Palin discusses faith, praises Faulkner University at fundraiser
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks Thursday night at Faulkner University’s 2010 Benefit Dinner, a fundraiser for student scholarships, at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center. (Photo by David Bundy, Montgomery Advertiser)
Amid new reports that she may be preparing for a 2012 presidential bid, Sarah Palin helped Faulkner University raise $1 million Thursday night.
The Montgomery, Ala., university is associated with Churches of Christ.
The Montgomery Advertiser reports:
Though known for her folksy patriotic speeches, her disdain for mainstream media and Beltway politics, the nearly 2,500 people who attended a scholarship fundraiser featuring former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin didn’t get to hear much about those things.
Instead, Palin shared anecdotes about faith, its role in her life and how it shapes one into a person of value when she spoke at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center on Thursday night.
She tied those themes into a persistent praise of the values of intellect, character and service that Faulkner University promotes, helping the university raise $1 million — the most in the fundraiser’s history.
“If there were more Faulkner universities around the United States, how much better would our nation be?” she asked.
Read the full story.
See an earlier Faulkner news release about Palin’s appearance.
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FeedbackAmen, SteveChuck ReedOctober, 9 2010Oh, no. Not Sarah. I’m glad the school raised the funds–and with post-secondary education these days, every dollar is appreciated. But Sarah Palin?! Is it now a foregone conclusion that churches of Christ are all Republican?
Well, this member of the church isn’t, and Sarah Palin is the last person I’d expect one of “our” schools to latch on to. Then again, “our” schools aren’t exactly what they used to be, are they?Jack JeanOctober, 9 2010I understand she charges a HUGE fee for her attendance. Why would anyone pay a large amount to listen to her speak?Norma SchmitOctober, 9 2010Politics from the pulpit are a bad idea. No, churches of Christ are not republican, but they are conservative by the world’s standards. We need to forget about political parties and make sure our leaders reflect(and live)our values because politicians will say anything to get elected.
The reason people are attracted to Sarah Palin, Norma, is that she has tapped into a great frustration that is shared across this country and people feel like she is “regular folks.” Most people between the coasts are wanting to get back to the intent of our country’s founders and reduce government intrusion into every part of our lives. Government has an important place, but it is not the answer to every question.
Let’s all pray for our country and all of our leaders daily.
PhilPhil McWherterOctober, 12 2010Steve, I agree Politics should not be an issue at church, and that is exactly why Mrs. Palin did not speak about politics. If more christians supported our Christian schools we would not need fundraisers. I had the honor of providing protection for Mrs. Palin. She could not be more genuine, humble, and caring than many of the same church members I sit next to each week. Thank you Mrs. Palin for spreading the word of God not only in our schools, but also in many of your interviews. Jack jean, stop listening to CNN about the rumors of Mrs. Palin and watch some Foxnews. Norma, why do people pay a huge amount to hear Clinton, or any other pro-death candidate should be your question, not a pro-life, bible thumping christian. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. < D.R.DarrenOctober, 12 2010Thank you for your comment, Darren. We in the church of Christ do not interject politics into the church, and I think this is good. Politics are an individual expression, not a churchwide statement. Just because there is a Republican speaker isn’t an ipso facto statement that all church of Christ members are Republicans either. The information surrounding Gov. Palin’s speaking fees are hearsay. They have not been confirmed, and even if they are what is being reported, they are actually smaller than Al Gore and other political figures. Additionally, her speech brought in a million dollars in scholarship funds!!
Before any makes any statements about her appearance, please at least view her speech. She did an excellent job discussing the foundation of Faulkner:
http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2010/10/governor-palins-speech-at-sold-out.htmlWhitneyOctober, 16 2010I Love Sarah.Martha StanfordNovember, 18 2010
Having a prominent guest speaker is one thing — getting involved with political figures is quite another. Observers of American history may remember the embarrassment that the Nixon administration proved to be to evangelist Billy Graham, whose counsel and image was so sought by various presidents that he became a virtual White House chaplain.
Whatever friends of Faulkner University might think of Sarah Palin, they would do well to remember that in politics, there’s always a string attached. Politicians of any stripe will use Christian colleges the same way they use other institutions to advance their personal agendas. All of us might also do well to contemplate the words of Jesus, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven . . .”