Moonbat.

I suspected this from the first second I heard the story, but it’s confirmed. A commenter at Little Green Footballs contacted the pastor of the man who claimed to be a Baptist minister before asking John McCain if he had ever referred to his wife as a particular rude word. This is the response the man’s pastor, Ron Kirkland, gave:

Marty Parrish was never ordained by any church as far as I know. His membership is in the church and when he was a teen-ager he made a committment to become a minister. After being away for many years, He recently returned for a few weeks, but has not been in the church for several months.The church at that time (more than 30 years ago) issued a liscense which is no more than an acknowledgement that he had made the committment to be a minister. he did not serve at any southern baptist church that I know of and is not nor has he ever been a minister at our church or any other at this time. He is not an active memberof FBC West Memphis. He is a very sick man. I regret what he said and that it has become news. I especially regret that he is claiming to be a member of the church. I am his pastor and I care for him, but he does not represent our church in any way. Ron Kirkland, Pastor

Update: I think this all started at Power Line. It looks like Scott Johnson found out where the guy went to church and then called the church and figured this stuff out. If you look at the guy’s website, you can see how sick this guy actually is. In one post at http://martyparrish.spaces.live.com/ he says:

From the desk of Marty Parrish

To My Family and Friends at
First Baptist Church
300 N. Missouri St.
West Memphis, AR 72301

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Love to all of you.

A few days ago I asked a question in public in which I used a word that is vagrantly repugnant to any decent human being and insults the very character of the female person.

For having done this, I ask your forgiveness.

I request that the leadership of the church discuss and debate this matter and ask for a full vote of the church body as to whether or not you will offer your forgiveness to me for having uttered such an unforgivable word in public.

Sincerely,

Your Brother in Christ,
Marty Tarrel Parrish
Licensed to the Gospel Ministry
First Baptist Church

PS. The web site looks great! Please pray for me every once in a while.

Then he wrote an email to Pastor Kirkland saying:

From: martyparrish
To: drkth
Subject: RE: Heads Up
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 00:08:58 -0400

Brother Ron,
I posted an apology on my web site. http://martyparrish.space.live.com

If you want to denounce me, you may.

I do not have have the certificate signed by Thomas Hinson, Pastor of First Baptist Church, at the time I was sent to minister. It will be found if it must and at that time I will post it for the world to see.

Love to all.

Your Brother,
Marty Tarrel Parrish

Then Pastor Kirkland writes back:

RE: Heads Up
From: Ron Kirkland
Sent:
Sun 5/04/08 12:29 AM
To: Marty Parrish

I read your apology and appreciate your concern for the forgivness of your church. Forgivness is our duty and not something we vote on. You are forgiven. I will relay your apology to the church. Are you living in Memphis still? I have not seen you lately.
Marty, I do not doubt that you received a liscense from the church. I also do not doubt that the church blessed your decision to go and minister for a summer mission. A liscense is not recognized in any Baptist Church as anything except a local church’s encouragement of someone who expresses a desire to become a minister of the Gospel. Ordination is what makes a person a minister, but even that is not a permanent designation. You have long ago violated one of our church’s principles for being a Baptist minister with you first divorce and remarage. When someone is no longer involved in a local church or some church supported itenerant ministry, that person is no longer considered a Baptist Minister, He is a former Baptist minister. That does not mean that you can be useful in the Lord’s work or that God will not forgive you for any of you offences (or mine). You know that I love you as a brother, and my brother has caused a storm for me. You are forgiven, but you are no longer a Baptist Minister. Hope to see you soon, Ron

• Southeast Christian Turns Down McCain / Obama Town Hall Offer
• Yarmuth Headquarters Grand Opening
• Questioning Obama’s Ignorance Of Wright
• Don’t Regret Bombs, Didn’t Do Enough
• The Evangelical Party