The Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, E.W. Jackson, believes that yoga is dangerous because it will allow Satan to enter the mind and that most people are "dead spirits," according to the National Review.
In a lengthy profile Betsy Woodruff uncovers many of the GOP candidate's more interesting beliefs bringing attention to an election that would go completely under the radar nationally in most years. Jackson is the pastor of Exodus Faith Ministries and has written a book entitled "Ten Commandments to an Extraordinary Life: Making Your Dreams Come True," according to the National Review.
In one section Jackson warns about the dangers he sees in Yoga.
"When one hears the word meditation, it conjures an image of Maharishi Yoga talking about finding a mantra and striving for nirvana...The purpose of such meditation is to empty oneself...[Satan] is happy to enter the empty vacuum of your soul and possess it. That is why people serve Satan without ever knowing it of deciding to, but no one can be a child of God without making a decision to surrender to him. Beware of systems of spirituality which tell you to empty yourself. You will probably end up filled with something you probably do not want."
Since his nomination Jackson has been under fire for controversial remarks that he has made regarding abortion, homosexuality and race, according to Politico.
One of the more controversial remarks that Jackson has made was regarding his thoughts on Planned Parenthood.
"Planned Parenthood had been far more lethal to black lives than the KKK ever was," Jackson said in a video posted to YouTube. "And the Democrat Party and the black civil rights allies are partners in this genocide."
Ken Cucinelli, the Republican candidate for governor in Virginia, has found himself in a position where he often has to answer questions about statements made by Jackson, according to Politico.
"I'm not going to defend my running mates' statements at every turn," Cucinelli said. "They've got to explain those themselves."
In an excerpt from his book it also appears as if Jackson believes that most people are "dead spirits" who have been possessed by the devil.
"Most people are dead spirits. As such they have the nature of Satan who does not want them to have anything to do with God or anyone related to Him. Of course they are not aware that they are imbued with the nature of Satan. They would become mortified by the idea of becoming Satanists or devil worshippers. Satan benefits far more from people who do not know they serve him than from those who knowingly bow to him. Your spirit was made for attachment. It is either attached to God or to Satan, but it is not neutral, no matter how much people think themselves to be."
Woodruff reveals in her profile that Jackson firmly believes in giving money directly to one's spiritual leader, which as a pastor Jackson could qualify as.
"While giving to the poor is important, the most powerful giving for wealth building is upwards giving," Jackson wrote.
It remains to be seen if Jackson's outspoken views will have an effect on the race. The race is especially important because the Virginia Senate is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, meaning that the Lieutenant Governor could end up being the deciding vote on most legislation, according to the National Review.
