Horizon

Is this a sign that the fourth Great Awakening is waning or still rising?

I don't know how the Baptists operate, but I grew up with a strong dose of American Presbyterianism, and in those churches the pastor is not in charge.

Hmm, considering the have-you-no-sense-of-decency huffing and puffing that came out when this story first aired, I would have thought critics would have been been pleased to see this at least provisional happy ending, and would have been queuing up to congratulate the remaining East Waynesville congregation.

The Technorati results for "Waynesville" point to a number of weblogs that have noted the resignation. Not necessarily politely, but they've noted it.

He doesn't look 33.

The Technorati results for "Waynesville" point to a number of weblogs that have noted the resignation. Not necessarily politely, but they've noted it.

Yes, the disappointment is palpable.

Orcinus is, as usual, more politically worried than I am (yes, it's possible), but FWIW his take on the East Waynesville episode is that it's a symptom of a continuing bad pattern.

Orcinus is, as usual, more politically worried than I am (yes, it's possible), but FWIW his take on the East Waynesville episode is that it's a symptom of a continuing bad pattern.

You mean that the revolt of the congregation is a symptom of a continuing bad pattern? Oh, but he's working from yesterday's script, isn't he.

(FWIW I think the pastor's behavior was grotesque and anything other than his ejection from the pulpit an unconscionable error. But the studied non-reaction to his departure by the pious frauds who couldn't shut up a few days ago but are transparently devastated that a bunch of good-ol'-boy Red Staters didn't perform according to type is almost as bad.

And in this case 'politically worried' can only mean, I assume, tediously hysterical).

FWIW I think the pastor's behavior was grotesque and anything other than his ejection from the pulpit an unconscionable error.

He was ejected from this particular pulpit; I assume that's what you mean. The article notes that the overall baptist organization has already offered to find him another one.

He was ejected from this particular pulpit; I assume that's what you mean. The article notes that the overall baptist organization has already offered to find him another one.

Yes, and I am happy for you to make the clarification. The people I am praising are the ordinary parishioners of East Waynesville, not the Baptist organization of which they are a small part, although my understanding is that the national body has a hands-off attitude when it comes to local affairs. I am sure that Reverend Chandler will be able to find himself some obscure niche amongst his reduced flock of dittoheads. The really important point about this story as I see it is that someone tried to turn a regular neighborhood church into a politicized arena and he didn't get away with it. That's a considerable achievement and a good sign and I think it deserves credit.

The really important point about this story as I see it is that someone tried to turn a regular neighborhood church into a politicized arena and he didn't get away with it. That's a considerable achievement and a good sign and I think it deserves credit.

I really hope you're right; I hope it was the local and not the nationwide pressure that shamed him out of the pulpit. But was this one man? What about the members of the congregation who supposedly stood up and applauded the casting-out?

The really important point about this story as I see it is that someone tried to turn a regular neighborhood church into a politicized arena and he didn't get away with it. That's a considerable achievement and a good sign and I think it deserves credit.

Agreed, but I think Martha makes a reasonable point. It's nice to see things working out this way but it's not clear why this happened, or whether this incident is a symptom of a wider tendency that will not always be so neatly foiled. Blasting people as -- I don't know, what? elitist? -- for not, uh, giving the congregation credit seems a little presumptuous to me.