Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged.... No, Really?

[jhameia]

So a youth pastor is now facing charges of sexual assault on a 14-yr-old girl from his church.

"Caldwell was charged with 6 counts of statutory rape of a 14-year-old, three counts of statutory sex offense of a 14-year-old and eight counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor."

After which he was re-arrested:
"After originally posting bond, a High Point youth pastor and Christian school athletic director was re-arrested on 19 additional sex charges.

At the second website, someone wrote this in the comments:

LindsayFnWhite wrote:
Well it’s like this. He may be a YOUTH pastor, but he’s NOT GOD! He IS HUMAN, just like the rest of us. We all make mistakes, but it’s not our option to judge him, discriminate him, or anything else. God will do that for us. What’s done is done, and no he’s not right, but what bout them little girls, they know how to say NO! Why are they messing with a married man with a wife and kids? You have to look at both sides of the story, yes he’s older and knows better, but them little teenagers these days, psh their parents don’t care letting them wear whatever, do whatever with friends, watch whatever on TV, and so forth. If these kids were true Christians they would have said no. Like I said he’s the older one and the youth pastor, but still it’s takes two!! And the next time you think oh well he should have this and that done to him, next time you lie, cheat, steal, cuss, dishonor your parents, lust, gossip, whatever it may be, just remember you committing a sin just as big as he is.

Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly, should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation. 6:3 IF YOU THINK YOU ARE TOO IMPORTANT TO HELP SOMEONE, YOU ARE ONLY FOOLING YOURSELF. YOU ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT.

That’s God’s words...believe it.

I do!

I'm not sure which part of the comment is worse:

"What's done is done" or "Why are little girls messing around with a married man?" or "these kids aren't true Christians, they watch TV / wear whatever they want / do whatever they want with friends" or "he may be the youth pastor but rape still takes two" or "gossiping, lying, lusting, cussing is as bad as rape" or "OMG GUYZ WHY ARE YOU CONDEMNING HIM?? HELP HIM!"

Just... ugh. How much brainpower does it take that hurting another human being, especially one weaker than you and lower in the hierarchy from him is a crime?

And this "if a 14-year-old girl and a 29-year-old man are involved, he's just a weak vessel and she's a conniving temptress" thing - No, really. One must inquire: how does a person arrive at this conclusion?

CURIOUS MINDS ARE CURIOUS.


via Pandagon

Comments

[nolan-ash.livejournal.com]

Your intolerance and close-mindedness unsettle me. =( I regret trying to have this discussion with you. Talking someone who has a completely closed mind is a waste of my time.

[fantasyecho.livejournal.com]

He has his own life with his own conclusions. Asking him to change his mind is like telling him to get a different life from the one he lived, and that's just not possible. At least he shared with you his reasons instead of slamming you out completely. Just because he hates the institution of religion which you find comfort in doesn't mean he'd hate you personally if he met you.

[tarmaque.livejournal.com]

Thank you. That's my point. Am I closed minded because I have researched my opinions? Because I can back up my beliefs with fact? Because I think for myself instead of having my knowledge fed to me by "Authorities" without question?

A closed mind is one that accepts ideas without examining them. I always examine my own ideas and will listen to any rational argument. My mind is open to be changed. Are you up to the task?

[nolan-ash.livejournal.com]

I'm not asking anyone to change their minds and agree with me; I just want people to have an open mind and listen. To stop hating all spiritually-minded people and talking about us like we're all the same. I'm happy to learn about a differing viewpoint from someone who can share where they're coming from without them blanket-hating and finger-pointing at one group (in this case, my group) as being the root of all evil.

Brain-washed unthinking religious zealots freak me right out. But we're not all like that. I'm not like that, but T is painting us all the same color. That's where the problem lies. Some religious people are hateful, but not all of them. Some religious people use their faith to excuse intolerable acts. Others use their faith to save lives and push for equality and peace. T's statement of "All religious people are like this" is fundamentally flawed because there are so many exceptions to this rule.

I enjoy my discussions with you, Jha, because even though we both disagree on a lot of points, I feel like we can both discuss our views and be heard. And be civil in the process. =/ I'm just not feeling that vibe here, so I'll let it go.