The Rev. Jim Rigby, pastor of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Austin, spoke to his congregation on Sunday about the implications of the recent MAGA movement. This followed an attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner the previous night, and he pointedly remarked that the movement seems to long for a return to the “American South.”
Pastor Rigby has taken on a mentorship role for Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, and during his sermon, he shared some deeper thoughts on violence and societal issues.
“If you’ve been following the news, you probably heard about the assassination attempt. Many will have differing views on this, but for those wanting to heal the world, it’s crucial to grasp that we can’t simply erase violence from our society,” Rigby stated.
“Last week, I mentioned that if violence could end racism, then the Civil War would have sufficed. But when we examine the core of the Bible Belt and the MAGA coalition, what we see is a drive toward the Confederacy rather than unity in America. As we fight for justice and protect against this fascist movement, we must ensure that we don’t stoop to their level.”
In response to Rigby’s comments, Zach Kraft from the Republican National Committee expressed outrage, saying:
“It’s appalling material coming from Talarico’s so-called mentor, but honestly, it isn’t surprising. Democrats have stoked the fires of far-left violence for years, targeting figures like President Trump and conservatives. For Talarico and the Democrats, murder appears to be just part of their strategy to seek power.”
These remarks were made just a day after the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton during the Associated dinner. Reports indicate that Cole Thomas Allen, age 31, managed to breach security and fired a weapon, injuring a Secret Service agent. Fortunately, the agent was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to recover.
Authorities noted that Allen had penned a manifesto and expressed disdain for Donald Trump. Described as “very troubled,” he is reportedly known for his anti-Christian sentiments. Notably, he had previously donated to ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising platform, and had attended leftist protests against Trump.
Rigby, known for his controversial views, notably opposes Texas laws on gender reassignment for minors and has a history of promoting progressive social justice ideals. His congregation, quite distinctive in its acceptance of LGBTQ rights, showcases these beliefs notably through the display of a rainbow flag.
Moreover, Rigby’s church advocates for inclusive language that challenges traditional views of gender, suggesting that referring to God in masculine terms fuels a culture of sexism and abuse. He argues that such notions are harmful, especially to young girls, and fosters a troubling worldview.
Reflecting on his progressive stance, Rigby has made headlines in the past for statements questioning traditional Christian beliefs, even mocking the resurrection narrative. Talarico, as he prepares for the November election against either Ken Paxton or John Cornyn, continues to align himself with such ideological positions, promoting access to abortion and opposing the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. He describes the latter policy as “deeply un-Christian,” asserting a desire to prevent any religion from being imposed upon others.
