(OKLAHOMA CITY) In this morning's sermon--a sermon filled with
early American history, filtered though the prism of the Bible, God's
inerrant word--Pastor Paul K. Blair of Edmond's Fairview Baptist Church,
announced to his enthusiastic congregation that he intends to file for Oklahoma State Senate District 41.
In
his public sermon, Blair recounted a meeting he went to earlier this
year where his friend Tony Perkins, of the Family Research Council--who
he has known for seven years, the last two being described as a "close
friendship'--was "discouraged" by the inability to attract a sufficient
number of godly men to run for public office and return America to its
Christian founding.
Blair has answered this call and told his congregation he will continue at
Fairview and will be a "citizen-servant-legislator."
Continuing after the standing ovation Blair remarked that some Oklahoma
Democrats and Republican legislators claim adherence to God's word
during election but then forget their promises and work not for God, but
for themselves by creating comfortable retirement opportunities or move
on to higher offices in government.
Seemingly
trying out some campaign slogans Blair told his flock that, "The godly
must rule God's people", "Faith is an endurance race", "We're on active
duty."
The incumbent in SD 41 is Senator Clark Jolley who is in his second term.
Prior to his announcement Blair referred to the Oklahoma City Council meeting on November 15
that approved by a vote of 7-2 a resolution that includes sexual
orientation protection in the hiring/retention policies of Oklahoma City
government.
Blair mocked the invocation of Rev. Jeff
Hamilton who opened his remarks with a reference to the "god of many
names." Blair maintains there is only one god. The resolution was
introduced by Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid who Blair termed "godless",
and disagrees with Shadid's council remarks comparing gay and lesbian
inequality in America to the Hitler era of WW II Germany .
Blair was the first public citizen to also address the November 15
meeting stating there was no need to protect "homosexuals" as the
current law already protected everyone. Blair has promoted himself
frequently as an opponent to gay/lesbian civil equality associating
himself with Republican Rep. Sally Kern and her husband, Dr. Steve Kern of Olivett Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.
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