Posted by lo1an2go (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You just never know about people!!!!!!!

Posted by bamafootball (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is so ridiculous, I mean dang, when you can't trust a preacher, especially in this type of behavior, we know this world is messed up. Which, he's innocent till proven guilty, it still sounds so awful.

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes a preacher should be someone you can trust,not some sicko.Like you said IF he is guilty.

Posted by Mediator (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe we should investigate some of the other so called preachers in the area? I have heard things but you never know if they are true!

Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Can't wait to see who comes out of the woodwork to defend this piece of slime.

Posted by ccresident09 (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have always said that there are so many people out there that 'hide behind religion' in order to take advantage of people in the 'Bible Belt'. We are all so gullible to people who claim religion. Look at politicians. How many crooks and thieves have we elected to office that are nothing more than criminals themselves! Everyone should be cautious with who they trust. Don't let someone claiming to be religious fool you. Children are the most at risk because parents trust the wrong people in their care.
BEWARE - THESE PEOPLE DO LIVE AMONG US!

Posted by Mediator (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 3:03 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by lulubell (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You would think that you could trust your own preacher. Mediator before you start naming churches unless you have proof/evidence and this situation has already been investigated I believe I would keep the name of churches off this here.

NO I do not attend the church that you named off however I do attend church. But the Bible does warn you of people that will come disguised as a prophet.

Posted by bamafootball (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wish that people in the categories such as preachers, judges, school teachers, policeman, lawyers, people that have either been elected, or voted in or whatever the case may be, ones that people are at least "suppose" to be trusted, w/o a doubt, I wish all of them would have to sign something, stating that if they are ever convicted of a hideous crime, (such as sex crimes, stealing from citizens, etc) that they should be double punished. You know like when you're speeding in one of those "speeding fines will be doubled" zones, the same should go for this. Cause heck, they are put in their position by the people that trusted them. Which really, it prolly wouldn't make any difference, just my thoughts on it anyway!
ROLL TIDE!

Posted by Andy_Lusia (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 4:06 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by mbishop (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Do any of the other young people that comment here think it's funny there's at last check 83 posts on a teenager running from the cops, and in his case a "victimless crime" but only 10 about a person who was arrested on suspition of sexual abuse??

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mbishop... I don't see your point. If you go back and read the thread about the high speed chase. I think you will find there probably would have been alot less posts, if his friends wouldnt have been defending him.

Posted by StupidStupidStupid (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mbishop, I see your point!

lookeyhere, his friends are defending him because they have known him for longer than one motorcycle chase. It takes more than one night or one article in a newspaper to form an honest opinion about someone. I assume you have never made a mistake, if you ever do, I sure hope you have friends and family that will stand behind you. Nobody is perfect and everyone makes bad choices in life. He is paying dearly for his and he will become a stronger man for it in the end.

Oh and by the way.....if you ever get stopped by the cops I hope they give you a Rodney King A$$ whooping just for the fun of it! Just my opinion!

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There wouldn't have been that many comments to that article if his friends had not been making him out this great guy.Lol, I doubt I will ever get a Rodney King as$ whooping, because I have enough sense to pull over when I see the blue lights.

Posted by DarrylDavis (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The last church that I attended was in 1994 . I stopped attending because the pastor and the sunday school teacher were being more than friendly. That made me step back and take a better look at this church thing. How does anyone know if a man who tells you that he has the "Holy Spirit " dwelling within him is telling the truth ? Faith is something that you can blindly give no man.It says in the article that he is being accused of sodomy, you would reckon that he might have been familiar with Sodom and Gammorah if that were the case. The article is too short to be very informative. Preachers are becoming famous for this type of activity.

Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Many states require a prospective teacher pass a background check before a teaching credential will be issued. I don't know if this is currently the case in Alabama.
This story doesn't contain many details. Let's see how the story unfolds.

Posted by Darkangel (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think all of you must have boring lives to sit here and bicker like children. Get involved in the community and do something about these things besides crying about it. Its easy to tell people what to do...That's what everyones problem is they know how to fix things but never do anything about it.

Posted by sweetnannie (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The abuse of anyone, women, children, etc is unacceptable. But understand, what a child says is not always the total truth. If it is, justice will come. Let's not judge or we will also be judge.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My opinion: Jesus will have his day with not only Preacher's, Deacon's, Trustee's,etc, etc, but with His Father's House being used for Personal Gradification and or Profit. He will take it apart and scatter the thieve's.

My comment: If found guilty, I hope he burns in hell.

Posted by bamagirl07 (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is to "stupid": your name says it all! I have come to the conclusion that you and this "mbishop" person are the same person. And if you are NOT then you two share a brain because mbishop left the comment on this thread about 83 comments left on the motorcycle boy thread on here and you post the exact same comment on the motorcycle thread!! So either you are the same person OR someone is a copycat.

Furthermore, if you still have something to say about that boy go to the right thread! What you say about him in here doesn't matter.

Now, back to THIS story...I agree with some of the others. I myself do not attend church anymore. I have found (in the churches I have attended) that most people are there for the wrong reasons. The church I had went to since I was a young child is filled with very old people who had nothing better to do than to look forward to Sunday mornings to go to church and gossip. And mainly gossip about those who attended church with them! It pure disgusted me. What's worse is that the ones doing the gossiping had bad family problems of their own but continued gossiping about things they knew nothing about. So my point is, that although people ATTEND church, it doesn't always mean one is a christian or has christian values. Know this from experience. And I am not saying this man is guilty or innocent, but the truth will come out. You just can't trust anybody these days. So sad.

Posted by joyous (anonymous) on October 23, 2009 at 11:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's why you can't trust NO ONE! Especially those critics that are so called "christians" at church.

Posted by SaddenedPreacher (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 6:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I knew Ralph as an acquaintance. He did come across as a likable person around me. I am very saddened for the victims and their families, and I hope they do get justice and peace. As a preacher and pastor myself, I am saddened that something like this happens and it discourages so many people from putting trust in their pastor or in a church. If you ever see a pastor that you do know and trust do anything that makes you or someone else question his intentions or motives, please call him on it and confront him or her. My heart is heavy also because now many of you will hesitant to go to your pastor about problems. I feel as you that you really and truly do not know the heart of another person whose intentions may be less than honorable. My heart is especially burdened for the victims and families. I hope each of you who read this will trust in Christ and not in a man.

Posted by ruby2zday (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said "SaddenedPreacher"

Posted by DarrylDavis (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To: SaddenedPreacher, the word "Christ comes from the Greek word " Christos" which means the annointed one or smeared with oil. If you already had knowledge of this , then maybe you should look up Hebrew word 8081 in the "Strongs Concordance" . We use that word in English today by losing the letter " h " . The Hebrew word 8081 is the definition of the word oil. Sometimes when one digs for information then one finds something that is shocking to say the least. It helps to know what words really mean.

Posted by proudamerican (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DarryDavis: You, sir, have lost it. Please go read another book and keep your educated ramblings to yourself. SaddenedPreacher was right on target. The sins of this one sick man will cast doubts on many undeserving pastors and hurt us all.

Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope this despicable act,if it does prove to be true,will not discourage people from attending church.The justice system will hopefully handle this in a proper way but nevertheless God knows everything and will handle it in the most definite way.
The most certain way to be disappointed is to place your faith in man.If you want to be assured of never being decieved ...place your faith in your Lord and Saviour.

Posted by mbishop (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, first bamagirl07 I'm not the same person as "Stupid" however I don't believe they were defending his actions. Not one of them ever stated that he was right. But, there defending his character, because it was just a mistake a huge one he'll pay for j/ like Mr Ralph here but, nonetheless a mistake. I applaude them for defending their friend

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Flo,do you really think people read all that? When I see your long posts ,I just keep scrolling on down.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

AMEN, LOOKEYHERE !!!

Posted by DarrylDavis (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

proudamerican , these are your words :"DarryDavis: You, sir, have lost it. Please go read another book and keep your educated ramblings to yourself.
I would have to reply that I have not lost it but rather have found it. (word definitions ) . As to your statement that I should go read another book. The book that you talk of is the Bible and the Strong's Concordance ,both of which come from the Christion book store. If you do not recall the Bible says "Study to show thyself approved " ," Prove all things", and "God's word will not come back to him void" . Jesus said "Seek and you will find , knock and it will be opened up unto you, ask and it will be given to you". Are you offended at word definitions?? I am seeking are you?

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Is it just me,or does every single topic turns into Bible study.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

lookeyhere: it does seem that way, doesn't it?

Posted by andyman (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

its just sad to me that you cannot go to a church of all places ,take your kids and have to worry about them being in a sunday school class while your trying to better your self and your kids, and to think,THERE WILL 1000S OF PEOPLE READ THIS AND NEVER STEP FOOT BACK IN A CHURCH. SAD VERY SAD. The people that are not in church or have never attended a church this is just more of a reason to fuel the desire to not go......

Posted by Bootz (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%...

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%...

The study found that 3.1 percent of adult women who attend religious services at least once a month have been the victims of clergy sexual misconduct since turning 18. To explain another way, in the average U.S. congregation of 400 adult members, seven women, on average, have been victimized at some point in their adult lives.

From 17 to 18 I was abused by my pastor and I found healing over time from www.thehopeofsurvivors.com I am praying for healing for the friends and families affected.

Posted by Estragon (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From my prior comments on this blog, most of the other bloggers think I am anti-religious, so these comments may surprise some. I agree with those who say this should not be about religion or churches. It is about authority figures. Crimes of this nature happen not only in church settings, but in day care centers, schools, Boy and Girl Scouts, and sports teams.

The community should also not prejudge this case. It is important that the people who will comprise the jury pool have open minds, that they have not decided guilt or innocent before trial from facts they heard in the media or in casual conversations. The accused, should he deny his guilt, must be given the opportunity to tried in a court of law by only the evidence that is admitted in the case.

Comments that we should turn the accused over to a mob or that he should burn in hell are inappropriate. The McMartin case in California should be an example of how a community, faced with allegations of child abuse, should not rush to judgment. http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/crimi...

One of the best documentary films in the last decade is "Capturing the Friedmans," the story of a Long Island man and his son who were accused of child abuse. It won the 2003 Sundance Film Festival's Best Documentary Award. The film shows how allegations of this nature, because they touch upon the most sensitive taboos of a civilized society, present the opportunity for a hysterical witch hunt.

The prosecution in a child abuse case has a tough job of preparing the case without further damaging the alleged victims and their families. Inflaming public passions only makes this job harder for the prosecution. On the other hand, the defendant has a right to a fair trial and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

It would be best if the people on this blog who spout off about everything would keep their opinions to themselves and let the judicial process work.

Posted by dacodah_raine (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

there is a post on oct. 23rd from a sweetnannie stating that children dont always tell the truth??? seriously that really aggrivates me that you would have the audasity to say such a thing especially when 100 little boys are involved... think about what the word of God says, we should all love him as children do... does that mean anything to you at all, maybe that children are the only people in this world who tell the truth... if it was your little boy, would it be a lie then???

Posted by dacodah_raine (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DarrylDavis:: very well put, very well... I actually appreciated your little study from the hebrew, that's whats wrong with alot of our american people today is they do not like change... if everyone would get OUT of tradition and try and start new and fresh with there family's and the people around them maybe these traditional child abusers would be put out of work...

Posted by doodlebug (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My family is directly effected. I have raised my children the best way I know how, and have often talk to them about child abusers and molesters. What people fail to understand is that this man fooled us all not just the children. He was very good at what he did. We trusted him as our spiritual leader and with our children. He used these childrens love for him, to convince them that what he was doing was ok. We are on a long and hard road ahead of us now. But it has not detoured my faith in God. Just as God gives us a choice to serve him or the devil, Aaron chose to do this grave injustice to these minors. He used our trust in God and our faith in God against us. This could happen at any church. Just be thankful it wasn't yours. My child will never be the same, but he knows that Gods love heals all wounds and that Aaron was a man who did awful things. I do not blame myself or my husband, we taught our child everything right, we blame the monster that took our childs innocence. People need to stop focusing and blaming the church, religion and the parents. IT WAS AARON!! He made the decision to do what he did and he will pay the consequences. We are continuing on with our church and our faith. May the Lord help all of you in your comments, he has already helped me and my family and we are moving on with Christ help. God Bless you all.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TO doodlebug: YES, AMEN!! SO BE IT!!

Posted by andyman (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by mbishop (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, first bamagirl07 I'm not the same person as "Stupid" however I don't believe they were defending his actions. Not one of them ever stated that he was right. But, there defending his character, because it was just a mistake a huge one he'll pay for j/ like Mr Ralph here but, nonetheless a mistake. I applaude them for defending their friend>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

JUST A MISTAKE???? I WILL SAY YOUR STUPID AND IF YOU THINK THIS BS IS A MISTAKE YOU SHOULD HANG WITH HIM!!!! OH BUT IF IT WAS YOUR CHILD YOU WOULD'T BE SAYING IT WAS "MISTAKE" IF YOU GOT A KID IT COULD HAPPEN ,DONT MATTER IF ITS CHURCH,SCHOOL,PLAYGROUND ,OR IN YOUR OWN FAMILY,SICK PEOPLE LIVE AMONG US.. DEATH IS TO GOOD FOR THE SICK @#$%^&*() @#$%^&*()

Posted by britt20 (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ok,bamagirl07 yes i am friends with Blake, and im friends with mbishop, and you dont know either of them. Blake is a GOOD person, ill tell anyone that. Ill tell anyone that, you dont know him, and you dont know mbishiop. all mbishop is doing is voicing his opioning, isnt that what everyone is doing? this story is way worse than what blake did. Yes, as Blakes friend I know what he did was a mistake, he knows that as well. But everyone makes mistakes and learns from them, and if you dont know anything about him besides what the newspaper says, then you dont know what kind of person he is, but I do, and so do his other friends. And if you had true friends and people were talking bad about them, then if you are really a friend you will take up for them. So yea i left my opinion on here as well.... and i know plenty of people that go to church, and they dont just gossip. And i agree with the last message mbishop posted.

Posted by mbishop (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, andyman yu're actually taking what I said out of context pretty much yea it was a mistake and child molestors are the worst of the worst in my personal opinion but, that's what it is. according to thefreedictionary.com a "mistake" is "An error or fault resulting from defective judgment, deficient knowledge, or carelessness" now I do believe that this man had "defective judgement" thank you very much. I'll be punished for my own mistakes (or defective knowledge and carelessness) pretty much j/ like this man will and blake and every other person on this planet because we all have made mistakes. And you're actually wrong andyman, yea I'd be angry and I'd want to see him punished if it was my child but, to think as so many people state on here like a "true Christian" I would have to forgive him because sin is sin there's no big sin and small sin.

Posted by britt20 (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well said mbishop. i agree with you.

Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How about another word - PORNOGRAPHY.

When you see on a sign of a non-denominational church that reads "FELLOWSHIP", you had better take a second and third look at what "Fellowship" the 'pastor of the sheep' is referring to. I don't mean this lightly, the sign may have been the 'sign'. Church is a place of worship, not a meeting hall to fellowship.

We are all sinners, but some of us are far worse than others. Using children for a man's perversions should remind us of Satan's snares, temptations and victories over God's people. His hatred for us is nonstop, as is the pain and suffering it brings to us.

Posted by Andy_Lusia (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The case should make folks take a long hard look at all of the self-appointed, self ordaned preachers aroun town. Aaron may not be the only man of the cloth abusing members of their flock.

Posted by bamagirl07 (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Britt20: Again, WHY are people posting comments on the wrong thread? This thread is about the pastor.

Now,in response to what you wrote, I never said this boy wasn't a good person. I know A LOT of people who are "good" people and come from "good" families. Does that mean they are not capable of making stupid decisions? Absolutely not! But making one mistake after another? Irresponsible. My aunt (I love her to death) is the sweetest person I know and would help anyone in a second. And her two boys are just as sweet as can be. But guess what? The oldest got caught drinking UNDER AGE and driving at 18. Stupid choice! Has he done it anymore since then? Nope. Point is, is that even coming from a "good" family or being a "good" person doesn't mean you don't make wrong decisions! My aunt is not a very good disciplinarian! Maybe that is what's wrong with this young man. He doesn't have the discipline and structure at home. There are no consequences for his actions. Not saying this is true, but in most cases it is!

Posted by britt20 (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ok, well ill go leave a comment on that thread for you then if that will make you happy. :)

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 26, 2009 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here is my brit20 imitation. Uh you dont know.uh don't uh judge someone u dono.uh hes reely guud purson,uh u dono,uh u kant judge hem.uh u dono.uh couldve killed someone but uh hes gud pursun.uh yew dono

Posted by mbishop (anonymous) on October 26, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

and lookey here that j/ shows how truly childish you are.

Posted by justice1 (anonymous) on October 26, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a close acquaintance of ralph , the scary thing is that none of us new that he was a sicko pervert. You would think that someone that sick would act so strange or deviant until you would be weary of him or suspect something but yet nobody did. When I heard this I wanted to vomit and castrate him at the same time. What a sad world we live in. we were completely clueless.

Posted by rgodwin (anonymous) on October 26, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Estragon: there is a first for everything, but I have to agree with you on this. I have no details on this case and I don't know the person accused. I do know his reputation has been ruined even if he turns out to be innocent. If he does turn out to be guilty, I think he he should get full punishment under the law, but the truth is that he will be punished even worse if he is found innocent, because most will never trust him again and he will have to spend the rest of his life trying to clear his name. If he does happen to be innocent, that would be a true tragedy!

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 4:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

rgodwin: i felt the same as you but now that ( I think) I know one of the boy's, I'm getting mad !! I really think his wife should have to take a polygraph test or be given Sodium Penathol (truth shot ). I never will believe, she didn't know or at least suspect something!!