Tony Perkins, president of the
Christian conservative Family Research Council (FRC), on Friday
criticized President Barack Obama's response to flooding in
Louisiana.
Obama has signed a disaster
declaration, making federal funding available to affected individuals
in the parishes of East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena and
Tangipahoa. The action also makes funding available on a
cost-sharing basis to the state, eligible local governments and
certain private nonprofit organizations.
Perkins said that he and his family
were forced to escape their home by canoe.
“This is a flood, I would have to say
of near biblical proportions,” he said during a telephone interview
in which he called the flood a sign that God considers them “worthy
of suffering for his sake.”
Perkins has previously said that he
believes natural disasters are God's response to increasing support
for LGBT rights. During an interview last year, Perkins agreed with
Rabbi Jonathan Cahn's statement that God had sent Hurricane Joaquin
to Hawaii because he was angry about the legalization of gay marriage
and abortion. “God is trying to send us a message,” Perkins is
quoted as saying.
Appearing Friday on Fox News, Perkins
cheered the news that Donald Trump would tour the area, saying that
Trump “could have sent a post card and it would be more than Barack
Obama has done.”