Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family (Colorado Springs, Colorado): In 2025, this evangelical nonprofit was added to the SPLC’s hate map for its stances against LGBTQ+ lifestyles. The organization dismissed the designation as “careless.”
Christian Hate Groups
Churches and religious organizations in the United States that have been designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center
Family Research Council
Family Research Council (Washington, D.C.): Designated as a hate group in 2010, the SPLC cited its history of anti-gay propaganda. The FRC has denied the designation, calling it a political attack.
Several churches and religious organizations in the United States have been designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) due to their promotion of extremist ideologies, including racism, antisemitism, and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. Below is an overview of some of these groups:
Churches Designated as Hate Groups by the SPLC
1. Westboro Baptist Church (Topeka, Kansas)
Founded in 1955 by Fred Phelps, this church is notorious for its extreme anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, including slogans like “God Hates Fags.” It also targets atheists, Jews, Muslims, and other Christian denominations. Its theology and practices are widely condemned by other Christian churches and public figures.
2. Kingdom Identity Ministries (Harrison, Arkansas)
This organization is a leading distributor of materials related to Christian Identity, a white supremacist theology that claims white people are the true Israelites and that Jews are satanic. It is considered the largest supplier of such materials and is linked to groups like Aryan Nations.
3. Stedfast Baptist Church (Fort Worth, Texas)
Led by Pastor Donnie Romero until 2019, this church has been associated with extreme anti-LGBTQ+ views, including celebrating the Pulse nightclub shooting and advocating for the execution of gay individuals. It was added to the SPLC’s anti-LGBTQ+ hate group list in 2020.
4. ATLAH World Missionary Church (Harlem, New York)
Known for its inflammatory signs such as “Obama Has Released the Homo Demons,” this church has been labeled a hate group by the SPLC for its virulent anti-LGBTQ+ messages.
5. Abiding Truth Ministries (Springfield, Oregon)
Founded by Scott Lively, this group has been involved in promoting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in countries like Uganda and has been designated as a hate group by the SPLC.
Controversial Designations
Some mainstream Christian organizations have disputed their inclusion on the SPLC’s hate group list:
Understanding the SPLC’s Criteria
The SPLC designates a group as a hate group based on:
Public statements or materials that vilify or incite hatred against a specific group based on race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Advocacy for violence or illegal activities targeting these groups.
Affiliation with known hate organizations or promotion of extremist ideologies.
It's important to note that the SPLC's designations are based on the group's actions and rhetoric, not their religious beliefs per se.
American Family Association
American Family Association (AFA)
The AFA promotes anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and campaigns against media, businesses, and public figures. It has a long history of labeling LGBTQ+ people as immoral or dangerous.
Project Blitz
Project Blitz
Project Blitz uses legislative strategies to insert Christian nationalist policies into state law. It often targets education, government, and local institutions, aiming for long-term societal influence.
Alliance Defending Freedom
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF)
ADF is highly influential in courts, including U.S. Supreme Court cases. It actively litigates to limit LGBTQ+ rights, abortion access, and expand religious exemptions. Critics argue that its legal victories have real-world harmful consequences for marginalized groups.
If it's Hate, It's not following Jesus example
Christian nationalism
Christian nationalism is a distinct but overlapping movement with many of the same organizations we’ve discussed. It’s an ideology that seeks to merge Christian identity with national identity, often advocating that the U.S. should be explicitly a “Christian nation” in law, culture, and governance. While not every conservative Christian group is a Christian nationalist, many of the groups on the SPLC’s or watchdogs’ lists promote ideas that align with this movement.
Key Features of Christian Nationalism
Religious Identity as National Identity – Belief that being American is inherently tied to being Christian, and that government should reflect Christian values.
Opposition to Secularism – Pushes back against separation of church and state, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, and other secular policies.
Legislative Strategy – Uses lawmaking, courts, and school policies to promote Christian norms (e.g., Project Blitz).
Cultural Influence – Promotes Christian values through media, education, and civic engagement to shape social norms.
Prominent Christian Nationalist Groups
Focus on the Family – Influences policy and media messaging, often framing cultural debates in Christian nationalist terms.
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) – Uses legal avenues to enforce Christian ideals in public policy.
Project Blitz – Strategically inserts Christian nationalist legislation at the state level.
American Family Association (AFA) – Cultivates culture wars that align with Christian nationalist ideas.
Family Research Council (FRC) – Frames its advocacy for “family values” as a national priority rooted in Christian identity.
Christian nationalism differs from general conservative Christianity in that it explicitly seeks to intertwine religious doctrine with national law and governance. Critics argue this approach can undermine pluralism, marginalize non-Christian citizens, and normalize discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, and secular Americans.