LaPorte Church of Christ
LaPorte Church of Christ is an independent church in Laporte, Colorado, led by Peter J. Peters (November 13, 1946 – July 7, 2011) until his death in 2011.[1] Peters proclaimed that Europeans are the true Israel and that contemporary Jews may be of the synagogue of Satan (based on Revelation 2:9 and 3:9) and the descendants of the biblical Esau (Edom), the brother and nemesis of Jacob (Israel).[citation needed] Critics labeled his message to be that of Christian Identity,[2][3]: 239 although he rejected this label.[4] The church is no longer associated with the decentralized group of churches that use the name "Churches of Christ".
The church served mainly as a platform for Peter's views and its membership never went above 100. It attracted white supremacists, including the members of the terrorist organization The Order who murdered radio talk show host Alan Berg with whom Peters had clashed on Berg's radio program.[5]
The church became involved in a controversy in Colorado, related to an amendment against homosexuality, which led to it being fined for a minor violation of election laws. Peters refused to pay the fine and the church was seized by the state in February 1993 as the debt exceeded $10,000.[3]: 241
References
- ^ Morlin, Bill (July 15, 2011). "Influential Christian Identity Pastor Dies". Hatewatch. Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ "Peter J. "Pete" Peters". Anti-Defamation League. Archived from the original on June 28, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Kaplan, Jeffrey, ed. (2000). Encyclopedia of White Power: a Sourcebook on the Radical Racist Right. AltaMira Press. ISBN 0-7425-0340-2. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ Peters, Peter. "Be Wise as Serpents--Reject the 'Identity' Label". Scriptures for America. Archived from the original on July 3, 2007. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ Atkins, Stephen (September 13, 2011). Encyclopedia of Right-Wing Extremism In Modern American History. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-59884-350-7. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
External links
- Scriptures for America Worldwide (Peter J. Peters' church website & radio show)
- Influential Christian Identity Pastor Dies
Coordinates: 40°37′33″N 105°08′06″W / 40.62584°N 105.13496°W