Pawlenty endorses Palau evangelism festival

[Love Bug]

Gov. Tim Pawlenty took a detour on his way to meet President Bush in Mankato on Wednesday to endorse this weekend's Twin Cities Christian evangelism festival of Luis Palau.

The governor met him at a reception before a civic and business leaders' luncheon attended by 1,300 people in the Minneapolis Hilton.

To the crowd, Pawlenty said: "I'm proud to be associated with such an important faith event. Faith is an important glue that holds our state together." A member of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, he told the crowd that he had prayed "that God will bless this weekend and continue to bless this great state."

http://www.startribune.com/stories/614/4911916.html

Excuse me, but am I the only one uncomfortable with the idea of a public official endorsing a religious event? I don't care if Pawlenty personally endorses this, but I think he crosses a line when as GOVERNOR he endorses a religious event, especially one which is focused on proselytizing.

To those attending the luncheon, he said Palau is bringing a message that needs to be passed on to young people. "We have an opportunity this weekend to touch a generation that will outlive every one of us in this room today. We have an obligation to give back to them and pass along to them the values and principles that made this state great."

hmmmm..... I didn't know Evangelical values and principles are what made Minnesota great. I know some Lutherans and Catholics who might disagree with that statement.

[truthspeaker]

1. I'm with you, but it's a losing battle

If you don't agree that faith is always a positive thing for all people, you're a god-hating anti-American as far as many in the mainstream are concerned.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. As a 1950s vintage native Minnesotan

I can tell you that there were hardly any evangelicals or fundamentalists in the state when I was growing up. There were a few, but most people considered them crazy.

The state really was a lot like Lake Wobegon, in that almost everyone seemed to be either Lutheran or Catholic. In my public school in the suburbs of Minneapolis, the religious breakdown was about 40% Lutheran, 40% Catholic, and 20% everybody else.

[GRocky]

3. You're not surprised by this, are you?

When I see this bogus "festival" advertised, most places also have Bush/Cheney signs and/or "Support Our Troops" signs alongside them. I wonder if this Palau goon will praise our president and his zealous thirst for war.

[trotsky]

4. This was one of the few aspects that having Ventura as gov was fantastic.

He refused to endorse or sign anything dealing with religious promotion.

Separation of church & state, and abortion rights: two important issues it was nice having a governor being on the correct side of, even if nearly everything else he did was stupid.

[Love Bug]

5. Yeah, never thought I would say this...

... but somedays I miss Jesse. Yes, he can be an egotistical putz, but at least on issues like this you knew where he stood and he didn't care what anyone thought.

Hey, do you think Pawlenty would endorse a "Minnesotans for Allah" rally? I mean, after all, wouldn't that be also be a demonstration of how important faith is in the life of the State's citizens? Maybe the local Somalies and other Muslim groups would be interested.... uh never mind. </sarcasm>

[GRocky]

6. I loved the Body.

I was hoping that some Muslim group would come forward to have some kind of a celebration on the capital lawn. That would put him in a bit of a bind. But he wouldn't flip-flop, oh no. Only Democrats do that. The Republicans have "sound ideals"

[Nobody]

7. The posters and such plastered all over town were misleading

They showed a picture of the guy, his name in huge letters, and a musical note. No mention of what this was ANYWHERE on the posters.

I thought it was a music festival until I opened the paper and read what it really was.

Even religious friends say that having the festival at the capitol was a bad idea. Why couldn't they have gone to Harriet Island? Better parking, lots of space, a long history of events.

[Love Bug]

8. Yes, the lawn signs were misleading

Made it sound like the State Fair or something similar. My daughter even asked about it. I was familiar with Luis Palau so when I told her what was really going on, she said, "No way." I wonder how many people attended thinking it would be like "Taste of Minnesota"?

Yep, the folks who claim to follow Christ use misleading tactics to attract attendees. WWJD?