Steve Anderson. If you know the name, you already know he’s the worst kind of preacher—the kind who hides his bigotry behind a Bible and pretends that Jesus would be okay with his hateful rhetoric. Spoiler alert: He wouldn’t. This man has spent years spewing homophobia, misogyny, and outright calls for violence from the pulpit of his Faithful Word Baptist Church. But here’s the kicker: The Bible, when read with any ounce of intellectual honesty, directly contradicts Anderson’s hateful garbage.

And now? His own kids have had enough. They’re speaking out against his abusive behavior, shining a light on the toxic environment he created. Let’s break down why Anderson is full of shit, how the Bible dismantles his hateful ideology, and why his own family is calling him out.

Steve Anderson is the founder of the Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Arizona. He’s known for his extremist sermons that advocate for violence against LGBTQ+ people, demean women, and vilify anyone who doesn’t fit into his narrow worldview. His “greatest hits” include celebrating the Pulse nightclub shooting, calling for the government to execute gay people, and denying the Holocaust.

Anderson’s rhetoric has made him infamous worldwide. He’s banned from over 30 countries, including Canada, the UK, and South Africa, because even entire nations have collectively said, “Nope. Fuck this guy.”

What Anderson Says:Anderson has openly called for the execution of LGBTQ+ people, using Leviticus 20:13 as his justification: “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.”

Why He’s Wrong:First of all, Anderson completely ignores the historical and cultural context of Leviticus. The Hebrew word to’evah (תּוֹעֵבָה), often translated as "abomination," refers to something ritually unclean or forbidden in a specific cultural context, not inherently evil. It’s part of the Old Testament purity laws, many of which Christians no longer follow (e.g., eating shellfish or wearing mixed fabrics).

More importantly, Jesus never taught violence against anyone. In fact, he explicitly condemned self-righteous judgment in Matthew 7:1-2: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce, you will be judged.” The Greek word for “judge” here is krinó (κρίνω), meaning to condemn or pass final judgment, something Anderson loves to do.

What Anderson Says:Anderson preaches that women should be silent in church, submit to their husbands in all things, and avoid leadership roles. He often cites 1 Timothy 2:12: “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”

Why He’s Wrong:Anderson cherry-picks verses like this while ignoring the broader biblical narrative. The Greek word for "authority" in this passage, authentein (αὐθεντεῖν), is unique in the New Testament and can mean “to domineer” or “to usurp authority.” It doesn’t prohibit all forms of teaching or leadership by women.

In contrast, the Bible uplifts women in many roles. Deborah was a judge and military leader in the Book of Judges (Judges 4:4-5), and Priscilla is mentioned as a teacher alongside her husband in Acts 18:26. Galatians 3:28 lays it out plainly: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

What Anderson Says:Anderson has called for violence against Jewish people and Muslims, claiming they are enemies of God.

Why He’s Wrong:The Bible is clear that love, not hate, is the defining characteristic of true followers of Christ. Jesus himself, a Jewish man, taught love for all people, including enemies. Matthew 5:44: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” The Greek word for love here is agapao (ἀγαπάω), which refers to unconditional, selfless love.

Paul, in Romans 12:18, wrote: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) also condemns hatred. Proverbs 10:12: “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”

Recently, several of Anderson’s children have come forward with stories of emotional and psychological abuse. They describe a household ruled by fear and control, where Anderson’s obsession with rigid gender roles and his extremist ideology made life unbearable. For kids raised in a fundamentalist environment, breaking away is incredibly difficult, and their bravery in speaking out is a powerful act of resistance.

Anderson’s children have accused him of using his faith as a weapon to manipulate and control. They’ve highlighted the hypocrisy in his preaching versus how he treats his own family, painting a picture of a man more obsessed with power than with practicing love, kindness, or humility.

Anderson’s teachings are riddled with contradictions. He preaches about the sanctity of life but calls for state-sponsored executions. He claims to follow Jesus but ignores Jesus’ command to love others. He condemns women for working or speaking in church, yet relies on their labor to keep his own house and church running. It’s the kind of hypocrisy that would make even the Pharisees cringe.

The exposure of Anderson’s hateful rhetoric—and the pushback from his own kids—is a turning point. It shows that no matter how entrenched bigotry seems, it can be challenged and dismantled, often from within. His downfall is a reminder that hate cannot stand when confronted with truth, compassion, and courage.

For anyone wondering, the Bible’s core message is one of love, justice, and humility. Micah 6:8 sums it up perfectly: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The Hebrew word for kindness here is chesed (חֶסֶד), meaning steadfast love or mercy—something Anderson seems to have missed entirely.

Steve Anderson’s legacy is one of hatred, hypocrisy, and harm. But his kids speaking out—and the Bible itself—prove that his toxic teachings are as un-Christian as it gets. The God Anderson claims to serve isn’t about hate and division. He’s about love, justice, and lifting up the oppressed. It’s time we stopped letting assholes like Anderson monopolize the conversation and started amplifying voices that reflect what faith is actually about: love, humility, and grace.