Sex Scandal Rocks Famed Megachurch

[maggie~hamilton]

The 80-year-old leader of a suburban Atlanta megachurch is at the center of a sex scandal of biblical dimensions: He slept with his brother's wife and fathered a child by her... [see link for full story]

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[jasonl]

Lord have mercy

And God bless any man who still has it at age 80.

Before the Christian bashing begins on this thread.

People aren't perfect.

 

[toggleswitch]

With all the fish in the sea he had to cast his rod there?

Are you my uncle or my daddy or both?
Don't you just LOVE the south?

If you are plowing and watering the fertile crescent, will something not grow?

Whatever. As long as he was not doing the fire-and-brimstone act about pre-marital and extra-marital relations in the pulpit.

HYPOCRITE!

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[pekedogs]

Jason -- Your reply is a sermon in itself. That is something that we all tend to forget from time to time. People aren't perfect. Neither are Christians. Far too many people who go to church focus on the people who attend rather than the one they claim as savior and His message. Bravo to you for your post before the bashing begins.

 

[maggie~hamilton]

I'm not sure how pointing out that yet another "Christian minister" has feet of clay (and, apparantly, dong of steel) is "Christian Bashing."

Especially since I myself am a Christian.

 

[rocketeer500]

Christian Bashing?? What a concept...

From my vantage point, I don't think it should be about Christian Bashing at all (if that's the right term for it??). To error is human; plain and simple. Some, however, have forgotten that all are human, and saying this, at one point or another, we all make choices that are, well, lets just say "not in our best interest"?

I think the real issue is that those that profess to be without sin are casting the first stone(s); not a good Christian value to say the least. I find it ironic that the ones pointing their boney little fingers at everyone else, are themselves their worst enemy.

I recently was discussing this very issue with a close friend (It was about Catholic priests and choir boys -- please don't ask me how we got on that subject!!) It was pointed out to me that the ones that seem to be spitting out venom, and making the loudest noise, are they themselves, guilty of the very act/actions that they are advocating against. Curious how human nature is: make the most noise, and say the worst things about someone or a group of people, and maybe others folks won't see your own failings.

....what a world, what a world.....

 

[sudsmaster]

I wonder if there is any "mega church" that is devoid of scandal, or the potential for scandal. The whole concept - of a super-sized church - with a treasury to match - seems to invite corruption and misbehavior. As you might guess, I prefer to keep my religious beliefs to myself and let others do the same. If I were to join an organized religion, the Unitarians seem to be the most reasonable, although perhaps applying the term "organized religion" to them is a bit of a stretch ;-).

 

[petek]

My parents became Unitarian waaaay back in the early 60's. Though both were brought up Anglican in the UK after they came to Canada and had us kids we did attend the local Presbyterian church for Sunday school and only attended service a scant few times before the changeover. Mom tells me the reason why they changed was she was basically tired of all the hypocrisy, the "church ladies" with their bitter gossip and narrow views and how the only thing that the church ever seemed to focus on was getting more money to build a newer one.
This town isn't big enough to support a Unitarian church building per se and that includes all the people from the surrounding Michigan St.Clair county. So for most of the years the weekly services would alternate, one week Port Huron MI, the next week here in Sarnia On.. Michiganders still make up a sizeable portion of the local Unitarian Fellowship here. Everyone's very welcoming, there's no gossip, for the most part all the members are very intelligent and very well read and versed on politics and social issues. You don't have to be a Christian to become a Unitarian, you can be whatever, Hindu, Muslim, Wiccan, Transgendered, honestly no one bats an eyelash even in this little place.

 

[goatfarmer]

I think the indescretion happened a few years ago, not when he was 80.

 

[bongobro]

anyone remember Strom Thurmond?

Dudes can get it up and get it on well into their 70s. Anyone remember Strom Thurmond, the senator from South Carolina? He fathered four children in his 70s when he married a former Miss South Carolina, so the allegations aren't far off the mark...

jason, bro', you nailed the point in your post!

 

[panthera]

Christian bashing

Jason,
I think you need to see things from our perspective. We are actively discriminated against by the fundamentalist Christians who have such a strong hold on your government.
Nobody forbids your marriage, or having children or practicing your beliefs.
Ours are radically circumscribed in the US.
And that by exactly this type of person.
Of course we are pleased to see them exposed for the hate-filled hypocrites they are.
But that is not bashing.
Personally, I think all these people running around protesting against Christian symbols at Christmas time are doing more harm then good...here in Germany we have human rights, yet nobody feels their civil rights or dignity is offended when the city government starts the Advent season off with publicly- sponsored craft's fairs and the entire public square (Marienplatz) is turned into a Christmas market.
Christianity once stood for something besides hate and torture, intolerance and discrimination. It is time for those who practice this religion to stop saying "oh, that is just a very vocal minority, ignore them" and to stand up and reclaim their religion.
So, yup, I did smile a bit when I read that.
I distinguish between "christianist" to describe such people and "Christian" for those who are more concerned with living the fruits of the spirit.

 

[davy1063]

Viagra baby

I understand that they are giving Viagra to old men in nursing homes to keep them from rolling out of bed......

oh come on...we needed a bit of levity!

 

[maggie~hamilton]

I think the real issue is that those that profess to be without sin are casting the first stone(s); not a good Christian value to say the least. I find it ironic that the ones pointing their boney little fingers at everyone else, are themselves their worst enemy.

I recently was discussing this very issue with a close friend (It was about Catholic priests and choir boys -- please don't ask me how we got on that subject!!) It was pointed out to me that the ones that seem to be spitting out venom, and making the loudest noise, are they themselves, guilty of the very act/actions that they are advocating against. Curious how human nature is: make the most noise, and say the worst things about someone or a group of people, and maybe others folks won't see your own failings.

Exactly, Exactly, EXACTLY.

THAT was precisely the point I was making. Expressing my disgust at the Holier-Than-Thous [NOT Christians as a whole] who are always pointing their corpulent fingers at the sins of the rest of the world, feigning sanctimonious piety, when all the while they are as "wicked" as are the rest of us. If not more so.

 

[toggleswitch]

~People aren't perfect.

And I don't think any man expects anyone to be so.

There is no such thing as perfection. Man's only perfection lies in his imperfection; it is called personality and character. The impefections are what make people (and life) interesting.

True love BTW, is not someone who loves you with your faults, (tries to look past them)i.e. incorrectly idealizing you as perfect, but rather it is someone who loves you despite your faults (sees them clearly and openly).

But to me it is mega-scary to idealize and pursue this goal that is unattainable. Even worse, to loudly condemn those who sin ("miss the mark" of perfection or desirable behavior), even when the accuser is the worse offender of all.

To me it is deplorable for these "church leaders" to be after fame, glory, power, social superiority, money, poltitical connections/influence etc. Is Chrisitanity not about personal strength, purity, forgiveness, being humble, being kinds, helping others and rejoicing in love?

Those who choose not to seize their own personal power give it away to "ministers" such as this man. There is G-d inside each and every one of us. Why do we insist on looking outside of ourselves for answers?

 

[~sudsshane]

What I find most hypocritical is...

so called "Christian" evangelical voters supporting 3x married,current wife was my mistress,pro abortion,pro gay rights, pro gun control Mayor Rudy Giuliani for President. Don't get me wrong, I think it is great that this could be the future face of the Republican party.(LOL) But, to support a candidate who holds these views because of an irrational fear of a Hillary Clinton Presidency, just shows that these people don't have any true core convictions.
I may not agree with many evangelical voters on an array of issues,but the people who are staying true to their convictions/beliefs and supporting pro life candidates have to at least be admired regardless of whether you agree.

 

[sudsmaster]

Anything can happen day

Obama's got a slim lead in Iowa... what next?

 

[rp2813]

Hypocrisy

Good discussion and I agree that the religious right is fraught with hyprocrisy at all levels, but it's not just the "Christians" as we continue to see the scandals and related settlements coming out of the Catholics' corner as well. I'm with Rich when it comes to organized religion.

For years growing up we had "Christ Church Unity" less than a block from my parents' house. They seemed like a fairly liberal group. They moved several years ago and the "Center for Spiritual Enlightenment" moved in. This appears to be a very broadminded group and there are a lot of "equals sign" and rainbow flag bumper stickers on the cars that attend services and functions there. I suppose if I was in need of a spiritual crutch, this would be the place I'd check out.

As for casting the first stone, while it doesn't address religious groups, the film "The Opposite of Sex" has a great narrative by its main character who absolutely nails it with her assessment towards the end of the film on how to peg a closet case. The focus of the hypocrisy might be different, but the behavior is the same as that of religious zealots who have dark secrets to hide.

 

[andrewinorlando]

All bashing of any kind aside, Keven hit the nail on the head....if you're gonna talk the talk, then walk the walk, or keep your fat mouth shut from the pulpit. Unfortunately, society is rife with individuals who can't/don't think for themselves, and believe whatever crap some of these clowns profess from on high as the absolute "word" because they don't know any better.

 

[toggleswitch]

*APPLAUSE*
*APPLAUSE*
*APPLAUSE*

to you Andrew!