A mini politics and religion war continues in North Carolina after Sen. Elizabeth Dole's "Godless" ad about her challenger.

Democratic opponent Kay Hagan sued Dole and released her own television ad after Dole's campaign aired an earlier ad.

Hagan says in the ad that the campaign is about fixing the economy, "not bearing false witness against fellow Christians."

"Elizabeth Dole's attacks on my Christian faith are offensive," she says in the ad. "She even faked my voice in her TV ad to make you think I don't believe in God. Well, I believe in God. I taught Sunday School. My faith guides my life, and Sen. Dole knows it."

Dole's earlier ad said Hagan took "Godless money."

“A leader of the Godless Americans PAC recently held a secret fundraiser for Kay Hagan,” the the first 30-second ad says. “Godless Americans and Kay Hagan. She hid from cameras. Took godless money. What did Kay Hagan promise in return?”

The ad ends with an unknown woman’s voice calling out, “There is no God.”

Update: Here's the latest ad from Dole.

Posted by Sarah Pulliam at October 31, 2008 | Comments (9)

A Christian group began airing a pro-Obama ad with former Congressman, pro-life Democrat Tony Hall today in Ohio.

The ad, paid for by the Matthew 25 Network, echoes biblical phrases in describing Barack Obama in an attempt to attract Bible-belt voters to his ticket. The ad states Obama "cares for the least of these," is a "Christian who believes God calls us to care for those in need," and will feed the hungry if elected.

The Matthew 25 Network is a Political Action Committee that raises support for political candidates it believes uphold biblical principles like promoting life, supporting families, environmental stewardship and working for peace and justice at home and abroad.

Matthew 25 in the Bible contains three parables: the story of the 10 virgins, the parable of the talents, and the story of the sheep and the goats separated on judgment day.

The ad, which emphasizes Obama's empathy with the poor and desire to help them, will air on 10 to 15 radio stations across Ohio.

Catholics United released a pro-life ad criticizing John McCain's policies on Wednesday.

The 30-second spot is directed at McCain and tells him "It's not enough to say you're pro-life – actions speak louder than words." The woman in the ad then cites McCain's voting record on the Iraq War, healthcare and care for pregnant women. Text at the end of the ad reads "Pro-life means ALL life."

Catholics United reports the ad will be running in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania through Friday, September 26.

Posted by Sarah Pulliam at September 19, 2008 | Comments (2)

Mara Vanderslice says a recent McCain ad is a dog whistle suggestion that Obama may be the Antichrist. For what it's worth, Hal Lindsey says the Antichrist "won’t be Barack Obama, but Obama’s world tour provided a foretaste of the reception he can expect to receive."

But that doesn't stop University of Pennsylvania anthropologist John L. Jackson Jr. from claiming that the ad is more than just an effort to paint Obama as the Antichrist -- it's an effort to paint him as Left Behind's Nicolae Carpathia.

Apocalyptic interpretations aside, Georgetown's Jacques Berlinerblau says the McCain ad is "is nothing less than an attempt to nuke Obama's religious appeal and credibility into oblivion."

David Waters says it's just old hat.

Judge for yourself. What do you think the message is?

Posted by Ted Olsen at August 5, 2008 | Comments (31)