It seems I'm not the only blogger with legal issues involving a pastor. I wouldn't wish a lawsuit on anyone, but just as some of you are coming to grips that you are not alone in this journey of spiritual abuse, it's helpful for me to see that I'm not alone in this journey regarding the lawsuit.
A particular lawsuit involving Tom Rich and Pastor Mac Brunson was brought to my attention today. Very interesting stuff here.
First Amendment Rights! Know your rights!
This is taken from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution):
The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.
First Baptist Pastor Mac Brunson makes apology to blogger (news article)
FBC Jax Watchdog' - Tom Rich's blog
Lawyer says city, state settle federal case involving First Baptist blogger (news article)FBC Jax Watchdog' - Tom Rich's blog
A word from Pastor Wade Burleson to pastors:
ReplyDelete"This sad chapter is finally over. I think Christians everywhere owe Tom and Yvette Rich a debt of gratitude. They have displayed courage and conviction during a very difficult, trying time. I have never met Tom or Yvette, but I admire their tenacity and principles. Though I personally choose to always write things with my name attached, the tactics taken against Tom by his home church of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville AFTER his identity was discovered, only proved accurate his initial belief that his family would be in too much danger were his identity to be known by leaders of First Baptist Church. I think the favor Tom and Yvette Rich has done for us all is make it a little more difficult for Christian leaders to publicly denigrate and damage the character of those who criticize or question them.
Finally, just a word to my fellow pastors. If you are publicly criticized, censured, or condemned, it would be good to follow the advice of King David, who when verbally castigagated by one of his subjects and asked by Abishai if he could "go cut that dead dog's head off," responded, "Let him alone. God hath bidden him to speak."
Good advice.
Isn't that good?! I have so much respect for Wade Burleson. I have more I will share about him soon.
DeleteJulie Anne,
ReplyDeleteI will be pulling for you and your family in your difficult situation. I can empathize in some way as I have attended several legalistic/authoritarian churches, and one whose elders put the thumb screws on me for having a blog where I discuss theology! They didn't like my post about Jesus saying (Matt 20) that Christians shouldn't lord it over others like the Gentiles did and that to be the greatest we should be the servant of all. If you can imagine that. Our family was already suffering greatly due to economic, health and family hardships, and these elders really kicked us while we were down. As a result, we attended no church at all for a year.
Let me say that I am truly thankful for those like yourself who tell their stories for others to hear, and that it gives hope and healing. Whatever the outcome of your case, know that God isn't subject to the whims of man. Peace.