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Robert Jeffress: Rick Perry Backer Calls Mormonsim "a Cult"

by NowPublic Staff | October 7, 2011 at 12:56 pm

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Southern Baptist Convention's Pastor Robert Jeffress Blasts Mitt Romney's Religion

Pastor Robert Jeffress was probably only trying to help Texas Governor and presidential hopeful Rick Perry when he called Mitt Romney's church a cult. In blasting Mormonism within earshot of Perry, however, Jeffress did the opposite of helping.

During his endorsement speech for Rick Perry, Robert Jeffress said, "“I think the decision for conservative evangelical Christians right now is going to be, do we prefer somebody who is truly a believer in Jesus Christ or somebody who is a good moral person but is a member of a cult? And it’s not politically correct to say but it is true: Mormonism is a cult.”

Okay, that doesn't leave much room for spin.

Once again, Rick Perry will have to apologize for angering a rival.

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He really needs to choose better friends if he wants to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Come on, Jeffress: even though you don't claim to be speaking for Perry, show at least a modicum of political savvy here. Is that too much to ask?

Also, write this down: even if you do plan on calling your opponent's religion a cult, don't do it in your official endorsement speech.

Another risk: making this campaign solely about who is the more religious candidate. While the USA is a very religious country, not every voter is a religious fundamentalist. Arguing over which Christian is more Christian is a surefire way to make all involved sound silly.

“So this is not some right-wing extremist view,” Jeffress said. “This is the view of the largest protestant denomination in the country and the world.”

That doesn't mean that it isn't also a right wing, extremist view. Also keep in mind that these are the words of a religious fundamentalist, who is trying to rally support among other religious fundamentalists, as well as draw attention to that same group. Jeffress will do whatever he can to make his demographic look as big and important as possible: he wants to be pandered to in the 2012 election.

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Eric Schultz (not verified)

at 17:01 on October 7th, 2011

Please allow Robert Jeffress to read this carefully and with an open heart and clear mind: Robert Jeffress may consider himself a Christian, but he is also more of a businessman when it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ rather than a humble follower concerned for the welfare of our Heavenly Father's children. I am a Christian, a true follower of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and beleive it is only through him that we may attain Salvation and forgiveness for our sins. Jesus is the Only Begotten of our Heavenly Father (John 3:16) and is not the same individual. The Holy Ghost is part of the God Head but they are not one being, however, they are one in purpose. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, nicknamed Mormons, and we believe Christ directs his work on the Earth through revelation to his spokesman (prophets). That does not make us non-christian, the focal point of our religion is Christ and His Atonement. Mr Jeffress you are entitled to your OPINION, but it IS just an OPINION. I AM CHRISTIAN and try to become like Christ daily, for it is His Grace that allows us to overcome our imperfections and obtain eternal life. If you read the Book of Mormon:Another Testament of Jesus Christ, then you would NEVER say or think what you do about "Mormons". Have you ever truly read it and prayed to God concerning it? If not, then you cannot profess against it containing true knowledge. The Pastor’s religion is no more Christian than ours is, and we are no more of a cult then they are. Thank you for your time, Eric Schultz A Christian and Member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints

Eric Schultz (not verified)

at 17:02 on October 7th, 2011

AmandaR (not verified)

at 20:35 on October 7th, 2011

I think its completely evident that this Jeffress character is an ignorant bigot, so lets just get straight to the point; he has no clue what he's talking about. "Mormons" aka, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which is in fact a church that is based on the belief and following of Christ, are Christians. Please, please, educate yourself before you speak about something you know nothing about.

The 1

at 09:44 on October 8th, 2011

Mormonism is the religion practiced by Mormons, and is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. This movement was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. beginning in the 1820s as a form of Christian primitivism. During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself from traditional Protestantism. Mormonism today represents the new, non-Protestant faith taught by Smith in the 1840s. After Smith's death, most Mormons followed Brigham Young to the Rocky Mountains as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Other branches of Mormonism include Mormon fundamentalism, which seeks to maintain practices and doctrines such as polygamy that were discontinued by the LDS Church, and various other small independent denominations.

Mormonism is a form of Christian primitivism that shares a common set of beliefs with the rest of the Latter Day Saint movement, including use of, and belief in, the Bible, as well as other religious texts including the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. It differs from other Latter Day Saint movement traditions (such as the Community of Christ) in that it also accepts the Pearl of Great Price as part of its scriptural canon, and has a history of teaching eternal marriage, eternal progression, and plural marriage (although the LDS Church had abandoned the practice by the early 20th century). Cultural Mormonism includes a lifestyle promoted by the Mormon institutions, and includes cultural Mormons who identify with the culture, but not necessarily the theology.