E.W. Jackson: Democratic Party is 'Anti-God'

By William Callahan

E.W. Jackson, the Republican candidate for Virginia's lieutenant governor, is drawing criticism for saying  the Democratic Party is “anti-God” — and that Christians should disassociate from it.

“I believe that the Democrat Party has become an anti-God party. I think it’s an anti-life party. I think it’s an anti-family party,” Jackson said last week in a radio interview, according to Salon. “And these are all things I think Christians hold to very dearly.” (Listen to audio of the exchange here.)

Jackson, a pastor and attorney from Chesapeake has repeatedly turned heads for rhetoric that critics have called anti-gay and "hateful."

• Read: EW Jackson Responds to Criticism

And Democrats hosting a media call Monday afternoon were quick to join in, calling on Jackson to apologize to Virginia Democrats who might have taken offense at the remarks.

Virginia Del. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, said the comments were both “not true” and “downright offensive.”

These “hateful comments go directly against some of the most important teachings of God,” said McClellan, adding  she was both a proud Democrat and Christian.

The Rev. Robin Gorsline, president of People of Faith for Equality, said Jackson had hurt countless people across the state with the remarks and urged him apologize.

Gorsline also said he was bothered that Jackson’s GOP running mates hadn’t disavowed the remarks.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia’s Republican candidate for governor, hasn’t addressed Jackson’s outspoken, controversial nature in the past but has said he wants his own campaign to be judged separately from Jackson’s.

See also:

• GOP Nominee: Planned Parenthood 'More Lethal' than Ku Klux Klan
• E.W. Jackson: Government is Worse for Black People than Slavery