Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Youth pastor Brian Gray pleaded guilty

BrianGrayFormer youth pastor Brian Richard Gray pleaded guilty to several charges related to the molestation and rape of a 15-year-old girl. He used to take her home several times a week for sex.

Brian Richard Gray, 33, of Winder reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in Barrow County last week to serve 15 years in prison and 10 years probation.

Charges stemmed from allegations that Gray, a former youth minister at Monroe Church of Christ, had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old Oconee County girl who attended the church.

Source: Former Youth Minister to Appear in Oconee Superior Court

Gray is 33, that puts him near 50 on release. I hope they have plans to keep an eye on this pervert.

More on Brian Gray

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

A soft spot for poetry

I love poetry. I listen to it everyday. It comes in many forms. Be it music, prose, or my daily dose of the Writer’s Almanac, I always listen to at least one poem a day. Today I listened to Learn Out Load’s podcast of the Charge of the Light Brigade. I think I’m a Lord Tennyson fan now. I listen to Poetry Magazine’s monthly podcast and try hard to understand the oddness that is modern poetry. The Slate Poetry Podcast is particularly enjoyable. I can't get enough of poetry now, which is funny considering I did not start reading it until I was in my mid-40s.

A happened upon Natalie Merchant singing old poems on a TED video. I enjoyed it and thought it might be of interest to others so I posted it here. Enjoy.

I’m opening up my blog to guest posts and submissions of original work in an effort to offset the evil people I post about. If you are a poet and would like to publish your work on my blog, please read my submission guidelines. I’m even working out how to provide a spot for spoken word poetry.

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Corrections

In a June 7, 2011 post titled Pastor Cecil Harper charged, I incorrectly linked Harper’s church to Grace Mount Zion Apostolic Church instead of Mount Zion Apostolic Church. I’ve been dressed down in several places today...

In respect to the Grace Mount Zion Apostolic Church, its pastor, leadership team and community, immediate deactivation of the link to our website is called for. The association of Grace Church to immoral and questionable activities is incorrect and misleading. Your intention to raise awareness in light of misconduct within religious ranks is clearly understood. However, it is unfair for you to associate another group with the unfortunate allegations related to the clergyman cited in your article. Please ensure that the information that you present on this platform is accurate.

My apologies. I can only offer this by way of explanation.

Thanks for the lecture you splitters.

New book from the creator of Eternal Earth-Bound Pets post rapture pet rescue

The Atheist Camel Rants Again!: more arguments and observations from the atheist frontBart Centre, aka Dromedary Hump, is at it again with his release of his second book, The Atheist Camel Rants Again!. I can’t wait to tear into this book as I thoroughly enjoyed his first book.

The Atheist Camel Rants Again! (ISBN 1460933915), a collection of short diatribes by Bart Centre, features 100 new essays of topical insight that seek to uncover the contradictions of religious teaching…

…the author weaves personal narrative with current events and philosophical insight, all mixed with satire, sarcasm and humor to provide an enjoyable learning experience. Intended to engage, inspire and amuse, the book is appropriate for a broad range of readers.

The author is a frequent and welcome visitor here on Deep Thoughts. I’m thrilled at the chance to read and review his new book. I’ll be sure to post a review soon. Until then, click on the picture or the link to purchase a copy from Amazon.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Should Anthony Weiner resign?

I’ve been asked this question a dozen times in the last week.Should Anthony Weiner resign? Each time I’ve ducked it. I don’t want to speak my mind on this issue. I fear it runs counter to the majority and that usually means trouble. Here it is – unless he’s broken some heinous law, I think another factor should be use to determine if he should resign or not. Politics.

The Republicans are playing hardball in Congress. Everything they do is calculated to cause the president and his party as much pain as possible. The Democrats are not fighting the war well. It’s almost like they don’t understand the stakes. The party of god must be defeated.

If Weiner’s resignation would change the balance of power in any way, he should stay. If not, he should go. Let his voters decide what to do with this philandering technologically challenged liar. We have a war to fight and its time the democrats toughen up.

I’m ok with everyone calling for his resignation, even Obama. The leadership should get it’s position in the public eye. It’s the right thing to do. I’m ok with treating him like a social leper. I’m ok with using him as the butt of every wiener joke imaginable. Heck, I’m ok with watching as his wife leaves him. I’m NOT ok with handing the Republicans any advantage.
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Youth pastor Joshua O’Bannon convicted

Former youth pastor Joshua O’Bannon pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old and 15 year old girl. He will be sentenced in January.  O’Bannon is already serving a 15-year-sentence for raping a 15-year-old girl.

O’Bannon’s church did not cooperate.

…says the church didn't exactly cooperate in the investigation, either. He says members seemed in a state of denial.

"We've seen a lot of these churches try to solve these things in house," Compton says. "Whether he saw [moving to Arizona] as a stepping stone or he was running from something, we don't know."

We’ve come to expect this type of behavior. It’s unfortunate. It hides so much.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Santorum’s stance on abortion is medieval

Fair warning – I am pro-choice. Having said that, republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum is a raving religious loon when it comes to his stance on abortion (and everything else).

Via Think Progress:

QUESTION: Do you believe that there should be any legal exceptions for rape or incest when it comes to abortion?

SANTORUM: I believe that life begins at conception, and that that life should be guaranteed under the Constitution. That is a person.

QUESTION: So even in the case of rape or incest, that would be taking a life?

SANTORUM: That would be taking a life, and I believe that any doctor that performs an abortion, I would advocate that any doctor that performs an abortion, should be criminally charged for doing so.

So there we have it. Santorum’s position is untenable and out of step with all but the most ardent pro-life politicians. He is unelectable. Why is he even running for office? I can see the ticket now, Palin/Santorum in 2012.

We are doomed.

To convert or not to convert?

When I was a Christian, I did Christian things. Converting souls for Jesus was my duty. I did it well. My old bible has a mark for each person I brought to Christ. There were 33. I regret every one of them.

I became an atheist at 18 after spending most of my youth as a Christian. As an atheist, I do not try to convert others. In my mind, atheism offers nothing to convert to. A conversion causes one to renounce faith. I don’t try to convert others. I’ve always felt that what another person believes is their own business.

When it comes to my family I hold the same values. I have two atheist sons and a long suffering lapsed Catholic wife. My oldest son recently told me how he never remembers talking to me about atheism in the house when he was a child. He’s right. I never did. I tried to teach him how to think instead. My oldest son came to atheism through existentialism, which he discovered on his own without knowledge of the subject. My youngest son is following the same path, although we enjoy many long talks on the subject of faith. My wife and I keep a happy truce. What she believes is her business. She gives me the same respect.

People, other atheists mostly, want to know my position on converting the faithful to atheism. I was even asked if I would participate in some atheist witnessing at a local pier. Honestly – I will never try to convert others as a calculated activity. My experience as a Christian scarred me for life. I hurt people by alienating them from family and friends. I will never knowingly do that again. However, I defend my lack of faith, my atheism if you will, rigorously against all comers. If believers brings their game, then I play to win (and I don’t keep score).

Atheism is a movement and not a movement at the same time. I can accept that others get out in public and try to convert religious people to our banner. Just like I can accept that others choose to work in different ways. I live what I preach. I try to be a good person and do good things. I lead by example. Sometimes my examples get through to the believers. In fact, it is often what starts our conversations. I am curios though. How do my atheist friends approach this subject?

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Christian Man Sees Penises Everywhere

Hold on. I'm still laughing. Nutballs are hilarious. Perhaps , given his fixation of the phallus, I should refer to him as a nutsack?

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Introducing Skeptical Child

Please join me in welcoming one of the newest members of the Atheist Blogroll, Skeptical Child
Ever since I can remember, a part of me has always disbelieved that an omnipotent, all-knowing god exists somewhere in the multiverse. Yet as a youth, I trusted the Christians around me, which was probably why I prayed so hard for many years to make the ‘gay’ go away. Why would they lie to me? I had no reason to distrust them. Fruitless in my endeavor, I gave up…
That didn’t end my search for spiritual meaning, however. After a few years of drunken, soft-core drug abused, sex-filled nights, I had still come up empty handed. Ahem, no pun intended…
That’s when I discovered Buddhism—Tibetan Buddhism.
I was twenty-five or so.I began to sit on pillows, staring at nothing, and listening and watching the voice in my head. I thought I had found my path, the non-religious religion, a way to freedom. Buddhist teachers had spoken of transformation, of mental insights, and of being free from cyclical unhappiness. On the other hand, they also had spoken of magical realms, rainbow rays, and empty coffers.
Several years of mediation and contemplation later, I still wasn’t sated by that religion nor had I killed my ego, as suggested. And after a while, I began to understand that I had traded one set of illusions for another. I do confess, there is something to be gained from a calm mind, but primitive concepts still linger within this tradition. I harbor no antipathy toward those teachings or teachers, but one doesn’t do the world a whole lot of good when sitting in a ‘cave’ for hours on end. Imagine what one could achieve if she/he devoted that time to solving real problems!
I’m not certain how it happened—when I emerged into a complete and utter Atheist. It may have come around the time I discovered the brilliant Richard Dawkins or Sam Harris. Probably both. What they had written echoed through me. I do know that I have never felt freer than I do now, unfettered from ancient Bronze Age gods and myths. I am glad for this, and I am thankful I have an evolved mind that could reason away misconception… and move on to a liberated existence.
Why Skeptical Child? We should strive to gain more knowledge throughout life; and like children, we are always learning. Skepticism helps us see things truthfully. Will you let it help you?
What will you find at Skeptical Child? All sorts of things: science articles, book reviews, great videos, music, recipes, and the occasional account from my over the top noggin.  See you soon!
Are you interested in becoming a member? Visit the Atheist Blogroll for more information. or visit the the full Atheist Blogroll membership list.
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Introducing Chrono-Synclastic Infundibulum

I am pleased to introduce the Atheist blog Chrono-Synclastic Infundibulum to the members of the Atheist Blogroll. I am late publishing this introduction. I made a mistake with this introduction and misfiled it. My apologies.

Hi everyone! Salo here and I am the creator of Chrono-Synclastif Infundibulum. I am a software engineer who works in Sillicon Valley at a small startup company. I received my Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and have been programming since I was in high school. I absolutely love programming because it's like solving a free-form, math-based puzzle. I also love learning about new scientific ideas (I read Scientific American regularly). I have been gaming most of my life, and still play PC games regularly (FPS's and RPG's mostly). So yeah, I'm an all-around nerd.

I'm not all left-brain though. I learned to play both piano and violin as a kid, and I still enjoy partaking in the arts. Whether it's going to the San Francisco Symphony or Ballet, going to one of the many fantastic museums in the area, or just watching a good film, the arts play an important role in my life. They provide meaning and insight into the human condition in ways that nothing else can.

I am an atheist, and atheism and skepticism are the main theme of my blog. I grew up as a liberal Christian, although on reflection I was really deist at best (not that that's a good thing). I also grew up in Texas, so I have a lot of personal experience dealing with fundamentalists Christians and conservatives in general. (Let's just say that I am extremely grateful to not be in Texas anymore.) I have been an Atheist for about 6 years or so now, and accepting that I am an atheist was one of the most liberating experiences of my life. I think that my experiences growing up combined with my experiences as an engineer give me a somewhat unique perspective as an atheist, and I hope to convey those experiences through my blog.

Are you interested in becoming a member? Visit the Atheist Blogroll for more information. or visit the the full Atheist Blogroll membership list.

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Atheist Blogroll - noobs for June 2011

It’s been about a month since I updated the master member list for the Atheist Blogroll, but I did so this morning by adding 32 new members. Enjoy your reading.

  1. A Skeptic Reads The Bible
  2. Alex R. Orue
  3. Antichristian league
  4. Are you serious?
  5. Atheist Dave
  6. Black Ink Pad
  7. Chrono-Synclastic Infundibulum
  8. Coming of age
  9. Confessions of an Atheist in Hiding
  10. Cooking with Parsley
  11. Doctor Bad Sign's Blog
  12. Eyes Open
  13. Freedom To Choose
  14. Fribnits' World
  15. Gaytheist
  16. God Hates Atheists
  17. Healthful and Cerebral
  18. Honest to Godless
  19. Is God a Squirrel?
  20. My take:
  21. Natural Philosophy of Life
  22. Naturalist Griggsy
  23. oregonfreethinker
  24. Peter Says Stuff
  25. Ratio Primoris (Reason Foremost)
  26. rationalist
  27. Real Talk
  28. Skeptic Griggsy
  29. The Devout Atheist
  30. The Shockwave Writer
  31. To Hold Nothing
  32. Too Many Questions

Are you interested in becoming a member? Visit the Atheist Blogroll resource blog for more information.

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The dregs and minor players

A judge threw out the a grand-theft charge against Pastor Allen Jackson. He had been charged with steeling $13,000 from the Living Word Community Church. [Note:This is one of two pieces of good news on pastors this month. I the other I removed a post for a pastor who had been falsely accused.]

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Creflo Dollar came to the aid of Eddie long urging prayer and forgiveness instead of gossip and hypocrisy. Which is funny because Long caused the gossip by not disclosing his activities and committed the actual hypocrisy.  These prosperity doctrine pastors stick together.

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Toby Stangel who is accused a horrific shooting spree that killed a mother of 10 and the son of a pastor, was involved in a knife fight that almost cost him his life in 2006. It is alleged the Stangel was the aggressor. It’s also becoming clear that Strangel had a long standing drug problem.

Mike Stangel, senior pastor of the North Shore Christian Fellowship, said that his son had entered a drug treatment program and seemed to be doing better.

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Rev. Eugene Klein, a Roman Catholic priest from the Diocese of Winona, Minn., was indicted for helping an imprisoned mobster conceal property from authorities. The church suspended him.

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Convicted murder pastor Matt Baker was denied an appeal. Baker goes back to prison to serve his 65 year sentence.

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Roman Catholic priest Rev John F. Regan is expected to plead guilty to charges that he stole $300,000 from parish funds to pay for a gambling habit.

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A Mexican governor and evangelical pastor stands accused of stealing $9 million in disaster recovery funds.

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A Christian pastor in India stands accused of the sexual harassment of minor girl. Paul Sundar’s case is under investigation.

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Pastor Randy White, formerly of Without Wall International Church in Tampa, was arrested for DUI. The poor guy was married to Paula White. I can understand why he might need a drink.

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A Roman Catholic group that licenses foster and adoptive parents has sued the State of Illinois over rules that stipulated they muse allow gay adoptions.

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The first witness took the stand in the sexual assault case against pastor Curtis Frankly. Her abuse started at age 12.

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Pastor Thomas Kreiser pleaded guilty to stealing $25,000 from St. Gregory Barbarigo Church in Garnerville. He used the funds to cover gambling expenses.

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Accused pedophile pastor Santos Adiel Rosado Jr., did not show up for court to face charges that he molested two young girls. Police are to arrest him on site. His daughters are already in trouble with the law over this case.

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Pastor John Edwards was found guilty of battery of a law enforcement officer. He faces five years in prison.

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Pastor Renato Campaner of the Philippine Independent Church of Christ was arrested for hacking a detractor with a scythe. Charges are pending.

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Pastor Lewis is using the “I didn't do it” defense in his Jamaican trial for the rape of a 15-year-old girl and molestation of a 14-year-old girl.

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Youth group leader Matthew Anastasia was sentenced to ten years in prison for molesting a 13-year-old girl his Walnut Hill Church.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Pastor Mark Michaels caught in the act

The former music minister for Bethany Baptist Church was caught molesting a 15-year-old girl in a parked car. Mark William Michaels was fired by his homophobic church on the spot.

Michaels was not scheduled to lead worship services June 5 and was supposed to be out of town in San Diego. Church members noticed the absence of the girl, the youngest member of the choir and the only minor. Michaels’ wife, who is church pianist, was reportedly ill at home.

Source: Arrest of music minister shocks California church

Why homophobic you ask?

The congregation is affiliated with Transformation Ministries, a network of churches renamed after leaders of American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest withdrew from American Baptist Churches USA in 2006 over irreconcilable “differences of theological convictions and values.” Those differences included refusal by the national body to withdraw fellowship from congregations that are welcoming and affirming of gays.

Bethany Baptist Church sounds like a creepy place practice your faith. Why do people define their holiness by what the hate? We believe…

We believe that biblical marriage consists only of the union of one man and one woman, and that biblical marriage is the only legitimate and acceptable context for a sexual relationship

Source: Bethany Baptist about page

I performed the scandal test on Bethany’s website. It failed. What a church does when its confronted with the reality of a sexual abuse scandal, says a lot about its core values. In this case, they removed any reference to Michaels and have no comments or information on the scandal. What are their core values? Well – truth does not play a major role.

Pastor Ervin Witmer arrested

ErvinWitmerI call this type of perpetrator a “double life” pastor. He has is day job as a Christian bookstore manager and pastor of Church of the Brethren  in Stanley. By night he allegedly stalks young boys. I say an involuntary WTF every time I read a story like this one.

Pastor Ervin Witmer was arrested on three counts of sexual assault on a 15-year-old boy.

According to the complaint, the boy told police in August he met someone named "Sam" online and gave him his phone number after they had talked about sex.

Sam called the boy when he came to town and made arrangements to pick him up in Fitchburg.

They drove to the motel where they had sex, the complaint states, and Sam dropped the boy off at a library.

Source: Christian book store manager sought on charge of having sex with 15-year-old boy

Witmer’s church expressed shock at the allegations.

A church official says he is "shocked and surprised" at the allegations, saying he has known Witmer for a long time and prior to this, there seemed to be a lot of respect for him. He also points out Witmer was chosen by the congregation to be their pastor, and was not ordained or licensed by the main church

Source: Area preacher accused of sexually assaulting teen boy

Why did they feel it necessary to distance Witmer from the main church? Are they ashamed of their predator in the pulpit?