Political Wire publisher Taegan Goddard caught a lot of flak on Twitter after mocking Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker for claiming he could discern God’s will, only to admit that he had no idea Christians believed they could communicate with God through prayer.
It all began with a rather snarky tweet about Walker’s comments that he was still waiting for “God’s calling” before he announced a presidential run.
Gov. Scott Walker’s office was unable to provide any transcripts of his conversations with God http://t.co/R8dcqhNpqR
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) February 24, 2015
As Goddard received criticism from religious followers, he shot back at critics by claiming that he wasn’t showing disdain for people of faith, even as his tone became more and more sarcastic.
@lachlan How so? I simply linked to an official letter from Scott Walker’s office
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) February 24, 2015
@lachlan I don’t pretend I can talk with God. But perhaps Scott Walker can.
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) February 24, 2015
Eventually, Goddard betrayed his ignorance of basic Christian beliefs, when he seemed genuinely confused that Walker believed prayer could be used to communicate with God.
@edmorrissey @lachlan Serious question: Can you divine God’s will from that prayer? Scott Walker says he’s trying to. I’m not sure he can.
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) February 24, 2015
HotAir’s Ed Morrissey patiently explained that yes, Christians believe they can discern God’s will through prayer.
@politicalwire @lachlan Serious answer: Christians do this all the time. It’s called “discernment.” I spent 2 years discerning on diaconate.
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) February 24, 2015
@politicalwire @lachlan And Walker’s correct in that you don’t always get an answer, and it’s certainly not in transcript form.
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) February 24, 2015
@politicalwire @lachlan I’d be delighted to chat with you at length about this. Probably not suited for Twitter conversation. 😉
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) February 24, 2015
@edmorrissey @lachlan I find it interesting when politicians say they get guidance from God. I never knew how.
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) February 24, 2015
@politicalwire @moody @lachlan I think the tone of the post was a little mocking. But like I said, happy to talk more about discernment.
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) February 24, 2015
@edmorrissey @moody @lachlan Thanks for your response and engagement. I can’t say most of it on Twitter has been very “Christian-like”
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) February 24, 2015
Eventually, Goddard apologized for the tweet, saying that he had meant no offense.
I actually thought this was more amusing than anything. But some took offense and I’m sorry. None was intended. http://t.co/R8dcqhNpqR
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) February 24, 2015