Joshua Feuerstein
{{short description|American evangelical Internet personality}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Joshua Kane Feuerstein
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|01|07}}
| birth_place = Stanislaus County, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| alma_mater =
| father = Thomas K FeuersteinCalifornia marriage certificate of April 4, 1980
| mother = Kathleen Ashworth Feuerstein[https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.feuerstein/ Facebook]
| spouse = Jessica Reynolds (m. 2014)
| children = 6
}}
Joshua Feuerstein (born January 7, 1981){{cite web | url=http://www.joshuafeuerstein.com/about-josh/4585043155 | title=About Josh | work=Joshuafeuerstein.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073358/http://www.joshuafeuerstein.com/about-josh/4585043155|archivedate=4 March 2016 | accessdate=9 November 2015}} is an American right-wing evangelical internet personality. Feuerstein received media attention in 2015 for posting videos on social media wherein he discussed then-recent events such as same-sex marriage legislation in the United States and Starbucks' red holiday cups,{{Cite web|title = Who is #MerryChristmasStarbucks ranter and Fountain Hills evangelist Joshua Feuerstein?|url = http://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/people/2015/11/10/merry-christmas-starbucks-joshua-feuerstein-arizona/75533598/|website = azcentral|accessdate = 2015-12-03}}{{Cite news|title = Who is Josh Feuerstein, the man behind the Starbucks red cup frenzy?|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/11/10/who-is-josh-feuerstein-the-man-behind-the-starbucks-red-cup-frenzy/|newspaper = The Washington Post|date = 2015-11-10|access-date = 2015-12-03|issn = 0190-8286|language = en-US|first = Colby|last = Itkowitz}}{{Cite news|last=Ember|first=Sydney|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/10/business/starbuckss-red-holiday-cups-inspire-outcry-online.html|title=Starbucks's Red Holiday Cups Inspire Outcry Online|date=2015-11-09|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-02-21|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} and is known for his opposition to COVID restrictions, gun control measures, and what he views as America's obsession with arguments about race.Fearnow, Benjamin April 27, 2021). "[https://www.newsweek.com/pastor-joshua-feuerstein-who-spoke-before-jan-6-riots-says-gop-dead-maga-vs-everybody-1586868 Pastor Joshua Feuerstein, Who Spoke Before Jan. 6 Riots, Says GOP Dead, 'MAGA vs. Everybody']", Newsweek. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
Life and career
Feuerstein was born on January 7, 1981, in Stanislaus County, California. He married Jessica Reynolds[https://www.facebook.com/JessicaFeuersteinOfficial/photos/a.394805294055699/416305918572303/?paipv=0&eav=AfbIo5U63IDZGF7ugIiFrxLn_UNtNS-DgQO23oD2acUDFwn9Uzllvm0lxCacX-lHb9A&_rdr “Today we honor my late husband, David Reynolds.”] in 2014, and the couple have six children. Feuerstein and his family reside just outside of Forney, Texas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/people/2015/11/10/merry-christmas-starbucks-joshua-feuerstein-arizona/75533598/|title=Who is #MerryChristmasStarbucks ranter and Fountain Hills evangelist Joshua Feuerstein?|last=Lengel|first=Kerry|website=azcentral|language=en|access-date=2020-02-21}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/11/11/1448007/-Simply-Red-The-Con-Man-Behind-the-Rightwing-s-Starbucks-Cup-Freak-Out|title=Simply Red: The Con-Man Behind the Rightwing's Starbucks Cup Freak-Out|website=Daily Kos|access-date=2020-02-21}}
=Online videos=
== 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2015/04/03/former-televangelist-sics-followers-on-local-bakery-to-make-a-point-about-religious-freedom | title=Former televangelist sics angry followers on local bakery to make a point about religious freedom | work=Orlando Weekly | date=3 April 2015 | accessdate=9 November 2015 | author=Sullivan, Erin | archive-date=25 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025102416/http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2015/04/03/former-televangelist-sics-followers-on-local-bakery-to-make-a-point-about-religious-freedom | url-status=dead }} In the video, Feuerstein stated that he had called the bakery on April 1, 2015, 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. Feuerstein later removed the video and stated that he had done this as part of a social experiment on religious freedom.{{Cite web|title = Evangelist Could Face Felony Charges After Asking Baker to Make Anti-Gay Marriage Cake|url = http://www.christianpost.com/news/evangelist-could-face-felony-charges-after-asking-baker-to-make-anti-gay-marriage-cake-137742/|website = Christian Post| date=17 April 2015 |accessdate = 2015-12-03}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Muniz|first1=Sheli|title=Central Fla. Baker receives death threats after refusing anti-gay request|date=6 April 2015 |url=http://www.clickorlando.com/news/central-fla-baker-receives-death-threats-after-refusing-anti-gay-request|publisher=Click Orlando|accessdate=3 December 2015}} The bakery held an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, through which they raised over $13,000.{{Cite web|title = Longwood bakery raises $13,000 after anti-gay-cake dispute|url = http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-cut-the-cake-fundraising-20150406-story.html|website = OrlandoSentinel.com| date=7 April 2015 |accessdate = 2015-12-03}}
== Second Amendment video ==
Feuerstein received more media attention in July 2015 after uploading a video that some media outlets such as Salon and Logo TV implied that he was encouraging followers to use violent actions against backers of anti-discrimination measures and legalized same-sex marriage.{{cite web | url=http://www.salon.com/2015/07/20/former_evangelical_pastor_proposes_fighting_lgbt_rights_with_assault_weapons/ | title=Former evangelical pastor proposes fighting LGBT rights with assault weapons | work=Salon | date=20 July 2015 | accessdate=9 November 2015 | author=Kutner, Jenny}}{{Cite web|title = Pastor Pulls Out Gun In Video Rant, Urges Listeners To Fight Against Gay Marriage|url = http://www.newnownext.com/pastor-pulls-out-gun-in-video-rant-urges-listeners-to-fight-against-gay-marriage/07/2015/|website = LOGO News|accessdate = 2015-12-03}} In the video, Feuerstein cited several media cases to back up claims that there 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."{{Cite web|title = Former Pastor Suggests Christians Should Fight Gay Rights With Guns|url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/christians-gay-rights-guns_55abeacee4b065dfe89e989a|website = The Huffington Post| date=19 July 2015 |accessdate = 2015-12-03}} The Advocate heavily criticized Feuerstein, calling the video "disturbing".{{Cite web|title = Pastor Encourages Christians to Fight Same-Sex Marriage Ruling With Guns|url = http://www.advocate.com/religion/2015/07/16/pastor-encourages-christians-fight-same-sex-marriage-ruling-guns|website = The Advocate|date = 2015-11-17|accessdate = 2015-12-03}} Writers for The Advocate and HuffPost also asserted that several of his claims were inaccurate.
== Planned Parenthood video ==
On July 29, 2015, Feuerstein also uploaded a video onto the video-sharing website Vimeo, in which he is shown saying, "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 on YouTube by several others.{{cite web|title=Candidates Deny Their 'Baby Parts' Attacks on Planned Parenthood Helped Fuel Colorado Shooting|work=Southern Poverty Law Center |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2015/12/01/candidates-deny-their-%E2%80%98baby-parts%E2%80%99-attacks-planned-parenthood-helped-fuel-colorado-shooting|accessdate=6 January 2016}}
== Starbucks video ==
In November 2015, Feuerstein posted a video on Facebook criticizing Starbucks for removing Christmas-related symbols from its seasonal cups in favor of a solid red design.{{cite web | url=http://www.home.tampabay.com/news/nation/evangelical-christian-joshua-feuerstein-explains-his-war-on-starbucks-red/2253198 | title=Evangelical Christian Joshua Feuerstein explains his war on Starbucks red cups | work=Tampa Bay Times | date=9 November 2015 | accessdate=9 November 2015 | author=Moyer, Justin | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112181312/http://www.home.tampabay.com/news/nation/evangelical-christian-joshua-feuerstein-explains-his-war-on-starbucks-red/2253198 | archivedate=12 November 2015 }} 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, "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."{{cite web | url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/videos/2015/11/09/starbucks-hates-jesus-guy-gets-owned.html | title='Starbucks Hates Jesus' Viral Video Star Gets Owned on CNN | work=The Daily Beast | date=9 November 2015 | accessdate=9 November 2015 | author=Kirell, Andrew}} 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".{{Cite web|title = Watch a comedian's perfect response to a US evangelist's 'movement' against Starbucks|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/joshua-feuerstein-comedian-tears-apart-evangelists-movement-against-starbucks-a6730936.html|website = The Independent| date=11 November 2015 |accessdate = 2015-12-03|language = en-GB}}{{cite web|last1=Grainger|first1=Lia|title='Starbucks hates Jesus' viral video star gets slammed on CNN|date=10 November 2015 |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-buzz/starbucks-hates-jesus-acts-like-nutbar-on-cnn-195112692.html|publisher=Yahoo Canada|accessdate=3 December 2015}}
=2021 storming of the United States Capitol=
On January 5, 2021, Feuerstein spoke at a rally in D.C. where he and a number of other anti-abortion pastors, including Pastors Ken Peters and Jon Schrock, spoke in support of Donald Trump's claims that election fraud happened during the 2020 United States presidential election. During his speech, Feuerstein specifically talked about Mike Pence's role in the following day's counting and claimed he would not refuse to certify the election "like the little coward, the little swamp monster, the little slimeball he is."{{cite web |last1=Vestal |first1=Sean |title=Pastor who organized anti-abortion rallies in Spokane helped rally Trump supporters in D.C. |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/jan/13/shawn-vestal-pastor-who-organized-anti-abortion-ra/ |website=Spokesman Review |date=13 January 2021 |access-date=30 January 2021}} Feuerstein would go on to condemn Senators Ben Sasse, Mitt Romney, and Mitch McConnell for allowing the "steal" to happen. Feuerstein concluded his speech by saying, "It is time for war! And let us stop the steal!"{{cite web |last1=Wolf |first1=Colin |title='It sure feels like 1776': Tampa Bay native spoke at D.C. 'Stop the Steal' rally night before deadly Capitol insurrection |url=https://www.cltampa.com/news-views/local-news/article/21148086/it-sure-feels-like-1776-tampa-bay-native-spoke-at-dc-stop-the-steal-rally-night-before-deadly-capitol-insurrection |website=Creative Loafing |access-date=30 January 2021}}{{cite web |title="It is time for war! Stop the steal!" preacher Joshua Feuerstein told rally on Jan. 5, a day before the Capitol insurrection. "We as the church of the living God are standing up saying, 'We're not just mad at hell, but we're mad as hell." |url=https://twitter.com/RightWingWatch/status/1351201802469974019 |website=Twitter |publisher=RightWingWatch |access-date=30 January 2021}} As a result of his participation in this rally, Feuerstein was suspected of inciting the insurrection attempt that happened the following day, as many of the attendees at the January 5 rally were arrested during the following day's events. In a televised interview with Newsmax, Feuerstein said that he had been contacted by the FBI and was under investigation.{{cite web |title=Pastor gets FBI visit after speaking at Trump event |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puoiq9qzx1w |website=YouTube | date=19 January 2021 |publisher=Newsmax TV |access-date=30 January 2021}}
=2024 Texas House of Representatives Run=
On December 5, 2023, Feuerstein announced that he would be running for the Texas House of Representatives in the 4th House of Representatives district against incumbent Keith Bell in the 2024 election.{{cite web |last1=Mordowanec |first1=Nick |title=Pastor Who Said Christians Don't Need COVID Vaccine Challenges Republican |url=https://www.newsweek.com/pastor-christians-covid-vaccine-republican-1849780 |website=Newsweek |date=5 December 2023 |access-date=22 January 2024}}{{cite web |title=Joshua For Texas |url=https://www.joshuafortexas.com |website=Joshua For Texas |publisher=Joshua Feurstein |access-date=22 January 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20160314220055/http://www.joshuafeuerstein.com/}} (archived)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Feuerstein, Joshua}}
Category:American conspiracy theorists
Category:American Internet celebrities
Category:American Christian creationists
Category:Male critics of feminism
Category:American gun rights activists
Category:American critics of atheism
Category:Protesters in or near the January 6 United States Capitol attack
Category:COVID-19 conspiracy theorists
Category:American anti-vaccination activists