Ted Cruz: 'Pray' for discrimination because same-sex marriage is 'heartbreaking'

Tea party-backed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) this week called on his supporters to "simply pray" that LGBT Americans were not allowed to have equal rights because the thought of same-sex marriage was "heartbreaking."

In an interview on Monday, conservative radio host Janet Mefferd asked Cruz why he felt the need to introduce the "State Marriage Defense Act" in an effort to undo the Supreme Court's decision striking down parts of the federal government's ban on marriage equality.

The Texas Republican accused advocacy groups of using "brute power" to wage an assault and "subvert our democratic system."

"They want to use brute power to force the states to take down marriage laws that have been in place for centuries, and that's inconsistent with the Constitution," he opined. "And it's not right, and it's heartbreaking. Because you and I both know that the best environment for children to be raised is a loving home with a mother and father."

Cruz said that there was "an awakening" of "millions" of Americans who were lining up behind his campaign against marriage equality.

But in addition to traditional activism, he also encourage people to ask God to deny marriage rights to gay and lesbian people.

"I think the most important thing your listeners can do is simply pray," Cruz said. "Because we need a great deal of prayer. Because marriage is really, really being undermined by a concerted effort. And it's causing significant harm."

Listen to the audio below from the Janet Mefferd Show, uploaded by Right Wing Watch.

[Photo: Ted Cruz via Gage Skidmore]