by TChris

Some members of the East Waynesville Baptist Church in North Carolina were displeased when Rev. Chan Chandler told them he'd kick them out of the church if they voted for Kerry. Rev. Chandler denies that he "positively endorsed" Bush, but admits that he gave Kerry a "negative endorsement." That subtle distinction apparently convinces Rev. Chandler that he didn't turn his church into a satellite office for the Bush campaign.

Still, long-standing parishoners didn't approve of Rev. Chandler's desire to politicize their church.

Tensions had escalated last week, when several members said Chandler called a meeting of the church's board of deacons and declared his intention for East Waynesville to become a politically active church. Anyone who did not like that direction was free to leave, Chandler said a statement that caused nine members to walk out.

Extremists seem to enjoy causing diviseness, and that's what Rev. Chandler did. In the end, Rev. Chandler resigned, but he took with him "many of the young congregants" he recruited, leaving behind those who sensibly believe that government and religion should play separate roles in their lives.