Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
The Reverend Robert Jeffress introduced presidential hopeful Governor Rick Perry this past weekend at a conservative gathering, the Values Voter Summit. Unfortunately, he was asked about Mitt Romney who is a Mormon. Jeffress declared that while Mitt Romney was a moral, decent person, he wasn’t a Christian because Mormons are a cult. He further stuck his foot in his mouth by declaring that most of mainstream Christianity felt Mormons were also a cult.
He spoke the following words about Rick Perry describing him as: “a proven leader, a true conservative, and a committed follower of Christ.” However, he just wasn’t a Christian.
Supposedly both Rick Perry and his campaign have repudiated Jeffress’s words.
So will the GOP now fight it out over who is a Christian and who isn’t? I have a problem with anyone declaring someone else is not a Christian, especially when that someone is a member of a church called Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Was that a different Jesus? I think not. It is interesting that Jeffress doesn’t elaborate on WHY he doesn’t feel Mormons are Christians and just what makes a ‘cult.’ He seems like a decent man. I haven’t figured out why he would say such a thing.
Is it just me or is a person’s religion sort of personal and not something you attack them on unless they are being jerks about it? Mitt Romney has been rather quiet about the personal side of his religion and that is his right. His personal beliefs really are not our business. Mormons are Christians if they say they are Christians. It is not up to us to question an entire religious movement.
There is no religious test in America. A person can be Christian, Jew, Muslim, Mormon, Catholic, Presbyterian, Hindu, Atheist, Agnostic…or plain old nothing. I guess really, there is a religious test and there should not be.
Meanwhile, between Mormons, N-head rock, and immigration, Rick Perry’s ascent to the stars seems to be over and he seems to be in free-fall mode.
