Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 23, 1990 TAG: 9004230297
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
He did not enter the race because he thought he could win - and he expects no political miracle on Election Day.
"I am not a politician. It doesn't matter whether I win or not," he said.
McClanahan said he is running because he is concerned about the growth of satanic cults and moral decay in Roanoke and the nation. "I am a minister - not a politician. I hope to impress upon our council members and others the need to take a stand against satanism and evil," he said.
"I have personally encountered organized satanic groups right here in Roanoke."
McClanahan said he would be happy if some other candidates would take up his moral campaign after they are elected. "I had rather devote my time to being a minister."
McClanahan, 63, is pastor of the Wings of Faith Church, a small independent church on Bullitt Avenue in Southeast Roanoke.
He is running as an independent in his first try for public office. He added his name to the ballot by filing a petition that contained the signatures of more than 125 registered voters, which state election laws require of independent candidates.
Although McClanahan does not expect to win, he has participated in the campaign forums for council candidates that have been sponsored by civic, neighborhood and PTA groups. At most forums, he has stressed his anti-satanism theme.
McClanahan wants city political leaders to outlaw such shows as the Alice Cooper rock concert at the Roanoke Civic Center last month.
McClanahan said he does not think that a rape charge in Alleghany County should disqualify him as a candidate. In 1988, McClanahan was accused of raping a 20-year-old mentally retarded woman, but he was later acquitted of the charge.
An indictment claimed that he took advantage of the woman's reduced mental capacity. Testimony at the trial disclosed that the woman had an IQ of 65 and functioned on the intellectual level of a second-grader. The indictment alleged that the rape occurred at a motel near Clifton Forge.
In a recent interview, McClanahan denied that he raped the woman or had sexual relations with her.
McClanahan said the criminal charge is one reason he is running for council, because he does not think he should have been charged. His campaign leaflet calls for a "fair judicial system."
McClanahan said he supports a strong economic program that will "create good-paying, productive jobs." But economic problems will not be solved "unless we restore moral values to our government," he said.
Until now, the courts and legislative bodies have taken the attitude that nothing can be done about satanism because it is a religion protected by the Constitution, he said. "Yet, at the same time, government officials have no such problem in attacking their political enemies and often succeed in imposing heavy fines and stiff jail sentences against their political opponents unjustly," he said.
"I feel that this hypocrisy must not continue."
McClanahan said the Roanoke city code requires officials to "prevent vice and immorality, . . . to prevent lewd, indecent or disorderly conduct or exhibitions in the city." If elected, McClanahan said he would introduce ordinances to prohibit satanic rituals and practices.
At a candidates' meeting sponsored by the Central PTA Council, McClanahan said the school curriculum should include the Bible and more religious materials. Too many satanic doctrines, such as evolution, are being taught in public schools, he said.
McClanahan and five other candidates are running for three council seats. Businessman Roland "Spanky" Macher is running as a Republican. Councilman Howard Musser, School Board member William White and former Councilman James Harvey are running as Democrats, and Councilman James Trout is running as an independent.
Memo: This is the fourth in a series of profiles of Roanoke City Council