'This is NOT the Way of the Cross': Christian Leaders Condemn White Supremacism
Christian leaders are condemning white nationalism and the alt-right movement in the wake of the violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one person dead after a car plowed through a crowd of counter-protestors.
White nationalists came to Charlottesville to protest the planned removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee where they were met by counter-protestors. The day turned ugly when the two sides began attacking each other with fists, thrown projectiles and even homemade flame-throwers.
As the protests began to break up, a car came roaring into a crowd of counter protestors, killing one person and injuring at least 26 others.
"When hell exhales the outcome is hatred. Both unacceptable and diabolical, racism must be confronted by God fearing people," Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and a member of President Trump's Evangelical Advisory Board, said in a statement released to the press.
"I condemn the forces of white nationalism, white supremacy and antisemitism that divide our country today and I also condemn those who seek to politicize it all for their political gain."
Most took to expressing their anguish and outrage at the events in Charlottesville on Twitter.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called the car attack an "act of domestic terrorism" and called for a Justice Department investigation.
I urge the Department of Justice to immediately investigate and prosecute this grotesque act of domestic terrorism. pic.twitter.com/AwJLsfUEHl
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) August 13, 2017
Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission tweeted: "I am grieved to the core to think that this is the United States of America that I'm watching on live television right now."
I am grieved to the core to think that this is the United States of America I am watching on live television right now.
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) August 12, 2017
Moore has condemned white supremacy as 'satanic' and in June the SBC voted to condemn the movement.
Moore repeated that message on Twitter: "The so-called Alt-Right white supremacist ideologies are anti-Christ and satanic to the core. We should say so."
The so-called Alt-Right white supremacist ideologies are anti-Christ and satanic to the core. We should say so. #SBC17
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) June 14, 2017
Kay Warren, wife of Saddleback mega-church pastor Rick Warren, tweeted: "This is NOT the way of the cross or the savior who died on it. There is no place for alt-right ideologies in our churches or in our country."
This is NOT the way of the Cross or the Savior who died on it. There is no place for alt-right ideologies in our churches or n our country. https://t.co/YwFgoMOKFi
— Kay Warren (@KayWarren1) August 12, 2017
"Violence and hatred are not the answer," evangelist Franklin Graham tweeted. He also called for prayer for those who lost loved ones and for law enforcement, adding a scripture verse: "God's Word tells us, 'Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." (
)It is such a tragedy—life was lost and many people were injured in VA. Violence and hatred aren’t the answer. https://t.co/w2kfpUotR0
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) August 13, 2017
God’s Word tells us, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) ).August 13, 2017
Pray for the injured and those who lost loved ones in #Charlottesville today. Pray for law enforcement--and for peace.
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) August 13, 2017
Bible teacher Beth Moore spoke out: "We cannot renounce what we will not name. It's called White Supremacy. And it is from hell. Call it. Condemn it."
She also quoted scripture: "Stand against the schemes of the devil...withstand in the evil day & havind done ALL to stand FIRM. Stand therefore." Not sitting this out.
We cannot renounce what we will not name. It's called White Supremacy. And it is from hell. Call it. Condemn it.
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) August 13, 2017
"Stand against the schemes of the devil...withstand in the evil day & having done ALL to stand FIRM. Stand therefore." No sitting this out.
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) August 12, 2017
At a press conference, President Trump's condemned "this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides."
Wheaton College professor and former Executive Director of Lifeway Research Ed Stetzer responded to his remarks: "Glad to see the President speak out, particularly since many of these people have been emboldened by his election."
Glad to see the President speak out, particularly since many of these people have been emboldened by his election... now there's more to do. https://t.co/cGG28sjbJa
— Ed Stetzer (@edstetzer) August 12, 2017
Some criticized the president for not going far enough because he did not specify white supremacism or the Alt-Right movement.
"Trump is very, very specific when he wants to condemn someone -- ask the Khans, Judge Curiel, Comey, his AG -- his vagueness has a purpose," tweeted National Review writer and longtime Trump critic David French.
Trump is very, very specific when he wants to condemn someone - ask the Khans, Judge Curiel, Comey, his AG - his vagueness has a purpose.
— David French (@DavidAFrench) August 12, 2017
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., called on the president to make it clear that he regards this as a terror attack by white supremacists.
Very important for the nation to hear @potus describe events in #Charlottesville for what they are, a terror attack by #whitesupremacists
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 12, 2017
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., called for a national effort to heal the country of racial divison: "As a nation, we must recommit to build respectful unity together & honor the human dignity of all people," he wrote.
As a nation, we must recommit to build respectful unity together & honor the human dignity of all people. https://t.co/xan2MSCsPv
— Sen. James Lankford (@SenatorLankford) August 12, 2017
Many members of President Trump's Evangelical Advisory Board also condemned racism and white supremacy. See their tweets below:
The tragedy of Charlottesville... pic.twitter.com/6ITVmTUbWE
— Paula White-Cain (@Paula_White) August 13, 2017
Like my heroes Wilberforce & Bonhoeffer, I see racism as the very antithesis of the love of Jesus for all. So white nationalism is Satanic.
— Eric Metaxas (@ericmetaxas) August 13, 2017
The issue of racism is from Satan and his demonic forces of hell. Racism is completely opposite of the message of Christ and reconcilation.
— Ronnie Floyd (@ronniefloyd) August 12, 2017
Let there be no misunderstanding. Racism is sin. Period.
— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) August 13, 2017
White supremacy and its movements are evil to the core and are to be condemned. There is no place for this in America
— Jack Graham (@jackngraham) August 12, 2017
The hate seen in America today is overcome by the love of God. Only Jesus can unite a divided nation
— Jack Graham (@jackngraham) August 12, 2017
Those who twist the cross of Christ into a swastika exchange His message of love and redemption for one of hatred and evil.
— Ralph Reed (@ralphreed) August 13, 2017
Our thoughts & prayers are with families of those who lost their lives in VA. I condemn ethnic & racial bigotry in all its ugly forms.
— Ralph Reed (@ralphreed) August 13, 2017
God hates racism.https://t.co/UjpKCfS1cV
— Johnnie Moore ن (@JohnnieM) August 13, 2017