TOLEDO--One of Ohio's top officeholders, and a man who would like to be the next governor, said Tuesday night he believes politics and religion do mix. Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell fired up a large crowd at the Cathedral of Praise Church in Sylvania Township.
It was like an old fashioned revival with lots of praying and preaching. National televangelist, Pastor Rod Parsley, of the World Harvest Church, presided over his 'Silent No More' speaking tour. But it wasn't just praise--it was also politics. Secretary of state Kenneth Blackwell was there urging people to vote their moral compass when they go to the polls.
Blackwell said "This is not about civil rights, it's about a sacred right." Blackwell sounded more like a pastor than a politician Tuesday night. He had one message for the hundreds in attendance at Cathedral of Praise church. "That America is at it's best when God is at its center.
He joined Pastor Rod Parsley in the pulpit to get people to the polls. Their focus: passing issue one, which would ban same-sex marriage in Ohio. "Blackwell feels very strongly that issue one will bring people to the polls because it's so central to our faith," said Parsley.
Blackwell had strong words about same-sex marriage. "That notion even defies barnyard logic-- even the barnyard knows better." He does not agree with a separation of church and state saying " I've watched for the last 40 years as cultural forces have attempted to run God and religion out of the public square and this runs contrary to this nation's Godly heritage."
Many in the crowd agreed.
Bobby Eisenhauer of Genera, OH said "I think he's brave to speak out as a politician. Religion is like death and taxes, you don't do it. But I thought what he said was great."
Jim Musgrave of Mt. Blanchard, OH said "If you stand on your convictions and do what God asks, you dont have to back down to man."
Stacey Price of Toledo, OH said "It was awesome. Truth, we have to have a voice, we have to speak out, it's time for us to speak out!"
2000 'vote yes on issue 1' signs were handed out. And Pastor Parsley asked people to vote for 'moral' candidates who are pro-life and who support the partial birth abortion ban. Between 5-10 local candidates attended the event.
Before the event a group of 15 protesters gathered, carrying Kerry signs. They left before the event started.
Blackwell is criss-crossing the state of Ohio with Parsley. So far he has toured six Ohio cities with the same message. Tomorrow they will speak in Cleveland at 'the church of the north coast.' They will also speak in Cincinati on the 29th.
