The conservative evangelical leader of the American Renewal Project is planning to investigate the pro-gay tendencies of Republican candidates for the White House, along with the views of their staff and spouses.
David Lane wants to expose senior Republican politicians who secretly support gay marriage, abortion and other issues traditionally associated with a liberal or left-wing platform.
Already Lane has 100,000 pastors working to make sure 80 million evangelicals and 40 million Catholics use their vote in 2016 to return a conservative Republican to the White House, according to Paul Bedard of The Washington Examiner.
The Examiner quotes Lane saying: "We need to bring these things up on the table. Evangelical pastors aren't as much interested in budget issues as they are social issues."
The American Renewal Project, known for its Pastors and Pews events that bring pastors and politicians together to discuss public issues and pray, wields influence in early primary and caucus states. Lane has already disseminated reports about Jeb Bush employing aides who support same-sex marriage.
His rationale is that personnel choices can be indicators of policy preferences.
"The challenge facing faith-grounded conservatives in 2016 is that candidates, and all those surrounding them, staff and family members, say one thing during the campaign, but then govern in the exact opposite manner once in office," Lane said in a memo to pastors.
"Moderate Republicans are fond of placing politics before principle - making an argument about electability. On the surface that sounds sly, but the results have been disastrous for the Republican Party - and America. Moderates flushed the legacy-and branding-of limited government, lower taxes, deregulation of business, and the attitude of 'the-one-thing-that-government-can-do-for-me-is-leave-me-alone' bequeathed to the Grand Old Party by President Reagan. Note: The Gipper won reelection in 1984 with 49 States while running on principle and moral absolutes."
Lane told the Examiner: "I get beat up for saying what I believe. I'm not going to let them redefine marriage."
Lane has also asked pastors to devote Sunday, 26 April to preaching about "Biblical marriage", two days before the US Supreme Court examines state bans on gay marriage.
In a letter posted on his website he says: "Pastor, It is time for You to act." Besides the prayers on 26 April, he wants the 100,000 American Renewal Project pastors to lead prayer services for two hours in their churches on 28 April when the Supreme Court hears the arguments.
Quoting the Mayflower Compact, he wrote: "This two-hour window will focus on prayer. We intend to cry for mercy for what we, Believers, have allowed to happen to our nation, that was established "For the Glory of God and the advancements of the Christian faith."
