After Son Is ID'd At Supremacist Rally, His Father Responds Publicly
August 15, 2017
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...upremacist-rally-his-father-responds-publicly
"I, along with all of his siblings and his entire family, wish to loudly repudiate my son's vile, hateful and racist rhetoric and actions," Tefft wrote in a letter to The Forum newspaper on Monday. "We do not know specifically where he learned these beliefs. He did not learn them at home."
As for what Peter Tefft did learn at home, his father says he believes in equality and opened his house to "friends and acquaintances of every race, gender and creed."
Peter Tefft's decision to "unlearn" what he was taught has brought heartbreak to the family, Pearce Tefft said. He added that he won't open his home to his son and that he is no longer welcome at any family gatherings.
Urging the community not to judge the entire family based on Peter Tefft's involvement with the neo-Nazi movement, Pearce Tefft said that while he disagrees with his son's beliefs, they "are bringing hateful rhetoric to his siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews as well as his parents."
Calling Peter a prodigal son who might someday be welcomed back — but not until he disavows hatred — Pearce Tefft urged, "Please son, renounce the hate, accept and love all."
The nation can only weep
By Editorial Board
August 15
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opin...bd9a10-8202-11e7-902a-2a9f2d808496_story.html
That car in Charlottesville did not kill or wound just the 20 bodies it struck. It damaged the nation.
What would Jesus do???
What would Jesus do???
Sessions: Charlottesville car attack could be a hate crime
By Robin Eberhardt - 08/16/17
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-brief...rlottesville-car-attack-could-be-a-hate-crime
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that the Charlottesville, Va., car attack could be considered a hate crime, NBC News reported Wednesday.
"It very well could be a civil rights violation or a hate crime, and there might be other charges that could be brought," Sessions told NBC.
Aug. 18 2017
The Mormon Church Condemned White Supremacists, and This Mormon White Supremacist Mom Is Very Mad About It
http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_facto...acists_and_this_mormon_white_supremacist.html
Today, just 3 percent of American Mormons are black, though that number has risen dramatically since the priesthood ban was lifted almost 40 years ago. For many black Mormons, the church’s clear condemnation of white supremacy this week was gratifying. A Mormon blogger named Tamu Smith cried tears of joy while speaking with the Salt Lake City Tribune on Tuesday. Decades ago, she was called the N-word in a Salt Lake City temple, and she has been attacked online recently by white Mormon nationalists. “For the first time, it brings us out of the margins,” she said of the church’s new statement. “We don’t have to stand alone—the church is now standing with us.” It is also standing firmly against Ayla Stewart and her allies.
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Calling Peter a prodigal son who might someday be welcomed back — but not until he disavows hatred — Pearce Tefft urged, "Please son, renounce the hate, accept and love all."
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A father was praised for disowning his Nazi son, but was it the right approach?
August 20 2017
Tefft's entire family has been subjected to death threats so it's understandable that he would want to speak out to distance himself from his son's actions. However, phrases such as, "I pray my prodigal son will renounce his hateful beliefs and return home. Then and only then will I lay out the feast," are, frankly, a little weird.
http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/...ad-who-disowned-nazi-son-20170817-gxylsl.html
I have no doubt Pearce's relationship with his youngest son is problematic, and painful. But penning a letter saying "Don't shame us! We hate him too!" is an unhelpful choice to make because it seems like the very person who is responsible for guiding his child is passing the buck.