1.  Introduction

This treatise is written to those who want to know the truth concerning a newly-formed media icon called "Identity."  It is particularly intended for law enforcement agencies and government authorities who are being purposely misled by certain Jewish organizations, such as the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League of B'Nai B'Rith.  Rabbi Daniel Lapin, himself a prominent Jewish leader, infers that these organizations purposely mislead and distort.  All law enforcement agencies and public schools receiving literature from such groups need to beware of Rabbi Lapin's admission and warning, that, "The Anti-Defamation League similarly published a book filled with distorted and false definitions of religious conservatives." ^[1]   This treatise reveals a propaganda war presently being waged with the intent to demonize and persecute innocent Americans. 

That I, Peter J. Peters, am qualified to address this subject is attested to by the words of the propagandists who are waging this war.  As far back as 1986, I was accused by Leonard Zeskind of the Center for Democratic Renewal of being a leading Identity figure.  He said, "Pete Peters, at 40 years old, is one of the rising stars on the Identity speaking circuit. ^[2]  Ten years later, the Jewish Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said of me, "Pete Peters, a leading figure in the Christian Identity movement has preached the bigoted pseudo-religion in his LaPorte (Colorado) Church of Christ since 1977." ^[3]  The so-called "Southern Poverty Law Center" listed me by name in its full page New York Times ad of April 14, 1996, promoting its recent piece of propaganda entitled "False Patriots--The Threat of Antigovernment Extremists."  A portion of the advertisement read, "The False Patriots report reveals the people behind the 'Patriot' Movement, people like...Pete Peters, a pastor of the bizarre Christian Identity faith." ^[4]  In the book "Gathering Storm," I was described as a pastor "who for more than twenty-two years, has been a prominent figure in the far-right movement." ^[5] 

I have been written about in many of the major periodicals, from Newsweek to the Reader's Digest, and have been interviewed by organizations ranging from the television program 48 Hours to the Wall Street Journal.  Thus, I am familiar with the methods and tactics of the media. 

The effect of this publicity has been to make my name recognizable at the national and international level, so that people seeking truth on the subject called Identity often simply type in the name "Pete Peters" on their Internet search engines.  Law enforcement officials, including a U.S. Attorney General, have sought me out for information concerning this subject.  Additionally, I have spoken with numerous congressmen on the subject, and congressional aids have ordered our material.  Investigators, both favorable and antagonistic, have considered me an authority on the subject. 

As to who I am, I am a Christian who is part of the restoration movement now underway--a movement in which Christian Americans call themselves simply "Christian."  I come from a western ranch background.  I am a graduate of the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture.  I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture Business & Economics from Colorado State University.  I received a Bachelor of Sacred Literature degree from a Church of Christ Bible college.  I have been the pastor of the LaPorte Church of Christ in LaPorte, Colorado since 1977.  My congregation consists not only of those who gather in LaPorte, Colorado, but also those to whom I minister through a world-wide tape, literature, and radio ministry. 

More important than the matter of who I am, is the matter of what I and those whom I pastor are not.  As I will show in this treatise, we are not "gay," we are not cannibals, and we certainly are not "Identity."