PHILADELPHIA — Dozens of African American “pastors” from across the nation recently gathered at a private event for pro-abortion, homosexual “marriage” advocate Hillary Clinton, and laid hands on her to “decree and declare the favor of the Lord” on her for the presidency.

“Until He comes again, Secretary Clinton and President-to-be Clinton, we decree and declare from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet that the favor of the Lord will surround you like a shield, in Jesus’ name,” the clergy said, repeating after Kirbyjon Caldwell, who leads Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston.

Clinton had traveled to Philadelphia last Wednesday for two events, one a fundraiser at Franklin Square Capital Partners in South Philadelphia, and the other a meeting with the ministers at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. An estimated 100 black clergy had been invited to attend the event with the Democratic candidate, but half of those invited were present.

Clinton nodded as those gathered around her laid hands on her and engaged in the “decree and declare” practice.

Cynthia Hale of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia and Otis Moss Jr., pastor emeritus of Olive Institutional Baptist Church in LaGrange, Georgia moderated the event, according to the Philadelphia Tribune. Clinton spoke to those gathered about various issues, such as gun violence, treatment of blacks by law enforcement and the economy.

“I want to be your partner, not just your president,” she also said.

According to NBC News, at the conclusion of the meeting, 28 of the 50 clergy present pledged their support to a Clinton presidency, including Mother Bethel’s Mark Kelly Tyler.

“I’m not saying that I’m voting for her just because she’s a woman but I’m certainly voting for her because she’s qualified, she’s capable, she’s ready to lead and the fact that she’s a woman is a plus,” he said. “We need to diversify our country.”

However, some ministers nationwide have spoken out against Hillary Clinton, noting that her beliefs and policies run contrary to the word of God.

“I hate the radical departure from holiness that our country continues to take, all while people stand by and cheer our ‘progress.’ God loathes homosexuality (not the homosexual) and yet many in America embrace homosexual marriage. Is God pleased? Ask Sodom and Gomorrah,” writes Bryan Ridenour on his blog “America, Look Up.”

“We slaughter over one million babies per year in the womb. The number’s staggering. Are Christians supposed to remain mum about this tragic court-approved holocaust? Is God pleased if we just look the other way?” he said. “When a candidate idolizes Margaret Sanger and is a darling of Emily’s List, conservatives need to run, not walk, in the other direction.”

Ridenour said that God will hold His people responsible for who they choose as their leader.

“If a church member asks in 2016 if I can support Hillary Clinton, I can unequivocally respond, ‘Not in this lifetime,’” he stated. “If we vote for leaders who support abortion on demand, then we essentially hold the surgical knife that strips life from the womb. If we vote for leaders who support and champion gay marriage, we in effect officiate at their ceremonies. God holds us accountable for what we do behind the voting booth curtain.”

“To those apathetic to the spiritual condition of America, we cannot expect God’s blessing if we kowtow to Hollywood’s mores and Washington’s track record of lies and deceit,” Ridenour said. “If we love America, we must bitterly cling to the Bible and our constitutional and God-given rights. Let’s not forget: ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…’ Psalm 33:12.”

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