link--this

I am deeply saddened by what happened to this young boy. There is never an excuse for that. As for the people of Austin, THEY didn't do this, ONE lowdown excuse for a man and his brother did.
As for churches, I have been actively a member of church most of my life, and so has Robyn. I've also taught Sunday School for many years and had all types of kids in my classes. I have NEVER heard of anything like this happening that was condoned by a Bible teaching church that was doing what God teaches. He (G0D)does not teach this or promote it anywhere in the scripture. This is purely an act of a lunatic--in the name of religion. There IS a difference. This crazy-- and others like him-- is what gives religion and churches a bad name, and they do not even deserve the honor of being called a Christian.

My prayers are with this boy for his recovery both physically and mentally. I only hope he gets some therapy from a really understanding therapist. I also hope this man and his brother burn in hell for this. They have done a great disservice to all churches and Christianity.

¤ ¤ credit: mama | 07.10.02 at 01:24 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

P.S. I just read the article and I'm really boiling mad. I am Southern Baptist and have been for many, many years. This is NOT what we teach or condone. I hope you all follow this story. This church should be ex-communicated from the Southern Baptists. The "preacher" can and will be taken out of the church, permanently and swiftly.

¤ ¤ credit: mama | 07.10.02 at 01:30 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

Last year we had a church (the name escapes me)in GA that routinely beat children in front of the congregation and encouraged fathers to do so at home. They also married off teenage girls--some as young as 13 and 14. Social Services swept in and took something like 50 kids away from church members. I don't recall exactly what happened after that, except that as of this Spring, the children still have not been returned home.

And to this day the Pastor of the church says he is just following the laws of the bible. (I don't remember those laws, do you?)

scary huh?

ps forgive my misspells, these stupid nails get in the way every time....

¤ ¤ credit: kimmie | 07.10.02 at 02:21 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

Words cannot describe how I feel after reading this. I don't belong to an formal organized religion myself, and find it incredible that the perpetrators can and do feel justified in what they did.

Makes me a little weary about my niece and nephew going to Vacation Bible School.

I guess all I want to say is that Karma can be a Bitch.

¤ ¤ credit: *L* | 07.10.02 at 03:13 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

Spare the rod and miss an opportunity to cause massive internal injuries, I always say. :-/ I do agree, though: that's beyond extreme, even for the Southern Baptists.

¤ ¤ credit: john | 07.10.02 at 04:06 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

Kinda sorta on the same subject -- as a teen I was in Teen Challenge, sorta like a youth ministries for kids who've had tough 'problems' -- and they even had a battered woman's shelter here as well. Anyway, just shortly after I ran out on the whole thing (it was starting to get creepy) the director guy, Nick C., was charged with assault and rape (and fleeing the state)...he decided he could pick on a female teen and also one of the women who stayed at the shelter. The whole freaking thing is sick. I agree with Sekimori..."eye for an eye", man.

¤ ¤ credit: Karen | 07.10.02 at 05:09 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

I agree with 'mama.' What these men did was an abherration of Christianity, not part of its teachings. Damn, people suck. Most of all: poor kid. What an awful thing to have gone through - and now a whole investigation, prosecution ... it's just so unfair for him.

¤ ¤ credit: Kelly | 07.10.02 at 08:43 PM | link--this ¤ ¤

Freaks, I tell you ... freaks. After leaving this state for a week, did I tell you yet how much I hate being back? I mean, it was an individual's act, but this is the same state where we have crazy white people thinking it's ok to drag a black man behind their truck until he's beyond dead. I hate this state. Can I move now?

¤ ¤ credit: Christine | 07.10.02 at 11:08 PM | link--this ¤ ¤