Joshua Feuerstein
| Joshua Feuerstein | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 7, 1981 |
| Residence | Fountain Hills, Arizona |
| Occupation | Evangelist |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Spouse(s) | Jessica Reynolds (m. 2014)[1] |
| Children | 4[1] |
Joshua Feuerstein (born January 7, 1981)[1] is an American evangelist, former pastor, and Internet personality. Feuerstein is known for posting videos where he discusses recent events such as the 2015 same-sex marriage legislation in the United States and Starbucks' red holiday cups.[2][3]
Career
Bakery video
Feuerstein first received media attention in April 2015 after he posted a video where he denounced Cut the Cake, a bakery in Longwood, Florida.[4] In the video Feuerstein stated that he had called the bakery on April 1 and asked them to make a cake with an anti-gay marriage message on it. After the owner refused Feuerstein posted the video and encouraged his followers to call the bakery themselves and show what he said was hypocrisy. This resulted in his followers attacking the bakery's Facebook page, including posting one-star reviews.[4] Feuerstein later removed the video and stated that he had done this as part of a social experiment on religious freedom.[5] Cut the Cake commented on his video, stating that his video had hurt their business and that they had received death threats over his actions.[6] The bakery held an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, through which they raised over $13,000.[7]
Second Amendment video
He received more media attention in July 2015 after uploading a video that some media outlets such as Salon and Logo felt implied that Feuerstein was encouraging followers to use violent actions against backers of anti-discrimination measures and legalized same-sex marriage.[8][9] In the video Feuerstein cited several media cases to back up claims were attacks on Christianity, such as claims that owners of the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel were going to face jail time and fines if they did not perform same-sex marriages. Towards the end of the video Feuerstein stated “They are coming after our First Amendment constitutional rights. Well, check this out. This is one pastor that will not bow. Why? Because my First Amendment right is guaranteed by my Second Amendment right.”[10] The Advocate heavily criticized Feuerstein, calling the video "disturbing".[11] Both The Advocate and the Huffington Post also pointed out that several of his claims were inaccurate.[10][11]
Planned Parenthood video
On July 29, 2015, Feuerstein also uploaded a video onto the video-sharing website Vimeo.com in which he is shown encouraging the murder of abortion doctors, "I say, tonight, we punish Planned Parenthood. I think it’s time that abortion doctors should have to run and hide and be afraid for their life.” [sic] The original video was taken down on November 30, 2015 in the aftermath of the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting but it was saved and reposted onto YouTube by several others.[12]
Starbucks video
In November 2015 Feuerstein posted a video on Facebook criticizing Starbucks for removing Christmas-related symbols from its holiday cups in favor of a solid red design.[13] The video made national headlines and Feuerstein appeared on CNN that same month. In his appearance he stated that his post was not just about the Starbucks cup, adding that “The silent majority is sick and tired of consistently being bullied to be quiet about our beliefs and trying to remove Christ out of Christmas."[14] He appeared alongside radio personality Pete Dominick, who heavily criticized Feuerstein and stated that his energy would have been better spent feeding the homeless, which he stated would accomplish Feuerstein's point "without all the hatred and bigotry and cynical self-promotion”.[3][15][16]
References
- 1 2 3 "About Josh". Joshuafeuerstein.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ↑ "Who is #MerryChristmasStarbucks ranter and Fountain Hills evangelist Joshua Feuerstein?". azcentral. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
- 1 2 Itkowitz, Colby (2015-11-10). "Who is Josh Feuerstein, the man behind the Starbucks red cup frenzy?". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
- 1 2 Sullivan, Erin (3 April 2015). "Former televangelist sics angry followers on local bakery to make a point about religious freedom". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ↑ "Evangelist Could Face Felony Charges After Asking Baker to Make Anti-Gay Marriage Cake". Christian Post. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
- ↑ Muniz, Sheli. "Central Fla. Baker receives death threats after refusing anti-gay request". Click Orlando. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
- ↑ "Longwood bakery raises $13,000 after anti-gay-cake dispute". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
- ↑ Kutner, Jenny (20 July 2015). "Former evangelical pastor proposes fighting LGBT rights with assault weapons". Salon. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ↑ "Pastor Pulls Out Gun In Video Rant, Urges Listeners To Fight Against Gay Marriage". LOGO News. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
- 1 2 "Former Pastor Suggests Christians Should Fight Gay Rights With Guns". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
- 1 2 "Pastor Encourages Christians to Fight Same-Sex Marriage Ruling With Guns". The Advocate. 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
- ↑ "Candidates Deny Their 'Baby Parts' Attacks on Planned Parenthood Helped Fuel Colorado Shooting". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
- ↑ Moyer, Justin (9 November 2015). "Evangelical Christian Joshua Feuerstein explains his war on Starbucks red cups". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ↑ Kirell, Andrew (9 November 2015). "'Starbucks Hates Jesus' Viral Video Star Gets Owned on CNN". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ↑ "Watch a comedian's perfect response to a US evangelist's 'movement' against Starbucks". The Independent. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
- ↑ Grainger, Lia. "'Starbucks hates Jesus' viral video star gets slammed on CNN". Yahoo Canada. Retrieved 3 December 2015.