“White people were even at the foot of the cross: they were the Roman Guards.” — First United Church of Oak Park
On Monday, Turning Point USA broke the news that First United Church of Oak Park in Illinois was “fasting from whiteness” for 40 days as a spiritual practice.
National outcry has quickly followed, with dozens of outlets condemning First United Church for instigating such blatant division in the name of Christianity among its congregation.
Shockingly, First United Church has now doubled-down on its intention to “fast from whiteness” in a press statement made in response to Turning Point USA’s reporting.
In the press statement, First United Church has recommitted itself to expunging all contributions made by white people in its worship services to better prepare for Holy Week—the week preceding Easter, and culminating in the celebration of Easter Sunday.
First United Church states that the church, “decided to take Jesus of Nazareth’s instruction to ‘Follow me’ literally this Lenten season,” which is why the church is “abstaining” from using hymns and songs created by white people.
According to First United Church, following Christ “literally” means giving up contributions made to Christian worship by white people.
In a bizarre twist of rationale, Rev. John Edgerton seems to claim that any push-back against First United Church’s “fasting from whiteness” initiative is a symptom that, “We must love our redeemer more than our whiteness, and kneel before our redeemer who is a dark-sinned man.”
Rev. John Edgerton, pictured above, is noticeably white. However, Rev. Edgerton seems to state that white people today are linked to the Roman guards who crucified Jesus through their whiteness, and must “love our Redeemer enough to put down our spears.”
First United Church mentioned Turning Point USA by name in its press statement, stating that we criticized their “fasting from whiteness” Lenten practice.
While Turning Point USA simply reported what the church had itself posted on its own front lawn, and made no hateful comment, it is true that Turning Point USA condemns this abhorrent practice of canceling musical contributions by white artists, linking the Roman guards to fellow white Americans because of their skin color, and using Christianity as a vehicle for fanning racism, prejudice, and tribalism—all peddled by First United Church, and Rev. John Edgerton.
