Controversy Surrounds North Carolina School Board Member

A school board member in North Carolina is holding firm to his position despite ongoing protests sparked by a social media post that labeled Islam a “satanic death cult.”

In March, Todd Kinlaw, a member of the Gaston County School Board, shared a Facebook post featuring a graphic claiming, “Islam is Satan worship. Allah is the devil. Muhammad is a false prophet.” Although the post was quickly taken down, screenshots circulated widely, leading to protests and demands for his resignation during a crowded board meeting, as reported by WCNC-TV in Charlotte.

Kinlaw seems to be standing by his views. In a video posted by the Gaston Gazette, he expressed, “I’m not, I’m not… I didn’t bully Muslims or anything, but people are saying that I hate them. I’ve shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with many Muslims, but, you know, regarding Sharia law and their beliefs that seem to persecute LGBTQ individuals, have you really read the Quran?”

The Gaston County Board of Education issued a statement on April 1 distancing itself from Kinlaw’s comments. WBTV noted that the board lacks the authority to remove him from his position. School board chairman Josh Crisp remarked, “We acknowledge recent social media posts that have caused a stir. However, the views shared do not represent the board’s stance as a whole. Elected officials, including board members, must uphold high standards and represent all students, parents, and community members without bias.”

Crisp further emphasized that the school board cannot dismiss individual members from their elected roles.

At the recent school board meeting, which was preceded by protests, local residents called for Kinlaw’s resignation. The room quickly filled as people voiced their concerns. One protester stated, “His inability to respect all students indicates he doesn’t belong in public education.” Another speaker remarked, “How can you dehumanize certain students and still claim to serve everyone? It’s clearly religious bigotry.”

The calls for Kinlaw’s resignation were initially issued by the Gaston County NAACP and Indivisible Gaston. Reports indicate that Kinlaw will be seeking re-election this year.