Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

MineralMan

(147,334 posts)
Fri Jun 21, 2019, 01:54 PM Jun 2019

Another Pillar of the Church Falls

This one's a real peach! The church mentioned is a Baptist church in the Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The good pastor, sadly, failed to live up to the high standards laid out in the Bible. I'm sure he'll be missed by the congregation.

https://www.americanpress.com/news/crime/westlake-church-pastor-fired-after-rape-arrest/article_41a08dd7-fcc7-5c53-9eae-2dc961b72ddb.html

Westlake church pastor fired after rape arrest

The pastor of Bellview Baptist Church in Westlake accused of molesting an 11-year-old girl since 2017 has been fired, according to a statement released Wednesday by church leaders.

John Michael Ward, 45, of Westlake, was arrested Monday and charged with 10 counts of first-degree rape; 40 counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile; and two counts of pornography involving a juvenile. Following an investigation by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, he told detectives he molested the girl since she was 9 years old and videotaped her nude on two occasions.


Ward served as Bellview's pastor since July 2012, according to the church website.

Church deacons, with help from the Carey Baptist Association, voted unanimously to terminate Ward "because of his sexual immorality and failure to maintain the high standard of integrity for the office of pastor outlined in the Bible," the statement reads. Bellview Baptist Church is affiliated with the Carey Baptist Association.
3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Another Pillar of the Church Falls (Original Post) MineralMan Jun 2019 OP
ahem... uriel1972 Jun 2019 #1
Really. They refer to "sexual immorality," when they're talking about MineralMan Jun 2019 #2
Strange CDerekGo Jun 2019 #3

MineralMan

(147,334 posts)
2. Really. They refer to "sexual immorality," when they're talking about
Sat Jun 22, 2019, 08:52 AM
Jun 2019

a child being raped. I suppose they think a 9-year-old somehow seduced this horrible man.

CDerekGo

(507 posts)
3. Strange
Sat Jun 22, 2019, 11:49 AM
Jun 2019

That the news article doesn't start with the 'pastors' arrest first, along with this bond, then the fact of the Church's termination. Almost as if the Church's actions, are more predominant than even the poor child.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»Another Pillar of the Chu...