Andrew Yang Sparks Anger on Social Media Over 'Disrespectful' Cursing In Church

Andrew Yang triggered a backlash on social media for saying "s***" during a campaign meeting at a Brooklyn church, with some arguing it was "disrespectful" to say the curse word in a place of worship.

Yang attended St. Ann's Church and The Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn Heights on Saturday night as he continues his campaign to be New York mayor with primaries set to begin next month.

Speaking to a few dozen prospective voters inside the church, Yang said: "I moved here as a 21-year-old law student at Columbia. I didn't know s***."

He later continued: "I have the kind of life and career that I could never have even imagined as a 21-year-old, and every single good thing that has happened to me personally and professionally was made possible by New York City."

Following the event, Yang said in his Twitter post on Saturday: "Wonderful meeting voters in Brooklyn Heights at St Ann's Church today. Met some phenomenal people - we will do this again."

Many people took to the social media platform to share their views about Yang's language with several being critical over his choice of words.

One user said: "So disrespectful the way you cussed in church. You're definitely not mature enough to run the city."

Another added: "I don't have to be religious to say that him cussing in a church is wrong."

A third commented: "Called (sic) me old fashioned, but regardless of your feelings about religion, don't disrespect a church like this."

Others did not appear to be phased by the mayoral candidate, with one adding: "Andrew Yang cursing in church now? Dude's getting more New York by the day."

One other said: "I don't care for it either, and never have, but swearing while 'standing in a church' and 'swearing in church' are not the same thing. Please think about it. I don't like swearing, but I know lots of people who've sworn while standing in a church who would never swear in church."

A spokesperson for Yang's campaign told the New York Daily News that it was part of the candidate telling a story and was not intended to offend.

In a statement, Yang's spokesperson told Newsweek: "Andrew was having a good time with the audience at today's town hall, laughing and sharing stories. As everyone there knew, he has incredible respect for the church and this wasn't a service.

"Besides, it's not like he asked parishioners to carry firearms to houses of worship like Eric Adams has in the past."

Yang's comments were in reference to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams (D) declaration that he would take a gun into church.

Following the fatal shooting of 11 people inside a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, Adams said: "From now on, I will bring my handgun every time I enter a church or synagogue."

The former cop also encouraged trained police to do the same.

Yang is looking to take Mayor Bill de Blasio's place as mayor, as the incumbent cannot run for a third term under New York City Law.

While Yang took early leads in polls, he fell behind Adams for the first time by picking up 21 percent of those surveyed by GQR.

Meanwhile, Yang polled at 18 percent in the poll released earlier this week.

05/10/21 03:00 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include a statement to Newsweek from Andrew Yang's spokesperson.