NORMAN, Okla. (AP) – An Oklahoma lawmaker who has said homosexuality poses a bigger threat to the U.S. than terrorism claims she is a “cultural warrior for Judeo-Christian values.”

Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, told members of the Cleveland County Republican Club Aug. 5 that being a conservative means supporting religion and morals in government as strongly as cutting taxes.

Quoting George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and others, Kern said the Founding Fathers expected U.S. government and society to be directed by biblical principles.

“I am not saying everyone has to be Christian; this is not a homogenous nation,” Kern said. “What you have to be is someone who believes in a Judeo-Christian ethic, in other words, in knowing there’s a right and wrong.

“Not all lifestyles are equal; not all religions are equal,” she said. “Was I saying all people are not equal? Heavens no; we were all created equal.”

Kern repeated her opposition to gay marriage and homosexuality, though the lawmaker said she supports people’s individual rights.

She got national attention this year when she said the homosexuality agenda is “the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam.”

Democrat Ron Marlett, 59, of Warr Acres, is challenging Kern for the District 84 House seat. Marlett has said he wants to represent all the district’s residents “equally with no discrimination as to race, religion, gender or sexual preference.”

Kern, who is running for a third term, walked to the lectern on crutches and said she’s dealing with bulging disks and an irritated sciatic nerve. She started by explaining how she, a schoolteacher and minister’s wife, became a state representative.

“I expected to run and lose, and then be a better government teacher, but I won,” Kern said. “My Lord made it very clear to me that I’m a cultural warrior for Judeo-Christian values.”