Perry backer: Romney in a 'cult,' not a Christian

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[LouAvul]

The pastor who introduced Texas Gov. Rick Perry at a conservative gathering Friday said rival presidential candidate Mitt Romney is not a Christian and is in a cult because he is a Mormon.

Robert Jeffress, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Dallas, made similar remarks about Romney when he ran in the 2008 campaign. Event organizers at the Values Voters Summit selected Jeffress to introduce Perry, but the Perry campaign was consulted about the choice and approved Jeffress to introduce the Texas governor.

Jeffress endorsed Perry at the event and introduced him as "a proven leader, a true conservative, and a committed follower of Christ."

After his remarks, Jeffress told reporters that Perry's religion is different from Romney's.

"Rick Perry's a Christian. He's an evangelical Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ," Jeffress said. "Mitt Romney's a good moral person, but he's not a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity. It has always been considered a cult by the mainstream of Christianity."

Romney is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are commonly called Mormons.

Perry and his campaign made clear that he disagrees with Jeffress.

Asked by reporters Friday night in Tiffin, Iowa, whether Mormonism is a cult, Perry replied, "No."

Earlier Friday, spokesman Mark Miner said that "the governor does not believe Mormonism is a cult."

Still, the campaign refused to definitively say whether they were accepting his offered endorsement. "The governor is running a campaign of inclusion and looks forward to receiving the endorsement of many people," Miner said. "People can endorse whoever they like."

Jeffress had made similar comments about Romney before, during the former Massachusetts governor's first presidential run in 2008.

"Mitt Romney is a Mormon, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Even though he talks about Jesus as his lord and savior, he is not a Christian," Jeffress said in a 2007 sermon. "Mormonism is not Christianity. Mormonism is a cult. And just because somebody talks about Jesus does not make them a believer."

In that sermon, Jeffress said he was frustrated that some religious leaders had backed Romney anyway. "What really distresses me is some of my ministerial friends, and even leaders in our convention, say, 'Well, he talks about Jesus, we talk about Jesus, what's the big deal?' It is a big deal."

The campaign initially said the decision to have Jeffress introduce Perry had been made strictly by organizers, but a Perry spokesman told The Associated Press Friday night that the campaign had agreed to it.

"It was their suggestion; it was their choice of who introduced us. They asked our campaign what we thought, and we said OK," Miner said.

Jeffress is a prominent religious leader in Texas. His First Baptist Church has more than 10,000 members. In 2009, Perry recognized Jeffress by name during his speech at a dinner for the Light of Life dinner and gala in Dallas.

[Jeff Head]

You may say what you wish. You may “source” what you wish. As a youth I belonged to the 1st Baptist Church in Dallas when Dr. Chriswell was the pastor.

I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saunts for 41 years now. I have served a mission, held numerous leadership positions, and am what you call a card-carrying Mormon.

Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, I am taught and have taught these many years that He alone saves. He has saved me and I am grateful for it.

You have, clearly, numerous issues with theology and interpretation, the Book of Mormon, etc. But I turn to the Bible as often as I turn to the Book of Moromon...which also teaches that Jesus is the Christ.

On the essential issue, Jesus christ,Creator of the Earth, born of the virgin Mary, Son of God...as He himself testified, worker of many miracle, healing the sick, raising the dead, tried by a wicked Sanhedrin and condemmed to death by the Romans, suffered in the Gardwen, crucified and died on the cross for all of our sins, rose the third day in a glorious resurrection which will avail us all, Savior of mankind and coming again to this earth...He is my Savior.

You may say what you will, but that is my testimony and I am thankful that He Himself, Jesus Christ will be my judge.

He knows my heart, and He knows what I have been taught, what I do teach, how I have raised my kids, the love I have for my Savior, my family and my country and its liberty.

I am happy to leave that judgement in His capable, merciful and loving hands for He has already purchased me.

I have a brother who is a very good, Christian man. He is an Evangelical Christian and I am grateful for His ministry because he brings many people to Christ. In the end, Christ will judge our hearts and our witness to Him and He will know His own. All who so desire will have the opportunity to know Him and accept Him.

That is my faith and witness. May God bless you for your own love and faith and witness of Jesus Christ and may we as a people find leaders who hold that same faith in our matchless Redeemer.

That’s my prayer...that we can do that and remove the marxi

[reaganaut]

I believe that it is illegal to discriminate based upon race, creed, etc.... but here we have this pastor doing just that with his character assassination!

- - - - - -
a) it is not legal discrimination
b) it is not character assassination
c) Romney’s Mormonism is an issue for Democrats as well (they buy the lie that it makes him a right winger)
d) the statement is true. Mormons are not Christians.
e) This will be a big part of the general campaign if Romney (God forbid) get the nomination.

[reaganaut]

Thank you. Life saving and Soul saving! It was painful going through leaving an losing my Mormon faith but it was the best thing I ever did and Christ is worth the cost.

[reaganaut]

You are probably right. Most Mormons when they find out what LDS church history and doctrine really was/is, end up leaving like I did.

[reaganaut]

But we will STILL take you back if you truly repent and are obedient to the Laws of the Gospel.)

- - - - -
Mormon dude,

People in Hell will get ice water first. However, if you want to know what the Bible REALLY teaches, I’ll be happy to school you.

-Christian saved by Grace

[reaganaut]

Yes he would. However, I will give him a pass on this (like Cain) and assume that like most Americans, people (even Christians) don’t know what Mormonism REALLY teaches, they just hear things.

[lonestar]

You can’t make this aggie cheerleader up!!

You made up a lot of lies.

[lonestar]

He looks just plain silly and makes Perry look bad, too.

The preacher endorsed Perry but Perry isn't a Baptist.

Cain is a Baptist preacher.

If we are going to play guilt by association, let's associate all the players not just the selected one.

[SeaHawkFan]

That’s fair. Looks like Romney struck out today and that Cain did well. I pretty much ignore the Ron Paul vote because they are very active in this affairs. Other than that, I think the gage the support of conservative pretty well.

One thing is clear; no one is being fooled by Romney’s claim that he is a conservative.

[reaganaut]

reaganaut; Salvation

- - - - -

Catholics ARE NOT MORMONS. Catholics are Christians, Mormons aren’t.

Big difference there.

[reaganaut]

Jesus Christ died for me to save me from my sins. Your condemning me to hell is meaningless for He is my Judge, not you.

- - - - -
Sandy, that isn’t what your church teaches. Do you really want to go down this road?

Mormons don’t believe in Hell so why do you care if we honestly say that those who are not Christians are condemned to it.

The LDS Jesus only died so you could be resurrected. Want sources? I can provide them.

[reaganaut]

Repeating it three times, doesn’t make Mormonism Christian, dear.

[reaganaut]

Jeff, I admire your work on behalf of the conservative cause, but what you claim is NOT what your church teaches and believes.

Please, come to the real Christ, renounce Mormonism before it is too late. There are no second chances!

The Mormon Jesus doesn’t save anyone. He can’t because he is a false Christ. Only the Jesus of the Bible saves.

If you attended a Baptist church as a child, why did you throw away the real Jesus for the cult of Mormonism? How could you spit on Christ’s sacrifice like that? You had the truth and you threw it away!

Like I said, nice words, but they are not the truth of Mormonism and after 41 years you should know that.

[Jeff Head]

I believe in the Jesus Christ of the Bible, reaganaut, all of your claims to the contrary notwithstanding.

He will judge me, not you. It is what I believe and it is what the Church teaches.

I have never spit on my Savior, and it is not only insulting, but digraceful that you would claim that I have.

God bless you abnd keep you gfor your own sincere belief in and saving by our Savior.

The scriptures teach that no one professes that Jesus is the Christ except through the Holy Ghost. I confess and profess Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem, to you now. He is my Savior. He has saved me. And, thank God, He will judge me.

Anyone who knows me on these boards and who knows of my history, and particularly of my reliance on Him through my trials with cancer knows in their heart that this is true...that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

Please accord me the respect of knowing that my witness is sincere, your own thoughts and feelings regarding the Church notwithstanding.

But that witness is what I have taught as a member for the last 40+ years.

[Jeff Head]

I believe in the Jesus Christ of the Bible, reaganaut, all of your claims to the contrary notwithstanding.

He will judge me, not you. It is what I believe and it is what the Church teaches.

I have never spit on my Savior, and it is not only insulting, but digraceful that you would claim that I have.

God bless you and keep you for your own sincere belief in. witness of, and saving by our Savior. I believe, and the church teaches that He will come again. When He does, He will know His own and I believe at that time that all true followers of Jesus will follow Him and do as hHe bids. If he bids you attend the Temple, I believe you will...if He bids me not, then I will njot.

Until that time, we should all witness His name, His gospel, the love and peace and principles that He taught. That is what I do with my life, to the very best of my ability.

The scriptures teach that no one professes that Jesus is the Christ except through the Holy Ghost. I confess and profess Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem, to you now. He is my Savior. He has saved me. And, thank God, He will judge me.

Anyone who knows me on these boards and who knows of my history, and particularly of my reliance on Him through my trials with cancer knows in their heart that this is true...that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

Please accord me the respect of knowing that my witness is sincere, your own thoughts and feelings regarding the Church notwithstanding.

But that witness is what I have taught as a member for the last 40+ years.

[Elsie]

You are rambling again...

[Elsie]

CTR forever!

Choose the Right if you want to; but you'd BEST choose the prophet!

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In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.

Ezra Taft Benson

(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)

[Elsie]

This is dirty politics at its worst.

You oughta see how the Living Prophet® is chosen!!

[Elsie]

Cain is a Baptist preacher.

He IS?

[lonestar]

He is.