A devout Christian woman spreading Christianity in a Texas mall recently became viral after documenting how the mall apparently kicked her out. The woman was allegedly doing nothing wrong, though according to her, wearing a Jesus shirt and spreading Jesus figures all over the mall was not exactly allowed. Hence, the security escorted the woman out and even called her a bad Christian, something that made her cry in the parking lot.
Instagram user ekwhatley or E. Whatley is the aggrieved woman in question. In her video, you can see her being escorted by a thickly-beareded mall cop. A few days ago, Whatley went to Grapevine Mills Mall in Grapevine, Texas, to spread the good word of Christianity by wearing an undoubtedly Christian shirt and handing out Jesus figures to the mall-goers. Because of this, the mall supposedly had her “banned for life.”
Whatley then concluded her post that “Christianity is not allowed at Grapevine Mills Mall.” The Texas woman added, “You can share the devil. Just not Jesus. And if you have on any Christian shirt – they will ask you to turn it inside out or leave.” To the mall cop’s defense, according to Whatley, “Jesus is not allowed in the mall… He said I was a bad Christian… he said I was uncooperative.” Whatley considered such words “mean,” and afterward, she sat and cried in her car.
It’s not clear whether the Texas woman has informed the mall authorities or not, or if the mall really has a policy against impromptu religious activities (which was technically what Whatley did). Whatley also hasn’t clarified what exactly she meant by sharing the “devil” in the mall, though shirts with some transgressive designs have been sold in stores for decades now.
The Texas Woman’s Complaint Has Sparked a Debate Online
Whatley’s post has since gone viral among Texas’s large Christian community, and her complaint apparently became a mouthpiece for many Texans who are worried about the increasing Islamic community in the state (whether real or imagined). One X post even suggests that Christians are supposedly getting kicked out, “What’s going on with Texas ? Adds Muslims, removes Christians?” though some people have argued that it’s not about religion.
Certain commenters have argued against Whatley’s complaints, however, claiming, “Malls are private property. Do you not like private property rights?” Another even questioned her, “she’s on private property and has no permission to hand out anything. try handing out anything at the mall – see what happens. Are you a communist?”
Regardless, it appears certain Texans are now adamant about boycotting the mall, though it appears they might have other, more controversial reasons. “Unbelievable. If you go to Grapevine Mills Mall, it’s flooded with foreigners, hijabs everywhere… disgusting.” Meanwhile, Texas schools appear to be sparking off a similar political and religious discourse concerning Christianity and Islam.
