![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/exorcesm.jpg\")
The minister of a Haywood County Baptist church is
\n telling members of his congregation that if they’re Democrats, they either
\n need to find another place of worship or support President Bush.<\/p>\n
Already, the Reverend Chan Chandler has ex-communicated nine members of
\n East Waynesville Baptist Church. Another 40 members have left in protest.<\/p>\n
During last Sunday’s sermon, he acknowledged that church members were upset
\n because he named people, and he says he’ll do it again because he has to
\n according to the word of God.<\/p>\n
Chandler could not be reached for comment today, but says his actions weren’t
\n politically motivated.<\/p>\n
One former church member says Chandler told some of the members that if
\n they didn’t support George Bush, they needed to resign their positions
\n and get out of the church, or go to the altar, repent and agree to vote
\n for Bush.<\/p>\n
A former church treasurer says she’s at church to worship God and not the
\n preacher. <\/p>\n
Can they do that? Can a religion excommunicate people for voting for from AP<\/a> via the Lexington Dispatch <\/p>\n video from WLOS The minister of a Haywood County Baptist church is telling members of his congregation that if they’re Democrats, they either need to find another place of worship or support President Bush. Already, the Reverend Chan Chandler has ex-communicated nine members … Continue reading
\n a particular candidate, and still claim the tax-free status afforded organized
\n religion? Doesn’t the separation of Church and State work both ways? The
\n Baptist Braintrust is going to have to boil this Chandler guy in oil if
\n they want to survive the PR fallout from this one….
\n <\/em><\/p>\n
\n in North Carolina<\/a> (Windows Media)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"