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**Summary:**
A century after Tennessee’s pivotal role in ratifying the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, the issue is being revisited in Nashville due to the growing influence of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), a Christian nationalist group with patriarchal views. CREC leaders and members have expressed support for the idea of “household voting,” where the head of the household (typically the man) casts the vote for the entire family, and some advocate for repealing the 19th Amendment. While CREC members claim there’s no immediate threat to women’s voting rights, critics warn of a dangerous shift in attitudes and the potential for future action. The rise of CREC in Tennessee, coupled with the association of figures like Pete Hegseth, is making Nashville a focal point in this renewed debate.
**News Article:**
**Nashville Grapples with Renewed Debate Over Women’s Suffrage as Christian Nationalist Group Gains Influence**
**Nashville, TN** – Over a century after Tennessee’s historic decision to ratify the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, the issue is once again stirring controversy in Nashville. This time, the debate is fueled by the growing presence and influence of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), a Christian nationalist denomination with traditionalist views on gender roles.
The CREC, founded in the late 1990s, has expanded to around 150 churches, including several in and around Nashville. Leaders and members have expressed views that challenge the individual right to vote, advocating for a return to “household voting,” where the head of the household, typically the man, casts the vote for the entire family. Some have even voiced support for repealing the 19th Amendment, a cornerstone of American democracy.
“When the founders founded America, it was household voting. So this is how it was for a long time. This is not some radical idea,” said Brooks Potteiger, the pastor and founder of Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship, a CREC church in Tennessee.
The CREC’s emphasis on patriarchy and a theocratic form of government has drawn criticism from other religious leaders. Retired Lutheran Pastor Matt Steinhauer says the idea of a church advocating against equal rights “riles him up,” and called it a misinterpretation of Christianity to see people as anything other than equals.
The local ties of prominent figures like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who attends a CREC church in Goodlettsville, have amplified concerns about the church’s potential influence on politics. While Hegseth’s office declined to comment, his previous engagement with CREC leaders has raised questions about the church’s agenda.
While CREC members claim there’s no immediate effort to repeal the 19th Amendment, critics warn that the increasing acceptance of once-radical views poses a long-term threat to women’s rights.
Groups like the League of Women Voters, which originated in Tennessee during the suffrage movement, are steadfast in their opposition to any attempt to restrict voting rights. “We believe very strongly, as a voter-centric organization, that democracy functions best when all people have the opportunity to be a part of the process of electing our representatives,” said Debby Gould, LWV Tennessee President.
As the CREC continues to expand its presence in Tennessee, the debate over women’s suffrage highlights the ongoing tensions between traditional values and modern notions of equality. The Nashville Banner will continue to follow this developing story.
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