Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a candidate for
the Republican presidential nomination, said last week that he hopes
the Supreme Court's recent ruling striking down gay marriage bans in
all 50 states would provoke a massive backlash.
Speaking at a Georgia church's
Independence Day celebration, Cruz condemned the decision.
“It is my hope that that marriage
decision serves as a spark to start a fire that becomes a raging
inferno and an awakening that sweeps this country as the body of
Christ rise up to defend the values that have built America into this
great nation that we are,” Cruz
told the audience.
He also criticized Republican
politicians who “publicly issued critical statements” and
privately celebrated in backrooms with champagne because “they do
not intend to stand for religious liberty.”
“I will always, always, always stand
and defend the religious liberty of every American,” Cruz said.
(Related: Ted
Cruz promises to run on opposition to gay marriage, Obamacare.)