karen said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 11:04 AM
I agree with Parnell. Great job!
73449687D said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:55 AM
Although I respect the right of everyone to worship as they choose, I find hard it hard to believe that same could not have be accomplished by a "Day of Contemplation". His choice to speak about his Christian faith in public, makes this act seem more of vote getter than about spiritual understanding. And...Why do we call America a christian country and then refer to our founding father? Jefferson was a Deist (look it up if you don't know what it is). Franklin and Adams, as well, were strongly against the integration of church and state.
73449291Thank Cod said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:52 AM
Religion is like a big penis. It is OK to be proud of it but do not take it out in public and never try to shove it down our throats!
73449124AK Voter said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:40 AM
Keep your religion out of politics. The Gov is just trying to get in the good graces of the extreme right so he can get money for his next election.
73448399no way! said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:31 AM
Politics has NO business mixing with religion. However we can tell who's a fundamental christian by their woosie ideals. Keep a lid on it Gov!!!!
73447719dutch said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:25 AM
If you feel Alaskans are private, then why do you not practice by not posting anything and continue to stay private as you say you are...
73447423Lisa said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:16 AM
Yes. If calling for a day of prayer, lets call for a day of prayer for ALL religions. I for one am a Pagan, and I VOTE ;)
73446819Pete Eriksen said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:12 AM
The idea “all men are created equal” is only in the declaration, not in the constitution or the laws derived from it. Our national ethical principles to be transmitted from one generation to another(our memes), are defined in the Jewish Talmud. PUBLIC LAW 102-14.. h**p:thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c102:H.J.RES.104.ENR: PUBLIC LAW 102-14 as it reads on the books “..Congress recognizes the historical tradition …upon which our..Nation was founded;..they were known as the Seven Noahide Laws(Jewish Talmud Sanhedrin 56);..let the citizens of this Nation…transmit these historical ethical values from our…past to the generations of the future;” The Noahide laws come from the.. Jewish Talmud Sanhedrin 56 h**p:www.come-and-hear.com/sanhedrin/sanhedrin_56.html End of 56a: “Our Rabbis taught: seven precepts were the sons of Noah commanded: social laws;33 to refrain from blasphemy, idolatry; adultery; bloodshed; robbery; and eating flesh cut from a living animal.34 ” ..s
73446572jjj said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:12 AM
Parnell the PUPPET! We need jobs more than we need religion. As a matter of fact, I can't afford your religion unless I'm employed! Praying won't help, ACTION WILL! GET OFF YOUR KNEES AND STAND ON YOUR OWN TWO FEET!
73446549Paul Johnson said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:04 AM
I guess when you have no idea what you are doing or what to do, the only thing left to do is pray. Yeehaw Jesus take the wheel! Just pray we don't have natural disasters inflicting Texas. I mean afterall a 100 year drought and raging wildfires can only be solved by a day of prayer and roaming the country in a run for president. Do you think once Perry loses he too will quit his job as governor?
73446072Anonymous said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:01 AM
Amen..am glad Governor Parnell has done this. All up to the individual if they want to pray or not on that said day. I, for one, WILL! I don't feel it is political - WE NEED GOD IN OUR LIVES NOW! Our villages, state, nation, and world are in too much turmoil and no man will correct that without help from our Almighty God.
73445864WasillsSourDough said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 9:41 AM
Parnell knows he is on the brink of extinction and even "sucking up" to the extreme right wing may carry his next election! It will be your "cozy" relationship with big oil that will be Parnell's downfall--not his "I'm a Christian " bravado.
73444853Anonymous said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 9:38 AM
Yea, I guess he does wish that"Alaskans will know that they have a governor that loves and cares for them, who also wants the best for them and wants to unleash economic opportunity for them." The only problem is it ain't true. Mild Megalomania comes to mind here.
73444684lisa said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 9:28 AM
I think our governor ought to remove his religious opinions from the public discourse. I personally find it offensive he feels the need to inform me about anything regarding his faith. Most Alaskans are very private about such things.
73444109Christopher said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 9:18 AM
Looked like a Politicial thing, as to the comment about Prayer just being a christian thing,shows that persons bias,I'm sure Islamist 's Pray as do Jews also have known a few wiccans plus i do believe even Native Alaskans pray. So If calling for a day of Prayer recognize all religions that pray.
73443558theresa said on Monday, Sep 5 at 5:14 PM
amen governor.AT this time we should pray to our god for guidence. This nation needs god in it.
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