"As a Christian and Chair of the Haywood County Democratic Party, I have some thoughts I would like to share.

Freedom is precious! Many wars have been fought and much blood shed in the name of freedom. At the present time, young Americans are in harm's way bringing freedom to the people of the Middle East.

We should not take these rights and privileges for granted.

I salute the veterans of Haywood County who have fought to maintain our freedoms.

I salute the people of this county who are standing up for their rights to worship and their rights to vote.

Freedom to worship God is very important to me. It is part of my daily and weekly activities and I am truly thankful for this privilege.

Freedom to vote is another precious freedom. We have the responsibility to think for ourselves. Voters should vote for more than one issue. They should consider all the issues deeply rooted in our faith. Jesus taught us many, many things: tell the truth; care for the poor; provide for children; love your neighbors. The list could go on and on as we are taught to be responsible.

It is both shocking and troubling to have t he right to worship and the right to vote challenged in Haywood County.

I urge the citizens of this county to resolve these issues and protect our freedoms, so that our county will remain the unique place that it really is."

Nancy Evans Fish
Haywood County Democratic Party Chair
Maggie Valley

Published in the Waynesville Mountaineer News
5-11-2005

5/6: North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek made the following statement about reports that the minister of East Waynesville Baptist Church asked nine church members to resign "saying if they didn't support George Bush, they should resign or repent." [WLOS-TV]:

"One of the Bible's most repeated commands is to 'Love your neighbor.' If these reports are true, this minister is not only acting extremely inappropriately by injecting partisan politics into a house of worship, but he is also potentially breaking the law and threatening the church's 501 (c) (3) non-profit status."

Update 5/11: Waynesville Pastor Resigns

Asheville Citizen-Times Editorial: Mixing of politics and religion is in dangerous territory

Fayetteville Observer Editorial: Our View: Pastor reminds us why the founders didn't want a theocracy

NC Democrats: Tell us about yourself and your religious beliefs. Use the comment forms below.