The Jeremiah Wright of the Right

An unapologetic Pastor Robert Jeffress, who created a stir for calling Mormonism a "cult" at a political gathering, told hundreds of congregants at his Texas megachurch on Sunday that he welcomed the opportunity he's had to warn people about a "false religion."

First Baptist Church is located smack dab in the exclusionary district of downtown Dallas. 

I know many of my Baptist brothers and sisters are ashamed of this pastor's comments. They came without warning and are hurtful words to stomach. The people of the FBC Dallas chose this man to lead their flock and watch over them with the diligence of a good shepherd. 
Instead, this man is working overtime to tear down the wall of separation between church and state. To undermine the first amendment. To promote the use of smear and fear tactics that have become commonplace within his flock of radical church members. To intertwine church and business. To exclude those who do not believe as he believes. Here are some of his comments:

"Mitt Romney is a Mormon, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise," Dr. Jeffress said, according to the Dallas Morning News. "Even though he talks about Jesus as his Lord and savior, he is not a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity. Mormonism is a cult."

Jeffress is a big proponent of electing born-again Christians into office.

"Christians are uniquely favored by God," 

"Mormons, Hindus, and Muslims worship a false God. The eternal consequences outweigh the political ones. It is worse to legitimize a faith that would lead people to a separation from God."

"I have not changed my position," Jeffress told the crowd of about 2,000 attending the early service at First Baptist Church of Dallas.

"Absolutely, Mormonism is a false religion," he told Reuters after the service. "It was invented 1800 years after the establishment of Christianity."


Jeffress, who earned degrees at Baylor University in Waco and the Dallas Theological Seminary, said he has known Perry personally for several years, but that they are not close.
Local media reports have said he took part in at least one meeting of religious and political leaders, including Perry, during the summer when the Texas governor was still thinking about a presidential run. But there is no evidence that he is a close spiritual adviser to the governor.
"We are not hunting buddies," he said. "I am not the Jeremiah Wright of the right."
President Barack Obama cut ties with Wright, his former pastor, after the church leader made what were attacked as anti-American remarks during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Jeffress told his congregation that he decided as a private citizen to endorse Perry to "push back against the evil that is engulfing our country," earning a standing ovation from the crowd at the downtown church.
In spite of Jeffress' attempts to distance himself from Perry, pointing out that the remarks were not made during his introduction or in his endorsement, they have brought more negative attention to Perry's struggling campaign.
Jeffress, whose church boasts 10,000 members in a congregation that at one point included the Rev. Billy Graham, is an outspoken preacher who says he's made more than 600 appearances nationally, and who hosts both a TV show and a daily radio program in addition to writing 17 books.
In the past, Jeffress has said that Islam is a false religion and that Oprah Winfrey is doing the work of Satan.

"I'm not some radical fringe person," he said on Sunday, adding that the Southern Baptist Convention has long held the position that Mormonism is not Christianity.

"He's getting what he thinks from the Bible, and that's where we need to go," said Kathy Waite, a congregation member who on Sunday said she has attended the church since 1944.

Don't worry Baptists. You're not alone in feeling ashamed for your poor choice in leadership.
I think the whole damn state can relate to that.