After a Pennsylvania church wished its Muslim neighbors a “blessed Ramadan,” a local school board member who is also a Donald Trump delegate encouraged his followers to berate the church’s pastor for speaking positively about a “godless” and “pagan” religion.
Matthew Jansen, who sits on the Spring Grove School Board, left Rev. Christopher Rodkey a voicemail calling the message board at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Dallastown “despicable,” the York Daily Record reported on Saturday. The paper also reported that Jansen was elected as a Trump delegate to the Republican National Convention.
“It’s unbelievable that you would welcome them and wish them a ‘blessed Ramadan.’ Are you sick? Is there something wrong with you?” Jansen asked in audio of the voicemail published by the newspaper. Jansen also threatened to circulate a photo of the sign online.
Jansen made good on that promise in a June 11 tweet, “‘Choose your battles but if this is your hill here is the churchs’ # [sic].” He also mentioned conservative talking head Ann Coulter in the message:
“Choose your battles but if this is your hill here is the churchs’ # 717-244-2090.” @AnnCoulter pic.twitter.com/k5HkYmwwyv
— Matthew Jansen (@TheMattJansen) June 11, 2016
While Jansen did not identify himself in the voicemail, the pastor looked up Jansen with the number. Jansen told the paper that he was so angry when he made the call that he forgot to include his name.
Rodkey said he put up the message in solidarity with Muslims in the community.
“This is a church that is interested in religious tolerance,” he told the newspaper.
Listen to audio of the voicemail below, posted by the York Daily Record:
My god, you just can’t make this shit up. The simmering hatred, cowardice and outright fear of the Trumpinistas is astounding.
And there is no doubt in my mind that this guy is a craven coward who never intended to leave his name and was busted because he;s too ignorant to realize that we live in an era of caller ID on everyone’s phone.
In his mind, America was Great (Again) back when crank calls were all the rage.
ETA: I’m hoping that the church is being inundated with calls of support and tolerance, since this dipshit gave out the number…
Oh Look! He’s from my neck of the woods…the Pennsatucky region of Pennsylvania!
TPM:
I generally disapprove of putting someone’s phone number on the internet, but if anyone does it to this guy, then I’d have to admit he deserved it.
Spring Grove Area School District
Shaping the Future… One Student at a Time!
Our Mission
The mission of the Spring Grove Area School District, in partnership with families, businesses, and community organizations, is to provide a safe and engaging learning environment that will challenge and motivate all students to demonstrate continual growth on assessments and to attain their full potential while preparing for the future.
100 E. College Ave.
Spring Grove, PA 17362
Phone: 717-225-4731
Fax: 717-225-6028
I urge Mr. Jansen to consider the miracle of the comma…