Incumbent candidate Rick Perry, in a last-ditch effort to boost his already immense popularity, decreed that morality is something that should be included in legislation. The Chronicle reported that Perry announced this not to the general public, but in a closed meeting at the Houston Grand Plaza hotel on Kirby across from Reliant Park. The majority of attendees were African American ministers.
From the Chronicle:
Gov. Rick Perry in a closed meeting Thursday told African-American ministers in Houston that government has an important function in promoting strong moral values and saving children from a "culture of godlessness.""It's a ridiculous notion to say you cannot legislate morality," Perry told the ministers.
Of course, that probably means the uniting of church and state (Jefferson's turning in his grave!), and definitely making sure that no one messes with the legislation of marriage (furthering these footsteps...d'oh).
Also, last year, Perry secretly met with some church folk to discuss the Texas Restoration Project, an offshoot of the more popular Ohio Restoration Project, which has come under fire for its extremist views, and also improperly involving churches in politics (hello IRS?).
As far as information-providing sources, Perry has been editorially endorsed by the Dallas Morning News for the gubernatorial election, even though the editorial points out that he has been criticized about educational funding, is a major proponent for coal-burning power plants, and has had a bad track record with lower income children's health insurance plans. There was no mention, however, of his religio-socio-political involvement, which is a large part of his political philosophy.
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UPDATE: 11.06.06
Today, KHOU reports that Rick Perry has made more statements about religion, and more specifically, how non-Christians are going straight to hell:
Gov. Rick Perry, after a God and country sermon attended by dozens of political candidates Sunday, said that he agreed with the minister that non-Christians will be condemned to hell.
...
[Perry] said that he believes in the inerrancy of the Bible and that those who don't accept Jesus as their savior will go to hell.
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