Columnist contrasts Elder Russell M. Nelson and Rev. Robert Jeffress

"In comparing the hate-filled language of Jeffress with the words and good deeds of the Mormons we met, " Obeidallah writes, "it is clear to me who is best following the teachings of Jesus Christ and truly deserves to be called a Christian."

Rev. Jeffress wasn't spared criticism in Dallas, where his 10,000-member First Baptist Church is located. Editorial writers for the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday offered the opinion that "Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress has a right to his opinions, but whether from the pulpit or before a national audience making a presidential endorsement, there's no place for the kinds of low blows he struck against former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney."No one expects a Baptist minister to embrace the tenets of another religion," the Morning News editorial continued. "In the realm of national politics, though, the values of civility and religious tolerance must hold sway. On this point, we have to agree with Romney: 'Poisonous language doesn't advance our cause. It's never softened a single heart or changed a single mind.' Jeffress certainly feels duty-bound to stand firm on his beliefs. It's his public delivery that badly needs polishing."

Even the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights has chosen to weigh in on the subject of Rev. Robert Jeffress. In a brief story on the organization's website, last weekend's events were retold, including Rev. Jeffress' "derisive" comments about not only the LDS Church, but also subsequent statements in which he referred to Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism as "false religions."

"Last year," the website notes, "Rev. Jeffress said the Roman Catholic Church was the outgrowth of a 'corruption' called the 'Babylonian mystery.' He continued, 'Much of what you see in the Catholic Church today doesn't come from God's word. It comes from that cult-like pagan religion. Isn't that the genius of Satan?'"

"Where did they find this guy?" Catholic League president Bill Donohue asks. "When theological differences are demonized by the faithful of any religion – never mind by a clergyman – it makes a mockery of their own religion. Rev. Jeffress is a poster boy for hatred, not Christianity."

EMAIL: jwalker@desnews.com