Very Poor Representation

"Priest gets probation for jogging nude at track"
"Priest facing abuse counts sues family. Parents, kids named in action"
"Former Priest Accused Of More Molestation"

In 1986, televangelist Oral Roberts announced to his television audience that unless he raised $8 million by that March, God would "call him home". He raised $9.1 million. Later that year, he announced that God had raised the dead through his ministry.

In 1986, evangelist Jimmy Swaggart's indiscretions with a prostitute were discovered. Swaggart was subsequently forced to step down from his pulpit and made a tearful televised apology in February 1988 to his congregation, saying "I have sinned against you, my Lord, and I would ask that your precious blood would wash and cleanse every stain until it is in the seas of God's forgiveness." Swaggart was caught again by California police five years later in 1991 with another prostitute when he was stopped for driving on the wrong side of the road. When asked why she was with Swaggart, she replied, "He asked me for sex. I mean, that's why he stopped me. That's what I do. I'm a prostitute."

On September 20, 2008, FBI agents raided Tony Alamo Christian Ministries headquarters as part of a child pornography investigation. This investigation involved allegations of physical abuse, sexual abuse and allegations of polygamy and underage marriage.

We are expected to accept that turning water into wine, raising the dead, and walking on water were factual events... but the same entity that can make these things possible would allow these scum-bags to be "His" representatives.

Does anyone else think that this doesn't make a whole helluva lot of sense?

They Could Have Stopped It From Happening

A New York mother was sentenced to six months in jail for an accident that killed her 3-year-old son. Police say her 3-year-old twins were not in car seats when the van they were riding in went off the road and overturned last year. Both children were ejected, one of them died.

In Ohio, a 2-year-old boy accidentally shot himself to death after finding a loaded gun. Police recovered a 9 mm handgun belonging to the victim's father's, a part-time patrolman with a local police department.

In both of these situations, there was an authority figure that could have intervened. There was someone with the power to prevent these tragedies from happening. The deaths of the children and the pain of their families and friends could have been averted if the "responsible" had paid attention to their responsibilities. We can all agree that that these authority figures are not worthy of anyone's respect or admiration.

Now let's take a look at a few stories from the past few years...

In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina left approximately 2500 people dead or missing.

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks left approximately 3000 people dead or missing.

In December of 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami killed more than 225,000 people in eleven countries.

In all of these situations, there was an authority figure that could have intervened. There was 'someone' with the power to prevent these tragedies from happening. The deaths of the victims and the pain of their families and friends could have been averted if the "responsible" had paid attention to their responsibilities.

My question is "Why is this authority figure worthy of respect and admiration?"

I've always wanted to understand. I've always been envious of those who have faith and the comfort and security it brings them. At this point, there isn't anything that can convince me... but you're welcome to try. You're also welcome to agree with me.

Thank you.