Louis P. Sheldon
American pastor and lobbyist (1934-2020)

Louis Philip Sheldon
Born(1934-06-11)June 11, 1934
Washington, DC, US
DiedMay 29, 2020(2020-05-29) (aged 85)
Orange County, California, US
Education
Occupations
  • Presbyterian pastor [a]
  • Anglican priest [b]
Known forfounder
Traditional Values Coalition[c]
Television
Title
  • President
    Traditional Values Coalition[e]
  • Chairman
    Traditional Values Coalition
Spouse
Beverly Sheldon
​
(m. 1957)​
Children4
Parents
  • Rex Sheldon (father)
  • Gertrude Sheldon (mother)
RelativesAndrea Sheldon Lafferty (daughter)

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

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 appeared on C-SPAN,[6] CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, and PBS. He was also 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.[citation needed]

Early life and education

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.

Sheldon earned a B.S. in history from Michigan State University in 1957.[10] He received a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1960, the year he was also ordained a Presbyterian minister.

Career

Sheldon served as a pastor in the 1960s and 1970s for churches in North Dakota[11] and California, including Melodyland Christian Center in Anaheim, before striking out on his own as a lobbyist.[9][12] He founded the Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) in 1980 as a non-denominational, grassroots movement.[13]

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] Sheldon served as president of the organization from its founding (1980) until 2011.[14]

Sheldon began his career as an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, and later moved to the more conservative Presbyterian Church in America.[7][15] He 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.[16] 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.[17]

Criticism

TVC was 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."[18] Sheldon often responded to charges of homophobia and hate speech that he didn't hate gay people, but that he only wanted them to change.[7][8]

Sheldon was also criticized in the early 2000s for his financial association with gambling lobbyists including Jack Abramoff.[19][20] At the time, he responded by saying that "Politics makes strange bedfellows. The devil had that money long enough. It was about time we got our hands on it."[7][21]

Personal life and death

Sheldon and his wife, Beverly, married on August 24, 1957, and had four children.[22][23]

He died May 29, 2020, in Orange County, California, aged 85.[24][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 (March 24, 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 May 30, 2019.
  2. ^ Weiner, Rebecca (October 12, 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 May 30, 2019.
  3. ^ Eng, Lily; Zonana, Victor (November 9, 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 May 30, 2019.
  4. ^ Meyer, Josh (August 3, 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 May 30, 2019.
  5. ^ Martinez, Gebe (April 24, 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 May 4, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Schudel, Matt (June 6, 2020). "Louis P. Sheldon, inflammatory anti-gay crusader of 'traditional values,' dies at 85". Washington Post. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d Genzlinger, Neil (June 5, 2020). "Louis Sheldon, Anti-Gay Minister With Political Clout, Dies at 85". New York Times. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Needham, John (October 14, 1985). "Foe of Gay Rights, Abortion Takes Fight Beyond Pulpit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  10. ^ Dunlap, David W (December 19, 1994). "Minister Brings Anti-Gay Message to the Spotlight". New York Times. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  11. ^ Lee, Stephen J. (July 3, 2011). "Lou Sheldon, Leader of Religious Right, Began Ministry in Grand Forks". McClatchy – Tribune Business News. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  12. ^ Christensen, Kim (September 3, 1989). "Fiery Fundamentalist Lobbies Against Sin: Head of OC-Based Coalition Wages War on Gay Rights, Pornography, Sex Education". Orange County Register. p. A01. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  13. ^ "The rise and fall of the Traditional Values Coalition". Southern Poverty Law Center. March 30, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  14. ^ Hatewatch Staff (June 5, 2020). "Louis Sheldon, Founder of Anti-LGBTQ Traditional Values Coalition, Dead at 85". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  15. ^ "Religious Coalition Express Alarm over Presbyterians' Vote on Same-Sex Unions". New Pittsburgh Courier. March 24, 2001. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  16. ^ "Anglican Chaplains" (PDF).
  17. ^ "Anglican Chaplains to Staff GAFCON II". October 11, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  18. ^ Waddington, Lynda (November 23, 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 December 2, 2010. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
  19. ^ Schmidt, Susan; Grimaldi, James V. (October 16, 2005). "How a Lobbyist Stacked the Deck; Abramoff Used DeLay Aide, Attacks on Allies to Defeat Anti-Gambling Bill". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  20. ^ Saunders, Debra J. (January 8, 2006). "Lucky Louie Throws the Dice". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  21. ^ "Anti-LGBTQ Religious Right Pastor Lou Sheldon Dies at Age 85". Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Americans United. July 1, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  22. ^ "Rev. Louis P. Sheldon" (PDF). CBN.com. The Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  23. ^ Lichtblau, Eric (November 26, 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 April 26, 2020.
  24. ^ "Louis Sheldon, anti-gay Christian group founder, dies at 85". Orange County Register. May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
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