I don’t care whether Republican presidential candidate John McCain is an Episcopalian or a Baptist.
But the implication in Monday’s paper that he’d been caught at something — outed while trying to pass as an Episcopalian — hit a nerve.
Why do we diss Baptists?
The fact is, McCain grew up an Episcopalian, though for the past 15 years he’s belonged to a Baptist church in Arizona.
Is the message that his Baptist affiliation is a hindrance to his campaign? Outside South Carolina, of course.
The incident recalled a talker of a series from the old Charlotte News back in 1970.
“A Social Climber’s Guide to Charlotte” was the brain-child of Darrell Sifford. He talked with a psychologist, and two “socially involved” local women who served up tips for clambering.
Two things stick: Drive a wood-paneled Ford Country Squire station wagon and join Christ Episcopal Church.
Perhaps not news but in my ecumenical pursuits I discovered most “Non-denominational” churches had in fact a loose affiliation with the SBC.
The interesting thing to me about denominational affiliation is the relative paucity of Lutherans in national politics.
I like the occasional sociological tag to the current controversies. By the way, note that the series he talks about was in the 70s. Actually, though I know nothing about Charlotte, I doubt that two women of that social class would mention the episcopal church today. My guess is that, in the Northeast at least,they’d most likely say, in descending order, whatever the big local catholic church is, unless there is a cute little one in the right neighborhood (St. Thomas More in mine), a Presbyterian church in the right neighborhood, then maybe the episcopal church or none.
I miss the look of those wood panelled wagons. The wood-paneled Jeep Wagoneer was also nice. Today it would be a Volvo or Audi wagon.
I think Myers Park Baptist is the social climbers church of choice for rich white liberals in Charlotte these days, although they are quickly distancing themselves from the SBC and NCBC because of their “inclusive” (pro-gay) position.
So what if Senator McCain grew up in ECUSA but has attended a Baptist church for the past 15 years? Must have been a slow news day!
As ex ABC-USA, I am continually annoyed by the fact that the SBC is the standard bearer for Baptists. When I tell people that I was Northern Baptist, they look at me like I have two heads.
I recall my grandfather, a Methodist, being forced to join a local Presbyterian Church to keep a promotion. He stayed until retirement-2 years-and left the next day.
Randall
Believe me, Randall, us Southern Baptists are just as annoyed that “other ‘baptist’ denominations” are lumped into the term “Baptist” with us as you are.
We cannot help it that we are the second largest denomintaion in the US, nor can we help it that all other “baptist” denom’s membership pales in comparison.
I suppose your guys could always find a new name… 😉
PS: The above comes from the son of a southern baptist pastor — who once “accidentally” joined an “associated baptist” church once(me, not my father).
It took about a year to realize what we’d signed up for… Lord, they may as well have been revisionist piskies!
There is no Congressional Law requirement that demands a candidate for the presidency to be a member of any religious body. It only requires that they be free-born citizen of the US and at least 35 years of age. It is nice if the candidate is of good report but this is not spelled out as a requirement – but it may be assumed somewhere.