Deep Thoughts: Pastor Kennedy is in trouble

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Pastor Kennedy is in trouble

Pastor Kennedy of the Ebenezer Royal African Methodist Episcopal Church, was arrested for sexually assaulting a teen.

Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. John Herrell said the victim, who is now 19, said that Kennedy began sexually abusing her when she was around 13 years old, with it ending in her 9th grade year.

Herrell would not give the relationship between the two, other than they are relatives.

I don’t understand many things about Christians. One thing that always bothers me is what they name their churches. I mean, Ebenezer Royal African what the hell? I’m sure it means something. I just don’t get it. Of course, I also don’t understand why the pastors of these important sounding churches like to molest children. Can anyone explain that? I think its related.

Kennedy failed my hypocrisy test.

According to the arrest affidavit, Kennedy allegedly said "everyone makes mistakes, he regretted it but can't change it, and all you can do is pray to God to help people whose life you might have affected."

This mindset is called “fuck and forget”. It’s very Christian.

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I looked up Ebenezer. It comes from Sam. 7:12 - Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us. So Ebenezer means GOD ROCK?

Technorati tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse, Child Molestation, Pedophilia

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Jack 119p · 850 weeks ago

Pedophilia is too complicated to be explained in a comment, but I will say this much: because Christians elevate belief above behavior when it comes to morality, they are extremely vulnerable to manipulation by those who feign belief. This vulnerability, combined with their tendency to elevate the status of their clergy into demigods, spells disaster.

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1 reply · active 850 weeks ago

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Mojoey 107p · 850 weeks ago

My favorite reggae song is - By his deeds by VC. I added it to my blip account. It nails the whole hypocrite past thing.

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Raytheist 108p · 850 weeks ago

there are plenty of African Methodist Episcopalian churches in the south. This blurb is from the AME main Website:
http://www.ame-church.com/about-us/
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The word African means that the church was organized by people of African descent and heritage. It does not mean that the church was founded in Africa, or that it was for persons of African descent only.

The church's roots are of the family of Methodist churches. Methodism provides an orderly system of rules and regulations and places emphasis on a plain and simple gospel.

Episcopal refers to the form of government under which the church operates. The chief executive and administrative officers of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination are the Bishops of the church.
-----

That may not explain the Ebenezer or the Royal part, but the AME part is just the denominational designation.

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1 reply · active 850 weeks ago

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Mojoey 107p · 850 weeks ago

Thanks - It never ceases to amaze me how much I don't know.

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Dale · 850 weeks ago

My first name is Eben. It's Hebrew for "stone" or "rock". I also studied some Hebrew while in seminary. The best translation of "Ebenezer" is: "Stone of Help" and can be interpreted in the aforementioned context as "a memorial-stone raised to remind us, and future generations, of this victorious event during which we experienced supernatural assistance from God. The significance of raising the stone was to mark the new territorial boarder gained by subduing the Philistines and also to memorialize the spiritual renewal of the people which invoked God's involvement in the fracas.

As for "pastor Kennedy": There are several very stern warnings in the Bible addressing individuals who aspire to pastor/teacher leadership rolls and then betray the vulnerabilities with which they have been entrusted. I lack the vocabulary to describe the degree of my personal disdain for such behavior. It is completely unacceptable behavior for any Christian. Worse still, is any organizational protection or negligence used to hide what was going on.

It should be noted that “fuck and forget” is not Christian. There are also many charlatans in the churches; people who are there for personal reasons and may or may not represent the way of Christ. Jesus told us these 'worthless weeds' will be among us until the end (Matt.13:24ff.)

The standard for identifying Christianity is degree of adherence to the lifestyle and teachings of Christ Jesus himself, not the people who claim to be his followers. Jesus called people to repentance and discipleship, something far from what pastor Kennedy was practicing.

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2 replies · active 850 weeks ago

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Mojoey 107p · 850 weeks ago

Thanks for the lesson. It helps. This stuff can be for insiders only.

My problem with your last two paragraphs is that it is easy to distance people like Kennedy from the rest of the flock. We hear it all the time. The man was a christian until he was not... How does one tell which Christians are good or bad?

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deleted5855019 44p · 850 weeks ago

... when it's too late.

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Grenadian F-Thinker · 850 weeks ago

It is always amazing to watch the Christians reaction to their once love, “God called” leaders. They are the best when they just supposedly received the calling and people flock to their Church. However, as soon as they committed their crime, they no longer a Christian; as a matter of fact, they were never a Christian. As stupid as that is, it does put a bright sport-light upon the one who called these individuals judgment. Some God.

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1 reply · active 850 weeks ago

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Mojoey 107p · 850 weeks ago

I get the same thing all the time. People tell me that I must have never been a christian. Because if I had really known god, then I would still be a christian. I just shake me head.

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Grenadian F-Thinker · 850 weeks ago

It seem that have a f*** up judgment, calling people who, and I surmise he must have known, are not or will not be Christians. So God is placing these lunatics and potential criminals in charge and allows his loving flock to follow them, only to find out, as Cearal point out, " when it's too late." However, don't worry, God loves you.

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Ldm · 761 weeks ago

Is there anyone who believes this man may be innocent. I know since Obama became the President the constitution has all but been neutralized and is only used by the press and the President when it is convienent. But this man still has the right to be presumed innocent until he is proven guilty.

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2 replies · active 757 weeks ago

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Baconsbud 96p · 761 weeks ago

Would you point out all the times that they have ignored the US Constitution. While you are looking for these instances, look into all the Presidents that have come before him. If you really believe in the US Constitution, you need to look into how many within the more extreme versions of christianity are trying to do to it before you accuse others of ignoring it.

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Mojoey 107p · 757 weeks ago

He admitted the abuse. No, I don't think he is innocent. Innocent until proven guilty is a legal concept. I am allowed to express my own opinion. That's the way it works in America.

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Ldm · 761 weeks ago

I see where there is a problem with those who think a rush to judgement has occured. First of all I believe the man should be given the benefit of the doubt until he is proven guilty. Second: In first Corinthins chapter five starting with verse seven it tells that we as Christians have a responsibility to judge those who are Christians. You cannot get out of this one by explaining it away. The scripture is very plain. We are told not to judge the world that is the responsibility of God. Read then comment.

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Sunday, January 11, 2009

Pastor Kennedy is in trouble

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