John (McCain) the Baptist?
EmailABC News’ Bret Hovell Reports: Sen. John McCain’s campaign staff identified him as "Episcopalian" in a questionnaire prepared for ABC News’ August 5 debate, notwithstanding the presidential candidate’s claim that he has long identified himself as a Baptist.
On Monday, amid questions about his religious persuasion, the Arizona Republican said he has been attending a North Phoenix Baptist Church for many years.
"I’d like to add there’s been some talk about my religious persuasion," McCain said in Lexington, South Carolina, speaking to reporters after a rally on the final day of his "No Surrender" tour.
"I was raised in an Episcopal church and attended high school at a high school called Episcopal High School. I have attended North Phoenix Baptist Church for many years, and the most important thing is that I’m a Christian. And I don’t have anything else to say on the issue," McCain said.
McCain’s presidential campaign says he has been attending the Phoenix area church for more than 15 years.
Curiosity about his religion was sparked Sunday when McCain, who has long been identified as an Episcopalian, was asked what role his Episcopal faith plays in his life.
"It plays a role in my life. By the way, I’m not Episcopalian. I’m Baptist," McCain told the Associated Press after a rally in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
But the Senator’s biography in the 2007 edition of the Congressional Directory lists his faith as Episcopalian. McCain also attended an Episcopal high school in the Washington D.C. area.
At a recent Fox News debate, each candidate was introduced with a short description that included religion. McCain’s was described as Episcopalian, and neither the candidate nor the campaign issued a correction or clarification.
The ABC News questionnaire was sent out to each of the candidates participating in the Republican debate, which was moderated by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. The McCain campaign’s director of advance Davis White returned the form to ABC.
The campaign stuck with McCain’s statement earlier in the day.
"The Senator has made it abundantly clear that he’s a Christian and that’s the most important issue here," said campaign spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan.
McCain’s wife, Cindy, is Baptist and so are their children. The campaign describes his faith as a private matter.
Later in the day Sunday, after his comments in Hilton Head, McCain was asked if he would be making a public declaration of his faith.
"I’ve made that hundreds of times," he said.
ABC News’ Teddy Davis contributed to this report.
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What a surprise as he fawns upon the “sudden baptist” following he needs. Frankly, he reminds me of a squirrel with a load of nuts in his jaw…
Posted by: daddy | September 17, 2007, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
Sounds to me like he’s a religious flip-flopper.
Posted by: uuforyou | September 17, 2007, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm
Well…since the government is blind to sponsoring a religion….this shouldn’t matter …right ?
Posted by: Doug | September 17, 2007, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
He’s a Baptist in South Carolina.
When he goes back to DC, he’ll be an Episcopalian again.
Posted by: Rogueable | September 17, 2007, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
Religious beliefs are a private and personal matter.
We are a secular society, and religion has no place in politics. There is good reason why our Founding Fathers argued for separation of church and state.
Posted by: Thomas | September 17, 2007, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
Talk about flip-flopping on the issues. I’m Episcopalian, I’m Baptist, I’m Episcopalian, I’m Baptist… It’s comforting to know he’s just a normal politician.
Posted by: genlin | September 17, 2007, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
It’s funny how some people seem to think this is news.
Posted by: Dave | September 17, 2007, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
Stubborn John McCain could have easily been President had he said,”close the border now!” But no, he has to saddle up with the likes of Kennedy and that is the story folks.
Posted by: rockychance | September 17, 2007, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
I don’t think anyone’s religion should play a part in the election process. But as long as this news network and others use every opportunity to continue to make Mitt Romney’s religion an issue, I think that, in fairness, they should treat the other candidates religious affiliation in the same manner. Maybe then everyone will finally recognize how pointless this argument is.
Posted by: dajetigabe | September 17, 2007, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were Deists.
Posted by: Eric | September 17, 2007, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
WHO CARES WHICH ONE HE IS? ANYBODY WHO USED “RELIGEOUS AFFILIATION” AS A POLITICAL STEPPING STONE OR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DISCREDIT SOMEONE BASED ON RELIGION NEEDS TO GET OVER IT! THAT IS NOT WHAT HOLDING POLITICAL OFFICE IS ABOUT! JEEZ…. RELIGION IS NOT SOMETHING ANYONE SHOULD BASE THEIR VOTE ON. (And, contrary to popular belief by now, I DO believe in God.)
Posted by: LetsKeepItReal | September 17, 2007, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
I wonder now he is in the south telling them he is a Baptist, that he will go up north and thell them he is Catholic and over to Utah, to tell them his a Mormon!
Posted by: John | September 17, 2007, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm
Who cares? Ten thousand years ago ALL of our ancestors were ignorant, dressed in smelly animal skins, and chanting and dancing around fires to protect themselves from spirits and demons. The only thing that’s changed today is the fire – it’s been downsized to candles.
Posted by: Rick | September 17, 2007, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
When he goes to Boston, he will them that he is Irish Catholic, c’mon folks my last name is McCann, vote for me!!! I am as Irish Catholic as they come and I love Boston College!!
Posted by: John | September 17, 2007, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
There is no point in asking for the domination of any political candidates.
Those who extol the virtue of their religious assosciation are mostly chritian in names only.By their actions you could guess their true beliefs.
Posted by: Johnson | September 17, 2007, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
What’s the difference?
Posted by: JT | September 17, 2007, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
Obviously Mr. McCain is NOT a Baptist. His wife and children are members of North Phoenix Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist Church. However in another interview, Mr. McCain notes he was not baptized so therefore he cannot be a member. However, if he says North Phoenix Baptist Church is his church home, I take him at his word. There is just that small detail that may be the problem about his membership, ie the reason folks do not believe he is a Baptist.
Posted by: Mari, Mesa Arizona | September 17, 2007, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm
Get your facts straight. If you have been baptised by a protestant church you do not need to be rebaptised to be a member of a Baptist church.
I am involved in politics in Phoenix and know for a fact that John has attended that Baptist church for years. So you leftist fascists need to get off his back!
Posted by: Mark | September 18, 2007, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
As I posted before, and ofcourse was immediately “censored” by this blog –
I stated that John McCain is NO HISTORIC BAPTIST !
In the 2000 Presidential Primary in South Carolina; he slammed BOB JONES UNIVERSITY: WHICH IS AN HISTORIC BAPTIST/FUNDAMENTALIST JUDEO-CHRISTIAN PROTESTANT PRIVATE SCHOOL/COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY.
He ACCUSED BJU OF BEING “RACIST and “Anti-[Roman]‘Catholic’”.
His intent being to de-rail George W. Bush’s Primary Victory.
And also his gaining “Roman ‘Catholic’” favor (really VOTES) in a “Future” Presidential Run — AS IN THE PRESENT 2008 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RACE !
John McCain is as “Baptist” as George Bush Sr. is “Pentecostal” !
Posted by: ConstitutionalConservative | September 19, 2007, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
reverse address lookup
It is tiresome trying to number the hours we have used up searching for directory research.
Posted by: reverse address lookup | September 25, 2007, 3:08 am 3:08 am
“Get your facts straight. If you have been baptised by a protestant church you do not need to be rebaptised to be a member of a Baptist church.
I am involved in politics in Phoenix and know for a fact that John has attended that Baptist church for years. So you leftist fascists need to get off his back!
Posted by: Mark | Sep 18, 2007 2:05:04 PM”
Dear John: I am a Southern Baptist Pastor, and although some of our churches do not require rebaptism from episcopalian churches, I am quit sure North Phoenix surely would.
You see we do not consider his first preconversion sprinkling to be genuine biblical baptism because baptism in the NT was only after salvation and always by immersion. It is important because it sybolizes our salvation. When we received Jesus we were baptized by The Holy Spirit in to the larger body of Christ, we were incorporated into the larger church. Our water baptism is a symbol of that, and of our Lord’s own death, burial and resurrection.
So Mr. McCain might be a baptist by persuasion, a baptist by attendance but he is not a Baptist by membership unless and until he decides to join that church that way.
This does not speak of his salvation. He may indeed be saved. But salvation is not a private matter. It is a personal one, but one that all of us are commanded to share openly with as many people as possible. It is not a choice. If we are to be obedient we must tell people of our on faith and encourage them to come to Jesus as well. Jesus commanded us to do so.
Thanks for listening.
In Him,
Pastor, Mike
Posted by: Mike Janz | September 25, 2007, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
I’ve been in John’s shoes. I grew up military, and Methodist. I’ve recently converted to Christianity. My wife grew up Catholic. Although we both are Christians and have both been baptised as such.. that doesn’t mean we don’t identify with our upbringing. Heck, I still have dogtags that read Methodist. I just happen to be wearing the ones that say Christian right now. Yeah, I expect that John McCain will play to the preference of whichever state he is stomping. He is a politician after all. I think his point is.. he is a man of faith, a Christian. That, should be about as much conversation and hype the subject warrants. But, instead media and bloggers alike look to dissect and scrutinize the minutia of this subject rather than find some substantial position to argue.
Judging some of the comments so far.. he’s right.
Posted by: mike | January 30, 2008, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
I agree that Macain is not an evangilized beleiver, although his wife and family are. What I don’t undrstand is why being a Baptist is; by the many of the discussions it seems that many probably belieive the Prsesident should be a Baptist. Well that is not going to happen, the choice “now” is do you want someone thatis a “peacemaker and reaches across” the political lines and has a perfect “Pro Life Vote” and believes in apointing pro life jusdges or someone like Romny that became pro life when he decided to run for prsident. Get real folks and pray that we get a man with a backbone and God will anoint him to overcome the curse of abortion that is destorying our country! Maybe Huckaby could truely become a viable cadidate after one or two tours as VP and John Macain could become a true Christian by Hucaby’s witnes.
Posted by: Ted Dean | February 6, 2008, 11:14 am 11:14 am
Hopefully many are praying for him and he will become a Christian truely and then he won’t be afraid to tell others of his faith. The Bible does tell us that we are to share our faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us also that we are to be babtised, even Jesus was. It is important to know how a man believes as it tells us his moral character. Any one who thinks that is not important is not wise.
Posted by: leolin hogan | February 6, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
Your religion is not what church you attend. One could be a Baptist or a Episcopalian, and not be a Christian. One has to have ask Christ into their heart. Also one can move his memberships from one church to another, as well as swich to a different Denomonation, and still be a Christian. The Question is this: Is he the one who can best lead this nation?
Posted by: John | February 19, 2008, 12:48 am 12:48 am
I’m sorry, but if you are a Christian you cannot check your faith at the door when politics are addressed. Christianity is who you are and it should not be removed from your decision making process. Impossible to do if you truly have a personal relationship with Christ. Can you leave your convictions at the door when something like the war is addressed? Isn’t it a difference between right and wrong in your opinion? Where does that conviction come from. Some place deep inside? That is what religion is…where your convictions derive! Please stop telling Christians that religion has no place in politics. Everyone’s convictions come from some place and is what forms who this country is…
Posted by: Rebecca | February 24, 2008, 11:15 pm 11:15 pm
Does he eat meat?
Posted by: Eduardo | April 14, 2008, 2:33 am 2:33 am
And now, in México, McCain is catholic… he and his wife went to Guadalupe’s Basilic… Incredible! A christian re-born again in catholic church? mmmh Only in USA!
Posted by: Juan Carlos García | July 4, 2008, 6:15 am 6:15 am
Im a mexican baptist, and when mr. Mcain came to Mexico he went to a place where many people adores an image, something that me as christian with true convictions will not do because adoring an image goes against the bible and the baptist criteria that show us only to adore God, no images no statues etc, so as bible say “by their fruits they will be knew”, mr. Mcain seems not to be really a baptist (and lets hope he dont say anymore he is because we the baptist dont do that and I dont want that then everybody think that we the baptists also adore images as the guadalupe virgin or something else instead of God and that we change religions as we changes our clothing), his religion seems to be the politics, lets hope one day he really meet God and Jesus and accept him as personal savior and follow the way they teaches us in the bible (religion does not saves, God saves) we respect the catholics but we wont adore the saints and images they adore here in Mexico even when they had chase us for not believing in those images.
REGARDS
Posted by: Vic | July 5, 2008, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm
Bob Jones is not a traditional baptist university. Its a fundamentalist school. Fundamentalism started in the early 20th century in response to the modernist view (in the church) that was starting to deny the inerrancy of the scripture. Though traditional baptists agree with fundies that the scripture is inerrant, we don’t buy into the legalism of the fundamentalists. The bible doesn’t forbid drinking (though it does forbid drunkenness) alchohal or many other things Bob Jones Univ forbids. That being said, I doubt the Senator is a fundie.
Posted by: Chris Beasley | August 18, 2008, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
See “Christianity Today” article by the pastor of Cindy McCain’s church in Phoenix, which says McCain is NOT a member of his wife’s church. He has been invited to join but refused to be baptised as an adult, which is a requirement for membership. So McCain’s staff is correct: McCain is an Episcopalian (as is stated in every Congressional Directory since his election), not a Baptist. Isn’t it interesting McCain is touting Baptist credentials as he needs to get conservative evangelical support?
Posted by: R Brown | September 3, 2008, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Hi people of religion and those of you who are not. One must have what is considered a scriptural baptism to be a member of a Baptist church. That is; baptism by a church of like order and faith. No, not any protestant baptism will do. Any one can attend a Baptist church but “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but loose his own soul”????HAVE YOU BEEN BORN AGAIN?
Posted by: baptist lady | September 13, 2008, 10:47 pm 10:47 pm
The Christian Right always demand to be pandered to in obvious, mutually degrading ways. They know that the Republican candidates don’t REALLY believe what they do, but the lie serves just as well because it confirms their power and role as kingmaker.
Posted by: Aleks | September 26, 2008, 11:35 pm 11:35 pm
I went to Church with John and Cindy one thing for sure is at least during my years with him at NPBC it was all Show and games, he after all tried to get us to invest in the failed BFA scam at church and later when it came crashing down he got out and left us in debt, he was only their for the votes he acted NOT like any Christian i ever knew. After all the bible warns of to be careful of the wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Posted by: scott | October 4, 2008, 11:15 am 11:15 am
McCain how can he be 100% disabled as the VA says he is and receive 100% PAY FOR THIS DISABILTY WHICH INCLUDES MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AND WORK AS A SENATOR AND NOW WANTS TO BE PRESIDENT.? John Release all your Medical records, your VA rating file, DD-214, 201 File and most important your Medicine records since your taking dose of serious Mood Medicine also release all the Mayo Records as well let us see who the real John is ?
Posted by: Jimmy | October 4, 2008, 11:20 am 11:20 am
If the McCain campaign states that the most important religious issue regarding John is that he is a Christian, not in which church he holds membership, then the same should hold true for Barack Obama – he is a Christian and it is immaterial in which church he holds membership.
Posted by: CeeCee | October 6, 2008, 9:44 am 9:44 am
John only sometimes goes to NPBC because his wife goes there, he is NOT a member he does NOT know the Bible he is merely nothing more than a show man, i recall at church when he used to spend time autographing notes, dollar bills and church bulletins he is a typical showman in the circus. Remember he had affairs with married women all while he was married that does not sound like a Christan man to me ? Why does he keep his adopted dark skinned daughter from the family photos ? Because he does not want to loose the white vote thus he is a fraud
Posted by: Mick | October 7, 2008, 10:57 pm 10:57 pm
Thanks Mick, for telling the truth. I could tell from what he said he didn’t know the Baptist Church that well and neither do some that have commented.
I feel sorry for the man if he has truly been using God.
Posted by: Cindy L. | October 8, 2008, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm
the 2008 u.s elections will be fixet by both partys macain will win no bady likes to see a black man in the white house heven obamas own party are agienst him
Posted by: TOMMY | October 10, 2008, 1:09 am 1:09 am
AMERICAN CHRISTIANS AND JESUS DONT GO HAND IN HAND IF YOU LOOK THE LIFE OF JESUS AND SO CALLED CHRISTIANS LIKE MACAIN AND BUSH THERES NOTHING JESUS ABOUT THEM THERE FULL OF HATE
Posted by: JESUS LOVE HUMANITY | October 10, 2008, 1:17 am 1:17 am
THE U.S IS A
UNJUST SUPERPOWER THAT LOVE ITS SELF TO MUCH NO HARD FEELING AM JUST BEING HONEST G.BUSH AS GIVEN U.S.A A BAD NAME I WUNDER WHAT MACAIN WOULD DO THE U.S IS NOT LIKET VERY MUCH FOR ITS DOUBLE STANDERDS IT SAY SOMETHING ELS AND IT DOES SOMETHING ELS
NO NATION TRUSTS THE U.S.A THEY SEE THE U.S AS A EVIL MONSTAR WHICH IS A FACT
Posted by: WHAT WILL OBAMA AND MACAIN DO TO PEPOLE OF THE WORLD? | October 10, 2008, 1:36 am 1:36 am
THE BANKS MADE BILLIONS OUT OF IT CUSTOMERS THE AFFECTS OF RECESSION AND EXTRA BERDON UPON THE PEPOLE WAS PLAND TO GET BILLIONS MORE OUT OF THE TAX PAYERS. ALSO THE CASH INJECTIONS IN TO THE PACKETS OF FAT CATS IS A UNJUST EVIL AND A DIRTY TRICK ALSO TO SAY BANKS AND OTHER TOP FAT CATS ARE GOING THREW RECESSION IS A LIE THEY MADE THERE MONEY IN TRILLIONS EVERY 1O TO15 YEARS THEY TAKE WHAT EVER THEY MAKE AND SHARE IT AMONGEST THEM SELFS AND PEPOLE END UP GOING THREW HARD TIMES THE GOVERMENTS ARE PART OF THIS EVIL WHICH WAS CREATED ALSO NOTHING HAPPENDS BY ITS SELF UNLESS SOMEONE PUSHES THE BUTON AND AND THAT SOME ONE IS THE FAT CATS THEM SELFS THE PEPOLE WILL PAY MORE MONEY IN TO THE SYSTEM THAT SUCKS THE LIFE OUT OF YOU
Posted by: BANKS MADE BILLIONS OUT OF ITS CUSTOMERS | October 10, 2008, 11:35 pm 11:35 pm
WHAY DONT THE RICH FIGHT POVERTY WELL IF THE RICH END POVERTY WHOS GOING TO CALL THEM RICH TO STAY RICH YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT SOME ONE IS POOR SO THEY COULD LOOK UP TO YOU YOU HAVE TO ALSO ASK YOU AINT GOING TO TAKE IT WITH YOU WHEN YOU DIE SO WHAY NOT SHARE IT WITH OTHERS YOU COME EMTY YOU GO EMTY ALL YOU TAKE WITH YOU IS YOUR DEEDS
Posted by: POVERTY | October 10, 2008, 11:54 pm 11:54 pm
The irony is that the religious right see him as the “annointed” one and reject Obama who has made that public profession of faith and received baptism.
Doesn’t matter tot me – I don’t think we are supposed to have a religious test for our leaders. It’s just hypocritical for the religious right to cast aspersions on Obama as a “non-Christian” when he is one and to claim God’s favor for McCain who hasn’t made that public proclamation of “choosing Jesus as his Lord” and receiving Christian baptism.
Posted by: mwestorca | October 14, 2008, 2:34 am 2:34 am
True religion is in Jesus Christ. It does not matter what denomination you are or who you are. The only thing that matters is that you have repented of your sins and asked Christ to be Lord of your life, also you are to be baptized as a symbol that your sins are being cleansed. Believe upon the Lord and you will be saved. I don’t care what building “chuch” they attend. That doesn’t matter and will not matter when the Lord returns. Also yes there are certain beliefs that you would not have if you were a Christian and this goes for both the candidates. It is important that we do not vote for people simply because of their race or gender but their beliefs as said above play a big role in how they are going to run the country and if their beliefs do not line up with proper morale then they will not receive my vote.
Posted by: What you believe is who you are | October 17, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
For all the folks who doubt whether Barak Obama or John McCain is a Christian: St. Augustine said, “In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, Liberty; in All Things, Charity.” The essential of being a Christian is believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and one’s personal Lord and Savior. If you’re sniping about whether someone’s claim on Christianity is invalid because they claim (or not claim) to be a member of Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian, or United Church of Christ congregation, then you have a great deal to learn about liberty, charity, and Christ himself.
Posted by: LeslieF | October 17, 2008, 9:20 pm 9:20 pm
In the name of Jesus Christ, Lord over ALL the earth, I declare protection and wisdom for John McCain and Sarah Palin. Satan, you have no authority over these two people and their lives and families. Protection over them, I ask of you, Father! May their ears be deaf to those comments of them that are false or misleading, may you guide them in understanding and trusting in the TRUTH!!!!!!! Thank you, Lord, for your mighty and wonderful power!
Posted by: amy | October 21, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
Being a Christian does not depend on what church one attends or belongs to. Being a Christian is soley based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not a head knowledge of who He is, but a heart knowledge and acceptance that Jesus Christ died for the individual’s sins.
Joining a church does not make one a Christian.
John McCain, of all people, knows this to be true. Only his faith in God could sustain him through his POW experiences.
As far as Baptist Baptism, I joined a So. Baptist Church and they accepted my baptism from another denominaton. It depends on the individual church’s policy.
God Bless Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin
Posted by: Joy S. | November 1, 2008, 9:55 am 9:55 am