Thaddeus Augustus Matthews (April 1, 1957 – February 24, 2025), also known as "The Cussing Pastor", was an American pastor and broadcaster who gained popularity for using profanity in his preaching.
Thaddeus Matthews | |
|---|---|
 Matthews in 2023 | |
| Born | Thaddeus Augustus Matthews April 1, 1957 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | February 24, 2025 (aged 67) |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | Explicit preaching |
Career
editBorn April 1, 1957 in Memphis, Tennessee,[1] Matthews gained popularity in December 2017 after a Facebook livestream where he went on a vulgar rant on cursing in religion.[2][3] In 2018, he was featured in an episode of Tosh.0.[4] An Instagram video of his, titled "I Don't Give a Shit Saturday", was sampled for the song "Situations" on the album Bandana by Freddie Gibbs & Madlib.[5]
Controversy
editIn 2016, Matthews was accused by a woman of harassing her, to which he responded by saying she was lying.[1][6] That same year, he was arrested for harassment after he posted nude photos of himself to a blog.[7]
In 2019, Matthews received criticism after holding a twerking contest at his church.[8] That same year, he got into an argument with singer and television personality K. Michelle.[9][10] He also made homophobic remarks towards Davin Clemons, an LGBTQ police officer who ran for Memphis City Council.[11]
In 2022, Matthews turned himself into the Memphis Police Department after using social media for sexual harassment, a violation of a restraining order placed by an ex-girlfriend.[12][13]
Death
editMatthews died on February 24, 2025, aged 67, from congestive heart failure.[14]
References
edit- 1 2 "Memphis Talk Show Host Arrested For Harassment". Local Memphis. 4 March 2016.
- ↑ Blair, Lenardo (3 September 2018). "Pastor Who Uses Cussing to Draw Millions Doesn't Give a Da*n What You Think". The Christian Post.
- ↑ "THE LAST DAYS? 'THE CUSSING PASTOR' GOES VIRAL AFTER EXPLETIVE-FILLED RANT (VIDEO)". Ebony. 22 December 2017.
- ↑ Elerick, John; Patton, Jim (2018-05-08), Cussing Preacher, Tosh.0, Daniel Tosh, retrieved 2024-03-01
- ↑ Edelstone, Steven (3 July 2019). "Freddie Gibbs & Madlib: Bandana". Paste.
- ↑ Quander, Michael (5 March 2016). "Thaddeus Matthews calls harassment victim a 'liar' after arrest". WREG-TV.
- ↑ Chaney, Kim (21 March 2016). "Thaddeus Matthews Arrested For Harassment Again". Local Memphis.
- ↑ Blair, Lenardo (27 February 2019). "'Cussing Pastor' defends twerking contest held at church, tells critics 'f*** you'". The Christian Post.
- ↑ Marie, Erika (15 May 2019). "K. Michelle & "The Cussing Pastor" Engage In Screaming Match At Restaurant". Hot New Hip Hop.
- ↑ Berger, Tia (15 May 2019). "'Don't Come for Me': K. Michelle's Encounter with the 'Cussing Pastor' Turns Violent". Atlanta Black Star.
- ↑ "Homophobic Attack On Davin Clemons By Tenn. Radio Talk Show Host". The Rainbow Times. 8 August 2019.
- ↑ Sherfield, Shyra (10 January 2022). "Controversial broadcaster, pastor Thaddeus Matthews turns himself in to Memphis police". Action News 5.
- ↑ Chaney, Kim (11 January 2022). "Talk show host Thaddeus Matthews accused of harassing ex-girlfriend through social media". Local Memphis.
- ↑ Finton, Brooke Muckerman and Lucas. "Thaddeus Matthews, controversial radio host known as the 'Cussing Pastor,' has died at 67". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 2025-02-25.