Change the Headline.

Even Myth-Believers are innocent until proven guilty.

But then again, 16-y-o kids never tell fibs, especially the ex-stepson I had who got in a fight with his brother and told the Authorities *I* put the bruises on his ass, right?

John of Indiana

I'm glad the girl had enough presence of mind to call for help; many women and children raised in fundie-land are so beaten down by the authoritarian males in their lives (mentally if not physically but often both) that they lose all self-esteem and independence. There may be hope for her yet.

At last, A pastor who still understands the need to beat religion into our children! Praise the lord!!

Looking at this post and others, I wonder if a reason that some people become Christians is due to overly strong emotions, or maybe a lack of emotional control, and Christianity offers some sort of narcotic effect. Christianity sure seems to have a glut of these types (just read an issue of Freethought Today, one will find this sort of thing to be VERY prevalant throughout god's flock).

I am not talking about the types who are effusive about how happy they seem to be, filled up with the love of god and such. I am talking about the more degenerate, physically and sexually violent types. Does Christianity offer them "control" over the sheep, thereby providing them with emotional gratification? I myself do not believe that such people become Christians solely to be predatory. I wonder if anyone becomes religious for the emotional "fix" that they recieve. It sure seems that way, like when I see news coverage of the removal of the ten commandments from Judge Moore's courthouse. One older "gentleman" screaming at the authorities, while other people laid face down on the ground and bawled like newborns! Could it be that the difference between us and them (sorry to generalize) is the amount of emotional control? After all, when a Chrstian says "I know in my heart that...", it is really just a euphemism for "I feel that...". For them, statements made in the former vernacular lends them an authority which cannot be had by using the latter.

And please don't give me the tired old saw about these deviants not being true Christians. By that oft-repeated assertion and it's implied definition, no one is a true Christian!

Actually, John of Indiana has a point; there may be more to this story than meets the eye. I hope the Webmaster will be able to post updates on this story when they are
available.

However, I am all too familiar with
the fundamentalist use of physical
abuse as discipline. Growing up,
my long-time Christian parents never hesitated to smack us in the
face or hit us with a belt if they
thought we were misbehaving. (Spare
the rod and spoil the child). I don't hold it against them; This
was pretty common back then, especially among parents who were
church-goers.

Of course, I'm assuming this story
involved this type of situation.

This makes me sick.. this man is a VERY good man who did not touch that girl. That girl had a lot of issues LONG before this ever occured. She had a history of physically harming herself.. I watched her do it and had to immediately let her parents know. She has more problems than are even know... He DID NOT touch that girl.. or "strike" her as you so wonderfully put it..

Tell it to the judge.

Apparently there is some people that don't have the intelligence to look at the evidence or the reporting on this incident before they open their big mouths. The evidence and pictures of the abuse are horrific. This does not involve a child being discplined by a belt or anything of that nature. Ask for the facts and view the pictures the the Detective took at the time of the investigation and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that this child has been severely beat. Take a look at the Detectives report to the court and see the emotional damage that has been inflicted on this child. Follow the case and see the updates. Don't just assume anything look at the facts of the case.