[Austin, TX] Church leaders accused in beating -- Boy in intensive care with kidney failure

The Houston Chronicle ^ | July 9, 2002 | Armando Villafranca

[FITZ]

Indeed. And, I wonder how long it will take the same posters who continually bay for Islam to be destroyed as a religion to call for the wholesale rounding up and internment of every Christian in Texas.

Unlike in Islam, Christians can and will criticize these so-called ministers, Christians will be the first to demand they be punished. You wouldn't see Muslims daring to call for the removal of an Iman who did something like this.

[HiTech RedNeck]

If I am trying to protect anything, it is an objective inquiry of truth. I get more hopping mad at an incident like this than almost anybody else, if it is true. Perhaps the MRI and CAT scans of the kidneys will tell a consistent story and rule out accident or illness as a cause. But getting whacked for 90 minutes over a bare or T-shirted back with a 1" stick is going to look much worse than that picture even after several days. It reminds me of the G-rated depiction of Christ in the Jesus film after the "brutal flogging" when he scarcely had a scratch.

[Catspaw]

And these two are already out on bail. Their victim is still in the hospital. Unless he gets some kidney function back, he'll be on dialysis for years until he gets a transplant.

[Minnesoootan]

I was on this post yesterday,didn't see anything on the news last night.

I also still don't like the smell of this story,now that the father of the two admits they may have switched the boy,I still think that maybe it went bad when the kid got home,step Dad angry at his defiant son getting in trouble again,kicked his ass,realized he hurt him bad,so bad HE would get in trouble when he took him to the hospital,tells the kid to say it was the preachers boys,family backs him up to keep him out of jail. Then there is another part of me that is saying he got his ass kicked on the street,and needs a cover up.....

I still want to read a transcript of the statements,and the other side of me wants to whip the two ninnys and salt um....

[Illbay]

So, why are you so intent on making sure these two clowns are exonerated?

Does the admission on the part of their father that they regularly prescribe for their congregants, in excruciating detail, various kinds of beatings for their children not repugnant to you? Or are you another one of those nay-sayers who want to compare this practice to your mother making you cut a switch, or sending you to bed without supper?

[maxwell]

I also think that there are many, many different paths to Heaven, and everybody takes his own trip...

I take it you have a different interpretation of John 14:6 and I John 5:11-13.

No. What I'm saying is, I think that there is room for many variations on that theme. Many folks think if you drink smoke dance drive fast cars and hang out in bars you ain't got a snowflake's chance in hell. I think that many folks will be surprised who ends up passing those pearly gates and who doesn't, because God looks at the heart.

I recall C.S.Lewis' The Last Battle, in which one of the followers of Tash, the false deity, finds himself in Paradise. When faced with Aslan (the God character), he is prostrate with his unworthiness, citing his lifelong devotion to his false god... Aslan tells him, what you did for Tash, you did for Me. Come into My Kingdom, my son.

[maxwell]

It may be heresy for a Texan to say this, but the damned things hurt my feet and I'll never wear another pair of roachkillers as long as I live.

DUDE... I ain't nothin but a Texican-wannabe, and MY boots are the most comfortable things I own... Well almost imperative on a bike...

[Minnesoootan]

What more can I say? sign me up for the hanging? sheeesh!I'll gladly pull the trigger on them,if and when they are convicted in court,not while they are convicted in a thread on FR...there really is something that just isn't right about this.

I really do think you need to stay tuned to "the rest of the story".I can see in some of your posts you strayed from the hard line and actually showed some objectivity.......so,why are you so intent these two clowns are hanged?

[Illbay]

...so,why are you so intent these two clowns are hanged?

I suppose it does appear that's what I'm saying. FWIW, I'm NOT a court of law nor am I a juror, so I'm not using careful, judicious language in my analysis, I'll admit.

Please ASSUME that when I harangue, there is an implied disclaimer "if they really did this."

To be honest, my outrage is directed at anyone who'd do this to a kid. And the fact that it was apparently done in the name of Christianity DOES chap my butt to a deeper stratum. As I mentioned before, I have personally seen these kinds of shenanigans, and so I'm rather thin-skinned about them.

[Minnesoootan]

Fair enough,keep me posted on the outcome if you continue following.

[Illbay]

Will do.

BTW, I keep meaning to tell you I LOVE your nick!

[RGSpincich]

http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/?ArID=39552

Pastors released, church responds to alleged beating
Updated: 7/10/02 9:31 PM
By: Jitin Hingorani

Caleb and Joshua Thompson, pastors at Capitol City Baptist Church, were released from jail just before 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The two men turned themselves in Tuesday after a warrant was issued for their arrest. They are two independent, fundamentalist Baptist pastors accused of beating an 11-year-old boy because he didn't take his Bible study seriously.

"Naturally, we are so sorry about what has happened to this boy, but we maintain that once all the facts come out, our clients will be exonerated. They'll be found not guilty once the facts come out, and we just ask the public to wait until the facts are brought forth," said Jerald Finney, the Thompson's attorney.

Meanwhile, the congregation gathered for their first service since the arrests.

No cameras or recording equipment were allowed into the service.

But, the church's Sunday School teacher, David Muralt, for the past 10 years, spoke out about the allegations.

"The instructions to me have been to never spank a child, no corporal punishment. It's out of the question. That was the instruction from the pastor, from his mouth," said Muralt said.

Other independent, fundamentalist Baptist churches in the Austin area are also speaking out about the allegations.


Pastor David Burkholder of Trinity Baptist Church
"Pretty soon, that sheep on the shoulders of the master just falls asleep. Just as comfortable as can be, as a shepherd carries it back home. Just happy to be in the arms of the shepherd," Pastor Hank Thompson said in a sermon talking about fights between husbands and wives.

Thompson refers to the women as sheep and men as shepherds in tapes News 8 Austin receieved from a former Capitol City Baptist Church member.

That person, who wishes to remain anonymous, told us the sermons preached the submission of women, segregating yourself from the "sinful world," and using a rod to punish your child.

The former church member also said she earned a book when she was in the church long enough that addresses these issues in detail.

But, Pastor David Burkholder of Trinity Baptist Church stresses not all independent, fundamentalist religious organizations operate the same way.

"I do not believe in child beating. I'm opposed to it. A proper, controlled, disciplined adult administering the proper punishment, I feel is right and in order," he said.

Pastor Burkholder also expressed a different ministry regarding the submissiveness of women, as we're told was preached by Pastor Thompson.

"There has to be order in the home, and I believe that the man has to be the head of his home, but we're getting into some things that really require a lot of definition in our day and age because things have gotten way out of hand. A lady is not a second class citizen," Burkholder said.

John Gibson has been bringing his family to Trinity Baptist Church for almost a year. He said he is saddened by allegations against Capitol City.

"I do not agree with the church instilling corporal punishment on a member, a child, an adult or whomever that is. That's charged in the word of God for parents to do," he said.

Members of Trinity Baptist Church said their faith is still strong because God is on their side.

[Illbay]

So, what's the deal now? Did they do it? Did they NOT do it? The kid is still, afaik, in intensive care with minimal renal function.

This doesn't happen from tripping over a skateboard. Did the parents do it? Has the kid been questioned by the cops without the parents being present?

The thing that is galling about these types of issues in our day in age is, everyone seems to be a liar, and by so doing you can actually stand a chance of getting off, scot-free.

Just consider the JonBenet Ramsey case, and you'll see what I mean.

[RGSpincich]

"Naturally, we are so sorry about what has happened to this boy, but we maintain that once all the facts come out, our clients will be exonerated. They'll be found not guilty once the facts come out, and we just ask the public to wait until the facts are brought forth," said Jerald Finney, the Thompson's attorney.

Buying time. "Presumed innocent" is too good a deal to just walk away from. Looking for a lesser charge to plead to probably.

Joshua and Caleb Thompson have been charged with injury to a child, a first-degree felony. If found guilty, the men could be sentenced from five years to life in prison.

[DrewsDad]

I recall C.S.Lewis' The Last Battle, in which one of the followers of Tash, the false deity, finds himself in Paradise. When faced with Aslan (the God character), he is prostrate with his unworthiness, citing his lifelong devotion to his false god... Aslan tells him, what you did for Tash, you did for Me. Come into My Kingdom, my son.

I would agree if you are comparing this to someone near the end of their life turning to Christ such as the thief on the next cross. Otherwise, I wouldn't bet my life on it. Acts 4:10-12

[DrewsDad]

I know a couple of these folks speaking in their defense and they are honorable people. The kidney failure still needs to be explained, but it sounds like the whole story hasn't come out yet. Prov. 18:17

[RGSpincich]

http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/?ArID=39638

Child released from hospital, pastors suspect in his injuries
7/11/02 5:44 PM
By: News 8 Austin Staff


Caleb and Joshua Thompson were released from jail Wednesday after posting bond.
The 11-year-old boy who police said was beaten by two pastors was released from the hospital Thursday afternoon.

The child had been in intensive care at Brackenridge Children's Hospital for five days because of the severity of his wounds.

On Wednesday, the two pastors, Caleb and Joshua Thompson, were released from jail. They're charged with injury to a child.

Police said the men beat the boy with a tree branch because he wasn't taking his Bible studies seriously.

[Illbay]

Police said the men beat the boy with a tree branch because he wasn't taking his Bible studies seriously.

Hm. That's a bit different than allegations from the PARENTS...

[Catspaw]

And the perps got out of jail before the victim.

I wonder if he regained any of his kidney function.

[RGSpincich]

I wonder if he regained any of his kidney function.

Temporary kidney failure can occur as a result of trauma. Probably the case.