Ted Cruz: There Is 'Liberal Fascism' Against Christians in Democratic Party
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has said that there is "liberal fascism" against Christians within the Democratic Party, pointing to cases of business being punished for refusing service to same-sex weddings.
"There is a liberal fascism that is dedicated to going after believing Christians who follow the biblical teaching on marriage," Cruz told on Saturday a Christian conservative audience in Waukee, Iowa, CNN reported.
He added that Democrats have become "intolerant" of Christians views and said that "there is no room for Christians in today's Democratic Party."
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Cruz, who announced that he will be seeking the GOP presidential nomination for 2016, said that the violation of religious freedom rights of business owners goes against America's founding principles.
"We were founded by men and women fleeing religious persecution," the Texas senator said.
"We need leaders who will stand unapologetically in defense of the Judeo-Christian values upon which America was built," he added.
There have been a number of ongoing cases concerning bakeries and other business who have refused to cater to customers seeking services for gay weddings.
One such business, Indiana bakery 111 Cakery, which declined a request to make a cake for a gay wedding because of the owner's religious views that go against the practice, decided to close shop for good in March following the controversy.
Cruz, a Southern Baptist, has strongly backed a number of conservative positions as he forms his presidential-candidacy platform.
Last week, he urged pastors across American to preach and pray against same-sex marriage, and argued that traditional marriage between a man and a woman "was God's idea, and He will preserve it, with or without us."
"We know that marriage is intended to be sacred, beautiful, and nourishing. If you do not influence your congregation's understanding of marriage, who will fill the void? Hollywood? Divorce courts?" he asked in a letter sent to tens of thousands of pastors.
"Prayer moves our God to intervene in history. Prayer softens our hearts and brings us into alignment with the heart of God. The church has not shared the truth about marriage well: it is time to repent and commit ourselves to courage on this front."
Cruz added that regardless of the outcome of the Supreme Court hearing on gay marriage on Tuesday, April 28, "the truth will never be obsolete," and said that the traditional definition of marriage will stay relevant.
Cruz has also said, however, that he would not turn away either of his daughters if they revealed themselves to be gay.
"If one of my daughters was gay, I would love them just as much," Cruz reportedly said at a private event in New York City.
