www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-cnn-romney-mormon-pastor,0,6781603.story
chicagotribune.com
Pastor to GOP: Don't vote for Romney because he's Mormon
CNN
5:07 PM CDT, October 7, 2011
A pastor of a mega church in Dallas said Friday that Republicans shouldn't vote for White House hopeful Mitt Romney because he's a Mormon and described the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a "cult."
"I think Mitt Romney's a good, moral man, but those of us who are born again followers of Christ should prefer a competent Christian," said Robert Jeffress, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, which has a congregation of about 10,000.
Jeffress, who's endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry and introduced him at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, told CNN Political Correspondent Jim Acosta that the Southern Baptist Convention "has officially labeled Mormonism as a cult"
"That's why I'm enthusiastic about Perry," Jeffress said, later adding: "I again believe that as Christian, we have the duty to select Christians as our leaders…Between a Rick Perry and a Mitt Romney, I believe evangelicals need to go with Rick Perry."
This isn't the first time the Dallas pastor has hit Romney over his religion. During the 2008 campaign, he made similar comments.
But if it came down to a contest between Romney and President Barack Obama, Jeffress said he'd still vote for Romney, although holding his nose at the same time.
"I would rather have a non-Christian who at least supports biblical principles than a professing Christian like Barack Obama who embraces unbiblical positions," he said.
When asked for a comment, Perry's team said it was the event organizers–not the campaign–who asked Jeffress to introduce the candidate.
"The governor does not believe Mormonism is a cult," added Mark Miner, Perry's national press secretary.
A spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who requested not to be identified by name, declined to comment on a statement "made at a political event."
"But those who want to understand the centrality of Christ to our faith can learn more about us and what we believe by going to mormon.org," the spokesman said in a statement.
The Romney campaign said it will not have any comment to the remarks by Jeffress.
chicagotribune.com
Pastor to GOP: Don't vote for Romney because he's Mormon
CNN
5:07 PM CDT, October 7, 2011
A pastor of a mega church in Dallas said Friday that Republicans shouldn't vote for White House hopeful Mitt Romney because he's a Mormon and described the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a "cult."
"I think Mitt Romney's a good, moral man, but those of us who are born again followers of Christ should prefer a competent Christian," said Robert Jeffress, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, which has a congregation of about 10,000.
Jeffress, who's endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry and introduced him at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, told CNN Political Correspondent Jim Acosta that the Southern Baptist Convention "has officially labeled Mormonism as a cult"
"That's why I'm enthusiastic about Perry," Jeffress said, later adding: "I again believe that as Christian, we have the duty to select Christians as our leaders…Between a Rick Perry and a Mitt Romney, I believe evangelicals need to go with Rick Perry."
This isn't the first time the Dallas pastor has hit Romney over his religion. During the 2008 campaign, he made similar comments.
But if it came down to a contest between Romney and President Barack Obama, Jeffress said he'd still vote for Romney, although holding his nose at the same time.
"I would rather have a non-Christian who at least supports biblical principles than a professing Christian like Barack Obama who embraces unbiblical positions," he said.
When asked for a comment, Perry's team said it was the event organizers–not the campaign–who asked Jeffress to introduce the candidate.
"The governor does not believe Mormonism is a cult," added Mark Miner, Perry's national press secretary.
A spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who requested not to be identified by name, declined to comment on a statement "made at a political event."
"But those who want to understand the centrality of Christ to our faith can learn more about us and what we believe by going to mormon.org," the spokesman said in a statement.
The Romney campaign said it will not have any comment to the remarks by Jeffress.
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