WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention’s top public policy official called Barack Obama “the worst president of the United States that Israel has ever had” at a rally for social conservatives held June 3-4 in Washington.
“The reason I am a social conservative is because I believe the Bible,” Richard Land, president of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said Saturday at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference and strategy briefing.
Describing God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12 and reaffirmation of an “everlasting” covenant with his descendants in Genesis 17, Land said, “When God says everlasting, he means everlasting, and when God says I will bless them that bless you and I will curse them that curse you, he means it.”
“If we want God to bless America, then we have to bless the Jews,” Land said “God gave that land to his chosen people forever. That issue is settled by God Almighty.”
Land said Israel is more like America than any other country “because we are founded on the same basis, the word of God.”
“God blesses us when we obey him, and he doesn’t bless us when we disobey him,” Land said. “Israel has an ally far more powerful than the United States of America. He’s called the Lion of Judah.”
Land said there is “no question” that both President Obama and his policies are “pro-Palestinian.”
Formed in 2009 by former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed, the Faith and Values Coalition exists to promote values of “faith, hard work, marriage, family [and] personal responsibility,” according to the group’s website.
Speakers at this year’s gathering included top Republican presidential contenders Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman, Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann.
Land closed his remarks with “a word of encouragement for our friends in Israel.”
“My dear friends, help is on the way,” Land said. “With absolute confidence I can tell you that social conservatives in this country are with one voice saying ‘Israel today, Israel tomorrow and Israel forever.’”
“We are with you because God is with you,” Land said. “We understand that, and we are going to defend your right to live in the land that God gave to you and to your children. Rest assured, help is on the way. You are not alone.”
Bob Allen is managing editor of Associated Baptist Press.