Christianity,  Politics

Dallas Pastor Endorses Rick Perry

David Weigel reports at Slate.com that Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress has endorsed Rick Perry at the Values Voter Summit. Jeffress reasons that—all things being equal—Christians should favor Christian political candidates over non-Christian ones. For that reason he supports Perry over Romney. The video of the interview is above. Here’s a little piece of it transcribed:

I believe we should always support a Christian over a non-Christian. The value of electing a Christian goes beyond public policies. . . . Christians are uniquely favored by God, [while] Mormons, Hindus and Muslims worship a false god. The eternal consequences outweigh political ones. It is worse to legitimize a faith that would lead people to a separation from God.

For the full context, watch the video above.

UPDATE: Politico.com has a statement from a Perry spokesman distancing himself from these remarks. Here’s the story:

Rick Perry does not believe that Mormonism is a cult, his campaign said Friday.

Perry spokesman Robert Black said in an email that the Texas governor does not share the views of Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress, who introduced Perry at the Values Voter Summit in Washington and described Mormonism in those terms.

“The governor does not believe Mormonism is a cult. He is not in the business of judging people. That’s God’s job,” Black said.

Black said that Perry did not choose Jeffress, a Texas-based megachurch leader, to introduce him.

“The conference picked someone to introduce the governor, not us,” he said.

UPDATE #2: Here’s the video of Dr. Jeffress’ introduction to Perry. Jeffress’ remarks about Mormonism came after the official introduction below.

UPDATE #3: Bill Bennett introduced Mitt Romney a day after Jeffress introduced Perry. Romney used Bennet’s remarks to respond to Jeffress.

8 Comments

  • Jonathan akin

    How can he be consistent on that? If the choice is between Romney and Obama (who claims to be a Christian) which will he choose??

  • debbie mosley

    He said he would have to vote for romney if it came down to romney being the frontrunner.
    he is saying primary speaking he probably will vote for Perry.

  • MRS

    He should have never, ever said this…and a pastor should not be in the business of publicly promoting particular candidates. Utterly foolish for a man in his position.

  • Dillon

    I had to laugh at CNN’s dramatic outrage over the pastors comments. The guy told it like it is and it’s about time. Mormonism is a religion that worships a false god. CNN says they worship Jesus and God, that should be good enough. Well, until you see the worship a jesus that is satan’s brother and god that is flesh and bones and lives on the planet Kolob. As they would say on ESPN – C’monnnn mannnnn.

  • MRS

    I wonder if Jeffress has spent much time with some of the people who spoke at Perry’s big prayer event – many of whom are close associates with C. Peter Wagner, you know, the kind of folks that would fit right in with the SBC.

  • Ann Jones

    Anyone who thinks that Mormonism is not a cult doesn’t know enough about Mormonism. I am very disappointed in Rick Perry.

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