Wilson says he has no hidden agenda

MOSCOW -- Christ Church Rev. Doug Wilson Thursday night denounced slavery, said his church doesn't want to take over downtown Moscow, divorced himself and his followers from any political ambitions and vowed to spread his version of Christianity through persuasion,

not imposition.

"If more people are persuaded," he told an audience of about 350 at a church-sponsored town meeting, "it's going to impact the complexion of the town." But Wilson, the focus of more than two months of debate over his views on slavery and perceived designs on local politics, said there's no hidden agenda in his methods.

He likened his church to "Monty Python Presbyterianism. And now, for something completely different."

Wilson also debunked George Bush, the war in Iraq and what he called the emerging American empire. "We believe America is asking for God's judgment. I'm adamantly opposed to the war in Iraq. I'm not a Republican. I didn't vote for George W."

The town meeting, held at the Kenworthy Theater in downtown Moscow, was called, according to Wilson, so he and others in his church could set the record straight about erroneous statements in the press about his views on slavery. Much of the furor has been waged in newspapers and on the local Vision 2020 Internet bulletin board here.

"The slavery issue was the spark that went off in a room already filled with fumes," Wilson said, contending that the underlying debate is really a cultural struggle that centers around "what constitutes the good life."

Sam Butterfield of Moscow described himself as a "traditional Latah County liberal" and condemned recent calls to boycott downtown businesses owned or operated by members of Christ Church. He also said the controversy goes much deeper than a debate about slavery and a scheduled February history forum at UI. "It seems to me Moscow is involved in a cultural conflict that's deep and likely to last for a long time," Butterfield said.

Some have described it as a polarized battle between secularism and fundamental Christianity. Wilson and his critics have waged most of the war on Vision 2020 with scores of back-and-forth e-mails. Christ Church has also bought paid newspaper ads to make its stance known. There have also been accusations of vandalism against downtown businesses affiliated with Christ Church.

But many of those who challenged Wilson on Vision 2020 failed to appear at the town meeting. Several said they'd voice their opinion by boycotting the meeting rather than hearing the same old rhetoric from Wilson.

"Politics will be saved, but politics is no savior," Wilson told the audience, insisting that he gave up on the political system long ago and is now dedicated to spreading the gospel like yeast moves during the baking of bread.

He said he favors education for all children, but disputes having to pay up to half his property taxes to support public schools while sending his own children to private schools like Logos. And while he will continue to pay school taxes, he said he will vote against any kind of override levy for what he calls "government schools."

"Deal us out. We'd like to play a different game."

He said he'd favor privatization of the public schools, with a number of schools for children of different faiths, or children from secular backgrounds, established throughout the community. "These kids ... have parents" who should pay for the education of their children, Wilson said. A system of scholarships and gifts could also be set up to fund students whose families don't have the financial wherewithal, said Wilson.

If he had it to do all over again, said Wilson, he would have steered clear of a public debate. He's vowed to refrain from any more public discussion about slavery after the town meeting and won't do interviews with the press on the subject. He said his views have been "dishonestly misrepresented" and honestly misrepresented.

"We don't have anything to do with racism," said Wilson. "We feel racism is a sin."

Wilson questioned the notion that Moscow is a tolerant town that encourages diversity. "Do you want diversity? Well, here we are. This was a tolerant place before a different view appeared."

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Johnson may be contacted at deveryone@potlatch.com