Radical pastor who compared Trump to Hitler is pushed out of liberal church by fed up parishioners

Radical pastor who compared Trump to Hitler is pushed out of liberal church by fed up parishioners

A pastor who compared Donald Trump’s election to the ‘gathering dark of Hitler’s rule’ has been ousted from his church.

Reverend Dr Ben Boswell has been asked to step down from his position at the liberal Myers Park Baptist in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The decision came weeks after he delivered a blistering sermon in which he warned that Trump’s election would lead to a ‘crucifixion’ of migrants and transgender and non-binary people.

The president was elected on a platform promising mass deportations and made an executive order stating there are only two genders among his first actions on taking office. 

‘Many believe they have lost more than election. Many believe they have lost their rights and their freedom. Their autonomy, their faith, their country,’ Boswell said.

‘Our faith also teaches us that every crucifixion needs a witness. The fight is not over, it’s just beginning.’ 

The sermon received a standing ovation from the congregation, but not long after the church’s board voted 17-3 to ask Boswell to resign.

In audio obtained by NPR, board members cited dismal attendance as the reason for the decision.

Reverend Dr Ben Boswell, who compared Donald Trump ‘s election to the ‘gathering dark of Hitler’s rule’, has been ousted from his church

‘Ben has been given every chance to change his words and actions to appeal to a broader audience, but has not been successful in doing so,’ then-head Marcy McClanahan said.

‘We have got to put more butts in the seats, butts in the seat,’ Deacon Robert Dulin added.

During Boswell’s tenure, attendance has plunged by around 200 down from 350 when he arrived in 2016 with many complaining his focus on politics and racial justice has turned them off his sermons.

Myers Park Baptist is a liberal church located in one of the most affluent and majority white neighborhoods in Charlotte.

The church has a long-standing commitment to civil rights and states its mission is to, ‘boldly practicing the compassion and justice of Jesus by working with the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed’.

A sign on the front of the church states that it is ‘Open to all, now and forevermore’ and celebrated ’80 years of inclusivity, community, spirituality and justice.’

Still, Dulin claims that many parishioners felt they were being ‘indicted’ because they are white. 

Former congregant Elizabeth Peterson, who is in her 60s, said she left after feeling alienated by the focus on LGBTQ+ rights and people of color. She is now eying a return following Boswell’s departure. 

Boswell was a minister at the liberal Myers Park Baptist in Charlotte, North Carolina

Boswell was a minister at the liberal Myers Park Baptist in Charlotte, North Carolina 

Church member Carol Pearsall, 73, is among those who say they have become tired of Boswell's 'guilt-trips' during his social justice focused sermons

Church member Carol Pearsall, 73, is among those who say they have become tired of Boswell’s ‘guilt-trips’ during his social justice focused sermons

Church member Carol Pearsall, 73, is still an active parishioner but told NPR she empathizes with their view point. 

‘I was ready for less guilt-trip and more love,’ said Pearsall, who remains a fan of Boswell.

Three deacons resigned over the decision, including former Deacon Allen Davis who warned that the church had ‘snatched’ the keys from a minister, ‘who had been pushing us to confront whiteness to challenge racial justice in our community’.

Congregant Nicholas Rhyne, 30, said there has been a ‘generational divide’ in the response to Boswell’s sermons. 

‘There’s a group of us who are younger and more passionate and maybe a tad more progressive who are fed up with just being told to wait, don’t worry,’ said Rhyne. 

Bruce Griffin, who is a black man, said that he felt ‘betrayed’ by Boswell’s removal. 

The pastor has stood by his approach and denied additional claims that his focus on social justice led to him neglecting other aspects of the job.

He delivered a blistering sermon in which he warned that Trump's election would lead to a 'crucifixion' of migrants and transgender and non-binary people

He delivered a blistering sermon in which he warned that Trump’s election would lead to a ‘crucifixion’ of migrants and transgender and non-binary people

Myers Park Baptist Church is in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Charlotte

Myers Park Baptist Church is in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Charlotte

‘My feeling is that as a progressive congregation, as a progressive pastor, our job right now is not to back away but to double down,’ Boswell said.

Church leaders insisted that Boswell had not been shut out due to his progressive stance and highlighted their commitment to their 

‘One person’s leaving does not change that path at all,’ McClanahan said.

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