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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2008 > November > 03 > Entry
Pastor Rod Parsley speaks out on payday lending, gambling issues
Columbus Pastor Rod Parsley, a major force behind passage of the anti-gay marriage amendment in 2004, has spoken out on two ballot issues this year on payday lending and a proposed gambling casino near Wilmington in Clinton County.
On Monday, Nov. 3, Parsley (pictured) urged voters to vote “yes” State Issue 5, to keep a part of state law setting the annual maximum interest rate on short-term payday loans at 28 percent. A “no” vote would allow the annual interest rate to be 391 percent.
Parsley, president of the Center for Moral Clarity, an advocacy group, urged a “no” vote on State Issue 6 to permit development of the casino. Parsley also is pastor of World Harvest Church.
“The interests behind both of these important issues are deceiving voters about their true purposes by calling them economic issues, rather than the moral issues they are,” Parsley said in a press release. “Government already makes it so difficult for the poor among us to improve their economic lot.
“‘I’m convinced that approving short-term loans rates of nearly 400 percent and welcoming a casino to this state would work against the very people who most need a helping hand.”
Those urging a “no” vote on State Issue 5 said keeping the 28 percent interest rate would force payday loan businesses to close with the loss of 6,000 jobs. Backers of the casino say it would bring thousands of badly needed jobs to the state that could not be outsourced.
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Comments
By David
March 23, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this
Rod Parsley is trully a crook, and is in no way a true christian in his moral actions.By Glenn Burton
November 4, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Rob - My understanding is that the credit union product “stretchpay” will have to start including the fees in their APR in the future. When you do that, and you compare loans of the same term, you get about the same APR as a payday loan. Credit union products aren’t in trouble. Very few even offer the product and those are dabbling with it don’t need it. It’s just PR for them - As for starting a bank, if you have the capital required I’m up for it. I’m a bit short. - Like I said in the first post, if you offer a product cheaper and better than payday loans consumers will choose it and payday loans will die a natural death. Why are you opposed to the free market?By Andrew
November 4, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Vietvet, you are ignorant of the IRS laws governing what churches can and cannot say at election time. Churches cannot endorse candidates, but they can (and IMO should) endorse issues. If you maintain that RP should have his tax-exempt status taken away from this you simply don’t know what you’re talking about.By Rob
November 4, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Huh? 28% is a pretty good rate, especially with the cost of the funds at an all time low. Credit Union products in trouble? Uh, no - those are completely different. Term loans and indirect products are different from waht is being discussed in the rule. In fact - there’s nothing to stop any payday lender from organizing and chartering as a financial institution and offering the same products. That way, they could serve a broader market than just small amount no term loans. But they can keep doing what they’re doing now, just at lower rates.By Glenn
November 4, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Rob: It does far more than cap rates but let’s not go there. I’m a Dayton native but I currently live in Cincinnati and I know people won’t hesitate to cross the border to get what they want. Unregulated internet and telephone loans, which charge considerably more, will also surge. The check cashing lending law was in part intended to stop loan sharking. I predict that will return as well. This bill caps loans at a rate so low that Goodwill’s charity product would be ever banned, as well products offered by some credit unions. Regardless of the vote, the new law will still take effect. The difference is that if the NO vote wins consumers can choose the best product on the market – not the politicians. VOTE NO ON 5!By Rob
November 4, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Glenn - let me get this straight. One of your worries is if somebody needs $100 and can’t find a legal loan shark down the street to lend it, then they’ll somehow have the resources to drive a minimum of an hour in either direction and borrow money at usury rates? Issue 5 does NOT cut off short term loans. All it does is cap rates and terms.By Glenn
November 4, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
If this guy opposes payday loans because he feels they harm the poor I have two comments. The “Poor” won’t qualify for a loan. They lack the capacity to repay. Cutting off a short term loan option without replacing it will only result in illegal loan sharks, higher priced internet borrowing, and people driving to other state to borrow. Put your money where your mouth is. Offer a lower priced product and customers will use it. Don’t ban the only viable alternative on the market. VOTE NO ON 5!By Rob
November 4, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Vietvet - unfortunately, he’s got an out on that one. His church is a registered 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. But if I read this right, he was commenting not in his church or from his pulpit. He has another organization, the Center for Moral Clarity of which he is president. He speaking in that capacity.By VietVet
November 4, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
Ok, since “Pastor” Parsley wants to get involved with political issues, let’s take his tax exempt status away from his church. Until you start paying taxes, Roddy, butt out of the political issues.Sounds like ‘ole Rod is using his church as a front to push his political agendas.Shouldn’t be able to have it both ways, Rowdy Roddy.By Lauren
November 4, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
The legislators did not write a bad law, the casino company did. Ohio has a system that allows anyone, including people from other states, to propose issues for our ballots. That’s why Lyle Berman has written and defended this issue, he knows it’s a great deal for him and his casino because THEY WROTE IT. Vote no on 6 and wait for a better deal for Ohio!By junior
November 4, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Since when do politics and the pulpit mix? They don’t! Who cares what this guy says, anyway? Issue 5 is an economic issue, not an emotional one. Vote NO on Issue 5 and preserve your financial freedom!By Buckeye
November 4, 2008 5:57 AM | Link to this
There is no violation of church and state in this piece. Pastors are voters and are allowed to say anything or endorse anyone. However, they have to make it clear that it is their personal opinion, not that of their tax-free organization.By Ben
November 3, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
I’m voting to cut the pay day lenders out and voting yes for the casino. The legislators should have come up with a better law if this one stinks. I’m sick of Indiana sucking Ohio money across the borders. Also I’m voting for Mike Tenore, he is so much better than that guy acting as if he’s already been elected Sheriff. Vote Mike Tenore, he’s an honest guy and the sherifs office needs a change in management.By whatever
November 3, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
No, “dd”…Pastor Parsley is not a crook and a moron. But you are right… He doesn’t care about religion but rather a relationship with Christ. Stick to the article, it’s about Issues 5 & 6 not about Pastor Parsley.By Lauren
November 3, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Payday lenders are not “preying on the weak.” They are following the basic principle of increased return for taking on increased risk. Of course pay day lenders will go out of business if they make 28% interest, it will not be enough to account for the risk they take on by loaning to high risk borrowers. People choose to take these loans out because they need them, and this will take away that option. As for Issue 6, I’m voting NO because I am patient. Why would we let a casino come in and write a law that is open to interpretation? If we really want casinos in the state, we should AUCTION off a casino license like other states have done, and get a solid law in place that will protect our state.By Ben
November 3, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
A yes vote on Issue 5 doesn’t put the payday lenders out of business. If they pull up stakes it’s because they think they can’t money raping the public with 391% interest. While they don’t drag people in their doors, many are trapped in the never ending cycle of 2 week loans. Hence your $100 loan costs you $390 in interest over the course of a year. This is preying on the weakest of the weak.By Get Real
November 3, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
I agree with his view on the same sex marriage but I disagree with him on Issues 5 and 6. If Issue 5 passes, what are people going to do for short term funds? “Bounce checks”, which will cost other bank customers. That is a personal matter if someone chooses to use them. And there are lots of jobs in that industry, I just have no desire to work in it. The payday loan places do not drag you in there! Most of the people that complain have no clue how to manage money anyway. As for Issue 6, I personally work with a dozen people that almost every time they get the chance to, make the drive to IN, why would we not want to keep that money in OH??? I am not a gambler but I am also willing to respect someone who does. It is up to us “The People”, if these measures get passed, what is next? They have passed a smoking ban, now they want to pass laws regarding our personal finances. I wish they would pass a law that prohibits teenagers from making babies!!! They do not need to be making them anyway. THAT WOULD BE A SMART BAN!!!!By Eh
November 3, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
On one hand, I agree with his positions on the two issues and his reasoning behind them. On the other hand, this is the same guy who said that America was founded for the purpose of fighting Islam. Why not ask Archbishop Pilarczyk or Bishop Schnurr their opinions?By American Joe
November 3, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
Why does the newspaper give this guy a voice? He’s not worth it! Come on DDN, stick to reporting real news and stop the free advertising for these so-called church leaders. dd and Edward are right!By Edward
November 3, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Let him buy an ad like everyone else. This isn’t a news item.By He is human, Mary
November 3, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Voicing an opinion violates nothing. Everyone has the right to that. Mere opinion does not change policy, which is what separation of church and state is concerned with, actual policy.By Mary
November 3, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Did he violate any separation of church and state laws (IRS and tax exemption related) in speaking up on these issues? I know Dayton Daily News recently had a front page article about how there are a lot of gray areas when these pastors speak up and how and where they speak up on political issues.By dd
November 3, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Parsley is a crook and a moron. His function is to make money and does not care about religion or Christianity.