On August 29, presidential hopefuls Sen. Ted Cruz and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry appeared at a "We Stand With God" rally outside of the South Carolina State House in Columbia. Around 10,000 people attended to listen to politicians and preachers. There, Cruz argued that Christian business owners are being "persecuted" by gay people. He said:

"This is the world we’re living in. If you think your faith is safe, next may be you. Next may be me. Next may be your pastor who preaches the Word from the pulpit. Next may be your sister or brother or mom who volunteers at the pregnancy crisis center.

"And you want to know how bad it can get, at that rally, we had Naghmeh Abedini, the wife of Saeed Abedini, an American citizen, a Christian pastor, sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran for the crime of preaching the Gospel."

Cruz stated that President Barack Obama has "abandoned Pastor Saeed and three other hostages in Iran!" When Perry spoke, he claimed "The foundation of America is under attack from those on the left!" Perry then said that, like Jesus, he would turn over tables and throw money-changers out of a temple. He stated that he would "turn over the tables of the money-changers of the corruption and the greed that we see in Washington, D.C.!" He then shouted "Onward Christian soldiers!"

Photo: Gage Skidmore