Posted on 06/04/2008 9:28:52 PM PDT by PAR35
A former pastor at Plano’s Prestonwood Baptist Church now faces six more counts of online solicitation of a minor, authorities said.
Joe Barron was first arrested by the Bryan Police Department last month after he tried to meet with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl for sex, authorities said. The two had communicated online.
Mr. Barron was charged with one count of online solicition of a minor. He later posted $7,000 bail and was released.
He was arrested again Wednesday afternoon and faces four additional counts of online solicitation from the Bryan Police Department and two additional counts of online solicitation out of Louisiana, according to the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
To antagonize is to incur or to provoke hostility in others.
Unlike the “caucus” threads, the article and reply posts of an “ecumenic” thread can discuss more than one belief, but antagonism is not tolerable.
More leeway is granted to what is acceptable in the text of the article than to the reply posts. The term “gross error” in an article will not prevent an ecumenical discussion, but a poster should not use that term in his reply because it is antagonistic.
Contrasting of beliefs or even criticisms can be made without provoking hostilities. But when in doubt, only post what you are “for” and not what you are “against.” Or ask questions.
Ecumenical threads will be moderated on a “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” basis. When hostility has broken out on an “ecumenic” thread, I’ll be looking for the source.
Therefore “anti” posters must not try to finesse the guidelines by asking loaded questions, using inflammatory taglines, gratuitous quote mining or trying to slip in an “anti” or “ex” article under the color of the “ecumenic” tag.
Posters who try to tear down other’s beliefs or use subterfuge to accomplish the same goal are the disrupters on ecumenic threads and will be booted from the thread and/or suspended.
Update to:
Prestonwood Baptist minister arrested in sex sting (not Senior Pastor) (Ecuminic) posted
05/16/2008
Ok...you’ve got my attention (first time in months I’ve wanted to post a reply actually).
May I not voice my opinion for fear of “antagonizing” someone (you perhaps)? If I’m hostile to your ideas, or you to mine, am I or you or we out of bounds? Maybe I’m reading your post wrong but it sounds a bit defensive from the start. I mean, that pastor has at the very least succumbed to temptation or worse, found that a position such as his would bring him in closer contact and therefore expose him to more opportunities with young children. I do not have to mention faith to argue my points. Ecumenic thread or no, a robust discussion of opposing points of view should be welcomed.
Is this response provocative? If so, look no further than my screen-name. I am your source.
I think he was only copying what was said by the RM in another post. I do believe that these are some of the new guidelines for conversing on the religion threads.
Guidelines? Ok, it’s not my site so I have to go along with the rules if I wanna play. But someone taking umbrage over the tenor of the argument then crying “FOUL!” sounds wimpy to me. That’s not the FR I’ve grown to know and love.
This is a Religion Forum thread. Click on my profile page to see all the guidelines pertaining to the Religion Forum.
Some have taken to attacking others for their faith, attacking their doctrine, etc and it was time for a new set of guidelines to make things clearer.
It was more that the tenor of the argument, it was becoming nasty.
“I do not have to mention faith to argue my points.”
And THAT is an excellent way of looking at things. As soon as you mention any religious “faith” in order to buttress any arguemnt, you are already five steps behind.
Please note I said “any religious faith.” I am not antagonozing any one religious faith any more, or less, than another.
If this is the guy to whom she presented herself (excuse the expression) as over 18, I think he may have a defense against the worst of the charge.<p.But you know what? I don’t care. It’s hard for me to imagine that a guy would go into the ministry without some longing to serve God. And once I imagine that it’s hard for me to do anything but grieve when so lovely an aspiration winds up on such a sordid rock.
There are lots of folks who need our prayers in this situation. May God cast His healing love around all involved, perp and victim(s), and draw them out of stormy and roiled passions and into the safety of His heart.
If this is the guy to whom she presented herself (excuse the expression) as over 18, I think he may have a defense against the worst of the charge.<p.But you know what? I don’t care. It’s hard for me to imagine that a guy would go into the ministry without some longing to serve God. And once I imagine that it’s hard for me to do anything but grieve when so lovely an aspiration winds up on such a sordid rock.
There are lots of folks who need our prayers in this situation. May God cast His healing love around all involved, perp and victim(s), and draw them out of stormy and roiled passions and into the safety of His heart.
I think he probably knew she was underage. He just got pulled in by his own depravity.
"after he tried to meet with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl for sex"
Barron knew exactly what he was looking for.
I want the thread to focus on the issues, and not deteriorate into Catholic - Protestant bashing as sometimes occurs on these threads. If that causes you problems, there is a live thread with the Religion Moderator where you can complain about classifications. Or find a different source and post it in news.
I still think it’s sad when a pastor is felled “by his own depravity”. I don’t know the details. How do we know he knew she was 13 or whatever?
Don’t you think he should have found out?
The article isn’t entirely clear about whether the man was *actually* communicating with a 13-year-old girl, a female of some other age, or an undercover police officer. However, I’m sure they have some stomach-turning e-mail or IM exchanges which make it clear that he *believed* he was going to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex.
And you’re right, MD, it’s a moral tragedy, whether or not any real 13-year-olds were involved. The man should go to jail if it’s proved that he broke the law, but the Devil is really behind his deranged urge for sex with young girls.
But I[m not defending this guy. I just am sorry for him.
I'm not. At this point, however, I will express sympathy for his victims, including his family, his church, and any others that he has injured.
Otay Spanky...Got your drift and will be adhering to the guidelines. God bless...
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