Hillary Clinton to talk faith instead of politics

[mystery-ak]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/26/4081766/hillary-clinton-to-talk-faith.html#storylink=cpy


Posted on Saturday, 04.26.14

Hillary Clinton to talk faith instead of politics

By ADAM BEAM
Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is showcasing her Methodist roots in a speech to about 7,000 members of the United Methodist Church.

Clinton, a former U.S. senator for New York and the wife of former President Bill Clinton, has been brandishing her foreign policy experience with a recent address at the University of Connecticut and by promoting the upcoming release of her book, "Hard Choices."

The United Methodist Women Assembly in Louisville this weekend offers Clinton a chance to talk about her faith in a personal way to women from across the U.S. as she prepares for a possible run for president in 2016. She is scheduled to give the gathering's keynote address Saturday morning.

"Her appearance here transcends politics," says Selby Ewing, communications director for United Methodist Women. "Our tagline is putting faith, hope and love into action."

Clinton appears to be trying to avoid sending any overt political messages during her visit to Kentucky. She did not schedule public events with Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes, whose family is close to the Clintons. Just last month, the former president spoke at a Grimes fundraiser in Louisville.

Hillary Clinton was born and raised a United Methodist in her home state of Illinois, and she credited a youth minister with having a major influence on her development.

The assembly's theme is "Make it Happen," focusing on the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with just loaves of bread and two fish.

United Methodist Women is the denomination's 800,000-member women's mission group, with a special focus on women, children and youth.

[mystery-ak]

Is there any doubt that she is running for president!

[mountaineer]

IRD: Clinton Should Urge United Methodist Women Agency Away from Anti-Israel Efforts
 by Jeffrey Walton April 25, 2014   

Institute on Religion and Democracy Press Release
 April 25, 2014
 

“It would be so helpful if Clinton urged UMW’s officials in a new, more helpful direction of democracy, security, liberty and especially religious freedom for all.”
-Mark Tooley, IRD President

Washington, D.C.—Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to offer a keynote address at the quadrennial United Methodist Women’s Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday, April 26 at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

The about half million member United Methodist Women is the denomination’s official women’s mission organization. Approximately 7,000 women are expected to participate at the assembly.

IRD President Mark Tooley commented:

“Doubtless Clinton will celebrate her Methodist roots at the UMW Assembly.

“Sadly, that assembly includes an anti-Israel workshop, ‘Why Justice in Palestine Is a Racial Justice Imperative,’ which is led by a United Methodist official and anti-Israel activist, and devoted to advocating UMW’s traditional official themes of Palestinian nationalism and victimhood while villainizing Israel and its ‘colonialism.’

“The fast-declining and increasingly aging United Methodist Women’s group, which has lost about half its membership, still espouses 1970s style Liberation Theology that views the world through a prism of anti-Western struggle. Their often radical political witness never represented most local United Methodist women.

“UMW’s anti-Israel stance doesn’t represent the views and policies of Hillary Clinton in her public life. It would be so helpful if she urged UMW’s officials in a new, more helpful direction of democracy, security, liberty and especially religious freedom for all.”

Founded in 1981, the IRD has been a voice for transparency, for renewal, and for Christian orthodoxy. In the words of theologian and IRD board member Thomas Oden, we “are not presuming to create new doctrine but hold firmly to apostolic teaching in ways especially pertinent to current circumstances. The theology is orthodox, reliable, stable, beautiful, familiar, and glorious. By it the church has been blessed by God for two thousand years.”

Our historic ties with renewal efforts in the mainline denominations along with our connection to the broader evangelical movement give us a unique and comprehensive perspective on Protestant American church life and social witness.