S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley has lied, obfuscated and evaded on any number of issues since she burst on the statewide scene in South Carolina two years ago.
Don’t believe us? Click here for a refresher … (and then click here to see the results of all that dishonesty).
One area where Haley is generally presumed to be telling the truth, however, relates to questions about her faith. Sure, there have been a few challenges to Haley’s “conversion story,” but by and large most people accept the Gospel according to Nikki.
Having said that, will an investigation into ongoing financial irregularities at the Sikh temple where Haley’s family worships change that perception? Particularly as it invites additional scrutiny of Haley’s alleged role as the temple’s former bookkeeper?
The fact that you’re reading this article would seem to indicate that the answer to that question is “yes.” And while we’re obviously much more concerned with Haley’s alleged proximity to the temple’s financial dealings, it’s worth taking a quick look at how Haley’s public comments regarding her faith have evolved over the years.
According to Haley, she grew up as a practicing Sikh but converted to the Christian faith when she married her husband Michael in 1996. She only occasionally visits the Sikh Temple – and that’s purely out of respect for her parents.
(Here are some pictures of Haley attending a wedding at the temple last year).
In April 2010, Haley’s website addressed her faith as follows:
Question: Is Nikki a Christian?
Truth: Nikki is a Christian. In her words: ‘I believe in the power and grace of Almighty God. I know, and have truly experienced, that with Him all things are possible. I have looked to Him for leadership throughout my career and will continue to do so as governor.”
In June 2010, however, the wording on the website was changed to reflect a much stronger pro-Christian position.
Question: Is Nikki a Christian?
Truth: In Nikki’s words: “My faith in Christ has a profound impact on my daily life and I look to Him for guidance with every decision I make. God has blessed my family in so many ways and my faith in the Lord gives me great strength on a daily basis. Being a Christian is not about words, but about living for Christ every day.”
Why the edit?
“We are constantly changing our website,” Haley’s then-campaign manager (now chief of staff) Tim Pearson told a Christian news service seeking an explanation.
Pearson added the line about Haley attended Sikh services “once or twice a year in respect for her family.”
In 2004, however, Haley and her family were attending both churches regularly.
“I was born and raised with the Sikh faith, my husband and I were married in the Methodist Church, our children have been baptized in the Methodist Church, and currently we attend both,” Haley said at the time, neglecting to mention that she and her husband were also married in a Sikh ceremony.
A 2004 mailing also dances around the issue of Haley’s faith.
“Nikki was proudly raised with her Indian traditions and her husband, Michael, was brought up in the Methodist faith,” the mailing states. “Together they lovingly raise both of their children the way they were raised, appreciating the blessings of God, the values of family and respect for all people.”
Take a look …
(Click to enlarge)
Pic: CBN
“Haley and the Sikh faith were an important part of her storyline … back in 2004,” CBN’s David Brody observed in 2010. “But today there are no Sikh references are on her website or campaign literature. And that website language has become more overtly Christian. When asked to specifically address why Sikh references were more overt in 2004 than in 2010, Pearson didn’t provide us with an answer to that question.”
Sikh or not, Haley’s gubernatorial victory was celebrated in India – with many Punjabis urging her to come to her parents’ homeland as soon as possible in order to “pay obeisance” at the holy Sikh temple of Harmandar Sahib.
For Sikhs, paying obeisance involves making a pilgrimage to the sanctum sanctorum of the “Golden Temple.” Before paying obeisance in the temple, however, devotees must take a holy dip in the water pond of Temple at the marbled periphery – with the understanding that this holy dip washes away “all their bad deeds of previous births.”
Is lying about her faith one of those “bad deeds?”
Based on the evidence currently available, it would appear as though the jury is out.
Of course as the Sikh Temple investigation expands- and as Haley keeps getting busted telling lie after lie after lie (after lie after lie after lie after lie after lie after lie) – expect the Gospel according to Nikki to come under more scrutiny.
Personally, we don’t care if Haley’s a Sikh or a Christian. She could worship the devil and howl at the moon for all we care. The question – as it always seems to be with Haley – is whether she’s been honest about what she believes.
***
By Someone January 13, 2012 at 11:02 am
Sometimes you write a lot without actually saying anything…
By mohanna January 13, 2012 at 11:28 am
Give Will a break. He was and still is involved in SC Politics. Saying nothing about something is a default position.
By Romney is a Mor(m)on January 13, 2012 at 11:34 am
From the LDS website:
“The Book of Mormon contains the history and God’s dealings with the people who lived in the Americas between approximately 600 BC and 400 AD. The prophets in the Book of Mormon recorded God’s dealings with His people, which were compiled by a prophet named Mormon onto gold plates.
Before these faithful Christians perished, their record was safely hidden away. Joseph Smith obtained these ancient records in 1827, and with the gift and power of God Joseph was able to translate the ancient writings into what we have today.”
Wonder what the Methodist Sikh, Nikki Haley, thinks about this? Is it OK with her that the leading Republican candidate says he believes this?
By cash January 13, 2012 at 11:52 am
She simply does not care that Romney is not a Christian. I had a couple of Mormon boys knock on my door a year ago. They asked if there was anything I might need help with. Politely, I told them no. They asked if they could come in and discuss their Mormon faith. I told them I was already a Christian. I thought Mormons were Christian. I learned that was not the case. They told me that I must follow the Book or Mormon in order to achieve salvation, not the Bible.
By The Colonel January 13, 2012 at 11:53 am
The Angel who recorded the dealing of God and His people on golden plates was named Moroni. The “prophet” who discovered the plates was named Smith.
You may want to consider not cutting and pasting from web sites of dubious accuracy.
By :) January 13, 2012 at 11:55 am
The thinking people know the answer to this. She’s a “Christian” because it’s politically necessary to be elected and wear the ring of power. She doesn’t care that Romney’s a Mormon or anything else.
As an atheist I’ve fully accepted that US society will probably never elect an atheist to any position of large power in any of its governments at either the state or federal level for any time in the foreseeable future.
If I felt compelled to run(I’m not a megalomaniac) I’d have to be morally/ethically compelled to lie to everyone and pretend I’m a Christian to make it into office.
I’m not prepared to do that. She obviously is. Power is a corrupting thing.
By cash January 13, 2012 at 11:44 am
Will always says alot. Sometimes you just have to read between the lines a bit. As our “HA governor HA” travels this country for campaign donations and to stump for Romney, she needs to realize some important issues. She has failed to realize that SC has the 10th highest poverty rate in the USA and 17% of SC residents are living at or below the poverty line. Recall.
By Romney is a Mor(m)on January 13, 2012 at 12:03 pm
The quote is from the official LDS website, which has softened up some of the more bizzare tenets of this strange sect. Of course evangelical Christians purport to “believe” some pretty preposterous things as well.
By misstate January 13, 2012 at 12:05 pm
i thought moroni was an Italian beer.
By Libb January 13, 2012 at 12:26 pm
From her father’s lips in 2004…
“Nikki Randhawa Haley, 32-year-old Sikh woman has won the run-off election… As a Sikh, there were questions about her faith. “But everybody knows us. She is born and brought up here only. Her husband is an American. Their two children go to the church as well as the temple. We explained these to the sceptics,” Ajit Randhawa, her father said.”"
http://www.nriinternet.com/Section3Who/WhoUSA/NikkiRandhawa/Nikki%20Randhawa.htm
By Rajiv January 13, 2012 at 12:36 pm
You doubt her because she has a soft spot for her parents’ religion. If she had disowned her parents and their religion then you would be happy right?
By Smirks January 16, 2012 at 9:22 am
The problem isn’t the religion, it is the habitual lying that we have come to expect again, and again, and again, and again…
I’d rather have someone that can do the damn job than someone who is a “good Christian.” You vote for “good Christians” you end up with situations like Texas, who cuts 75% of funding to volunteer firefighter stations and proceeds to fight wildfires with Prayer-thons. That’s right, folks, if your house catches fire, don’t grab that fire extinguisher, just pray that fire away. If your house burns down despite your prayers, then either God is punishing you/testing you/mysterious ways/etc.
SC elected a “good Christian” in 2010 and has been suffering ever since. That’ll show those atheists and heathens!
By cash January 13, 2012 at 12:49 pm
The Methodist ceremony was supposedly held at St Andrew by the Sea on Pope Avenue, Hilton Head. Their phone number is 843-785-4711
By On bended Knee January 13, 2012 at 1:12 pm
I spoke with a dedicated and faithful member of Mt Horeb Methodist church, where the Governor claims to be a member and attend services. I know this man well and know him to be a practicing Christian, faith driven and committed individual. The reason I say this, to let you know, I trust and believe him, have business dealings with him and know he is strong in his faith and would not intentionally represent anything. He tells me the Governor attended regularly during the campaign; but, “Has not graced the doors of the Church, since the Election”.
Now, some may defend her, being busy since the election, going elsewhere etc. and I have no idea; but, you would certainly think, if her conversion was legitimate and not for purposes of election, she would visit “Her Church” of choice. He says, “many members question the honesty of her conversion”.
Seeing her obvious and blatant dishonesty, her “alleged” proclivity for seeking relationships outside of marriage. Her failure to practice her chosen faith, gives me great pause, as to her motivation being strictly political and for her political expediency. This certainly seems to be the case with most of her other decisions and actions.
By RINO January 13, 2012 at 1:59 pm
I had dinner with a couple last night who told me their neighbors attend the same church as Nikki. They said the same thing that they haven’t seen Nikki or Michael at that church since the election. Not once.
By Bonhoeffer January 13, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Mark Sanford (or for that matter, Ronald Reagan) did not attend church regularly. Actions don’t seem to be that important to gain the white evangelical vote.(witness their opposition to Jimmy Carter) You just have to talk a good story and be a Republican.
By rainwater January 13, 2012 at 3:00 pm
You would be correct.
By On bended Knee January 13, 2012 at 4:46 pm
The story I get is the folks, at the Church feel used and her claims of being a convert was for political reasons only. Sure, a Church, of any denomination has sinners; but, to use the Church as a political tool is just another empty campaign tactic (LIE). From what i’ve seen of the Gov., she needs to be in Church every time the doors are open.
I use to give her the benefit of the doubt, no more. he has proven to be anything but a person of conviction, honessty and morals.
I’m afraid we were had. I cannot find a person who thinks otherwise. I travel, as a rep for a National Company, no where in SC do I find people who think highly of her. The comments are….well un Christian and unflattering. Maybe “God will not be mocked”.
By Balsak Tee Baghar January 13, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Fragrant greetings of incense to everyone!
Speaking of incense, I am becoming so very highly incensed to read the criticisms of our goddess-governess, the darling and sexually overpowering Nikki Haley of Lexington County!
She is a supernatural configuration of an Indian female in my books!
Nikki Haley is the curry that spices my life 24/7 — not just 7-11!
Nikki Haley made my bed of nails feel real good!
Nikki Haley is the fabric softener in my turban!
Nikki Haley brought transparency to the trailer trash untouchables of her Fourth World state of South Carolina!
While they are committing incest and rough bestiality sex among the fumes of methamphetamine, Nikki Haley is throwing open the doors of their sad mobile housing!
99 percent of them cannot pass a drug test!
It is written!
Nikki said so!
So stop inhaling Home Depot hardware store chemicals all day, you stinking stupid Haley haters and instead smell the future!
I assure you it is becoming more sweetly aromatic each day, thanks to a goddess with only two arms!
Haley-Palin 2016!
I can see India from my house!
By Alabaster II January 13, 2012 at 2:51 pm
There is an interesting story about Joseph Smith that you would not find in the Google. It is true that he was the founder of LDS, but was considered crazy by the people in his hometown in western NY State. As matter of fact there is a historical sign outside of his residence, on it was written that it was the home of Joseph Smith, etc, he had 12 children, believed in polygamy, and was driven out of town by the men because he would not leave their wives and women alone.
By ? January 13, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Are you serious? That would be funny as hell. Do you have any links?
By big T is my personal satan January 13, 2012 at 3:00 pm
its way more important that she was grafting 6 figures of money off of LMC and 5 figures off of wilbur smith, all the while having beaucoup conflicts of interest. the fact that both of those organiztions were more than happy to buy off a corrupt politician (redundant) says they are even more corrupt than her. and when they both got outmaneuvered by her THEN they cried foul. (its kind of like a drug dealer getting ripped off and the calling the police). her religion isnt really a big deal. in fact sikh ideals are very laudable and coincide smoothly with the basic concepts of christly love and redemption, not that many christians are serious about things like turn the other cheek, give away whatever is asked of you, love your enemy, etc.
By rainwater January 13, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Joseph Smith, founder of LDS, always referred to blacks as “niggers”. Sad.
By SCBlues January 13, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Probably why Romney is polling so high among the white evangelicals in our state . . .
By Is this SHIITE for real January 13, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Does anybody know why people from India dislike black people so much?
By cash January 13, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Yes, I’ve noticed, and more than once. People from India typically consider light skinned people to be more valuable than those with “inferior color”/darker. The Indian man who told me this only referred to them as “nigger”.
By SCBlues January 14, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Does anybody know why white people from South Carolina dislike black people so much?
By Gary January 13, 2012 at 5:25 pm
An idle mind is a devil’s workshop. Who the Fu#$k cares what her or Romney’s religion is?
Will has to invent stories to kill his time and fill the pages of his salacious rag and continue his lies and propaganda against Haley.
By ? January 13, 2012 at 10:18 pm
“Who the Fu#$k cares what her or Romney’s religion is?”
You realize this is SC, right?
By Wasted Time January 14, 2012 at 8:18 am
*yawns* at it all.
People and their religion that they really just use to create an image of themselves for others to judge. Most of it is all just show. Then those who attack others beliefs (whether they are true beliefs or not) … Who knows, who cares.
… Psychological?
By Ed January 14, 2012 at 10:10 am
Mormonism+Scientology…it just has been around longer, that’s all.
By Ed January 14, 2012 at 10:11 am
I meant….Mormonism=Scientology….
By js January 14, 2012 at 10:16 am
does anyone have a clue what Mitt has promised the Queen? She surely isn’t politicing this hard because she likes him or thinks it is the states best interest!
By RINO January 15, 2012 at 5:58 am
Maybe he has big hands
By RAS January 15, 2012 at 5:17 pm
VP, if he wins SC
By Smirks January 16, 2012 at 9:43 am
My theories are:
(1) Because Romney is likely to win. Picking a winner makes you look good, and often makes people think you may be a “kingmaker”. It may make you appear to be a stronger candidate in a future election cycle.
(2) Because Romney is funded quite well by corporations with a lot of money and influence, and being on their side may mean that they will drop some cash into your future campaigns.
The second theory was my theory in why she voted for QVC’s sales tax exemption, but then tried to stop Amazon’s exemption. Notice how quickly she came out saying Walmart would create 4,000 jobs just after Amazon was initially defeated? That’s some mighty good cover for actively turning away 1,200 jobs, and Walmart would be a mighty fine ally for someone with big aspirations for their political career, especially when it comes to campaign funding. You could also say it fits with the Savannah River Sellout.
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