Pastor Rod Parsley is 'Silent No More' on Political Issues

Audra Davis | Contributing Writer | Updated: May 25, 2005

Pastor Rod Parsley is 'Silent No More' on Political Issues

“I speak boldly to both sides of the political spectrum – to both the believing and the non-believing, to both the socially conscientious as well as the economically conscientious,” writes Pastor Rod Parsley in his recent book, Silent No More. “I intend to take issues that traditionally belong to the left and commend them to the right. I intend to take the concerns of the secular and commend them to the religious.”

 

Parsley, senior pastor of World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio and founder of The Center for Moral Clarity, recently spoke with Crosswalk.com regarding the judicial filibuster, the Houses of Worship Freedom of Speech Restoration Act, and his book.

 

Currently, The Center for Moral Clarity is tackling tough issues like abortion, “same sex marriage,” judicial activism, and the Houses of Worship Freedom of Speech Restoration Act. Parsley frequently meets with members of Congress to help shape the culture. He was also given the opportunity to witness President Bush sign the ban on partial birth abortion. Last fall, he crisscrossed the nation to speak out on these moral issues and encourage people to pray for the nation, participate in the political process and vote their consciences on Nov. 2.

 

Pastor Parsley kicked off another national tour on April 16, 2005 to promote Silent No More. He continues to rouse the “values voter” while addressing both sides of the political spectrum in an 11-city tour. Parsley resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Joni, and their two children.

 

Crosswalk: Tell us about your recent press conference in Washington, D.C., where you spoke about the judicial nomination of Janice Rogers Brown.

 

Parsley: I participated in this press conference at the request of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. Senators Sam Brownback and Jeff Sessions, Bishop Harry Jackson and other African-American pastors also spoke to urge politicians of every stripe to put aside procedural gimmicks and respond in a manner worthy of their offices. With these judicial nominations, we are dealing with the lives and careers of dedicated public servants – men and women who could earn several times their current salary in the private sector. The Senate is passing judgment on men and women who are offering their skills in service to our country at great personal sacrifice. Simple respect alone should require that these candidates either be confirmed or rejected.

 

A judicial filibuster not only leaves these fine public servants hanging, but it also brings the business of our judicial system to a standstill. We pay billions of dollars a year for a judicial system and we deserve more than obstruction and partisan bickering.

 

Crosswalk: Explain HR235, the Houses of Worship Freedom of Speech Restoration Act, and why you support it.

 

Parsley: HR 235 simply aims to restore First Amendment rights to religious leaders – rights that were taken away in 1954. It’s simply outrageous in this country that an entire class of people is prohibited from speaking out on political issues or endorsing political candidates on the basis of their profession!

God clearly calls us to speak the truth in love and to influence the culture toward righteousness and justice. When issues of life and death, such as abortion or same-sex marriage are before us, it would be a crime against God and humanity to not speak out against such evils. I’m also called to decry the rising tide of racism I see in this country. Men and women of the clergy simply should not have to remain silent about candidates who work toward furthering such evils. 

 

Crosswalk: You’ve mentioned that you urge both sides of the political spectrum to work together to return America to the vision of the founding fathers. Please talk about some of your bi-partisan efforts.

 

Parsley: I told an audience the other day that I’m not a Republican or a Democrat, but a Christocrat. I’m not looking to endorse a candidate; I’m looking for a candidate who will endorse what I believe.

 

Both in my book and on my tour, I speak to both sides of the political spectrum.  I take issues that traditionally belong to the Left and commend them to the Right and vice versa. I supposed that makes me difficult to peg, but I’ve found that being morally correct often means being politically unpredictable.

 

I speak out on poverty, racism, education, as well as on judicial tyranny, abortion and homosexuality. Last year, I launched the Center for Moral Clarity to help educate the church about the important issues of the day, and influence legislation based on biblical standards. We’re not a partisan organization by any stretch of the imagination.

 

Crosswalk: What is your hope for your new book, Silent No More?

 

Parsley: I hope this book will motivate people to get involved in influencing their communities and the country for both righteousness and justice – to return America to the vision of our Founding Fathers. Now, more than at any other time in our nation’s history, there is a need for moral clarity. I sense an urgency to speak out. In fact, as I write in my book, we have come to a moment in time when the possibilities for this nation are so great, when the crises in this nation are so pressing and when the voices of wisdom seem so few that not to speak would be the violation of a sacred trust.

 

Crosswalk: Why do you feel non-Christians would also have an interest in this book?

 

Parsley: One of the things we learned from the November 2004 election was that the people the media came to call “values voters” weren’t just evangelical Christians. They were mainline Protestants, Catholics, Jews and even people of no religious faith who believe that this country has gone astray morally. And they all stood up for their values on Election Day. So certainly we hope that “values voters” who don’t know the Lord would find this book attractive.

 

I wrote this book to rouse the sensibilities of all Americans – to point out the pressing crises and challenges that our country faces. It’s true that for most of my ministry, I have spoken to the church. But I believe this book speaks to all who hunger for a land that is strong and righteous, for a society that is noble and kind and for a country that promotes truth, liberty and justice for all. 

 

Crosswalk: Expand on this statement from your book: “I fear that some will read this book and act foolishly, more than I fear that they will not read this book at all.”

 

Now that Christians have the spotlight, it’s critical that we clearly show Jesus to people who share our commitment to moral issues. I have seen over the years the damage done by foolish people and their unwise actions, even in the service of a wise cause. And I know what harm it does, what ridicule it deserves and what destruction it brings. Christians must realize that often, we can’t only quote a verse of scripture to justify our position. We must begin to combat ideas with ideas and reach a common-sense consensus. 

 

The last thing I want to be is another screaming voice moving people to extremes and provoking them to folly in the name of patriotism. I am trying to move people, first, to compassion, then to wisdom and then to duty. Without all three—compassion, wisdom, and duty—our country has no hope.

 

Crosswalk: What has motivated you to enter the political arena?

 

Parsley: Through our Breakthrough television program, we have been involved in moral issues over the years, such as the Sudan Peace Act. We also spoke out against the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion. And as a result I was privileged to be present at the signing of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act in November 2003.  There were several other Christian leaders there – names you’d recognize – and it occurred to me there was not much representation from my generation.

 

I realized that someone needed to take up the causes these great moral leaders have championed, and speak the truth to the next generation of Christians. It was an epiphany of sorts, and I ultimately determined to be that next agent of change, to help bring America back to the discarded values of the past.

The Center for Moral Clarity: www.centerformoralclarity.net

Breakthrough with Rod Parsleywww.breakthrough.net

 

 

Pastor Rod Parsley is 'Silent No More' on Political Issues