On October 13, my friend Peter Beck and I attended a public forum called “The Psychology of Christian Nationalism” sponsored by The Rev. Jim Strader-Sasser, interim rector of The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace, an Episcopal parish in Gettysburg. After being introduced as an Episcopal priest, The Rev. Pamela Cooper-White attacked every Christian denomination, especially Evangelicals whom she accused of being White supremacists if they supported President Trump.
I was not only appalled by Cooper-White’s divisive, hate-filled rhetoric as she described her series of slides in her political presentation, I was more dismayed to see mob mentality surface after she attacked anyone in attendance who disagreed with her. At the beginning everyone, me inclusive, gave her a warm welcoming clap held close to our laps. When someone disagreed, she shouted, “I make no apologies!” Then there was loud clapping with hands now raised in the air, and one could hear venom hisses directed at those who took a different position than the guest speaker. That included me when I stated I was a Roman Catholic and our pastor would not allow such political forums in our sanctuaries, because we respect laws of separation of church and state. I explained that although our religious tax exemption would be in danger of being revoked, showing respect for others of different faiths was our priority. There clearly was not a nonpartisan religious or political atmosphere at The Prince Of Peace.
Although I have never seen our former President Trump align himself with any extremist groups, Cooper-White showed slides of President Trump and attempted to paint him as an extremist and a threat to our country. She called him a narcissistic, manipulator, terrorist destroying the Constitution and nation, anti-Muslim, Anti- Semitic, racist, fearful of loss of white social status.
On slides she displayed, she pointed to people who happened to have on a t-shirt with Jesus and Jesus Loves on them and accused them of not following Jesus if they supported Trump.
After hearing these personal attacks, I expected her next hit list. Cooper-White attacked Billy Graham, Ronald Reagan, Founding Fathers, John Wayne, and anything to do with Western Civilization. But attacking followers of Jesus who display their love for their Savior on a t-shirt was pure evil, especially coming from someone who calls herself a Christian. Those Jesus followers who were not ashamed of their faith in Jesus Christ need an apology from the speaker, the Director, and the entire participants of Prince of Peace who allowed this hate filled forum to continue. They should have stuck to their agenda of supporting unlimited abortion and child sex change mutilation that was constant sidebar interjected throughout the forum and left Jesus out of it. After the forum, I asked her, “When was Jesus, Jesus? At conception or birth?” A Christian minister would have had the answer. A radical activist refused to answer.
If anyone is still in disbelief that this disturbing event was allowed in a church environment, one can watch this very similar video of Cooper-White’s rampage that she published for all to see.
Fran Ingram, I am sorry that you had such an unpleasant experience at the lecture by Rev. Pamela Cooper-White. I was not at the lecture but have read her book and watched the suggested video of her lecture. I see Cooper-White in an entirely different light than you did. I think that what you called “hate filled” comments may have been strongly worded facts about the Christian Nationalist groups that are actual threats to our democracy. This politically extreme group was part of the January 6th insurrection (look what Mastriano did in paying for buses out of his election contribution… Read more »
I am sorry also that I had to endure such hate in a Christian church sanctuary. Mastriano and his beliefs were and never were my concerns. Labeling folks as racist and white supremacist because they believe in sanctity of life at conception based on Jesus Christ as stated in the Bible, marriage is between a woman and a man, and science supporting only two sexes is my concern and was not Christian behavior. Calling oneself a Christian does not make one. I support Trump, not because of his personality. In fact, he makes me ill. But the other candidate does… Read more »
I guess the author wasn’t attending any Mass where the priest made it clear one was to only vote for candidates who did not support reproductive justice. And even showed a film of McCain and Palin looking earnest in front of the flag of the USA.
A simple search of credible news sources will show all the times Trump supported despicable people. Vote for Trump, but don’t justify your vote by pretending you , or Trump, care about anyone other than yourself.
Although I did write a book years back on race relations, I assume you mean me as being the author you refer to, not the one at Prince of Peace. Did they name the candidates to vote for or not to vote for? I would also be appalled if they showed videos during Mass. When and what church was it, so I can write them a letter of disapproval. We have a US flag in our church, but I don’t think that is disrespectful, do you? In fact, this Sunday we prayed for a fair election and prayers for our… Read more »
I’m sick and tired of hearing about how great a Christian Trump is. I get no attention and I go to Church regularly, am not a Felon or a Rapist.
Gary, be a candidate for political office, and you will get attention more than you want. Once I was a Democratic candidate for state senate. I received bribes before the election, even from my competitors in both parties. You could only imagine the attention I would have gotten if I was elected. After following the state level candidates on both sides for almost a year at venues, I saw no difference in level of integrity. My concession speech was very short: “I may not have won the seat, but I was still a winner. I left with my integrity.” Then… Read more »