Pedophiles in Protestant churches!

[Debp]

Did anyone else see the 20/20 program last night? One segment was warning people about pedophile ministers in Protestant denominations. One of these was a music minister (who molested several youngsters after the worship service!!), although some were regular pastors.

On the Southern Baptist website, they have a list of ministers available for work.....several of them were pedophiles.....a few were actually in prison at the time they were on the list of available ministers!!

People interviewed on 20/20 said that churches did not warn other churches if they had hired a pedophile!

A pedophile (former) pastor was interviewed. He was repentant, but has to wear a monitor around his ankle, and he cannot be around any children at all. He told parents to be careful of anyone in the church who takes a special interest in one particular child, especially to be careful of overnight visits. He said people in his church had trusted him because he was not only a pastor, but he was a teacher as well.

We all knew the Catholic church had a problem in this area, but this is the first I've heard of it happening in Protestant churches. The evil one is at work in this day and age, that's for sure. We don't need to be fearful, but we should be aware that there are wolves among the sheep in order to protect children.

[Soldier4Christ]

I normally don't watch ABC or in fact much of any TV shows of that nature so no I haven't seen nor heard about this either. With the way things are going in our churches today I don't doubt it though. Parents need to be careful with their children no matter where they are.

Churches also need to check the references and history of those they hire in.

[Shammu]

Churches also need to check the references and history of those they hire in.

AMEN, and I do though the police dept.

[Reverend Newski]

There is no "problem" with this in Catholic Churches as much as there was a problem with the Media taking a few examples and using them as propaganda.

I will wager there is an equal amount of deviants in any part of the church, and any non Christian Church. Pedophiles don't wear signs on them that say "Pedophile". People want to be able to pick them out, so the media turned Priests into that symbol people new to be wary of.

Frankly, you can't find them so easily. They are all over the place in society.

[Debp]

There is no "problem" with this in Catholic Churches as much as there was a problem with the Media taking a few examples and using them as propaganda.

I will wager there is an equal amount of deviants in any part of the church, and any non Christian Church. Pedophiles don't wear signs on them that say "Pedophile". People want to be able to pick them out, so the media turned Priests into that symbol people new to be wary of.

Frankly, you can't find them so easily. They are all over the place in society.

Yes, true, they are all over the place in society.....but the Catholic church definitely does have a problem with this.   Here in Los Angeles, many people that have been molested by priests have often protested in front of the new Cathedral in downtown L.A.  They say that Cardinal Mahoney has tried to cover up these incidents.  Also, wasn't there a Catholic bishop in Boston who was dismissed for this very same thing (transferring and trying to cover up pedophile priests)?

Also, there is a doctrine in the Catholic church (I forgot the name) where they are allowed to lie in order to protect the name of "The Church".   They take a vow before the Pope not to reveal secrets that would dishonor "The Church".  This doctrine was recently mentioned because of a nun who said she could not remember a certain student who was molested by a priest.....but this same nun had written up several complaints about the priest to her "higher-ups".

[Debp]

I normally don't watch ABC or in fact much of any TV shows of that nature so no I haven't seen nor heard about this either. With the way things are going in our churches today I don't doubt it though. Parents need to be careful with their children no matter where they are.

Churches also need to check the references and history of those they hire in.

I don't usually watch 20/20 but did when I heard this would be the topic.  I thought it would be good to be informed about the issue.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brothers and Sisters,

We are seeing more and more evil permeate the world. Hollywood being taken over by liberals promoting homosexuality, abortion, socialism, and many more anti-Christian agendas. Our churches and public schools are experiencing the same thing with homosexuals, pedophiles, evolutionists, abortionists and all other such abominations stepping in and spreading their sin as being good. We have individuals that are more concerned with the environment than they are trusting in God's word or spreading the Gospel to attempt to save men's souls.

There is an attempt to lead us and our children down the wrong path by subjecting us all to this horrible situation. It is highly important that we clothe ourselves and our children against these evils. To put on the Whole Armour of God.

We are definitely in the beginning of some very troubled times.

There is some good news.

Jesus Christ is the answer! We must turn to Him and follow in His footsteps. Spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

[Faithin1]

Debp, thank you for the information.  I did not see 20/20, but I am not surprised.  We tend to focus on the Catholic Church, which most definitely has a problem with pedophilia, but we also must be aware of the wide-spread problem in society in general.  As Pastor Roger said, we must put on the whole armor of God.  Again, thanks for sharing this vital information.

[Debp]

Debp, thank you for the information.  I did not see 20/20, but I am not surprised.  We tend to focus on the Catholic Church, which most definitely has a problem with pedophilia, but we also must be aware of the wide-spread problem in society in general.  As Pastor Roger said, we must put on the whole armor of God.  Again, thanks for sharing this vital information.

Yes, it's good to be aware.  I posted at another site and a woman said she knew 3 women that had been molested at church (maybe not by the pastors) and it had affected them even as adults.

I think we usually have discernment about other people's spirits and wrong intentions....but in church, maybe some of these people are good at covering up their evil intent.

[mississippi_jesus_chic]

I think that there are probably as more nonChristian pedephiles that Christian ones.  I think that the reason we hear about so many Christian pedephiles is because people are just waiting for us to mess up.  I truly believe that there are people out there waiting for something to hold against us.  People who claim to be ministers or just Christians in general and then go do these type of things are really need a lot of prayer.  If you are living for the Lord and following his will, you should never have the desire to do those types of things.