Pastor Mac Hammond of the Living Word Christian Center, a Brooklyn Park mega-church, gave Rep. Michele Bachmann a campaign donation of $2,100 this campaign cycle. The controversy generated by his support for Bachmann’s first run for Congress doesn’t seem to have scared off the prosperity pastor.
In October 2006, Hammond invited Bachmann to speak at his church — a speech that generated a degree of embarrassment for both Hammond and Bachmann.
Hammond endured complaints from watchdog groups for endorsing Bachmann from the pulpit, telling his congregation, “I can tell you personally that I’m going to vote for Michele Bachmann, because I’ve come to know her, what she stands for, and I want her to share her testimony with you tonight.”
The problem: Pastors can’t endorse candidates in church and Hammond didn’t even live in Bachmann’s district. He still doesn’t.
Bachmann’s “I am a fool for Christ” speech continues to inspire liberal bloggers’ lampooning.
News of Hammond’s endorsement generated a number of tips to the Minnesota Independent (then Minnesota Monitor) about some of the church’s questionable financial dealings.












4 Comments »
Comment posted August 21, 2008 @ 1:55 pm
Pastor Mac Hammond of the Living Word Christian Center is a sham and an embarrassment to what is a ridiculous belief system in the first place. The idea that some personal, omniscient being sits up in some lovely place, surrounded by angels and others while he/she doles out financial benefits to those living-on-earth humans who practice this sham of a religion boggles the mind. Please make certain that Mac Hammond and Michelle Bachman are tossed on the scrap heap of forgotten fools as soon as possible.
Comment posted August 21, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
While I agree that the thought of God as some dude sitting in some lovely place passing out money is a bit goofy… That certainly is not the God defined throughout history in mankind's sacred scripts. Perhaps we could debate possibilities and probabilities in the context of eternity but the issue isn't whether or not “some personal, omniscient being” is hanging around the cosmos, the issue is whether or not we have what it takes to see our own flaws while seeing the beauty in others. I personally find it very easy to exploit the ridiculous in any world view or belief system, but it doesn't seem to ever satisfy me when I do.
Comment posted August 21, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
I continue to be disappointed in the intent to present information in a manner that is intentionally slanted. Why can't an individual, who happens to be a pastor, communicate his views? How is this different that a conversation between co-workers around the water cooler or a discussion in a company meeting around a conference table? Those who shout …”separation of church and state” should review the founding documents rather than accept the current, inaccurate understanding.
Beyond that, why is it that when someone states that they are committed to a God who is personal, seeking to redeem each and every one of us from our since, failures and faults they are branded as somehow not credible? It's a whole lot easier to believe that this world was created than to believe it was created by some nebulous, freak occurrence.
Whether we accept the Bible as fact or fiction, there will still come a day when all will have to account for their actions at judgment day. Better to make the choice now rather than realize it's too late once death arrives.
Comment posted August 24, 2008 @ 10:52 pm
I do not agree with bringing politics into the church. I believe religion and the word be spoken in the church. At my church if this was brought up, I'd be out. And I'd be leaving even if the endorsement was for someone I would vote for. Second, having tax exempt status, this is a violation of law. That being said, I have no issue whatsoever with a Pastor, Minister, Clergy in general donating to a particular campaign. As long as it is not tied to their church, no problem. The exact same law also prohibits companies from soliciting from their employees and donating to campaigns on their behalf.
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Leave a comment