an indiana sheriff's office is investigating alleged misconduct by the pastor of an evangelical megachurch who was fired after admitting to an "improper relationship" with a teenage girl, the hammond post-tribune reports.. jack schaap, 54, was pastor at 15,000-congregation first baptist church of hammond, ind., for 11 years and broadcast his sermons worldwide.. the church said in a news release that schaap committed "a sin that has caused him to forfeit his right to be our pastor," the associated press reports.. the lake county sheriff's department says it is investigating the alleged misconduct but does not expect to file charges, the post-tribune reports.. a church spokesman says the teenager is 17 years old and was at least 16 years old -- the age of consent in indiana -- at the time of the incident.. the board of deacons announced schaap's dismissal tuesday for sinful behavior that involved adultery and physically inappropriate behavior, the hammond timesreports.. terry duff, chairman of the board of deacons, said the church is committed to finding out the full story on the allegations and that "no wronging will be covered up.
""we are going to do what is right no matter what the cost or consequences to first baptist church," duff said wednesday evening.terry duff, chairman of the board, said the church is committed to finding out the full story on the relationship and that "no wronging will be covered up," wbbm-tv, the cbs affiliate in chicago, reports.. "we are going to do what is right no matter what the cost or consequences to first baptist church," duff told reporters wednesday evening.. duff said that schaap acknowledged the affair when confronted by church leaders and is attempting to reconcile with his wife, who is the daughter of the church's founder.. correction on 8/3/12: hyles was not the founder of the church, which dates to 1887, however, he was instrumental in during it into a megachurch during his leadership, from 1959 to 2001.. wbbm reports that interim pastor eddie lapina told the congregation wednesday evening, "we need to watch each other, we need to make sure that nobody ... gets the feeling that they're above reproach.".
schaap is also author of several books on marriage and dating, but they are apparently were removed from the website of his publisher, hyles publications.. in his 1995 book, titled marriage: god's original intent, schaap writes:.
If the age of consent in Indiana is 16, he's done nothing wrong legally, just 'schaaping his schlaap'. Give it plenty of public crying, some dollars, and he'll be OK 'cos probably his god, in a secret and personal message only he can hear, will 'forgive' him.
(Edited to add:) If this perv had 'schaaped' my daughter at 16 I'd have cut his schlaap off, 'minister of god' or not. Stick THAT on the altar as a burnt offering and see if it pleases your god! If he objects, tell him that it was a circumcision that went a bit too far.
(Only the Brits may appreciate this). In 1998 I bought (my second) new Skoda Felicia. Superb cars for the price. Due to my work I had 'blues and twos' on it and a 'Kojak' light.
The look on people's faces was worth a fortune! (Tip: 'Kojak lights fall off at 80+).
My favourite (and best) was a 2 door black Morris Minor (948cc). Built late 1959, registered on 17 February 1960 and I bought it second-hand in 1975 with 10,762 miles on it for £200. It had been bought by the headmistress of our local village school when she retired and she sold it when she felt she was too old to drive. I owned it for 30 years, did (probably) more than 200,000 miles in it.
I rebuilt it several times, used it when I was a police officer on official business, took the back seats out so I could put a straw bale in and take my pet goats to shows ... those were the days!
When i sold my house in 2005 to move abroad I gave it to the buyers (also enthusiasts).
Well, more developments today, as in a letter from her lawyer via mine.
Disregarding the tears and the 'little girl voice' there is no doubt that underneath it all is a shrewd and calculating mind focussed on staying in the UK and possibly financial gain on the way. And no, I'm not being too harsh here. She is quite prepared and ready to use all weapons in her arsenal.
Just goes to show the vulnerabities of us humans, I suppose. I'm great at seeing through religious and other crap but show me a 4'10" woman in tears and I'm as vulnerable and credulous as anyone else. I think I'll send her a DA letter and ask her to shun me! (No offence intended, and no wish to make light of the very real issue of shunning).
some of you will have noticed that i've been paying a lot of attention to the governing body recently.
this is because most jehovah's witnesses venerate them collectively (even if they can't name them individually), and i feel this makes it important to understand this group of men properly and expose their mindset as individuals.
as the saying goes, i feel it's important to "know your enemy".. i realize it's very convenient to think of the governing body as being "evil" when we consider that they are ultimately responsible for all the damaging jw teachings and beliefs.
'Wilful', 'deliberate' or 'knowing' ignorance is my best guess, brought about by ego and the thirst for veneration and power.
And that, in my opinion, in view of the potential and actual harm they cause, is evil. They are not dissimilar to many other secular and religious leaders.
