(Image Source: NBC)

BY JIM FLINK

You're watching multisource politics news analysis from Newsy.

Is GOP candidate Rick Perry being attacked for being a Christian?
Wife Anita thinks so, telling a South Carolina audience this week, the Perry’s are under attack by the media -- and by other GOP candidates.

“We are being brutalized by our opponents in our own party.  So much of that is, when you look at him, because of his faith ... and I definitely feel like God called him to, and I believe we are here for that purpose.”

The comments come in the same week a prominent Perry backer, Texas pastor Robert Jeffress, called Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith a cult. KSL has more.

"(Jeffress) That’s not some fanatical comment.
(Reporter) Robert Jeffress leads the first baptist church of Dallas and introduced Perry today at the value’s voter summit, a conservative event in Washington. Jeffress says Rick Perry is a true christian.  as for Romney.
(Jeffress) I think that Romney is a good moral man. But I think those of us who are born again followers of Christ should always prefer competent Christian to a competent non-Christian like Mitt Romney."

Other religious leaders have come to Jeffress’ defense. Rev. Bryant Wright of the Southern Baptist convention agrees with Jeffress.

“It is a cult, in the sense that it does not adhere to what would be traditional or orthodox biblical teaching. But Dennis, it’s really been kind of comical at the outrage of some folks when it’s called a cult….”

Some aren’t finding any of this comical at all. The Miami Herald is calling on Perry to diverge from the faith talk.

“...this kind of language has no place in our political discourse, and it’s time for Perry and his fellow Republican candidates to say so. Perry, a born-again Christian who once sold Bible reference books door to door, may find it cumbersome trying to distance himself from the likes of Jeffress, and difficult selling his faith as tolerant enough for one who wants to be leader of the free world.”

Perry isn’t distancing himself from Jeffress -- telling ABC’s George Stephanopolis this isn’t an issue of faith -- but free speech.

“Look I’m not gonna say that he can’t say what he wants to say. The issue is are we gonna tell people what they can say.  And I’m not gonna be one of those.  This is a country where we truly have freedom of expression.  There are going to be people who say things about me, and even President Obama that are offensive.”

TIME’s Swampland says, the Perrys’ claim of being brutalized for being Christian is a clear call to arms.

“It is a clearly an appeal to traditional evangelical voters, many of whom have historically been cool to voting for a Mormon candidate.  It remains to be seen whether the general public will receive them the same way.”

Transcript by Newsy