How does that hurt Perry?
It hurt Perry because it was a question about personal faith in God, not a question about faith in political leaders. You could tell by the way half the audience sort of audibly cringed when he said it (and the way he looked up and to the left just before saying it) that it was a mistake to say that. Every other person on that stage answered that question on the basis that it was asked - as it related to their personal faith in God and the impact that a person’s faith in God should or should not have on their qualifications to be President.
I’ll say again - I really, really wanted to like Perry. I was hyped up about him joining the race, especially as it became more and more likely that the reality TV lady wasn’t going to run. But Perry just comes off looking desperate, in my opinion. Not a good look for him.