National Clergy Council Tells Pastor to Apologize for 'Mormon is a Cult' Comments
The National Clergy Council, representing church leaders from all Christian traditions, has called for evangelical pastor Robert Jeffress to apologize to GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney and all other Americans offended by his comments saying Mormonism is a cult.
Jeffress’ comments have caused huge controversy in political arenas, and many have questioned whether his words were appropriate, and whether he should be trying to persuade voters towards particular candidates in such a way.
"As an evangelical, born again, Bible believing Christian, and a pastor with more than 25 years' experience living with and ministering among a majority Mormon population, I find the comments by Pastor Jeffress unhelpful, impolite, and out of place,” said Reverend Myke Crowder, pastor of Christian Life Center.
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Crowder, a leader of one of the largest evangelical congregations in Utah, countered, “Insulting Mitt Romney adds nothing to the conversation about who should be president. We're picking the country's chief executive, not its senior pastor.”
"My experience in Utah among Mormons has been overwhelmingly positive,” he added. “Evangelicals and Mormons have big differences when it comes to theology, but if you believe in and support the Constitution, there's no religious test for office, nor should there be.”
Crowder has called for Jeffress, who made the comments at the Values Voter Summit, to apologize to Romney and all other Americans “he’s offended through his unkind and irresponsible remarks."
Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas, told The Christian Post in a previous interview Friday that Mormonism is not in line with the historical tenets of Christianity and is considered as a cult among mainstream Christians.
"Evangelical Christians should not vote for Mitt Romney because he’s a Mormon, therefore not a real Christian," he said.
According to Jeffress, evangelical Christians have never embraced Mormonism as a branch of Christianity and it has always been treated as a cult.
"Mitt Romney is a good, moral person, but that does not make him a Christian," he added.
Jeffress’ “Mormons are not real Christians” comments have also sparked an online discussion.
“The bible is a testament of the Lord Jesus Christ! And likewise The Book of Mormon is another testament of that very same Lord Jesus Christ! These 2 books of sacred scripture stand hand in hand, witnessing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord, Savior, & Redeemer of all this world!” wrote Facebook user Lorelei Kawchuk.
Jason Millican disagreed and responded, “They are not the same Jesus. Jesus Christ of the Bible is the only begotten son of the Heavenly Father. The Mormon Jesus is brother to Lucifer and many others. Look into it, don’t be ignorant of the many differences. You can say you are Mormon or say you are Christian, but you can’t claim both.”
