Louis P. Sheldon

Louis Philip Sheldon (11 June 1934 – 29 May 2020) was an American Presbyterian pastor, and then Anglican priest, and chairman of the social conservative organization, the Traditional Values Coalition.

Louis Philip Sheldon
Born(1934-06-11)11 June 1934
Washington, DC, US
Died29 May 2020(2020-05-29) (aged 85)
Orange County, CA, US
Education
Occupations
Known forfounder
Traditional Values Coalition[lower-alpha 3]
Television
Title
  • President
    Traditional Values Coalition[lower-alpha 5]
  • Chairman
    Traditional Values Coalition
Spouse
Beverly Sheldon
​
(m. 1957)​
Children4
Parents
  • Rex Sheldon (father)
  • Gertrude Sheldon (mother)
RelativesAndrea Sheldon Lafferty (daughter)

He principally spoke and wrote about controversial social issues such as abortion, religious liberty, censorship, and public acceptance of homosexuality and same-sex marriage.[1][2][3][4][5] He appeared as a guest commentator on the Fox News Channel, on programs such as Cavuto on Business, Hannity & Colmes, and The O'Reilly Factor. He has appeared on C-SPAN,[6] CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, and PBS. He has also been featured in newspapers such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, as well as on numerous national radio talk shows.

Biography

Louis Philip Sheldon was born in 1934 in Washington, D.C., the son of Rex and Gertrude Sheldon. His father was raised in the English Protestant tradition, his mother as an Orthodox Jew.[7][8][9] He became a Christian in his teens. He earned a B.S. in history from Michigan State University in 1957.[10] Sheldon and his wife, Beverly, married on 24 August 1957 and had four children.[11][12]

He received a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1960, the year he was also ordained a Presbyterian minister. He served as a pastor for churches in North Dakota and California before striking out on his own as a lobbyist.[13]

Sheldon founded the Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) in 1980 as a non-denominational, grassroots movement.[14] In the 1980s and 1990s he wielded influence first in California and then in Washington, DC as a lobbyist for conservative causes, once considered among the ten most influential figures in conservative evangelical politics.[8][7] TVC has been designated an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), citing TVC's use of "known falsehoods — claims about LGBT people that have been thoroughly discredited by scientific authorities — and repeated, groundless name-calling."[15] Sheldon served as president of the organization from its founding (1980) until 2011.[16]

Sheldon left the Presbyterian ministry after 52 years and was ordained an Anglican priest in March 2012 at St. James Anglican Church (Newport Beach) California, which is part of the Anglican Church in North America.[17] Sheldon was a 2013 delegate representing the Anglican Diocese of The Armed Forces and Chaplaincy to GAFCON II, the Global Anglican Future Conference, in Nairobi, Kenya.[18]

He died 29 May 2020 in Orange County, California, aged 85.[19][8][7]

Bibliography

Sheldon authored one book:

  • The Agenda: The Homosexual Plan to Change America. Frontline. 2005. ISBN 1-59185-796-1.

See also

Notes
  1. served as Presbyterian pastor from 1960 - March 2012 (52 years)
  2. served as Anglican priest from March 2012 - May 2020 (8 years)
  3. Traditional Values Coalition founded in 1980
  4. C-SPAN appearances spanning years 1991–2003
  5. served as president 1980–2011

References
  1. Parachini, Allan (24 March 1990). "Bush Says Let NEA Decide What's Art: Arts: President expresses position on 'filth' but supports bill. Orange County's Rev. Louis P. Sheldon said conservatives are outraged by the action". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  2. Weiner, Rebecca (12 October 1995). "Coming Out Day Draws Proponents, Foes: Gays: Activist Candace Gingrich addresses one rally, which was countered by Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, of Traditional Values Coalition in Anaheim". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  3. Eng, Lily; Zonana, Victor (9 November 1989). "O.C. Preacher Pledges New Anti-Gay Drives : Gay Rights: The Rev. Louis P. Sheldon says he will turn his energies to the public schools". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  4. Meyer, Josh (3 August 1990). "Ministers Square Off Over Provocative Art Exhibit, Role of NEA : Censorship: They concur that a "struggle for the soul of America" is under way but disagree about where the "evil" lies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  5. Martinez, Gebe (24 April 1995). "Rev. Sheldon Basks in GOP's Successes: Politics: The Anaheim activist prepares for 'religious freedom' amendment to be submitted to the Congress". Los Angeles Times.
  6. "C-SPAN - Louis Sheldon". C-SPAN. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  7. Schudel, Matt (6 June 2020). "Louis P. Sheldon, inflammatory anti-gay crusader of 'traditional values,' dies at 85". Washington Post. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  8. Genzlinger, Neil (5 June 2020). "Louis Sheldon, Anti-Gay Minister With Political Clout, Dies at 85". New York Times. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  9. Needham, John (14 October 1985). "Foe of Gay Rights, Abortion Takes Fight Beyond Pulpit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  10. Dunlap, David W (19 December 1994). "Minister Brings Anti-Gay Message to the Spotlight". New York Times. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  11. "Rev. Louis P. Sheldon" (PDF). CBN.com. The Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  12. Lichtblau, Eric (26 November 1989). "COLUMN ONE : A Savvy 'Free Agent for God' : The Rev. Louis Sheldon is part fiery preacher, part cool-headed lobbyist. Opponents question his religious support but don't deny his political clout". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  13. Needham, John (14 October 1985). "Foe of Gay Rights, Abortion Takes Fight Beyond Pulpit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  14. "The rise and fall of the Traditional Values Coalition". Southern Poverty Law Center. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  15. Waddington, Lynda (23 November 2010). "Groups that Helped Oust Iowa Judges Earn 'Hate Group' Designation; SPLC Adds American Family Association, Family Research Council to List". Iowa Independent. Archived from the original on 2 December 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  16. Hatewatch Staff (5 June 2020). "Louis Sheldon, Founder of Anti-LGBTQ Traditional Values Coalition, Dead at 85". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  17. "Anglican Chaplains" (PDF).
  18. "Anglican Chaplains to Staff GAFCON II". 11 October 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  19. "Louis Sheldon, anti-gay Christian group founder, dies at 85". Orange County Register. 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
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