Can’t we just move on?
BY MIKE JONES Associate Editor
Sunday, October 16, 2011
As much as some Democrats
would like to hang the Rev.
Robert Jeffress around Gov.
Rick Perry’s political neck, there’s
simply not enough rope.
Jeffress made headlines recently
when he endorsed Perry for the Republican
nomination for president
and then declared that Mormonism
(the religion of GOP primary
candidates Mitt Romney and John
Huntsman) is a “cult."
Jeffress, senior minister of the
First Baptist Church in Dallas, was
chosen to introduce Perry at the
Values Voter Summit. Following the
introduction he made his Mormon
“cult” comment to a reporter, and
indignation ensued.
Democrats, of course, were quick
to pounce on Perry. They are still
wincing over the controversy that
followed Barack Obama in the 2008
Democratic primary race when the
Rev. Jeremiah Wright made his infamous
comments from his pulpit in
Chicago.
Wright’s sermon that Sunday was
incendiary and shocking. But, and
this is no defense of Wright’s comments,
a reading of the full sermon
is needed. I’ll let you look that up on
the Internet.
Obama was quick to denounce
Wright’s words. But that didn’t slow
up the pastor. He continued to give
interviews in print and on TV that
were unapologetic and a further
drag on Obama’s campaign.
Wright’s actions continue to
haunt Obama and with the brouhaha
surrounding the comments by
Jeffress are likely to appear in the
upcoming campaign.
The fact is, neither Perry nor
Obama deserves to be tagged with
what either reverend said. Both
made stupid comments (Huntsman
called Jeffress a moron) that no reasonable
person could believe either
Perry or Obama would endorse.
There are a few distinctions between
Wright-Obama and Jeffress-
Perry. Obama did attend and was a
member of Wright’s church. He disassociated
from the church following
the controversy. And, Wright
is correct about most of the white
population not understanding the
dynamics of black churches.
Nevertheless, his sermon and his
subsequent statements were an embarrassment
to the then-candidate
and later to the president. That’s
right, the good reverend didn’t let
up after the election. He told one interviewer
that the Jews were keeping
him from contacting the president.
In Perry’s case, Jeffress says
their only connection, other than
both being Christian, is as casual
acquaintances. You can believe as
much of that as you want. But Perry
has been governor of Texas for 12
years. I imagine that he does most
of his church-going in Austin, the
capital of Texas. That doesn’t mean
that he couldn’t hop over to Dallas
for a Sunday sermon, but I’ll take
the Rev. Jeffress at his word when
he says, “Rick Perry has never listened
to a sermon of mine, he’s certainly
never been a member of my
church."
For his part, Perry, when asked
if he agreed with Jeffress that
Mormonism is a cult, said, “no.” A
stronger statement might have been
expected, but the monosyllabic response
was to the point.
Jeffress, whether you like it or
not, brought up what could be an issue
in the Republican primary race.
Romney and Huntsman might split
the Mormon vote, but that is not
likely to sway the outcome. But it
does bring up the touchy subject of
religion and faith and how both influence
votes.
Does religion come into play in
politics? Of course. Is the separation
of church and state implicit in
the Constitution? I think so. Others
will disagree.
And for those who continue to insist
that our form of government was
based on religion of any kind, particularly
Christianity, it was not. Other
than the First Amendment’s stipulation
of freedom of religion, the Constitution
does not support any religion.
You can argue all day whether
the word “blessings” in the Preamble
to the Constitution has a religious
connotation. I don’t think so.
Those being sworn into the presidency
take an oath, and they always
end it with “So help me God.” The
Constitution actually sets out the
oath and it reads: “I do solemnly
swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully
execute the office of president
of the United States, and will to the
best of my ability, preserve, protect
and defend the Constitution of the
United States."
The “so help me God” portion
was added later. Many believe that
Chester A. Arthur added it in 1881,
but its origins are unclear. It is not,
however, mandated. Any president
would be crazy not to say it, however.
But, back to the Revs. Jeffress and
Wright. Both made intolerant and,
well, stupid statements. Making
stupid statements, however, is not
against the law — just ask Hank Williams
Jr. — it’s merely stupid.
Gov. Rick Perry might agree with
the Rev. Jeffress, but I doubt it.
President Obama might have agreed
with the Rev. Wright, but I doubt
that, too.
Both were the unwitting recipients
of overzealous and intolerant
ministers. Can we just leave it at
that and move on to more pressing
issues?
Mike Jones, 918-581-8332
mike.jones@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
(Left) Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s links to the Rev.
Robert Jeffress have cast a negative light on the governor’s campaign even after
the pastor distanced himself and his comments from Perry. MICHAEL CONROY/AP (Right) In 2008, when the Rev. Jeremiah Wright made his infamous comments from
his pulpit in Chicago during the Democratic primary race, Barack Obama’s judgment
was called into question. PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS, AP
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