The President’s choice to lead the prayer at the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is raising eyebrows. Robert Jeffress, pastor of a megachurch in Texas, has in the past said his share of controversial, bigoted statements about Jews, Mormons, Muslims, and others. So why was he invited to Israel?
ABC News reports:
Jeffress, the pastor of Dallas First Baptist Church and a member of Trump’s evangelical advisory council, has a history of making controversial remarks about religion, policy and sexuality.
In the past, he’s said that President Barack Obama’s policies are “paving the way for the Antichrist,” and that Islam “is a religion that promotes pedophilia.”
The Washington Post put together a montage of Jeffress’s more bizarre comments. Watch above.
Pastor Robert Jeffress said Jews will go to hell, Islam is “a heresy from the pit of hell" and homosexuality is a "perversion" based on "detestable acts." Trump chose him to speak at the US Embassy opening today in Jerusalem. https://t.co/8MEsyhVnIk
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) May 14, 2018
This man is an embarrassment to the United States and to the Christian faith. It’s hard to get reputable clergy to attend such an event but this is shameful.
Who Is Robert Jeffress? 'Bigot' Pastor From Texas Due to Speak at U.S. Jerusalem Embassy Move https://t.co/oq96Veby6C
— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) May 14, 2018
Robert Jeffress says “you can’t be saved by being a Jew,“ and “Mormonism is a heresy from the pit of hell.” He’s said the same about Islam. Such a religious bigot should not be giving the prayer that opens the United States Embassy in Jerusalem.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) May 14, 2018