06-18-2010, 07:51 AM
Knotts is now questioning Haley's Christian credentials. "Have you ever asked her if she believes in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and that he died on the cross for her sins?" he asked a reporter from WIS-TV.
Born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa, Nikki Haley converted from Sikhism to Christianity when she was 24, before marrying her husband. The couple were married in two separate ceremonies, one Sikh and one Christian. In 2004, she told the Charlotte Observer that her family attends "both" Sikh and Christian services. Since then, she has emphasized her Christianity.
"She claims to be a Christian but also attends a Sikh temple and was married in a Sikh ceremony, so a lot of people can't figure how you can claim both," aid Ray Popham, pastor of Oasis Church International in Aiken, SC. "I think she needs to be straight up with people, if she is both. If she believes that you can be both, then she should say that up front."
Tony Beam, host of the radio show "Christian Worldview Today" and a Christian pastor who supports Haley's opponent in the race, questioned Haley's Christianity on his program. "Once you commit to Christianity, it excludes other religions. I am not saying she is not who she says she is, but I do know those questions are being raised."
Haley's campaign has updated her website to confront these charges. After some people complained that her faith in "the power and grace of Almighty God" left it open which "God" she believed in, her website was changed to emphasize her specific "faith in Christ."
Haley has confronted similar attacks in the past. In 2004, her opponent Rep. Larry Koon mailed voters a letter pointing out her full Indian maiden name. An email campaign also falsely called Haley a Buddhist, and in some messages a Muslim.
Born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa, Nikki Haley converted from Sikhism to Christianity when she was 24, before marrying her husband. The couple were married in two separate ceremonies, one Sikh and one Christian. In 2004, she told the Charlotte Observer that her family attends "both" Sikh and Christian services. Since then, she has emphasized her Christianity.
"She claims to be a Christian but also attends a Sikh temple and was married in a Sikh ceremony, so a lot of people can't figure how you can claim both," aid Ray Popham, pastor of Oasis Church International in Aiken, SC. "I think she needs to be straight up with people, if she is both. If she believes that you can be both, then she should say that up front."
Tony Beam, host of the radio show "Christian Worldview Today" and a Christian pastor who supports Haley's opponent in the race, questioned Haley's Christianity on his program. "Once you commit to Christianity, it excludes other religions. I am not saying she is not who she says she is, but I do know those questions are being raised."
Haley's campaign has updated her website to confront these charges. After some people complained that her faith in "the power and grace of Almighty God" left it open which "God" she believed in, her website was changed to emphasize her specific "faith in Christ."
Haley has confronted similar attacks in the past. In 2004, her opponent Rep. Larry Koon mailed voters a letter pointing out her full Indian maiden name. An email campaign also falsely called Haley a Buddhist, and in some messages a Muslim.