Sarah Palin Witchcraft Video Stirs Church Controversy

Another Controversial Church Video in Presidential Election 2008

Donna Porter
Whether you call it religious whackjobberry (Phoenix New Times) or much ado about nothing, the latest political buzz, besides the economy, is the so-called Sarah Palin Witchcraft Video. As shown on YouTube and reported by the Associated Press, the 2005 church video shows Gov. Sarah Palin being blessed by a Kenyan minister -- to include protection against "all forms of witchcraft."

Filmed at the Wasilla Assembly of God church in Alaska, the Sarah Palin Witchcraft Video depicts Bishop Thomas Muthee praying aloud over a standing, palms-up Palin. The event is rather subdued in comparison to even some TV evangelists programs, lacking physical evidence of fainting and shouting.

Sarah Palin does not speak in the video as Bishop Muthee prays, to include: "Come on, talk to God about this woman. We declare, save her from Satan," and "Make her way my God. Bring finances her way even for the campaign in the name of Jesus." (See the Sarah Palin Witchcraft Video for the full context).

Sarah Palin Witchcraft Video and religious debates

Interestingly, some critics, who profess to protect all religious and fringe freedoms, believe this religious video will be the demise of Sarah Palin. Admittedly, a public display of the laying on of hands is uncommon to the majority of Christian churches, it is far from a fringe ideology. It is estimated that over 20 million Pentecostals live in the U.S. alone., with close to 230,000 churches worldwide.

Additionally, the term witchcraft is used throughout the Christian bible as well as those of pagan origin - denoting various forms of evil and otherworldly practice.

The legitimate debate of any presidential and vice-presidential candidate is how religion affects their world view and politics. Religion has been a primary focus this year, for better and worse, in this campaign, not limited to: Sen. Barack Obama and Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Sen. John McCain and Pastor Rod Parsley, rumors that Obama is a muslim, and the candidates' answers at the Rich Warren Saddleback Forum -- on abortion or otherwise.

Is the Sarah Palin Witchcraft Video nuts?

Having been baptized Catholic while dad's deity was philosophy (and a ceramic Buddha), encouraged to be re-baptized ("dunked") as a Baptist (the first time apparently unsuccessful), married in an Episcopal church, related to a retired witch, and having attended many churches -- from Protestant to Pentecostal -- I feel I can speak on whether the Sarah Palin church video is religious wackjobbery.

It is easily summed up as: you only see what you know. If you're a Catholic, baptism by immersion seems wacky, if you are a Baptist, ingesting unleavened bread that cuts the sides of your mouth and professing your sins to a human is strange. And, these are examples of some of the least controversial religious dogmas.

The wrongly named Sarah Palin Witchcraft video speaks on the fact that she is devout in her Christian faith, apparently not a racist and that she has the wisdom to look to prayer and guidance.

None of these issues qualifies Sarah Palin to be the vice president of the United States, but they do not take away from her capabilities either. Conversely, her religious beliefs - be it on abortion or gay marriage -- are another matter for voters to decide upon. Yet, parading the YouTube witchcraft video is just another hypocritical low blow to further unite the religious right...and middle.

Sources

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gvCzZ0SoitdKvCm5L-qbcB6KSGUQD93DIUQ80

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bastard/2008/09/told_you_she_was_a_wackjob_the.php

http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/05/john-mccain-rod-parsley-pastor-problem.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostalism

Published by Donna Porter

Writer / Journalist -- A Yahoo News! Contributor Donna began her writing and internet career in 1995 in the health industry and became an early dot-com entrepreneur soon after. Masters certified in Internet...   View profile

75 Comments

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  • Robert O. Adair 5/27/2011

    Very interesting!

  • O_O 6/11/2010

    I'm a witch maybe I should cast a spell on her to see of her weak protectoin gayness worked >_>

  • patty 11/30/2009

    If Sarah Palin is seeking God's Protection against witchcraft I applaud her! How much better is this than the whitehouse influenced and guided by the advice of psychics and astrologers! These are spoken against in the Bible - they are witchcraft!

  • Robbie B 5/23/2009

    I hadn't heard about this. Good reporting, donna!

  • Dan Mage 10/22/2008

    I would have to agree that Ms.Palin's personal religious beliefs and practices are her own business. I also feel she's not someone who should have access to nuclear weapons. More generally, direct experience of one's chosen deity, "higher power," or other levels of reality has always been frowned on by the powerful in society (except perhaps in the case of 12-step groups, and even they were and continue to be highly controversial). Witchcraft, heresy, madness, and psychosis are terms that have been used by cultural institutions to describe people who have unusual or unpopular beliefs and practices. Good point, there are a lot of scary things about this woman, but these particular accusation are the very kind of bigotry that Ms. Palin's critics accuse her of.

  • Heather Carreiro 10/21/2008

    Excellent job. Form the title I thought Palin was caught doing witchcraft! I am not a Palin supporter, but don't see why being prayed for would stir up such a controversy. It's interesting how this election, as well as many others, has become about so many things other than the actual platforms of the candidates.

  • Mrs. Treasures 10/17/2008

    You are right that sometimes it goes below the belt. I like how this article developed to its conclusion. Great job.

  • Sheri Fresonke Harper 10/13/2008

    I'm glad this election has taken us back to the 1600's :) Sheri

  • Kassidy Emmerson 10/10/2008

    Excellent coverage on this, Donna!

  • JA Huber 10/9/2008

    I wonder what's going to happen when the current 20-somethings are running for office. A good majority are on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, and other social media sites and will all have more public pasts. Will we not care at all in about 15 to 20 years because it'll be a level playing field? Hmmm...

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