The Presbyterian Church in America’s annual General Assembly in Richmond, Va., is currently taking place this week. This small, conservative Christian denomination was my family’s church for over 15 years, but they recently canceled me. I was deemed too divisive to speak at the gathering, where I was supposed to discuss the challenges of toxic polarization.
Originally, I was invited to join a panel on supporting pastors and church leaders in a politically polarized year, along with three other panelists. The reason for my invitation was the intense online and real-life attacks I’ve faced. However, once my participation was announced, the attacks resumed – from misleading essays and vicious tweets to letters and even a parody song. The message was clear: they wanted me off the stage.
In response to the controversy, the conference organizers decided to cancel not just me but the entire panel. The concern was that my presence would disrupt the peace and unity of the church. My family joined the P.C.A. denomination in 2004 when we lived in Philadelphia and attended Tenth Presbyterian Church in Center City. Back then, the denomination seemed like a perfect fit for us – I was both theologically and politically conservative, and though I was a Republican at the time, the church felt relatively apolitical. There were no political messages from the pulpit, and I worshipped alongside friends from both sides of the political spectrum.
The decision to cancel me highlights the growing tensions and divisions within churches and communities across the country. It raises important questions about how we navigate polarization and disagreement in today’s society. As a society, we must learn to engage in respectful dialogue and listen to diverse perspectives, even when they challenge our own beliefs. Only through open and honest communication can we hope to bridge the divides that threaten to tear us apart.
In a time when unity and understanding are more important than ever, my experience serves as a poignant reminder of the work that still needs to be done. It is a call to action for all of us to come together, despite our differences, and strive towards a more inclusive and compassionate society. Let us not allow fear and division to dictate our actions, but instead choose love and empathy as we move forward together.