HOUSTON — Mega church Pastor Dr. Ed Young called Democrats "some kind of religion that is basically godless" during an impromptu speech at Congressman John Culberson’s election watch party Tuesday night.
Dr. Young declined KHOU 11 News' interview requests for explanation.
His comments came after Rep. Culberson’s concession speech. Members of the crowd asked Dr. Young to lead a closing prayer. Before doing so, Dr. Young spoke. He told a story about a Pennsylvania man kicked out the Democratic Party for being too radical in a religious comment posted on Facebook.
“That ladies and gentlemen is what we’re up against,” Dr. Young told the crowd. “It’s no longer a party. It’s some kind of religion that is basically God-less and as long as America, and this is represented by every Democrat I know, does not believe in the sacredness of the life in the mother’s womb God will not bless America or make us a great nation.”
Rev. Leslie Smith II, pastor for Change Ministries based in Houston, said he was unsure if Young understood what he was saying at the time.
"Because I’m sure at his church there are some Democrats," Smith said. "There are some Republicans. There are some Libertarians. There are some non-affiliates.”
Joel Goza, a former pastor and author, said he found Young's comments to be embarrassing because he knows a lof of committed Christians who vote Democratic.
“We have very problematic political realities facing our nation," Goza said. "So when I hear people like Dr. Ed Young, I feel like I’m listening to someone who has one-dimensional thinking in a three-dimensional world.”
“That’s just one individual’s view and perspective,” Rev. Smith said. “If we believe he was off-base in his comments, let’s love him and forgive him and accept him but not isolate him.”