Church Leader Worships Whites

Like Fred Phelps, Matthew Hale, leader of the World Church of the Creator (WCOTC), has garnered mass media attention for his extremist message. But where Phelps condemns homosexuals, Hale preaches racial domination.

The 28-year-old Hale first skyrocketed from relative obscurity to nationwide recognition after a member of his race-worshiping congregation, Benjamin Smith, went on a Fourth of July weekend shooting spree that killed two, wounded nine, and left a stunned nation questioning the views of the WCOTC.

Hale’s church does not claim to be Christian. WCOTC was formed by Ben Klassen, a Ukrainian immigrant, who founded the racist, anti-Semitic church on the idea that “what is good for the white race is of the highest virtue.” Hale discovered Creativity, the church’s name for white worship, after he failed at reconciling his racism with Christian principles.

“I realized Christianity was bad for the white race,” he explains. “Turning the other cheek and loving your brother is fatal. Every time whites try to lift up other races, they end up pulling us down.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a group that tracks racist activity, has confirmed at least 45 branches of the WCOTC in the United States. California, Washington, Florida, and Illinois top the list with the most congregations.

WCOTC congregations typically meet once a week on Friday or Sunday evenings. Members in one California congregation also get together on Wednesdays to read from the White Man’s Bible. The WCOTC has its own marriage, baptism, and memorial ceremonies, as well as a scriptural book that espouses the subordination of all people to the best interests of the white race.

“I think all of the white race will see me as the person who helped save their destiny and survival,” Hale told CT.

Though Hale denies making direct appeals for the slaughter or beating of other races, a report by the Anti-Defamation League found that “under Hale’s leadership has come a resurgence of the violent behavior that characterized the [WCOTC] in the late 1980s.” There have been allegations of four beatings and three murders by church members in Florida and California alone in the past three years.

In the wake of such violence, few Christian organizations have found ways to counter messages of racial hatred like Hale’s.

Since 1996, a small group of Christians in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has met at every murder site and after every Klan rally to sing, pray, and read Scripture. Besides praying for the victims of violence and their families, members of the organization Heal the Land also pray for the perpetrators of violent crimes.

Another coalition of churches and ecumenical organizations sponsored a “Journey Against Hate” at the end of July in direct response to the murders committed by WCOTC member Smith. Nancy Tegtmeier, an associate director for the Illinois Council of Churches, helped organize rallies and protests along the murderous route Smith took through Illinois and Indiana. After an antiracism march in Peoria, Illinois, a prayer meeting was held in front of Matt Hale’s home.

“We have to stop the hate and racism that is so pervasive in this country,” Tegtmeier said. “People of faith have to stand up, especially when racism is done in the name of a church.”

Copyright © 1999 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

Revelation NOW: What happens when you treat Revelation like other books of the Bible—looking at its historical context before applying its message to our day? Instead of an end-of-the-world preview, you'll find wisdom to help churches stay faithful in a hostile environment.

Cover Story

Apocalypse Now

New President Promises Reforms

Stop the Dating Game

What Hal Lindsey Taught Me About the Second Coming

Is Revelation Prophecy or History?

Called to Hate?

Time Out

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from October 25, 1999

A Quaker at War with Himself

A Nation That Sang Itself Free

Getting to Know Me

To the Church That Endures Persecution by Steve Haas

Business Funnels Profits to Churches

Church Shooting Creates New Martyrs

In Brief: October 25, 1999

Porn Store Reborn As Church

Virtue Folds

Church Aids Refugees Despite Violence

Lutherans and Catholics Sign Declaration on Justification

Christian Journalists Ponder Calling

Religious Freedom Report Released

Editorial

Moms Without Marriage

Wire Story

Pro-Life Pharmacist Sues Kmart

Wire Story

Priest Killed for Illegal Conversions

The Millenial Book Awards

Extending the Dream

Letters

Baptist Foundation Faces Fraud Charges

Interview: George W. Bush on Faith-Based Plans

Christian Filmmakers Flock to End-times Features

Editorial

Make Disciples, Not Just Converts

Wire Story

Africa: Can Christianity and Islam Coexist and Prosper?

Apocalyptic Palette

You've Got Mail

To the Suburban Churches of North America

To the Pentecostal & Charismatic Churches by Todd Hunter

To the Church Called Mainline by William H. Willimon

To the Inner-City Pastor & Church by Gardner Taylor

To the Rural Church by Susan Wise Bauer

To the Church Which Seeks Seekers by John Ortberg

View issue

Our Latest

News

Ghana May Elect Its First Muslim President. Its Christian Majority Is Torn.

Church leaders weigh competency and faith background as the West African nation heads to the polls.

Shamanism in Indonesia

Can Christians practice ‘white knowledge’ to heal the sick and exorcize demons?

Shamanism in Japan

Christians in the country view pastors’ benedictions as powerful spiritual mantras.

Shamanism in Taiwan

In a land teeming with ghosts, is there room for the Holy Spirit to work?

Shamanism in Vietnam

Folk religion has shaped believers’ perceptions of God as a genie in a lamp.

Shamanism in the Philippines

Filipinos’ desire to connect with the supernatural shouldn’t be eradicated, but transformed and redirected toward Christ.

Shamanism in South Korea

Why Christians in the country hold onto trees while praying outdoors.

Shamanism in Thailand

When guardian spirits disrupt river baptisms, how can believers respond?

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube