Worship leader hits out at social media censorship of Bible verses and praise videos

Sean Feucht

Worship leader Sean Feucht has criticised the "crazy" censorship of Christian posts on Instagram and Twitter. 

He said fans had got in touch with him to tell him that his posts about Christian worship had been blocked. 

The posts showed some of the live worship he and other Christians have been taking part in at anti-racism protests in the US following the death of George Floyd. 

"I'm a leader in the faith community. I'm also an artist and I have a worship and missions ministry," Feucht told Fox News.

"One of the things we've been doing since [the recent U.S. protests] started happening is, we've been going to a lot of these places and bringing a unified — black, white Hispanic, Asian — just a unified coalition of people together, worshiping and praying, and peacefully protesting."

He continued: "I noticed the videos were being suppressed and they weren't getting the normal traction. But I didn't know this was the reason until I started getting tagged in people's posts about it... So I blew the trumpet on it because this is crazy."

It's not only Twitter that's blocked his posts.  Feucht shared a screengrab of a praise video that had been blocked by Instagram. 

Other Christians have been affected too, with Feucht sharing screengrabs of the suspended Twitter account of Bethel Church leader Beni Johnson. Visitors to Johnson's account - @prayfor5, which had 32,000 followers - are greeted with the message, "This tweet is from an account that no longer exists." 

The post quoted the Bible verse Psalm 34:14, which reads, "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

"Not only is big tech blocking worship videos, now they're blocking Bible verses about PEACE! ... Social media needs more peace, more worship, and less censorship of Jesus followers. @prayfor5," Feucht wrote.

In another post, he said, "This is what we've come to in America! Instagram is now classifying my WORSHIP videos as 'harmful or false information.' Religious Liberty? Freedom of Speech? Big Tech censorship?"

He added: "While @Facebook @instagram @Twitter promote the content of violence, rioting & destruction, they are actively CENSORING worship, prayer, peaceful protest & anything going against their fear-mongering narrative. My feed and many others is proof. #ChangeTheNarrative"

The censorship has been criticised by US President Donald Trump, who tweeted: "Wake up America. There's nothing sacred anymore. There's nothing the leftists & the social media masters won't try to censor/destroy to push their narrative." 

Former US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said: "Cancel culture uses the power of the mob to censor opinions & ideas they don't like. We need to encourage all Americans to engage in conversation & debate. Progress doesn't come from censorship & bullying. It comes from talking, listening, & finding common ground."