He's got the whole world

Sarah Palin says the election is "in God's Hands" and I am quite certain she means it. Like the preacher in the video, Palin is one of those who expects God to fix the election for the GOP. Why is blasphemy so attractive to the devout?

Palin was interviewed by James Dobson, who asked whether Palin was discouraged by the polls. Says Sarah:

"To me, it motivates us, makes us work that much harder," Palin said. "And it also strengthens my faith, because I'm going to know, at the end of the day, putting this in God's hands, that the right thing for America will be done at the end of the day on Nov. 4. So I'm not discouraged at all."

Now, I know that most people who say they believe in God don't really mean it - that is obvious by the way they live their lives. At least it is clear that - no matter what they say - deep down they know God isn't paying attention to what they do, and is extremely unlikely to intercede in their lives.

But Palin is one of those scary folks who seem to think God is on the job, like some supernatural precinct captain - like a divine Boss Tweed. So the polls don't matter, and it doesn't matter that the voters may prefer Barack Obama, because if God wants McCain to win, then John will win. Maybe McCain should suspend his campaign and hold a big prayer meeting. Why worry about Acorn, when you have the Almighty on your side?

For myself, as an atheist with enough sense to doubt my own conclusions, I find it easy to accept the proposition of some transcendent, remote and impersonal deity - but impossible to imagine a Supreme Being worthy of the name who stoops to meddle in elections (for either side).

It is absurd, even obscene, to suggest that a politically active God would fix this election to stop Barack Obama or John McCain, but did not prevent the rise of Adolf Hitler or Josef Stalin. But this is the kind of crap that one expects from Sarah Palin and today's GOP. It is appalling.