The article about the controversy surrounding the gay pride events in Arlington should give us reason for pause (“Arlington churches waged covert ‘battle’ against Pride event, records show,” The Herald, June 22).
While fully supporting the right for those opposed to such activities to openly express their views, what’s more objectionable here is the behind-the-scenes dealings with the city of Arlington including redacting many of their communications. One can’t help but ask, why work in the dark, ashamed of their actions maybe, or something more sinister? And no, this isn’t about supporting any particular community, gay or otherwise, it’s about constitutional freedoms.
One of those reported to be leading this charge, Pastor Keith Kippen, of Jake’s House Church, is an avowed Christian Nationalist, a theology that believes the United States should be a Christian nation above all. Kippen also held a Trump rally in 2016, his right, yet inexplicably was supporting a body-groping womanizer at the time and now found civilly liable for a sexual assault. Last year during a sermon he said, “God put it in Donald Trump’s hands to make this nation great again. It wasn’t Trump’s idea, it was God’s.”
Somehow, that’s seriously doubtful.
As alarming as all this should be for the rest of us, it’s fairly reassuring to also read 76 percent of Americans support LGBTQ+ protections according to a 2023 poll by the Public Religious Research Institute. Thank God we don’t live in a country having to worry about who’s banging on our door. Yet.
Dennis Doolittle
Arlington
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
