Bear in mind that I took the time to look up the NAR, comments about it, and this "close connection" you speak of.
I am a conservative but I am not religious. I don't want any kind of religious body in charge of my government whether it is NAR, the Taliban, or the Gaia worshippers (environmental nut jobs). I like the constitution and common sense.
About Perry, I didn't see anything where he was endorsing NAR or their views. What I found was that NAR was endorsing Perry and had been endorsing candidates going back to Reagan. Candidates get a lot of endorsements from a lot of groups but unless that candidate speaks or writes the words supporting that group, I'll take it with a large grain of salt.
I did find one site where Al-Jeerzia was opposed to NAR. Does that mean that AJ supports democrats?
Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn
The "close connection" is more than some unsolicited endorsement. Perry met privately in the Governor's Office with two of the NAR's top leaders, where Perry himself asked the two leaders for their holy blessing. Perry's request for the blessing of another minister logically suggests that he recognizes and values their holy authority. The blessing upon Perry "declared" a "leadership role beyond Texas."
So, what do we know about Gov. Perry?
He is a very religious man.
He unabashedly incorporates religion and religious ceremonies into his philosophy of government.
He sought out the blessing of the NAR as a religious body that he recognizes as authoritative.
The blessing declared him a holy leader beyond Texas.
The group whose blessing he sought out, honestly believes that it is lead by new age Apostles who were selected to overthrow the government with an "army of God," in preparation for the End of Days.
I know you're not religious, and I agree that a strict separation of church and state is a cornerstone of our constitutional government, but of all the people who should support such a separation, the religious fundamentalists should support it the most.
The separation protects the CHURCH as much as it does the state. Churches that become embroiled in political matters eventually become corrupted when the day comes that they have to support their party even in the face of the inhumane and ungodly acts of their government. There's a natural conflict there. Staying out of politics allows the church to maintain its independence.
Again, I can't prove what's in Perry's mind, but if these reports are true, there should be enough concern for the electorate to at least investigate it and ask for some answers.