Posted on 03/06/2024 2:19:28 PM PST by Morgana
MONROE, N.C. — For the second consecutive Sunday, community members from all around Union County voiced their concerns about Bible Baptist Tabernacle following controversial comments made by the pastor.
Several signs, community members, and voices were outside the church preaching their frustration toward the church and Pastor Bobby Leonard.
“I'm appalled and indignant,” Rebecca Frick said.
Leonard said during a sermon that women make themselves targets for sexual assault based on how they dress. He said he wouldn't vote to convict a man who's accused of raping a woman if she wore shorts.
“We don't like [what he said]," Sanders said. "We're done with it. So he needs to be gone.”
Some say the incident has questioned their views on the church.
“It's kind of hard to view [the church]," Ben Rudy said. "Things are going on in so many different directions. It's a catastrophe right now in my eyes.”
Protesters' concerns are now stretching beyond the church to the Tabernacle Christian School.
Records from the NC Education Assistance Authority show that Tabernacle Christian received over $900,000 in both 2023 and 2024 in public taxpayer funds through a state voucher program.
Callie Price isn't pleased with where the funds are going.
“Why should our money go into this school?" Callie Price asked. "This church that preaches this message, and is not protecting women and children, and is promoting rape culture, and it's just something we've got to stand up against in this community."
People throughout Union County are calling for action and are prepared to keep pressing the issue until something is done.
“We need accountability for this man and leadership and these people in leadership for these statements," Price said. "They need to be held accountable.”
(Excerpt) Read more at wcnc.com ...
Does it say it’s ok to rape them if they don’t dress modestly?
Rhetorical question.
Obviously not an ally. Just noting double standards. I disagree with this pastor.
If I were to go into a bad neighborhood at night and withdraw $400 from an ATM, then walk down the street counting my money I’m likely to get robbed. That robbery isn’t justified, but I did make myself a target. It’s the same concept.
Stupid thing to say. Shorts. Maybe say a thong bikini but even then it’s stupid to excuse then transfer guilt. Stupid people.
Maybe he is trying to get off jury duty for life. He might not have a flock to minister to after this.
“Men have raped females from 8 to 80 years olds.”
Actually men have raped females from age 2 hours old to 101 hears old.
Yes the pastor is an idiot
“The Bible says women should dress modestly.”
Yes it does but how are shorts not modest?
As long as they are not short “booty” shorts that have women’s ass hanging out or too obscenely tight shorts can be modest clothing.
Where’s the double standard?
You keep up with that line you will get the Bible banned from most Baptist churches. You now have to say: Practicing homosexuality is fine. Women should either go nude or wear the least amount of clothing possible. Men should marry men as long as they love each other. Love thy neighbor-just don’t get caught. B
Fat chicks in yoga pants are a deterrent not an invitation.
“He said he wouldn’t vote to convict a man who’s accused of raping a woman if she wore shorts.”
ah, yes ... there’s still a few good ol’ timey redneck preachers lurking about the south that have those good ol’ timey whacko ideas about what constitutes Christianity ...
i still remember a sunday school teacher named Strange Bird (real name, btw) who explained to us chillins that going to the movies and dancing on Sundays were sins ... when i asked my parents why that would be sinful, they explained that i would no longer have to attend sunday school classes ....
Hot pants is the term I suspect the minister was referring to.
I suspect this guy has his own sexual issues and projects them onto other men.
(And who wears ‘hot pants’ anymore? Unnecessary cleavage exposure is much more common now. Guy must be very old; or he’s a leg man.)
“Hot pants is the term I suspect the minister was referring to.”
The guy is in his 80’s and from what else he said in the sermon I think he means all shorts. He said something about a time when all women wore dresses. Yea that is true in about 1950 but not today. I have seen women his age wearing shorts and a t-shirt to the grocery store. Mind you they were not “hot pants” but this pastor would not approve, but it’s not his body or his business.
Jury nullification?
Or are you unaware of how that works?
Anyway, First Amendment is still a thing.
(And where are all those liberals who have claimed, “I may not agree with [blank blank] that you say/said, but I will defend your right to say it.”?
Of course, perhaps Leonard would be playing with young boys.
It boggles the mind that someone so stupid can become a church leader.
You’re right.
I stand corrected.
A cop friend told me about responding to a break-in and finding an 80 year old woman who had been raped. Her overturned wheelchair was nearby.
It ain’t the clothes...
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