A megachurch pastor in Texas has ignited controversy by claiming that Americans who vote for Democrats are not Christians.
Landon Schott, the senior lead pastor of Mercy Culture Church, a multi-campus congregation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, made the remarks earlier this week in a video posted on Instagram. The video focused on his concerns about the Democratic Party's stance on abortion rights.
"I'm not a big Trump guy. I'm not a Republican … but there is only one party that is standing up at their convention saying that 'we're going to overturn Roe v. Wade.' Listen to me very clearly. I know people don't like this because most people aren't pastored, most people aren't confronted spiritually, and most pastors just care if people show up and give. And if they show up and give, then they don't care," Schott said in the video.
"I couldn't care less. I don't really care if you like me. I don't care if you go to our church. I care that you know God and that you're right with God. ... If you think that aligning with a party that is flippantly murdering children and celebrating it … friend, you are not on the Lord's side," he added.
The video sparked significant backlash, with many branding the remarks as a "step too far" and
The video sparked significant backlash, with many branding the remarks as a "step too far" and questioning whether Schott was suggesting that Christians should not consider themselves believers if they voted for Democrats.
In response to the outcry, Pastor Landon made a follow-up post on Instagram to clarify his stance. He stated: "I’ve been asked over and over, ‘Pastor Landon, are you saying you’re not a Christian if you vote for a Democrat?’ LET ME BE VERY CLEAR… THAT IS CORRECT!!”
“YOU ARE NOT A BIBLE-BELIEVING, JESUS-FOLLOWING CHRISTIAN IF YOU SUPPORT THE GODLESS ROMANS 1 EVIL OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY! … Please, stop pretending you’re a follower of Jesus. You’re simply a lukewarm ‘pretend Christian!!!’ (Romans 1) + (Revelation 3),” he wrote.
Landon Schott founded Mercy Culture Church, a non-denominational, charismatic congregation, in 2017 after receiving a blessing from the controversial Gateway Church founder Robert Morris. He now leads seven campuses with thousands of followers, including an online community and a Spanish-speaking congregation.