There are about two million children being homeschooled in the United States today. The number of children being taught in the home continues to rise dramatically - it doubled between 1999 and 2007, and continues to increase. Given that many parents choose to homeschool because they want to shield their children from "liberal" ideas, including evolution, equality, and secularism, it's no wonder the religious right is catering to these influential voters.
On Thursday, Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, and Rick Santorum attended the Network of Iowa Christian Homeschoolers' annual Iowa Homeschool Day at the Capitol, in Des Moines. It was moderated by right-wing pundit Steve Deace, and sponsored by the Family Leader, an anti-gay group whose leader, Bob Vander Plaats, was accused of attempting to be paid for endorsing Rick Santorum in the 2012 campaign.
Proud to be sponsoring NICHE Homeschool Iowa Capitol Day #theFamilyLeader pic.twitter.com/l2rrE9YXW8
— The FAMiLY LEADER (@theFAMiLYLEADER) April 9, 2015
During the event, which was attended by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, of course, Ted Cruz rallied the faithful against gay people.
.@duggarfam event w @GovMikeHuckabee at Iowa homeschool day was a hit. They are all in for Huckabee2016! #iacaucus pic.twitter.com/DaWF0m9kPS
— teamhuckIA (@teamhuckIA) April 9, 2015
"We look at the jihad that is being waged right now, in Indiana, and in Arkansas," Cruz preached, "going after people of faith who respect the biblical teaching that marriage is the union of one man and one woman."
In other words, gay people are waging a jihad - which is an Arabic word for war against non-believers of Islam - against Christians. Never mind that like most Americans, most gay people are Christians, Cruz is only too happy to campaign as a school yard bully, the son of a religious fanatic and preacher, against the LGBT community.
"We need to bring people together," he continues, "to the religious liberty values that built this country."
"This election needs to be about bringing together that consensus again," Cruz, a disciple of Christian king-maker and American Family Association beneficiary David Lane, told his flock.
.@tedcruz kicks off town-hall with NICHE educators at Homeschool Iowa day. Let the Q&A begin! pic.twitter.com/Om9tEk2Xbs
— Catherine Frazier (@catblackfrazier) April 9, 2015
Watch:
Image via Twitter Hat tip and video: Right Wing Watch
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