[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by bishoph

My friend, I rarely respond/post much here; however, statements (such as the bolded section) really tend to get me riled up a bit. There are hundreds if not thousands of your so called ultra con churches. For you to allege that the "typical" ultra conservative church is one in which the pastor is committing adultery and the ministry staff are molesting children is not only absurd it is IMHO evil and vile.

There is no defense for the indefensible behavior that is alleged in this instance, nor for ANY other perverse and unrighteous action that robs a child of his/her innocence and scars them for life. There is no excuse for a pastor/leader to break their covenant of marriage for an affair and far worse IMO to use their office/position of authority to manipulate anyone regardless of their age causing them to partake in sinful acts. The truth of the matter is these things happen across the board in EVERY religious org trinitarian, oneness, independent, etc.

I know many conservative men who are wonderful Christians, love God, love their spouse and families, love their congregation, and live clean godly lives. Are there some who are mean spirited? Some who are lords over God's heritage? Some who make shipwreck? Absolutely! But what happened in this church is NOT TYPICAL of Apostolics (cons or libs) Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, etc. In fact (and I may take some heat here) I do not even believe it was "typical" in the Catholic church. There are millions of Catholics and by comparison few instances. Even one is too many and once more I am NOT defending the indefensible, I am just answering the charge that this is "typical" behavior for any church.

I preached there once and am a friend of the new pastor. This horrid sin on both parties (father & son) are sad and disgusting. NO group is immune to immorality. It is sad you are still so full of bitterness that you cannot go on with your life.