Church Defends Pastor Accused Of Rape- We Answer To Nobody But God

[stromboli]

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/04/church-defends-pastor-accused-of-rape-weve-got-to-answer-to-nobody-but-god/

A church in New Jersey is standing by its pastor after he was accused of sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman for several years, starting when she was 17.

Pastor James E. Simmons Jr., 64, of New Life in Christ Ministries turned himself in to authorities last week after he was charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child.

Church elder Freddie Alexander told an applauding congregation on Sunday that the accusations against the pastor were the work of Satan.

“If Satan knew what he was doing to New Life, he wouldn’t have done it. Because what Satan don’t know, what he turn around and did is made New Life get closer… now, because of what Satan has done, he is bringing [us] together.”

The elder warned Satan not to “mess with” the church, and denied the allegations against Simmons.

“We love our pastor,” Alexander said. “They can say what they want. And I hope I get on YouTube, and I tell you this here. I love my pastor. I love God first, but I love my pastor, and I trust him. And I know that I know him, deep from part of my heart. In the pit of my heart, I know we’re going to be exonerated. When our time comes, you will know.”

“Think what you want,” he added. “We’re going to trust God. We’ve got to answer to nobody but God.”

Alexander said Simmons had a “Godly heart” because he was praying for the woman who accused him of sex crimes.

“He helped people. He loves people,” Alexander said of Simmons. “And because of who he loves, Satan’s trying to get him â€" and us, too. But it ain’t happening.”

Institutionalized stupidity.

[Termin]

  I'm going to disagree somewhat, only in that everyone is innocent until proven guilty so they have every right to believe he is innocent of those charges. And to his credit the Pastor did turn himself in. Having said that

     

"In the pit of my heart I know we're going to be exonerated."

   But yeah, I don't think any reasonable person here is blaming the entire congregation. And if he is proven guilty , they are wrong , he is answerable to the law.

[Hydra009]

I have a feeling that this is going to end badly for the congregation.  Saying that he couldn't have done it because he has a "godly heart" smacks of naivety.

[doorknob]

Didn't he turn himself in? I think that means he's guilty. I could be wrong but I thought that's what that meant.

"We answer to no one but god." Yeah bullshit! Of course they think they can get away with it just because they're christian. But I hope the law proves them wrong. They have to answer to the law like it or not. Then they'll be saying they are persecuted again.

[stromboli]

I got an education as a Christian when I found out that a pastor I looked up to was a total fraud. This article is indicative of the attitude people have about their church leaders. The one guy I learned to be most wary of was the guy who proclaimed god the loudest. found out that was more often true than not.

[Termin]

Didn't he turn himself in? I think that means he's guilty. I could be wrong but I thought that's what that meant.

No it simply means he voluntarily went too the police to be arrested and formally charged, instead of the police coming for him. It will be up to the justice system now to prove his guilt.

[GSOgymrat]

I think "Only God can judge me" is going to be my new catchphrase. "I'm taking the last donut. Only God can judge me."