Minister at center of politics debate calls clergy group 'unholy alliance'

defending the First Amendment against the Christian right ...

... because if Jews don't speak out, they'll think we don't mind

Web JewsOnFirst

Optional Member Code

Please email us
(click here)
catcher@JewsOnFirst.org

And "bookmark" us at
JewsOnFirst.org

Jews on First
P.O. Box 2283
Rockville MD 20847

310-910-9153

Minister at center of politics debate calls clergy group 'unholy alliance'

By Mark Naymik, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 18, 2006

Hartville, Ohio- Prominent Ohio evangelical minister Russell Johnson fired back Tuesday at critics who charge him and others with mixing religion and politics, saying they are guilty of the same sin - if sin it is.

Accused recently by a group of moderate clergy of using his pulpit to benefit Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, Johnson described them as part of an "unholy alliance" and "secular jihad" against expressions of faith.

Thirty-one clergy members on Sunday asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate the tax-free status of Johnson's Fairfield Christian Church and affiliated organization, Ohio Restoration Project, which is trying to rally pastors to take an active role in this year's statewide races.

The Rev. Rod Parsley of World Harvest Church also was accused of illegal political activities. Both churches are in the Columbus area.

During a lunch meeting of Restoration Project adherents in Hartville in Stark County, Johnson poked fun at his critics for ignoring two left-leaning clergymen: Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

"I'll feel a little better when I understand they file a grievance against Rev. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton," he told the group.

Blackwell, who was the featured speaker at the luncheon, was honored for his support of last year's successful drive for a statewide ban on gay marriage. He defended Johnson and Parsley and denied that he has received special treatment from the churches.

He described the actions by the 31 clergy members as "a deliberate spread of misinformation" and a "double standard."

Though he said he had not read their complaint, he said he is not the only politician given a forum by the conservative churches.

During his speech, he told the cheering crowd, "You tell those 31 political bullies that you ain't about to be whupped."

Eric Williams, senior pastor of North Congregational United Church of Christ, who helped organize the clergy against Johnson and Parsley, said Monday that he expects the rhetoric to sharpen.

"It was an act of personal conviction and courage," he said. "A few of us are concerned that there may be some type of retribution."

Fair Use Statement: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.