When you have followed this phenomenon and understand both its intents and the reasoning behind it, it is not at all shocking to see such a bold-faced proclamation by the Pastor of a Mega-church. That person is simply stating a well-entrenched fact in a more public arena.
The charisma and often, the capitalistic hypocrisy that is available to self-rightous leaders of small and large bodies of people who have given themselves over to trusting and believing them via the process of association. The logic is that, superficially at least, that person talks to God and God talks back to them.
By providence they are divinely sanctioned to be in their position as leader of the flock, therefore, they speak for God and are truly righteous, hence we follow them, hang on their every word, and do what they tell us to, both privately and publicly. If God wants a Kingdom on Earth, well then, we will do everything we should and can to make it so, even though it is intolerant, barbaric, brutish, blood-thirsty, and freedom-loathing in nature. The Pastors have a shot at being top-dogs in that game, and of course, the righteous won't have to worry, (so they think) about the crimson tide of constriction and crimson rivers that flow from such an ideology. No, the torture of men, women and children, the endless stonings, and other gruesome details will only be for the non-believers, infidels, and what have you. They fail to realize that the outcome of Christo-Fascism, enacted into the law of the land, would probably become the most fearsome, awful, horrific event in history, making Counts Dracula and Draco seem as funny and effervescent as Sonny and Cher, or Mr. Bubble and Frankenberry. They certainly don't imagine the result as turning back on them concerning just how "sufficiently Christian" they may fail to be, considering the differences of opinion and vast numbers of schisms and interpretations that modern Christianity is known for.
This mentality is not at all new, and it is more pervasive than you might think, unless you become aware of the larger picture. The Christian fundamentalist impact on American politics and ideology has been gaining speed and influence now since the Reagan administration. Many of you know just how they form the base for the current Fascist regime.
They are prone to believe what they are told by people they trust and to foster and create a society that empowers them, be it by their identification with centralized, authoritarian power. That power being an ersatz version of their God's rule by anyone who can convincingly pull-off the role for them. Like nationalism, this kind of fundamentalist ideology is based on a very invasive form of group-think that capitalizes on the freedom to express and act in accordance with their religious convictions, (or the interpretation of their convictions by those who manipulate them) while, at the same time, advocating Fascist and treasonous actions that intend on foisting Mosaic Law on the larger population.
This is still a growing, grass-rootsy movement has not gone away, nor has it petered-out. In fact, the hard times ahead are certainly fertile ground for Christo-Fascist ideas along with the rather docile penchant its believers have for overt, dogmatic tyranny for all people, everywhere.
It is obviously very tempting to use the pulpit and the money it provides to steer people in directions that serve to expand your own, personal wealth, scope, and power. That's the Fascist in all of us and yes, temptation does strike these religious, talking heads, maybe harder than those who are honest about their own faults, doubts, and ignorance.
A good resource for those who really would like a primer on this state of mind and push for religious tyranny that certainly makes them a good party stop for the Taliban, (play some cards, talk shop, stone a few infidels) is the Yurica Report, (amongst others):
http://www.yuricareport.com/
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