When Preachers Commit Rape - Part I

 

How Many In The Audience Could Tell Us Why This Rock Band Worship Is Pleasing To God?

Slightly over two months ago, we published the following in Shoals Crime:

The Pulpit Abusers

Now an interesting rape accusation has been made within the Church of the Highlands. Some are suggesting there's been a massive cover-up. That's not unusual, nor is it new. Let's consider a decades old tale from Phil Campbell.

The condensed version: A father hears his innocent 14 year-old daughter scream, picks up a shotgun, runs to her room to find a dark figure pinning her down, and shoots. Enter the paramedics, and off all of them go to the local hospital where it's discovered that the would-be rapist is the pulpit minister of the church the family attends. Don't remember this? It's not surprising. There were no charges brought. Keep it hush, hush for both the congregation and the minister's family and all that.

Teaching isn't the only profession where the trash is passed. It's never the correct thing to do, and those who do it should be held accountable. What did the Birmingham Church of the Highlands know about the alleged Washington State rape of a church employee? Exactly why did the church think this preacher needed to be restored? We doubt anyone thought he'd been merely a chronic speeder. How many employees in the Birmingham church were placed in danger by giving this man a job, first in administration, then as a teacher/preacher?

Just because one forgives does not mean prudence should be thrown out the stained glass window.