Sin is sin, except when it’s not

One of the most frustrating aspects of posting on clergy sexual abuse is attitudes towards sin found among some believers. The typical statue equates a pastor’s sin, like chid rape, with some small sin on the part of the person criticizing the pastor. In other words, deliberately speeding is the same as child rape, or worse, coveting thy neighbor’s wife, a thought crime, is the same as child rape. How does this make any sense?

Take this comment from the arrest of Memphis pastor Demarcus Smith. How does it make any sense?

Rosa Sunshine read your Bible ma'am in God eyes SIN IS SIN! You can put it in whatever cateogory you want too. But the Bible says that it stinks (SIN) in His nosterils! Please understand that I am not taking up for this man, and what he did was wrong and, no - I would not trust him around my child, but the fact is, we need to quit acting as if we are soooo squeaky clean! If only we all lived in a glass house, so the world could see all of our secrets 24/7, and let them judge if your sins hurt other people or not. LOL...The fact is ALL OF OUR SINS HURT GOD!! That's what matter Ms. Rosa. - Edwin Williams

We hurt God how exactly? Our thought crimes hurt just as much as a pastor’s child rape? It is horrible logic and makes no sense. It’s like talking to children about Santa. The rules are fluid.

I don’t even understand why people make the argument. There are real victims in this case. Real children were hurt. Real crimes were allegedly committed that require justice. What does it matter what I say in comparison to the alleged crimes of this would be monster? Am I to remain silent? Of course. I don’t believe in the concept of sin, but there are a lot of people out there who do and to whom this argument makes some kind of perverse sense. This thinking is nonsense that leads to the next argument, one that says only God can judge and punish. We can judge. We can punish. I am comforted by the knowledge that we will do so in this case.

The state of atheist blogging

Evan, at On the way to Ithaca, the blog of a Greek atheist, wrote an article on the state of atheist blogging. The stats break down to active (ενεργά),  inactive (ανενεργά) and no longer existent (ανύπαρκτα). I do not think the results paint a healthy picture. 

Evan says the work took in about four hours. I am grateful for the effort. Thank Evan! I have not updated The Atheist Blogroll since Jan 26, 2014. With my professional obligations, I do not have the time to dedicate to the task. 

If a few interested atheists would like to join me in an effort to revitalize the list, drop me a email. I would be happy to get it going again; even if we just list all active atheist blogs as a resource for the community. 

Chronicles of Hypocrisy # 19

I took a two-week break from blogging about religious hypocrisy, but unfortunately, it is time to start documenting the cases again. I hesitate to open Google though, I already know there are a lot of new cases, at least 25. I’m skipping the new cases from Africa in this issue. I just don’t have the time to write them up.

My wife asked me if I was anti-Muslim. I said, “No, I’m anti-hypocrite.”

Pastor Mickey Kirkland was arrested for domestic violence. I’m sure he plans a biblical defense. Kirkland is the pastor of the Lighthouse Church in Montgomery, Al., and a former gubernatorial candidate.

Pastor David Donaldson, 78, was arrested for molesting a child in Sandia, Tx. He was arrested by the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force as he had been on the run.

Pastor Stephen Pohl was arrested for possession of child pornography. Pohl worked as a priest for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky. The priest took child erotica photos of St. Margaret Mary students.

Baptist pastor Vitaly Korchevsky was arrested for insider trading. His church supports him though, cause he could not possibly have been involved. Korchevsky is the pastor at the Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church in Brookhaven, Pa, He allegedly pocketed 17.5 million dollars.

Baptist youth pastor Donald Dewyne Ramsey was arrested for raping a teen girl. He was the youth pastor at Peace Baptist Church in Castle Hyde, Nc., is when the alleged rape occurred. They church is shocked, of course they game Ramsey unsupervised control of children…

Pastor Suler Acosta of City Church York in York City, Pa., was arrested for soliciting prostitution. Shame! Shame! Acosta resigned over the scandal.

Baptist pastor George Kieth Hall and his wife were arrested for embezzlement. Hall was the pastor at Journey Church in Triad, Nc. The Halls had helped ‘plant’ the church, then allegedly misappropriated $40k in cash.

Pastor James Robert Smith, was arrested a second time for child molestation. Smith worked at the Morningstar House of Prayer in Ridgeview, in W.Va. Smith, also known as “J.R.” was originally arrested in 2014 for the rape of a ten-year-old boy. His church stood by him at the time, but not so much now.

Baptist pastor Timothy Williams was arrested for possession of child pornography. Williams was the pastor at Heritage Baptist Church in Greenwood, IL. Williams was removed from the church website when the police searched his home. All records of him are gone and the church makes no mention of the scandal. This is typical.

Pastor Gene Emerson, the founding pastor of KingsWay Church in Richmond, Va., was convicted of trying to plant his seed in a prostitute. Emerson resigned and his church is moving on and doing so publicly. Good for them.

Baptist youth pastor Willam C. Lewis was arrested for child molestation. Lewis was the youth pastor at First Jordan Grove Baptist Church in Brunswick, Ga.

Baptist youth pastor Demarcus Smith of Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church in South Memphis, Tn., was arrested on child pornography charges. Smith allegedly coerced a boy into taking indecent photos of himself and then send him the pictures. Did I mention Smith is a member of the Baptist Ministerial Association and a snappy dresser?

Pastor Gregory Hawkins was sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. Hawkins was the pastor at Zion Plaza Church in Tulsa, Ok. Hawkins was originally arrested in 2013.

Joseph H. Patterson, a 22-year member of the Boulevard Baptist Church in N.C., was denied bond over a series of child exploitation incidents, some of which took place at the church. The church pastor, John McKinnely, was shocked by the allegations. I would be too.

Pastor Juan Gomez, already arrested on sexual battery charges, faces more charges because new victims have come forward. The DA intends to file charges that will result in life in prison if convicted. Gomez was the pastor at Iglesia De Dios Church in Wimauma, Fl.

Pastor Samuel McCullough, 84, was arrested for the attempted rape of a child. McCullough is pastor of the misnamed Caring and Sharing Christian Ministry, in Rochester, Ny.

I’ve hit my limit… I’ll build a new list for tomorrow.

Link to Chronicles of Hypocrisy #18.

Is India civilized?

India is the world’s largest democracy, but is it civilized? I ask because of stories from India that seem like the people live in the 10th century. They sit atop the global slavery index with 14 million adults and children trapped in modern slavery. Poverty is endemic and institutionalized. Plus, Indian’s still fight over the caste system, which is illegal by statute, but still practiced by custom. And, the caste system is still used to justify horrific punishments for violating antiquated social norms.

Is it really permissible to punish two innocent sisters for the actions of their brother simply because they are members of the lowest caste in their village? The news this week is full of outrage over two sisters from a village near Delhi who were sentenced to be raped for ‘crimes’ committed by their brother who ran off with a married woman from a higher caste. Is that even a crime? It’s a caste issue, which feels a lot like our American racist BS.

Is India civilized? I think its fair to ask the question. I ask the same questions about America too. Are you listening Kentucky?

So Jared Fogle is a freak

Jared Fogle will go away for a few years. It turns out he is a freak. I know that it is hard to miss the news. He’s all over the headlines as he’s admitted to child porn and having sex with underage girls. The charges do not include the word rape, which I find repugnant. Fogle cut a deal with the charges and will only do a few years in prison, but even five years will be enough to assure that he returns to civilian life a changed man. Prison is tough on child molesters. He’s in for some hard time.

I am pleased to learn that a porn sniffing dog helped bring this bastard down. I hear the pouch is rentable… You listening churches?

And Subway is looking at its own execs to see if anybody knew or suspected. There is evidence that allegations were reported to Subway. If true, this could get complicated.

I also learned that Fogle Child Obesity Foundation has never issued a grant. It appears the foundation was designed to build and image and possible get him access to kids.

Is there anything to learn from this case? The Huffington Post thinks so. The author reminds us that pedophilia is a clinical disorder. I don’t really care about that. What I learned is that powerful people are enabled by those around them, be it a large corporation or the people he associates with. Money hides many sins.

What the hell is Ashley Madison

What the hell is Ashley Madison and why should I care? I started seeing the news and originally thought it was a shopping site that had been hacked. My wife had to explain it to me. Now I find out it’s an unknown (to me anyway) way for married adults to hook up for extra marital affairs. Again, why should I care? Adults are free to do as they please.

I turns out that pious Christian and Muslim moralists like and use the site. Well, I’m not surprised nor should any reader of this blog be surprised. These people are liars and worse, forgiven liars.

We have Josh Duggar, who by now should not be able to show his face in any church in America. He is repentant and forgiven. Heck, he cheated because his wife did not service his needs. It’s really not even his fault.

Then there is the totally obnoxious Christian Lifestyle blogger,
who had an Ashley Madison account. He only admits to having the account. God forgave him too, so please continue watching his videos to he can make a living telling you how to live.

Islamist Hamza Tzortzis had an account that he denies was his. He just wanted a female for cuddling, blowjobs and hand jobs. It’s all good though, the paid account using his address and email was obviously an fraud. You can go on believing his hate speech. It’s all good.

None of us believe that the Executive Director of the Louisana Republican party, Jason Doré, did “opposition research” with his paid account. Has he been fired yet? I was doing research… right.

People are killing themselves over the scandal. No pastors yet, but I’m sure its just a matter of time. Don’t kill yourselves people. It’s just adultery. God will forgive you. Just pray it away.

A Catholic mass for a Lutheran

I recently attended a Catholic memorial mass for a friend. He was a Lutheran, but his wife was Catholic. I thought it odd that priest would perform a memorial mass for a man from a religious sect that was formed in protest of the Catholic church. I don’t understand how that works.

I sat in the back, wearing a suit and my dark sun glasses, while the service played out. I did not want to engage with others, although I was joined by a fellow malcontent just before the service started. My friend was loved by many and most came. It was touching.

I was not comforted by the mass. Others were. I could see that by the reactions on the faces and bodies of those around me. I was asked to alternately stand, sit or kneel throughout the service. I kept wondering how any of this made sense. Stand and repeat the following words. Sit or stand and listen to a sad song. Kneel and pray. Stand and pray. Shake a bunch of hands. Eat a wafer. Get a blessing. I was not raised Catholic, so the rituals are a mystery to me, but even Protestant rituals baffle me, I find the them troubling in that they only mean something if you invest the time to learn them.

The priest spoke like he knew my friend would be with God in heaven. If I understand things correctly, the priest would have absolutely zero confidence that a non-Catholic could make it to heaven. Yet he spoke like it was all good. He spoke lies though. Every word was a lie.

A friend from the true church (or so he says), a Coptic Christian from the Orthodox Church of Alexandria, sat across the isle from me. He seemed as baffled by the service as me. I noticed that he did not go up to receive a blessing. We both watched as almost everyone else did though. Why would an atheist take a blessing? What purpose would that serve?

I sat among strangers, friends and political enemies. We shook hands at one point as it was part of the ritual. People muttered platitudes while offering a hand. I shook a man’s hand that I would just as soon punch in the nose, all with a tight-lipped smile. It’s a week or so later as I write this. I’d still rather punch him in the nose.

The service took an hour, half of which was dedicated to getting ready for and performing the Eucharist. It was a performance. Let’s call it religious theater. First you wash the dishes, then you set the table, then you pray, then you eat, then you feed the masses, then you clean, then you put pretty things away, and then you pray. The service continues on after this though; on and on with more praying and more songs.

The priest told us only that good Catholics could take the sacrament. He seemed pretty damn serious. One must be a Catholic in good standing and have gone to confession, otherwise it was a sin to take the wafer. Like I said… serious and oddly out of context given the nature of the service.

I don’t mean to sound sacrilegious or trite, but I just don’t get it. I know the service means something for others, but it was meaningless for me. I hugged my friend’s wife and told her to reach out if she needs help. She only speaks Spanish, so I’m sure my gesture was lost on her. I’ll follow up though because I meant what I said. There are no prayers in me, but if she needs a lift to get the car fixed or a hand around the house, I’ll be there for her.

I shook a few hands and slapped a few backs after the service. It was good to see a few old friends. All too soon I felt the normal social awkwardness creep back into my mind as people pressed in around me and starting asking questions, so looked for an excuse to leave and took it. I snuck out a few minutes later and had lunch with a friend.

Huckabee is horrible

Huckabee is a horrible man with a nasty conservative Christian vision for America. I’m happy knowing he has no chance at winning the race for the Whitehouse in 2016. His views on rape and abortion are extreme. Huckabee: 10-Year-Old Rape Victim Should Have Been Forced To Give Birth.

The former Arkansas governor who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination called the girl's rape a tragedy in an interview with CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union" Sunday.

But he said: "Let's not compound a tragedy by taking yet another life."

"A 10-year-old girl being raped is horrible. But does it solve a problem by taking the life of an innocent child? And that's really the issue," Huckabee said.

- via Crooks and Liars

His answer was essentially, fuck the little girl.

Jehovah’s Witnesses hide child sex abuse cases

There is an interesting story out of Australia about the Jehovah’s Witness Church hiding child sex abuse cases.

At the opening hearing into the Jehovah’s Witnesses on Monday, Angus Stewart, senior council assisting the commission, described the church as an insular sect with rules designed to stem the reporting of sexual abuse.

“Evidence will be put before the Royal Commission that of the 1,006 alleged perpetrators of child sexual abuse identified by the Jehovah’s Witness Church since 1950, not one was reported by the church to secular authorities,” he said.
- via New York Post

I think we can assume that if the Jehovah’s Witnesses Church in Australia has rules the hide child sexual abuse, then the church would have the same process in place in Europe and the United States. I think we need a congressional investigation into religious child sexual abuse. We can start with Catholics and Baptists and then move on to the more insular sects.

Chronicles of Hypocrisy #18

The Catholic edition…

Rev. John Regan is transitioning back to ministry after completing 48 months of probation on a felony conviction for stealing $300k from St. Walter’s Parish in Chicago. Hey… priests deserve a second chance, right?

"Because of my addiction, I know what sin, shame, public humiliation and scandal are. I have experienced and felt them," Regan wrote on the website. "But because of God's grace and my 12-step recovery group, I also know what redemption, forgiveness and God's mercy are."
- via chicagotribune.com

Activists urge Pope Francis to address clergy sex abuse during his U.S.Visit. I do too.

Prompted by Pope Francis’s trip to Philadelphia this fall, Salveson has renewed his activism toward the church, calling for the pontiff and other participants in a global Catholic meeting on family issues to discuss child sex abuse by clergy members and wear black ribbons to represent “the darkness that infects the souls of survivors,” he said.
- via Washington Post

Did you hear the one about a priest, a doughnut and gay sex? Rev. John Riccardo spouts nonsense to children. Read this for more.

A 10-year-old rape victim, denied an abortion in Paraguay, gave birth via cesarean section. The deeply Catholic South American nation only allows abortions when a woman’s live is in danger. I guess forcing a child to live in protected custody while pregnant and then giving a her a cesarean does not translated to putting the child’s life danger. Wait… it would here in the states, what’s the difference? I’d say its religion.

Speaking of Paraguay, one of the chief architects of the religious fervor which puts the lives of child rape victims at risk, Rogelio Livieres Plano, has died. Plano was ousted by Pope Francis over irregularities.

The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City is apologizing for clergy sexual abuse and inviting victims for a series of prayer and healing services. If I understand this correctly, priests who did not abuse people will forgive the victims through prayer and somehow magically heal them. Yep… that will help.

The Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese has reached a settlement in its five-year-old bankruptcy over liability for clergy sexual abuse and will pay $21 million to the victims.

Can a serial killer be forgiven? Michel Ross thought that God forgave him because he became a Catholic. One becomes a Catholic by baptism, confirmation and taking the holy Eucharist, plus in Ross’ case, one hell of a confession. Ross strangled and raped nine young girls and was killed by lethal injection in 2005. Now Connecticut has declared the death penalty unconstitutional and other murders like Ross will sit in prison rather than get their rewards in heaven.

Catholic bishop and homophobe, Vitus Hounder, stands by his bible-motivated comment that gays should be put to death. He’s from Europe, doesn’t that constitute a hate crime or something?

From Spain - Former Catholic High School religion teacher Paula Comeaux Latiolais pleaded no contest to charges that she raped a former student. She was sentenced to 5 years probation and a $6k fine. She had sex with her student over 250 times.

Retired priest Charles Antekeier, 79, can no longer present himself as a priest because of incidents involving a minor in 1984 and 1985. Antekeier worked in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. He’s been reported to the authorities.

• SNAP is none too pleased
  

Rev. Richard McCormack, a convicted child rapist, has pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault on a young boy. The message here is clear; Parents, don’t send your kids off to Catholic summer camp, especially at the Salesian Brothers’ Sacred Heart Retreat House in New York.

Link to Chronicles of Hypocrisy #17

USAF, Christina Hopper and religiouosity

This is an interesting article on the public face of Christianity in the USAF. It’s worth a read.

It’s an interesting article in The Economist on the public endorsement of religion in the USAF.CHRISTINA HOPPER, an officer in the American air force, attracts a lot of publicity, for several reasons. Having flown combat missions over Iraq, she has been hailed as the first African-American woman to pilot a fighter aircraft in an active war zone. She is also a passionate evangelical Christian, who believes that she had a divine vocation to become a pilot of war planes. Her nickname, and call-sign, is Thumper, which is short for Bible-thumper. 

- via The Economist

The video mentioned in the article clearly shows Hopper in her USAF uniform talking about her faith. I think that’s enough to establish a public link between the USAF and Religion.

Chronicles of Hypocrisy #17

Let’s see, today there are five new cases plus Pat Robertson’s horrible advice to Christian grandparents. I am also working on CoH #18, the Catholic edition.

Let’s start with a rumor. A man claims to have a gay sex tape outing evangelical pastor Henrico White (video) of St. Stephen A.M.E. Zion Church in North Carolina. Pimp Preacher has the details.

And then there’s a Christian women in Ghana who uses her ‘butts’ as bait to attract men and then ministers to them about Christ. I see a new movement starting, Twerking for Jesus.

There are times when a pastor’s arrest is a good thing. Like the arrest of Osagyefo Sekou, a pastor at First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plan, who was arrested for peacefully protesting in Ferguson, Mo.

The moral advantage of christianity was in full view this week when the three sons of pastor Melvin Jefferson pleaded guilty to selling cocaine. Son’s Marvin Jefferson a former pastor, Shannon Jefferson and stepson Jimmy Lanier now face prison. Perhaps they can start a ministry?

In case you missed my horrific story on the arrest of pastor Howard Chambers, here is the link.

New Cases

Former youth pastor Jason Phillips, a convicted pedophile, was arrested for stepping foot onto the property of a daycare center. Phillips was paroled after four years in prison and is a registered sex offender. Let’s hope this sends him back to prison.

Local church treasurer, Thomas Thompson, 59, was arrested for grand larceny. He allegedly had been using the money to pay his personal bills. Thompson worked at Zion Episcopal Church in Hudson Falls, N.Y.

Pastor David Volmer, 41, pleaded guilty to 12 charges related to his rape of a 13-year-old girl. He gave his victim amyl nitrate before raping her. Volmer was the pastor at ACTS Christian Church in Perth, Australia.

Youth pastor Christopher Dodson was charged with having sexual contact with a girl while working at a Christian youth camp. Dodson was a youth pastor at Bayard Church of Christ in South Dakota.

Youth pastor James Robert “JR” Smith was arrested on charges he molested a child in Indiana. It’s his second arrest. Smith was arrested in October 2014 on charges that he molested a child while a youth pastor at Morning Star House of Prayer in Ridgeview.

Bad advice from Pat Robertson

Pat Robertson tells a grandmother to take her grandchild to prevent the child from being damaged by atheist parents. He suggests sending the child to a christian school where they can be taught buggery by a wide array of Christian pedophiles teachers (ok, I made that last part up). Here are a few examples of what the poor child could face.

1. Christian teacher Joe Habegger was arrested for child molestation. 
2. Christian teacher Gregory Stanley was arrested for child molestation. 
3. Christian teacher Patrick Porter was arrested for child solicitation. 
4. Christian teacher Christian Reynolds was sentenced to 6 years in prison for child molestation.
5. Christian day care worker Seeta Roopchand was arrested for battery for “disciplining” a disobedient 7-month-old baby.
6. Christian teacher Christian Armstrong was arrested for serial child molestation for his alleged repeated sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. 
7. Christian teacher Amber Anderson was arrested for carnal knowledge of a juvenile.
8. Christian teacher Beth Ann Nemec was arrestedon seven counts of child abuse for the allegedly beating her students.
   

I could go on, but I stopped after eight cases. There are hundreds of similar cases showing in Google. My point is that Christian schools are no safer than secular schools. There are no safe places and being a Christian offers no moral advantage.

Link to CoH #16

Agnipariksha - Wait. What?

I thought Agnipariksha was an Indian TV show? I guess it also means that rape victims in India can balance a rock on their head to prove purity.

The rape survivor, who became pregnant as a result of the attack and had been denied an abortion by Gujarat High Court in India, has to undergo a ritual, called ‘Agnipariksha‘. If she passes this ‘sanctity test’, she would be able to live with her husband again.
- via The Express Tribune

Religion… not so cool.

The case against pastor Howard Chambers

I get tips.

Howard key chambers minister at dehaven lagrange baptist 5 yrs pastor 20 yrs crestwood baptist admits seeking sex on craigs list having sex with 10 yr old 8 times. Oldham county ky. Fbi case to be heard in dec 2015. Church not seeking possible g victims in church.

Some tips are about old case, some are about new cases and some are about cases that I’ve missed. I missed the case of Baptist music pastor Howard Chambers. I’m sorry I did too. It is horrible on many levels and leaves questions.

Pastor Howard ‘Key’ Chambers was the minister of music at DeHaven Baptist Church in LaGrange at the time of his arrest for the alleged sexual exploitation of a child. The details of this case are particularly disturbing as the story includes a Craigslist add, a ten-year-old girl, forced prostitution and rape.

Chambers placed an ad Craigslist in which he described a sexual fantasy where a 62-year-old granddaddy was looking to play with his young teen granddaughter. A man responded to the ad and sold his 10-year-old daughter to Chambers for sex. Chambers would play out his fantasy at least seven or eight times.

When interviewed he claim the victims father forced the sex and directed all of the activity. Chambers claimed that he returned because the man was going to turn him in.

Chambers was originally schedule for trial in March 2015, but the trial was pushed out to August.

I read every article I could find on this case and I found few answers. What did his employer do? What actions were taken to address possible abuse at the church? Did they even look for abuse among the children Chambers had access too? I found some references to Pastor Ross Bauscher and DeHaven Baptist Church not making a decision about Chambers’ future. I found some other comments related to disbelieve and support for Chambers, but these are typical of the Baptist response to abuse allegations.

We're told the 62-year-old goes by 'Key' and is the minister of music at DeHaven Baptist Church in LaGrange. Anna Sue Craigmyle has been going there for decades and sings in the choir. 

"He just was a fun guy to be around," she said.  "I'm just, I'm sick, I really am," she said about the charges. 
- via www.wdrb.com

This case stinks. Chambers was also an associate pastor at Crestwood Baptist Church.

Guest Post - on pastor Garth Bent

This guest post was submitted by a reader about youth pastor Garth Bent, who I posted on in 2008 and again in 2009 when I got a tip that Bent pleaded guilty to molesting a young boy in 1982. The conviction never made the press. I’m always mindful that the damage from these cases touch many lives. I present the story below unedited and in full.

This is my Story about Garth Bent - Peter Judd

As a young boy, many of us look up to older guys, people whom we trust and we think are just wonderful. 

I attended camp, Ontario Pioneer Camp. Garth was my Councillor the last year I was there. I was about 13 years old. He took us on Canoe trips, He was the best fisherman in the whole camp. He was just a great guy. 

I always wondered about him for years. 3 years ago I took my own child to OPC and he loved it, He has been going ever since. Now I have two boys going and my wife is camp nurse. 

I asked the manager this summer about Garth and she told me his last name. So I looked it up on the internet. 

I was devastated to learn he had been charged with 4 counts of sexual assault. My Child hood Hero, a child molester. 

I am deeply sorry for what happened to those kids, now adults. To me, he was a great person. What happened….? 

The Assaults did not , from what I understand , take place at OPC. I still send my kids there, they still love it. My wife is A wonderful nurse. 

I am very deeply hurt by this. If you or anyone knows of what became of Garth, I would like to know.

Chronicles of Hypocrisy #16

There are six new cases in this post and updates on a few more. It’s all stories of hate and wickedness of the worst kind. Kids are abused and people are hurt, all by men of God. It never stops. The corruption eats everything.

I read the Baylor study on Clergy Sexual Misconduct recently. I was struck by this fact: "In the average American congregation of 400 persons, with women representing, on average, 60% of the congregations, there are, on average 7 women who have experienced clergy sexual misconduct.”

Discretion is the polite word for hypocrisy - Christine Keeler

New Cases

Baptist youth pastor and teacher William Lewis, 26, of Brunswick, Ga., was arrested on two counts of child molestation. He allegedly touched and rubbed a ten year old boy. Lewis was the youth pastor at Grove Baptist Church and a first grade teacher at Altama Elementary School.

Youth pastor Jimmy Chang, 32, was arrested for sexually exploiting a teenage girl. Chang is charged with second-degree sexual assault. Chang was the owner and chief instructor at a Kumon learning center in Manchester, Conn. The center has since been shut down by Kumon North America.

Daycare worker and self described youth pastor Matthew Shaw was arrested after uploading thousands of images containing child porn. Google alerted authorities. Shaw’s Facebook profile claims he is a youth pastor Harvest Christian Church. I’m not sure if a cook at a daycare center qualifies as a youth pastor, but hey, people can say anything on Facebook. Shaw’s twitter profile @PastorMatthea makes the same claim.

Pastor Melvin Ollison Sr. (Facebook) was arrested on multiple counts of rape. At least one victim was five. At one time, the alleged serial rapist lead the Giants 4 Jesus in Byboro, Ollison’s bail is set at $1 million dollars.

Roman Catholic pastor Octavio Munoz Capetillo was removed as pastor of St. Pancratius Church in Brighton Park amid an investigation into sexual images found on his computer.

"Given the nature of the material, we reported our concerns to the civil authorities and will cooperate fully in their investigation," the archdiocese said in a statement. "In the interim, Archbishop (Blase) Cupich has withdrawn Father Munoz's ... authority to minister."
- via chicagotribune.com

Roman Catholic pastor Monsignor Michael Heras of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, resigned amid accusations of inappropriate conduct. The Nueces County District Attorney’s office is investigating.

Updates and interesting stories

The rape charges against Pastor Yohandry Bravo have been dismissed. I’m not sure of the details, but it looks like there may have been credibility problems with the accuser. I originally posted on Yohandry on May 9th.

Two churches are cooperating with authorities on the investigation of Baptist youth pastor Brian Burchfield. Both churches released statements confirming cooperation and support for the investigation. Odd really… this kind of things almost never happens with Baptists.

These was an interesting story at CNN related to child abuse by a Hindu spiritual leader named swami Prakashanand Saraswati. I posted on it too.

Former Patriots receiver turned hypocrite pastor Irving Fryar, was convicted for his role in a mortgage scam and faces 10 years in prison.

Charges were dropped against baptist pastor Larry Jones. It turns out his teenaged rape fantasies were protected by the first amendment. I’d keep an eye on this one. See CoH#1 for more.

Rev. Joseph D. Maurizio’s trail is set to start in September and will require translators because the government is bring in witnesses from Honduras to testify about his alleged sexual abuse of orphan children.

M.M. Cox writes about disgraced baptist youth pastor Brian Burchfield (CoH#15) and her desire to paint her church as a place of love, fellowship and commitment after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced earlier this year. Her words ring true, but are naive.

Then, as a church, we move forward. We all make mistakes, and Christians never claim to be perfect. But we don’t condone criminal acts, and Quail Springs Baptist has shown that in their statement to the public:
- via The Edmond Sun

As for “moving forward” the most likely scenario in Burchfield's case is a painful and ugly trial, followed by an even more painful civil suit or suits, followed by the church struggling to pay its judgments, and in the worst case scenario, Quail Springs Baptist Church will close. It happens all the time. Don’t worry though… there in another church with another youth pastor, just down the road.

Link to Chronicles of Hypocrisy #15

And then his kisses got weird

There is a quote in this story about convicted sex offender swami Prakashanand Saraswati that I found chilling.

"He was very affectionate with everybody, and then the kids, he was really, like, cuddly and he'd give you hugs and kisses that just felt like your grandpa. But then sometime his kisses got weird."
- via CNN

It’s an interesting read and a chilling story. People forget that great leaders and often those with the most troubling proclivities. Take Mohandas Gandhi for example. In the building of his post death “father of a nation” legend, his sexual oddness was whitewashed. I still get punched by people when I mention this story. People want to believe in the legend.

Chronicles of Hypocrisy #15

I had a crazy week, but like Neil Young once said, rust never sleeps. I only managed to type the phrase “pastor arrested” and found my time filled with stories.

Hypocrisy is not a way of getting back to the moral high ground. Pretending you’re moral, Saying your moral is not the same as acting morally. - Alan Dershowitz

New Cases

Baptist pastor Brian Burchfield was arrested on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with minors who were members of his former church. The victims, all boys, were between 14 and 17 years of age. Burchfield’s alleged abuse took place while he lead Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee and more recently, pastor at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK.

Pastor Peter Kneel was arrested on charges that he allegedly sexually assaulted a child. There may be more victims as he was also a school bus driver. Kneel was a pastor at Fox River Christian Church in Waukesha, Wi.

Pastor Juan Jose Gomez was arrested on charges that he allegedly sexually assaulted a 17-year-old boy. Gomez is the pastor at Iglesia De Dios Church in Wimauma, Fl.

Catholic pastoral associate Oscar Vasquez-Guzman was arrested and charged with two counts of child molesting, seven counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and one count of attempted sexual misconduct with a minor. Guzman was the religious education director at St. Anthony Parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, IN.

• SNAP statement
  
• Archdiocese of Indianapolis statement

“Pastor” Edgar Daniel Johnson was arrested for forcing prisoners to have sex with him. Johnson said he was a pastor and quoted the bible before allegedly forcing women to have sex.

Updates and interesting stories

Baptist youth pastor and teacher Casey Dyck, 24, was sentenced to 11 1/2 years in prison for having sexual relations with an underage girl. The victim was 16. Dyck worked at Centennial Baptist School in Caldwell, IN.

One victim told police Dyck promised her extra credit is she wore low-cut tops and short skirts to school.
- via KTVB

HIV-positive methodist pastor Norman “Ted” Faux was sentenced to 15 years in prison for molesting a 9-year-old boy. Faux was the pastor at Lake Ariel United Methodist Church, Lake Ariel, PA.

A church production engineer named Joseph Averitt at the New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka was arrested for sexual batter on a 14-year-old girl with mental disabilities. Get this…

Joseph Averitt, 33, is facing 11 charges overall for molesting the young girl inside the New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka where he worked, as well as in the apartment he shared with his wife and child, and in his car while his infant son sat in the backseat crying.
- via www.rawstory.com

Pastor Venije Singkoh, 70, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and was sentenced to 120 days in jail and two years probation for a misdemeanor charge of child sexual annoyance. Read more at CoH#5.

Pastor Anthony Lynn Thibodeaux’s conviction for child sexual abuse was upheld by the 10th Court of Appeals. Thibodeaux goes back to serving a long 18 years in prison.

• Pastor Anthony Thibodeaux guilty (1/3/2014)
  
• Pastor Anthony Thibodeaux arrested (8/11/12)
  
• Pastor Anthony Thibodeaux arrest update (8/17/12)
  

Pastor James Tyrus Johnson will serve no prison time for sex crimes involving a child because of a plea deal. Johnson was the pastor at Olive Branch Church in Leland, NC. My guess is that he’s still the pastor.

Link to Chronicles of Hypocrisy #14

Chronicles of Hypocrisy #14

I woke up this morning to start my normal weekend process of collecting stories religious hypocrisy and found that I had not posted the stories from last weekend. I’m losing it.

“The only thing worse than a liar is a liar that’s also a hypocrite!" - Tennessee Williams

New cases

Pastor Jules Anderson, was arrested for the second time for attempting lewd acts with a 16-year-old boy. His first arrest made CoH #1.

Pastor Honore Kombo was removed as pastor at St. Augustin Church in Seymour. The Archdiocese of Hartford removed the Kombo after alleging he stole from the parish.

Updates and interesting stories

From trusted pastor to child predator - More on convicted child molester and pastor Geronimo Aguilar.

Christian Castile Court Clerk Katherine Ryan was arrested on theft and drug charges. How do I know that she was a Christian? Her pastor told me so.

Baptist music pastor Craig Burden posted bond and was released from jail after an arrest for Attempted child exploitation, child pornography and voyeurism.

Longmont Church elders sentenced for failure to report abuse. It’s a slap on the wrist, but I’ll take it.

Former altar boy sues Philly priest he accused of abuse. Criminal charges resulted in a hung jury. Will a civil trial result in anything better? Let’s see. The priest is father Andrew McCormick of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Judge OK’s defamation suit by N.J. priest accused of stabbing colleague. This is an odd case, full of… knives, stabbing, Jesus and other stuff. The Roman Catholic priests are Rev. Frank Hreno and Rev. Emeka Okwuosa.

I’m afraid it’s sad news for potential abuse victims out of New Zealand, Catholic priests who abused New Zealand children will not be investigated. Justice denied…

Victim sues priest ‘for making him a pedophile’ - no kidding.

Link to Chronicles of Hypocrisy #13

Evidence builds against Jared Fogle

To summarize, Fogle allegedly…

1. Admits paying a 16-year-old girl $100 for sex.
   
2. Asks the same girl to advertise herself on Craigslist so that he could watch her having sex with other men.
   
3. Asks the same girl for an introductionto her underage cousin and a possible threesome. 
   

Did I miss anything? Oh… Subway allegedly knew about the relationship and did nothing.

The FBI has subpoenaed an affidavit containing alleged texts between former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle and a former female Subway franchisee in which Fogle says he paid for sex with a 16-year-old girl, according to the former franchisee's attorney.
- via Business Insider

The age of consent in Indiana is 16, so Fogle may have done nothing legally wrong while at the same time doing everything morally wrong.