Preacher Predators

Hiding behind the Church

I just watched a report on 20/20 regarding preachers who are preying on the young children and youths in their churches. One preacher said he preyed on as many as 40 children! One Baptist parishioner, who is trying to get the Baptist organization to do something about them, wants to create a warning system, have a list of these pedophiles in their ministry, but she says that no one wants to do anything to stop what's going on!


Some people ignore it when they find out it's going on. Some people, Christian people, shun the families whose children have been abused! What the fuck is that?!


How can this be? How can these men (and I"m being nice in saying men) do this to the children who trust them? They are suposed to be of God, representing all that is good and clean and holy.


These pedaphiles befriend their victims, get them to trust them. He's on the inside and he is known, not a stranger, he is their friend. The grown-ups trust them and allow them to be around their children. Overnight stays, going on trips, which gradually turns into abuse.


One preacher who always had teenagers around him, was claimed to be one of the boys, acted like them, talked to them about girls, and sex, then eventually, after they grew to trust him, he would show them porn videos; he would masturbate in front of them and said that's what guys do and it's natural, then he would take them down to the basement and abuse them. The kids being scared would not know what to do. The teen was blaming himself, blaming and hating God, and trusted no one. Not being able to take what was going on anymore, one of the teens told his dad. I'm so glad he was able to tell his father!


When his dad brought it up to the police, who then told the church leaders, there was nothing but disbelief all around. The leaders and congregation did nothing. They shunned the family. The police prosecuted the minister. He left the state eventually and went to another church where they didn't know about this preacher's past and did the same thing to the children there! Why didn't the other church warn them? Why did they keep it quiet?


Florida, Texas, Alabama and Tennessee, these states are over run by preachers who are preying on children in their constituence! It doesn't matter what race they are, there are Black ministers, and White ministers, they are all pedophiles cloaked in preacher's clothing!


It's not just the Catholic churches, it's the Baptists and the Protestants ones too. The predator is not a stranger, he is the very person who you would least expect!"
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Reply #1 Top
The churches can't ignore this. They need to be pro-active. We're living in a day when everyone has to be suspect..sorry to say. Precautions for the sake of our children have to be done. Let's face it, child predators are going to go where the kids are. That usually means, scouting and churches are prime spots for these guys.

While I've never experienced anything like what you mentioned in our area we have take precautions just in case....anyone working with children have to have a background check in our church. So if you want to work in a nursery or Sunday School you first have to be checked out. Fortunately for us, we have two Chief of Police from two diff towns in our congrgation and they know everybody.

There was one incident that involved a nursery worker in another church near us that made headlines here. He was a middle aged man working in the church nursery school during the week. Hello? To me that raises a red flag. Maybe I'm just being sexist but I believe that it should be women taking care of small nursery age children not men in their 30's. Anyhow he's in jail for a long long time.



Reply #2 Top
here was one incident that involved a nursery worker in another church near us that made headlines here. He was a middle aged man working in the church nursery school during the week. Hello? To me that raises a red flag. Maybe I'm just being sexist but I believe that it should be women taking care of small nursery age children not men in their 30's. Anyhow he's in jail for a long long time.


He abused the children? That's horrible! It's not just older men though, as I saw on the program, one of them was probably in his thirties.



The churches can't ignore this. They need to be pro-active. We're living in a day when everyone has to be suspect..sorry to say. Precautions for the sake of our children have to be done. Let's face it, child predators are going to go where the kids are. That usually means, scouting and churches are prime spots for these guys.


I know. That's the reality! And they are not just strangers anymore, they are friends, uncles, anyone!
Reply #3 Top
You know, this is why I don't leave my children with other people.

I had someone complain to me about scouts recently. He said when he was in Cub Scouts he felt like he we was abused because of the way he was handled during a "tick check" on a woodsy outing.

I think scouting is GREAT. But my boys don't do those things without me. Especially not overnight, but still I go to all their meetings and outings.

We don't do church, but I think what KFC's church does with the background checks is very good.

It's just really hard to trust anyone.
Reply #4 Top
I wish I had seen this one. It's pretty awful that it's so widespread...and being done by people whom you think you can put your trust in.

Extensive background checks should definitely be mandatory for anyone whose position puts him/her in contact with children.
Reply #5 Top
I think scouting is GREAT. But my boys don't do those things without me. Especially not overnight, but still I go to all their meetings and outings.


It's great that you do attend with your boys! It would be good if all parents could or would do that!



Yes, it's great that KFC's church does do the background check!



Extensive background checks should definitely be mandatory for anyone whose position puts him/her in contact with children.


Most definately! It's so necessary, unfortunately, most church do not!
Reply #6 Top
It's so sad that crap like this happens. Teachers and preachers end up getting a bad rap because of the freaks that are attracted to those jobs. It makes it so much worse because these are people we're supposed to be able to trust with our children. They not only violate the children, but the parent's trust. Then, to be a "man of God" and treat children this way, it's just sick and disgusting.

My dad was a Baptist preacher, and though he never would have done anything like this, I can remember churches where the congregation would have shunned a family that said anything bad about a preacher or deacon. This kind of attitude from church members makes them just as bad and just as guilty as the pedophiles. These attitudes keep children from speaking up and telling someone out of fear, and keep them feeling shame after the fact.
Reply #7 Top
The church I'm attending has a very strict policy about this. It is required by the liablity insurance company. A person has to attend for six months before working with any kids, after that there's a backgroud and driving record check. There are always to be two unrelated adults present with any children (including the nursery). In addition, when new people attend they are checked against the sex offender list. One man had been convicted of statutory rape because he has sex with is one year younger girlfriend. Still it doesn't matter. He's not allowed to work with the children.

I feel pretty comfortable with these policies. Some people might not like the fact that the offerder list is used, but hey, I'd prefer safe than sorry any day when it comes to kids.

Our county crime vicitms' rights advocate is a member and helped to have the system setup in the first place back in 2001. She's also very aware of what's going on in the area. Pastor says, "I got people."

A few years ago a deacon who was no longer attending the church was convicting of sex crimes against children.
Reply #8 Top
It makes it so much worse because these are people we're supposed to be able to trust with our children. They not only violate the children, but the parent's trust. Then, to be a "man of God" and treat children this way, it's just sick and disgusting.


Exactly!


This kind of attitude from church members makes them just as bad and just as guilty as the pedophiles. These attitudes keep children from speaking up and telling someone out of fear, and keep them feeling shame after the fact.


DItto!


A person has to attend for six months before working with any kids, after that there's a backgroud and driving record check. There are always to be two unrelated adults present with any children (including the nursery). In addition, when new people attend they are checked against the sex offender list. One man had been convicted of statutory rape because he has sex with is one year younger girlfriend. Still it doesn't matter. He's not allowed to work with the children.


This is good. Every precaution is necessary!



Pastor says, "I got people."


! Maybe his 'people' can call the other people!


A few years ago a deacon who was no longer attending the church was convicting of sex crimes against children.


Wow! And for sure there wasn't anything where he's concerned at your church. Because once they are that way, it's usually difficult to change! I wonder if your church's policies were in place prior to or after he left? Just curious!

Reply #9 Top
I wonder if your church's policies were in place prior to or after he left? Just curious!


He was there in the early 90s and the policies were instituted in 2000 or 2001. From what pastor told me, the guy was pretty much a control freak who had a lot of influence in the Church so when pastor came in he was trying to undermine him. The had a sort of 'power struggle' and the guy ended up leaving. This behavior makes me think of him as a predator. They like to be able to manipulate others and if they can't they move on to where they can.
Reply #10 Top
They like to be able to manipulate others and if they can't they move on to where they can.


Yes, I think this is important to know. If you have a strong man of God at the helm, these predators will go somewhere else where the Pastor is not so alert about things. We have such a strong base of elders that it would be really hard to get away with such things in our church.

The other church where the local predator got caught was a church with loose organization. It wasn't what I would call a "strong" church. The nursery school was all women (which is a normal thing) and this one guy. I still to this day, can't imagine why they had him in there. In our church if a man has a strong desire to be in with the little kids, unless he's a daddy, it sends us red flags whether he's innocent or not. We had this come up once a long time ago. He turned out to be fine. It just struck us as a bit unusual. Just being precautious I guess.

As far as scouting, I think it best for dads to be involved with their sons. My husband was cub master and then scout master when our kids were in the program. The overnights and jamborees are alot of fun for them. Most dads are allowed, and encouraged to participate in these events. I had it easy. I was a den mother and I never went to the overnights. I got to escape the bugs, bad weather and bad food.

I think for the most part it's just a very small percentage that engage in such behaviors, but it's too bad because we just never know when it's going to be an issue with us and our kids. We must always be on the alert because of this.



Reply #11 Top
As far as scouting, I think it best for dads to be involved with their sons.


Ideally yes, but in my case that's just not possible.
Reply #12 Top
Here's a really good link about a sex offender trying to find a church in California. I really don't have any pity for the guy. I would worry about him in my church too. Though I wouldn't be so concerned because we have such strict rules and there are people in the church who know and are watching.

I also see a link between this and another discussion about judgment by Christains. While we can forgive and be tolerant, we don't have to forget a person's track record. Having sex offenders in the church is OK but, BIG BUT, the congregation has the right to know so that they can keep the children safe.

WWW Link
Reply #13 Top
I also see a link between this and another discussion about judgment by Christains


hahaha yes, that's where "right" judgment comes into play. We're lying to ourselves if we say we don't make judgments. We do so everyday.

Actually, we did have somebody who was considered a sex offender in our church. He wasn't a predator per se but somebody who got involved with a girl underage and he was over 18 at the time. Evidently (not knowing the whole circumstance) he was over the three year age allowance and convicted of this. He now has two children of his own and it's many years later. But to his credit, he came to the Pastor and brought this up to him. So, even tho the danger level is probably low to non existent, we don't allow him to be involved with the children's programs....even tho it really wasn't a pedophile problem.

[quote]Ideally yes, but in my case that's just not possible. [quote]

ahhh yes, you're in a diff situation. And if you move around alot that would also add to your dilemma. Ya, not sure I'd know what to do in your case. I think the scouting program with good leaders is a great program but I do understand your situation.



Reply #14 Top
This behavior makes me think of him as a predator. They like to be able to manipulate others and if they can't they move on to where they can.


This is true! The cases I heard about from watching the program, these guys all had a lot of control and influence within their individual churches. Most of them were the pastors/ministers or youth pastors for heavens sake!


The other church where the local predator got caught was a church with loose organization.


Loose in the sense that they weren't very structured when it comes to their organization of it's leaders. This is the problem the lady they featured was having with her Baptist organization and no one wanted to help her, they all claimed it's not their problem, seriosly! They are in la la land!


Ideally yes, but in my case that's just not possible.


You being a big part of it since their dad can't be there is good. Some moms would probably have let some other parent fill in but I think it's better if either parent does it with the kids. My son is not a scout and not interested in being a scout. I don't know if that's good or bad!! He's never interested in doing 'normal' kid stuff!


I also see a link between this and another discussion about judgment by Christains. While we can forgive and be tolerant


That statement is a big hornet's nest you're opening there QOD! That would be a whole other topic that would be disected and ripped to shreds!lol!


the congregation has the right to know so that they can keep the children safe.


Exactly!


hahaha yes, that's where "right" judgment comes into play. We're lying to ourselves if we say we don't make judgments. We do so everyday.


And how!


Reply #15 Top
That statement is a big hornet's nest you're opening there QOD! That would be a whole other topic that would be disected and ripped to shreds!lol!


Sorry FS, I'm not trying to start anything on your thread. Feel free to delete my response. or if you want I'll modify it. Just let me know.
Reply #16 Top
As far as scouting, I think it best for dads to be involved with their sons.


I dunno . . . ninety percent of the parents involved in the scouting program are moms . . . and that's just the way it should be.

D'you know why I'm an eagle scout? Not because my dad was involved; even though he was, he didn't have had the motivating influence on me that my mom did. She's the reason I have my eagle, she's the reason BlueDev has his eagle.

Oh well. Brandie, for the record, you rock.

Sorry for the lil' hijack, Donna.
Reply #17 Top
Sorry FS, I'm not trying to start anything on your thread. Feel free to delete my response. or if you want I'll modify it. Just let me know.


Nawww.....not at all...It's definately a topic that would be highly volatile in discussing....nothing to feel you did something wrong!


D'you know why I'm an eagle scout? Not because my dad was involved; even though he was, he didn't have had the motivating influence on me that my mom did. She's the reason I have my eagle, she's the reason BlueDev has his eagle.


I think a lot of moms do take their kids around to all the extra curricula activities! My co-workers...all moms...all do the 'soccer mom' thing!

Yeah Brandie rocks!lol! Not a prob Braeden!