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Hagee Reneges On Retraction Of His Katrina Comments: ‘God Always Punishes Unconfessed Sin’»

hagee4.gifTwo weeks ago, controversial Pastor John Hagee reiterated his prior belief that Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans because it was “planning a sinful” “homosexual rally.” Asked about the comments, McCain — who sought Hagee’s endorsement for more than a year — was forced to distance himself, calling them “nonsense” nine times.

After McCain was put on the spot over Hagee, the ultra-conservative pastor put out a statement seemingly retracting his comments on the cause of Hurricane Katrina:

“As a believing Christian, I see the hand of God in everything that happens here on earth, both the blessings and the curses,” Hagee said in a statement issued through his public relations firm. “But ultimately neither I nor any other person can know the mind of God concerning Hurricane Katrina. I should not have suggested otherwise. No matter what the cause of the storm, my heart goes out to all who suffered in this terrible tragedy. There but for the grace of God go any one of us.

But in a conference call yesterday, Hagee appeared to renege on his retraction, reportedly saying “God controls hurricanes and ‘God always punishes unconfessed sin’”:

When a woman on the call asked why he seemed to have backed away from his Katrina comments in face of criticism, Hagee said he hadn’t. As for the Katrina, he said, God controls hurricanes and “God always punishes unconfessed sin.” You do the math.

Though McCain has distanced himself from some of Hagee’s comments, he has yet to reject the pastor’s support. He now says it was a political “mistake” to seek Hagee’s endorsement, though he is still “glad to have” it.

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UpdateOn the conference call, Hagee also described a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians as "a cheap political ploy." Matt Duss breaks it down at the Wonk Room.
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57 Responses to “Hagee Reneges On Retraction Of His Katrina Comments: ‘God Always Punishes Unconfessed Sin’”

  1. Zooey Says:

    Hagee’s god won’t get him for being a lying wanker?


  2. Uncle Ho Says:

    McJowls has his nose so far up these Bible-thumping ‘agents of intolerance” that he has GOT to be Pinocchio.


  3. misshusseinmolly Says:

    Oh geez — Hagee flip-flops as bad as McCain. Those two certainly deserve each other.


  4. IgnoranceIsNotBliss Says:

    These people are bat shit crazy.


  5. shoeless Says:

    As for the Katrina, he said, God controls hurricanes and “God always punishes poor black people.”


  6. Badmoodman Says:

    God controls hurricanes and “God always punishes unconfessed sin.”

    - - Those poor sinful bastids in Myanamar, eh? Oh, doesn’t God control cyclones too?


  7. gummitch Says:

    Uh oh. Paging Daryll!


  8. hussein toasterhead Says:

    Wow. So there must’ve been a lot of gays in Burma, huh?


  9. Lisa FTW Says:

    How DARE anyone suggest a peacable solution to the ME situation? Won’t that interfere with hagee’s end-times wet dream?

    Uncle Ho-you just used one of my favorite lines from “Platoon”…. ;)


  10. nanlichi Says:

    I don’t think these preachers are bat shit crazy, I think they are cunning and manipulative parasites that in years past would be selling snake oil to the rubes.

    These slimeballs are filthy rich and have tapped into a cash flow from the religious freaks who don’t have the sense to think for themselves (Darryl comes to mind.

    It’s the ones who listen to these whores that are bat shit crazy.


  11. And Yet... Says:

    I hope Hagee keeps talking. The more he explains, the worse he sounds.

    But what I really hope is that the MSM start showing the tapes of his diatribes (the ones Russert doesn’t seem to know exist) as frequently as they showed Rev. Wright’s.

    I hope in vain, I know. The MSM suckup fest with St. John McBush continues on unabated.


  12. gummitch Says:

    hussein toasterhead Says:

    Wow. So there must’ve been a lot of gays in Burma, huh?

    Keep up Toasterhead! Those people aren’t Christians, so they get smote on general principles.


  13. DieNowForPeace Says:

    Attention fatboy:

    GLUTTONY IS A SIN.


  14. McWars Says:

    Someone’s not in a good mood. Hagee’s date with Darryl didn’t go
    so well, did it?


  15. DieNowForPeace Says:

    Yea, Darryl refused to wear the pant-less sailor suit again.


  16. linda Says:

    i’m sure fat russert will challenge st john on this commentary soon …. real soon…


  17. pmohlman Says:

    Gluttony is a sin…hahahaha! He is rather portly, isn’t he?

    So sad, the only news worth watching is Olermann and Jon Stewart. I’ve been emailing MSNBC to get Rachael Maddow her own show. That would drive the Neoclowns crazy (she’s a yummy lesbian).


  18. Freedom Rebel Says:

    But in a conference call today, Hagee appeared to renege on his retraction, reportedly saying “God controls hurricanes and ‘God always punishes unconfessed sin’”

    “Never let a man imagine that he can pursue a good end by evil means, without sinning against his own soul. The evil effect on himself is certain.”

    Robert Southey - English Poet


  19. pmohlman Says:

    Breaking news…..tornado!!! I think I’m going to throw my TV out the window today.

    New idea for a reality show….TV Newsmodels in axefights while on rollerskates!


  20. katy Says:

    “God always punishes unconfessed sin.”

    it’s so true…
    when i was 5ish, i snuck inside to get a cookie, after my mom told me i couldn’t
    have one, and, ten steps out the door i stepped on a bee and was stung and
    dropped that cookie in the dirt…

    i knew why: god’ll getcha!


  21. Witch1 Says:

    Good, funny post’s all…Make’s me wonder how much the relegious sale’s have jumped since this administration took control….Also bring’s to mind that these huge mega churche’s that pramote more of their polatician’s should be taxed..

    Not going to be around much but will continue to read all your great work as I can….Last 2 day’s all my cable service knocked out with the exception of 2 hour’s…Huge house builders on my block cut the line’s..Oy…

    Please hug some one you love today, plant a tree or flower and remember to do something for yourself and our country…Sending Blessings.


  22. McWars Says:

    Hi Good_Golly

    Bye Good_Golly


  23. Zooey Says:

    Wow McWarz, you’re good. ;)


  24. KYJurisDoctor Says:

    Well, Pastor John Hagee has something there! unconfessed sin brings Divine correction.


  25. Zooey Says:

    Are there two McWars(z) now?


  26. krazeeinjun Says:

    Pastor John Hagee in 2008: “God controls hurricanes and ‘God always punishes unconfessed sin.”

    Thomas Paine in 1794: “There are matters in the Bible, said to be done by the express commandment of God, that are shocking to humanity and to every idea we have of moral justice….. Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.”

    Paine had it unerringly right 200+ years ago. John Hagee and his modern day co-religionists are people who are indeed morally unjust, cruel and an affront to humanity.

    Just saying . . .


  27. Zimzone Says:

    John ‘The Great Whore’ of America, Hagee speaks again.

    His God doesn’t play well with others.

    His God is Homophobic.

    His God likes human sacrifices.

    Hagee the Horrible, coming to a pulpit near you…

    Bring your kids!

    Bring your wife!

    Bring your neighbor!

    Most importantly, Bring your wallet!


  28. katy Says:

    via C&L blog roundup:

    An Atheist Goes Undercover to Join the Flock of Mad Pastor John Hagee
    By Matt Taibbi, RollingStone.com. Posted May 5, 2008.

    In this excerpt from his new book, Matt Taibbi shares his experiences at a Hagee’s boot camp for new converts.

    http://www.alternet.org/rights/84043


  29. Zooey Says:

    Wait one damn minute….

    If I’m reading this right, I can commit no end of horrendous sinful acts, and as long as I confess those sins, I’m A-okay?

    Is that it?


  30. shoeless Says:

    I wonder why God decided to punish those 2000 white Christian Republicans in Greensburg Kansas when he sent that tornado to destroy their town last spring.


  31. McWars Says:

    McWarz Says:

    Thank TP for name registration. If that wasn’t in place, this would be a full-fledged namejack.


  32. christopher wiwi Says:

    I say keep him on Johnny`s team and we will see what happens in November.The more HATE FILLED members Johnny has on his team the more it will drive his campaign into the GROUND, go Johnny go!!!!


  33. Zooey Says:

    McWars Says:

    McWarz Says:

    Thank TP for name registration. If that wasn’t in place, this would be a full-fledged namejack.
    May 8th, 2008 at 11:15 am

    If he’s clever, people will just think you’re twice as clever. ;)


  34. gummitch Says:

    Zooey Says:

    Wait one damn minute….

    If I’m reading this right, I can commit no end of horrendous sinful acts, and as long as I confess those sins, I’m A-okay?

    Is that it?

    Timing is critical, though. If you’re in a state of sin when the hurricane strikes, you’re up the creek.


  35. Freedom Rebel Says:

    #30 Zooey Says:
    ——————-

    Wait one damn minute….

    If I’m reading this right, I can commit no end of horrendous sinful acts, and as long as I confess those sins, I’m A-okay?

    Is that it?

    According to Hagee, that would be a yes… Just don’t be gay, that is the exception to that rule.


  36. Wayne Says:

    Witch1 Says:

    Hi Sharon, glad you are able to get back on =)


  37. Witch1 Says:

    Back at ya and thank’s Wayne, it will be short lived, the cable guy’s just came by and told me to tell the tenent’s it will be out again today….I’m all high speed cable, phone, TV and internet…No matter…Have the email’s read and the pup to walk not to mention weed’s to pull and petunas to plant…..You all have good posting time’s untill I read you again…..Blessings


  38. Zimzone Says:

    Caption: ‘Hagee the Horrible will see you go straight to Hell for that remark, you little jerk.’


  39. misshusseinmolly Says:

    shoeless Says
    May 8th, 2008 at 11:14 am
    I wonder why God decided to punish those 2000 white Christian Republicans in Greensburg Kansas when he sent that tornado to destroy their town last spring.
    ___________________________________________

    Or why God continues to leave Las Vegas and Atlantic City alone…


  40. pmohlman Says:

    With all the uproar about Hagee, let’s not forget about the other ‘Spiritual Advisor’ to McSame, Rod Parsley. In my opinion, this guy is much worse. He wants open war against Islam and says “America was founded, in part, to see Islam destroyed”. Compare this with anything Wright said and ask yourself which is worse. Check out Brave New Films; Robert Greenwald has a video that juxtaposes McSame and Parsley nicely (and I thought parsley was such a nice benign herb)…


  41. katy Says:

    noticed here and another thread:

    McWars

    McWarz

    not sure what to make of it though…

    would either care to explain?


  42. vat694848 Says:

    What a bigot, when Haggis is in hell, Satin is going to put him on a strict diet.


  43. shoeless Says:

    I’m confused about something. Hagee says god sent the hurricane to stop a gay parade because he always punishes unconfessed sin. But, participating in a gay parade seems like a strange way to hide one’s homosexuality.

    My question is, is god stupid?


  44. katy Says:

    also from C&L blog roundup, “HOLY CRAP” (heh):

    Is it Hillary’s turn to ‘denounce and reject’ a problematic pastor?

    The Family: Hillary Clinton’s fascist spiritual guide #
    Barbara Ehrenreich writes:

    There’s a reason why Hillary Clinton has remained relatively silent during the flap over intemperate remarks by Barack Obama’s former pastor, Jeremiah Wright. When it comes to unsavory religious affiliations, she’s a lot more vulnerable than Obama.

    You can find all about it in a widely under-read article in the September 2007 issue of Mother Jones, in which Kathryn Joyce and Jeff Sharlet reported that “through all of her years in Washington, Clinton has been an active participant in conservative Bible study and prayer circles that are part of a secretive Capitol Hill group known as the “Fellowship,” aka The Family. But it won’t be a secret much longer. Jeff Sharlet’s shocking exposé, The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power will be published in May.
    […]
    http://kirbymtn.blogspot.com/ 2008/ 03/ family-hillary-clintons-fascist.html

    they’re everywhere! they’re everywhere!


  45. The Shadow Says:

    The media has covered this story up because they are lap dogs for McCain. John McCain got a free pass on this guys.



  46. Max-1 Says:

    .

    So,
    God did damn America after all…?

    .


  47. shoeless Says:

    Well, He gave us the past 7+ years of hell.


  48. AngryOne Says:

    #1 of 20 questions John McCain will never be asked:

    1. Do you agree with Pastor John Hagee that war with Iran is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy?
    In February, you shared a stage with Pastor John Hagee and said you were “very proud” to have his endorsement. You also called the Reverend Rod Parsley, a man who said of Islam “America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed”, your “spiritual guide.” Do you believe America’s mission is to destroy Islam? Do you join Pastor Hagee in believing the United States must attack Iran to fulfill the biblical prophecy of Armageddon in Israel in which 144,000 Jews will be converted to Christianity and the rest killed? Is that why you joked about “bomb bomb Iran?” If not, why will you not renounce the support of Hagee and Parsley?


  49. L. Hussein Annie Says:

    Dear God,

    Please, please, please - protect me from Your followers!

    Amen.

    ~ A.


  50. Nashoba nowa Says:

    Well, I finally took the time to go to the web sites of John Hagee, http://www.jhm.org/ME2/Default.asp , and http://www.sacornerstone.com/ , and sent an email to: support@jhm.org . As a resident of southwest Mississippi, hit with 135 mph winds by Hurricane Katrina, there are those of us that take offense to every word the Reverend Hagee has uttered about this storm. He cannot grasp that bad things happen to good people though no fault of their own. He also cannot grasp that there are going to be Catholics in Heaven as well as every religious denomination represented in Hell. Does he even ponder his destination for eternity with the attitude he has toward others on earth. I am a member of the 3rd oldest Baptist Church in the Mississippi Association, 1810, and for sure many of us are offended by his statements. I for one am proud to say I am not nor have ever been a part of the Bush debacle, and WILL UNDER NO circumstance support McCain. May God Help the U.S. get back to some semblance of stability.


  51. DRxJ Says:

    As for the Katrina, he said, God controls hurricanes and “God always punishes unconfessed sin.

    Okay, does that mean He doesn’t like the Southeast coast as much as the Northwest?
    And if this were true, wouldn’t Washington DC have been completely demolished the last 7 years???


  52. shoeless Says:

    Nashoba nowa Says:

    As a resident of southwest Mississippi, hit with 135 mph winds by Hurricane Katrina,

    That proves it. You are obviously gay.


  53. hussein toasterhead Says:

    DRxJ Says:

    Okay, does that mean He doesn’t like the Southeast coast as much as the Northwest?
    And if this were true, wouldn’t Washington DC have been completely demolished the last 7 years???

    May 8th, 2008 at 12:33 pm

    My car got destroyed by Hurricane Isabel in DC - does that count for anything?

    Oh shit - does that mean I’m gay????


  54. shoeless Says:

    hussein toasterhead Says:

    My car got destroyed by Hurricane Isabel in DC - does that count for anything?

    Oh shit - does that mean I’m gay????

    Not necessarily. You might just be black.


  55. hussein toasterhead Says:

    shoeless Says:

    Not necessarily. You might just be black.

    May 8th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    Oh man… This is heavy. I’m going to have to learn how to clap all over again.


  56. Art Says:

    (I chuckle every time I hear this line.)
    God punishes gays by drowning black people in New Orleans.

    Makes as much sense as anything Hagee has said. You do the math!


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