Youth Pastor Cecil Seay arrested

Sexting seems to be irresistible to youth pastors with impulse control problems. Youth Pastor Cecil Wayne Seay of Baypoint church in Holiday, Florida, stands accused of sending sexually orientated text messages to a 14-year-old girl.

He allegedly typed:

I touch myself thinking of you like I never should.

If you were here, would you kiss me like that?

Heck, I don’t know what else to say besides dumbass. By now, every youth pastor in the country should know that sexting will end your career and could even land you in jail.

There is one bit of news I don’t get. The girl’s school principal notified the senior pastor, Brian Brown, instead of the police. Brown did the right thing.

"This allegation is troubling and regrettable," Brown wrote. "Our focus is on the welfare of the victim, the family involved, and all concerned. It is now in the hands of the judicial system, where it should rightly be."

The principal… should be fired did the right thing.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Misconduct,Texting,Youth Pastors

Tolerance. Pass it on.

Catholics never cease to amaze me. They do the dumbest things. Like letting the love of Christ show through their actions towards the Gay community… or not. 

A church support group for parents of gays and lesbians was asked to abandon its regular meeting place when church officials discovered the group scheduled a gay man to speak at an upcoming meeting about life with his partner.

What was the problem?

“We were told we could not have it there because of the mention of Chuck being Bill’s partner, and that it promoted and condoned same-sex marriage,” …

So the mere presence of a gay man at a church is enough to shut the whole dialog down and exile those participating? How screwed up is that?

Religion poisons everything.

Technorati Tags: Religion,Gay Rights,Catholics

Pastor David Heckman guilty

Another pastor falls. This time for stealing from Habitat for Humanity. He pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny and faces seven years in prison. But why did he do it? Oh wait, he had a record.

Heckman, who lived in Binghamton at the time of his arrest, was not a stranger to the law before his current legal troubles. According to court documents, he was convicted in 2003 of one felony count of third-degree grand larceny in Broome County Court. He was sentenced to five years of probation in that case.

I guess he must of prayed for forgiveness. What other reason would Newark Valley church have for hiring a pastor with a record? And not to mention Habitat for Humanity allowing him to sit on the Board of Directors for the Tioga Chapter.

Discernment… what does the bible say about that again? Never mind, the message is simple, don’t trust a convict to lead a church.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Misconduct,Theft

Where is the outrage Islam?

A 13-year-old child bride bled to death after her forced marriage was consummated. Her name was Ilham Mahdi al Assi. Her husband was is his 20s. The wounds were horrific…

A medical report by the hospital where she was treated said she had suffered a tear to her genitals and severe bleeding after intercourse, the group said.

Yemen recently tried to pass a law forbidding child brides. Some women even marched in supported of it. Yet Islamic parties mobilized enough of an effort to convince politicians to hold up its implementation.

On Monday a group of Islamic clerics issued a decree condemning the law, and said its supporters were apostates.

Some of the signatories of the decree were lawmakers sitting on the committee charged with amending the law, it was reported.

The speaker of parliament, Yehya al-Raei, said it was possible that the law would be changed to maintain the age limit, but punishments for breaking the law including prison sentences and fines would be cancelled.

In many civilized countries murdering a 13-year-old girl with your penis is a crime punishable by a long prison sentence. Not so in Yemen where followers of Mohammed see nothing wrong with forced child marriage. They point to Mohammed as justification. The Prophet had a child bride named Aisha who was just 6-years-old at the time of her marriage. Mohamed waited until she was nine to consummate the marriage.

Is this right? Should we cut Yemen a break because their brand of pedophilia is tied to a religion? Or should we call this cowardly act what it is, child rape in the name of religion? I vote for the latter.

Technorati Tags: Yemen,Child Rape,Forced Marriage,Islam

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Integrity is all about what you do

The outstanding atheist blog No 2 Religion has an interesting post up which highlights my problem with Christian pastors who live by a personal code that lacks anything like integrity. Let’s examine the facts. The subject is Dean Smith, San Miguel’s superintendent of schools. 

• Smith is a former Baptist pastor turned school administrator.
• Smith left his wife of 30 years for an 18-year-old former student.
• Smith used his position as an administrator to gain access to a child. He exploited his access to develop a romantic relationship.
• Smith mentored the girl in the seventh grade and continued a relationship with her until she graduated.
• Smith denied being romantically involved with the girl despite having an affair with her.
• Smith touched, kissed and drank alcohol with the girl before she turned 18.
• Smith exchanged intimate emails and text messages with the girl before she turned 18.
• Smith knew of the girl’s alleged sexual abuse. No mention is made if he reported the abuse under California’s mandatory reporter law.
• Smith had a collection of nude and partially nude photos of young models on his work computer. The photos include clips of a partially nude 12-year-old Brooke Shields in the film “Pretty Baby.” (see a safe clip here)
• Smith was frequently absent from his job duties while spending time with his 18-year-old girlfriend.
• The investigation into Smith was managed by a police officer who had a personal relationship with Smith.

What if anything do the actions of this man have to do with the moral teaching of Jesus? Where does it say you can use your position of authority over a child to satisfy your libido while engaging in a hedonistic male midlife fantasy? Smith may not have technically broken the law, but he violated the spirit of the law just the same, not to mention sprit of his Christian faith. What a stain. What a poor example of man. What a hypocrite.  Go ahead, defend him. I dare you.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Misconduct,Bad Pastors

Introducing The Rational Ape

Please join me in welcoming our newest Atheist Blogroll member, The Rational Ape.

The Rational Ape aims to be a place for discussion not only of science, politics, and atheism, but of philosophy and culture as well.  If you've something interesting to say, you're welcome to say it here.  The Rational Ape is quickly building a top-of-the-line aggregation of media to please and challenge the inquiring mind.  Visitors can enjoy a masterful execution of a Bach concerto, science articles, video art installations, and numerous polemics concerning irrational beliefs - in other words, we wish to provide a rich and varied experience.

We hope to create an atmosphere of intelligent inquiry with The Rational Ape.  While neither I, nor anyone affiliated with this blog, will act as thought police, please keep the discourse mature.  This, of course, is not a request that you "respect" other people's beliefs; by all means, treat any belief with as much vehement disrespect as you like - they deserve no deferential protection here, or anywhere for that matter.

Please contribute/comment as much, or as little, as you please.  Funny videos, irrational articles, and various other culture tidbits are much appreciated. Suggestions for topics can be emailed to therationalapeATgmail.com, and we will make an honest effort to read them all.  Have fun, and enjoy yourselves!

Technorati Tags: The Atheist Blogroll,Atheism

Sometimes it’s about addiction

Pastor Bertha Wright allegedly tired to buy prescription drugs with a fake prescription. She was buying methadone, hydrocodone, and Carisoprodol along with another drugs. Pastor Wright appears to have a large monkey on her back. Apparently, being a pastor or pastor’s wife, does not prevent one from succumbing to the lure of drugs. Her church is pissed.

This is our pastor’s wife and it’s had destroyed the hearts of the church members,” said Michael Williams, a lifelong AOH Church of God member. “This is really breaking and sad news to our entire church, because we didn’t know anything about it.”

Pastor Wright did not tell her church of her arrest on March 5th, nor did her husband, Pastor Levon Wright. They kept it a secret until the story broke in the press. I wonder if they thought it might impact their income? They are such hypocrites.

"They're preaching and praying, but they're not talking and telling the truth," Williams said. "And that's wrong. Don't preach and tell us to live right, and you ain't living right."

The Wrights preach at AOH Church of God in Mount Vernon, Georgia. I hear their show closes soon.

Drug addicts, once an addict, always an addict. They need honest help and lots of love, but trust should be in short supply unless earned.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Misconduct,Drug Abuse,AOH COG

Introducing The Blessed Atheist Bible Study

Please join me in welcoming our newest Atheist Blogroll member, The Blessed Atheist Bible Study.

This is KKBundy of The Blessed Atheist Bible Study.

For years whenever I would gain the upper hand in discussions of religion or politics with my born-again mother she would pull out her trump card and tell me to read my Bible as if that was the final authority on all matters.  While I tried to tell her that this was illogical, she could never understand how someone who professed no belief in God also held the bible in no higher reverence as a moral guide than Homer or the Koran or Archie Comics.

In addition, I watch the world with growing alarm as the champions of superstition continue to take the reins of science in hand for their own purposes.  The biblical literalists and young Earth creationists are a danger to our world by their minimizing science and using THEIR faith to guide all of US in areas where knowledge would be a far better light.  I fully believe these people represent a danger to our world.  With Climate change and overpopulation, to name just two, we need science now more than ever.  In their hands we are doomed!

After years of reading some scripture here and there and seeing how it's vast contradictions and discrepancies could be used against it, I finally decided to take Mom's advice. Though It's not quite as she intended.  So I have Started the Blessed Atheist Bible Study to look deeply into the matters biblical.  In it I take the literal view of the Bible and try to humorously and irreverently poke holes in the absurdities,while at the same time, giving my best at serious commentary.   Oh, the things I've found!  This bronze age work of fiction is a hoot, and I have rarely be so entertained. I chuckle constantly, evilly my wife tells me, on finding some new silliness.  But I believe that these are the arguments we can use against people who seem impervious to logic or reason.  This is my way to fight superstition and promote science.

Come and see for yourselves. Have some fun and join in the fight.

Technorati Tags: The Atheist Blogroll,Atheism

Oh Texas

Seriously… They charged singer Erykah Badu with Disorderly conduct for stripping naked during a video shoot.

Sergeant Warren Mitchell said Badu was charged after a witness offered a sworn statement to police on Thursday.

Badu's spokeswoman had no immediate comment on Friday.

The singer, who was born in Dallas, performed a walking striptease in front of tourists and pedestrians during the shoot in Dealey Plaza on 13 March for her video for the song Window Seat.

I’m sure Sergeant Warren is proud of his gallant effort to protect the innocent eyes of our children. Check out the video. Of course, her video will be on MTV for the next 10 years so I’m not sure what good fining her does.

Technorati Tags: Texas,Culture,Music,Erykah Badu

I miss a few

There are other people watching pedophile pastors. Some do a better job of catching the worst of the worst. Christa Brown at  Stop Baptist Predators is a good example. She’s been on a mission for a  long time. I read her blog to keep up with her fight to bring accountability to the Southern Baptist power structure. She’s got a story about an Indiana pastor named Daniel Moore who pleaded guilty to child sex crimes yet is protected by his former and current churches. It’s disquieting. You cannot trust Southern Baptists. They care more about their pastors than their children.

Daniel Moore, shown in the photo, was the pastor of New Whiteland Baptist Church in Franklin, Indiana. He was arrested about a year ago, but to this day, the church website still lists him as “pastor.”

The Catholics are fighting a public battle over their unbelievable crass handling of clergy sex abuse cases. Baptist fight in silence. Christa holds them accountable.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Baptists

Youth Pastor Matthew Overstreet arrested

In the interest of accuracy Matthew Jonas Overstreet is a former youth pastor. However, he allegedly started the abuse of his 13-year-old victim while he was a youth pastor at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. Overstreet stands accused of sexual assault.

Police said over the next few years 25-year-old Matthew Jonas Overstreet continued sending her sexual messages. He allegedly sexually assaulted her in December.

I recently conducted a lengthy e-mail exchange with a member of the faithful who pressed me to stop reporting these crimes because they “hurt the church.” One of her arguments centered on the Christian theme of divine judgment. She kept insisting that God will judge these men harshly. I asked about redemption by faith and the whole free ticket out of punishment that prayer offers. I mean, the only unpardonable sin is supposed to be rejecting the divinity of God. All this other stuff is pardonable.  So what if God judges them harshly? Exactly what punishment are we talking here? She had no meaningful answers.

I feel better knowing that these people are treated to a few years of real justice while alive here on earth.

Texas has issues.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Youth Pastors,Pedophiles,Texas

The real meaning of Good Friday

I played a round of disc golf this morning. I recorded a few of my shots and thoughts about the game and holiday as I played. I don’t understand the reason the company I work for gives me this day off as a holiday. It’s seems arbitrary. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the time off.  I need a holiday just like the Christians, but my holiday is different. Nobody must be crucified for my enjoyment. Nope, I just want to play a round of disc golf in peace.

If you are interested in the sport, give the video a watch. The only thing missing is my cigar.

Technorati Tags: Disc Golf,Good Friday

Door-to-door religion fail

I worked from home today. It is something I do not do often enough. It gave me a opportunity to catch up on the minutia of my job. Plus I like  the peace and quiet.

At 11:00 am this morning I heard pounding at my front door (my doorbell is disabled on purpose). The pounding was repeated several times and caused my dog to go into super yappy mode. Whoever was pounding had no intention of going away. I thought it might be my gardener. It’s Thursday, the gardener comes on Thursday… But no! It was door-to-door religious zealots hell-bent on getting me to church on Sunday.

There were three of them. Two women and one man. All were young and overly enthusiastic. My gardener told them I was home. They made a short pitch about their “authentic and honest” new church which was not like the 30 other churches within 2 miles of my home. The were non-denominational and aligned with the true love of Jesus. Plus their worship leader had a real cool band.

I’m polite until people piss me off. Since they were just selling their brand with smiles and faux love, I politely replied that we were an atheist household and would not be attending church on Easter or any other Sunday for that matter. This did not deter them. No, they actually said, “Our church welcomes Atheists,” and “We have a ministry dedicated to reaching out to Atheists, you would feel welcome among us!”

I stepped on my urge to confront the absurdity of their statements with snark. We talked amicably for a few minutes without coming to anything like an understanding. They thought I believed in God but had reasons to hate him or felt injured by religion and was unable to feel comfortable in “mainstream church”. I was at a loss for words for a moment, I was not getting through to them. but then I remembered the standard Christian hang-ups regarding sex. I asked if they believed in sex outside of marriage, they replied with the normal programmed response, “No!”

I saw an opportunity to use an analogy to make my point.

Going to church to be with Christians and learn about Jesus for an atheist like me is akin to Christians like you attending an orgy to be with swingers and learn about sex. You may think about it in the abstract occasionally, but if you are true to your values, you will never attend.

They left soon after. I think they were disappointed that I would not take their church info or agree to further discussions.

I thought about the encounter most of the afternoon. I need a better analogy. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Technorati Tags: Religion,Atheism

Youth pastor Jeff Mobley convicted

Another youth pastor falls… It’s only April and I’m losing count of the convictions.

Former youth pastor Jeffrey Arlan Mobley was arrested and convicted for sexting (fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct) and inappropriately touching a 15-year-old girl. He entered a plea of guilty.

The girl attended the church where Mobley was a pastor and "he was working with her in that capacity when this occurred," Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom said.

"It's always troubling to see any child who is approached in a sexual manner such as this," Backstrom said. "And it's particularly disturbing when it's by someone in a position of authority like a youth pastor."

Mobley either resigned or was forced out of the church after allegations surfaced over the summer, Backstrom said.

He will serve 90 days but gets to carry the tag convicted pedophile for the rest of his life. I’m sure the Baptists won’t mind.

More: Another youth pastor busted for texting

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Pedophiles,Texting

Love beats hate

Watched this as I ate my breakfast. It made me smile.

When the Kansas Hate group known at the Westboro Baptist Church announced it would picket Bay Area Schools and Jewish Institutions, students at Gunn High School decided they could not sit quiet .

Technorati Tags: Activism,Gay Rights,Westboro Baptist,YouTube