Religion and Evil

Roadtoad · 22nd July 2007, 08:45 PM

Evil Dave once had a thread where he'd post some of the news you don't normally see about religion. Here's to resurrecting that thread.

Quote:

Chicago -- The Rev. Mark Sorvillo loved taking his parish's money and spending it on himself. Trips to Rome, Venice, Paris. And $900 meals at New York restaurants.

In 1999, Sorvillo found someone else to lavish his parishioners' collection-plate donations on -- a male stripper.

Sorvillo -- who pleaded guilty Friday to stealing nearly $200,000 from St. Margaret Mary parish on the North Side -- gave cars, plane tickets and thousands of dollars in cash to James Sosnicki, a married Louisville man who stripped frequently at gay clubs in Chicago, law enforcement sources said.

"He was like a big uncle to me," Sosnicki, 30, said Thursday. "If it wasn't for him, I'd probably be living in a cardboard box right now."

You can read the rest of the story right here.

Roadtoad · 22nd July 2007, 08:51 PM

Another good one. Please, add your own.

Quote:

It could be simply stated that I have a brain, and a heart. Each of these organs are much more valuable than a soul, in my opinion.

I was raised in a strict pentecostal household for twenty years, terrified and spiritually repressed into believing that some "guy in the sky" was going to burn my six-year-old body to cinders if I didn't sacrifice my happiness for him.

My father told me once that he loved me, but that he loved GOD more. Good for him, I guess. I liked my imaginary friend a lot, too -- when I was three. That was the beginning of my fall from grace, I guess. Eventually, a series of irreconcilable paradoxes I'd found within the religion (both ethically and factually) helped me decide that Christianity was an utter lie built to control and destroy everything "human" that exists within the upright walking amazing animals. Here are some key things that may help you to turn away from Yahweh:

Read the rest here.

The Grave · 23rd July 2007, 04:54 PM

Oh, what about the catholic paedophiles recently brought to justice after 60 yrs of "fun and frolic".

'nuff said.

Griff...

steve s · 23rd July 2007, 09:48 PM

Regarding the OP, Rev. Sorvillo claims the relationship was never sexual. But in this Sun Times article, it says that investigators found photos of the male stripper "sleeping naked in the rectory bed." As Bill Cosby would say, "Riiiiiiiiight."

Steve S.

Roadtoad · 31st July 2007, 06:16 PM

This is just wrong...

Quote:

The Johnson City Press reported Saturday that Thomas Dale Tester, 58, of 17426 Hobbs Road, reportedly faces charges of driving under the influence, indecent exposure and violation of the open container law.

Morris said Monday in a phone interview that Tester, known to listeners as "Tommy Tester," is also pastor of Gospel Baptist Church on Reedy Creek Road. "So far, they (members of the congregation) have rallied behind Tommy," Morris said.

Yup. Never mind that he was busted wearing a skirt, and that he was making sexual advances to kids, as well as driving under the influence, those folks are standing by the preacher!

Good God....

Roadtoad · 31st July 2007, 06:21 PM

Sure, religion's harmless...

Quote:

Officers arrived at the house Saturday and entered when they heard screaming coming from a bedroom, Tranter said.

A bed had been pushed up against the door; the officers pushed it open a few inches and saw Marquez choking his bloodied granddaughter, who was crying in pain and gasping, Tranter said.

A bloody, naked 19-year-old woman who police later determined to be Marquez's daughter and the girl's mother was in the room, chanting "something that was religious in nature," Tranter said.

Roadtoad · 31st July 2007, 06:47 PM

This probably says it better than I ever could...

Quote:

WHEN Times editors assigned me to the religion beat, I believed God had answered my prayers.

As a serious Christian, I had cringed at some of the coverage in the mainstream media. Faith frequently was treated like a circus, even a freak show.

I wanted to report objectively and respectfully about how belief shapes people's lives. Along the way, I believed, my own faith would grow deeper and sturdier.

But during the eight years I covered religion, something very different happened.

Roadtoad · 4th August 2007, 12:24 PM

Jesus saves! Just not this kid, and not from this pastor in training:

Quote:

Swain says Useyugi promised a 14 year old's family he could cure him of autism using an exorcism to cast out demons. The boy was in a group home, but Swain says Useyugi told the family, "he could be home for good. He just wouldn't have to have home visits."

Useyugi was a minister in training at Cherry Hill Christian Church and the boy's mother -- thinking the exorcism was part of church teaching -- agreed to let him try inside the family home in Monroe County.

You can read it here.

kmortis · 4th August 2007, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Roadtoad

This is just wrong...

Yup. Never mind that he was busted wearing a skirt, and that he was making sexual advances to kids, as well as driving under the influence, those folks are standing by the preacher!

Good God....

Hahaha... I heard about this one. It peaked my interest because one of Bingahmton's suburbs (snicker) is Johnson City, New York. Thei story took place in the OTHER Johnson City...JC, TN.

T'ai Chi · 4th August 2007, 01:04 PM

Yes, a lot of individuals do bad things.

Carnegiea · 4th August 2007, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by T'ai Chi

Yes, a lot of individuals do bad things.

Yes, but religious figures should arguably do less bad things on account of their religious faith. According to the Bible and popular Christian thought everyone's a sinner, but you should see a lower level of really serious ethical lapses (i.e., embezzling thousands of dollars of donated money) with religious leaders if their religious beliefs actually made them follow a higher moral path.

Silly Green Monkey · 4th August 2007, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Roadtoad

This probably says it better than I ever could...

Requires login.

Tumblehome · 5th August 2007, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by T'ai Chi

Yes, a lot of individuals do bad things.

Good observation. If only it didn't entirely miss the point of the thread.

22nd July 2007, 08:45 PM	#1
Roadtoad Bufo Caminus Inedibilis Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gone. Posts: 15,738	Religion and Evil Evil Dave once had a thread where he'd post some of the news you don't normally see about religion. Here's to resurrecting that thread. Quote: Chicago -- The Rev. Mark Sorvillo loved taking his parish's money and spending it on himself. Trips to Rome, Venice, Paris. And $900 meals at New York restaurants. In 1999, Sorvillo found someone else to lavish his parishioners' collection-plate donations on -- a male stripper. Sorvillo -- who pleaded guilty Friday to stealing nearly $200,000 from St. Margaret Mary parish on the North Side -- gave cars, plane tickets and thousands of dollars in cash to James Sosnicki, a married Louisville man who stripped frequently at gay clubs in Chicago, law enforcement sources said. "He was like a big uncle to me," Sosnicki, 30, said Thursday. "If it wasn't for him, I'd probably be living in a cardboard box right now." You can read the rest of the story right here.

23rd July 2007, 04:54 PM	#3
The Grave Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Great Britain Posts: 649	Oh, what about the catholic paedophiles recently brought to justice after 60 yrs of "fun and frolic". 'nuff said. Griff...
	__________________ The Grave 'A' is for Atheist - A theist - A believer... Misnomer

23rd July 2007, 09:48 PM	#4
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,657	Regarding the OP, Rev. Sorvillo claims the relationship was never sexual. But in this Sun Times article, it says that investigators found photos of the male stripper "sleeping naked in the rectory bed." As Bill Cosby would say, "Riiiiiiiiight." Steve S.
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,657	__________________ "Nature abhors a moron." -- H. L. Mencken

4th August 2007, 12:31 PM	#9
kmortis Biomechanoid Director of IDIOCY (Region 13) Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Texas Posts: 24,534	Originally Posted by Roadtoad This is just wrong... Yup. Never mind that he was busted wearing a skirt, and that he was making sexual advances to kids, as well as driving under the influence, those folks are standing by the preacher! Good God.... Hahaha... I heard about this one. It peaked my interest because one of Bingahmton's suburbs (snicker) is Johnson City, New York. Thei story took place in the OTHER Johnson City...JC, TN.
	__________________ -Aberhaten did it - "Which gives us an answer to our question. What’s the worst thing that can happen in a pressure cooker?" Randall Monroe -Director of Independent Determining Inquisitor Of Crazy Yapping - Aberhaten's Apothegm™ - An Internet law that states that optimism is indistinguishable from sarcasm

4th August 2007, 01:04 PM	#10
T'ai Chi Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 11,235	Yes, a lot of individuals do bad things.
	__________________ http://www.statisticool.com

22nd July 2007, 08:51 PM	#2
Roadtoad Bufo Caminus Inedibilis Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gone. Posts: 15,738	Another good one. Please, add your own. Quote: It could be simply stated that I have a brain, and a heart. Each of these organs are much more valuable than a soul, in my opinion. I was raised in a strict pentecostal household for twenty years, terrified and spiritually repressed into believing that some "guy in the sky" was going to burn my six-year-old body to cinders if I didn't sacrifice my happiness for him. My father told me once that he loved me, but that he loved GOD more. Good for him, I guess. I liked my imaginary friend a lot, too -- when I was three. That was the beginning of my fall from grace, I guess. Eventually, a series of irreconcilable paradoxes I'd found within the religion (both ethically and factually) helped me decide that Christianity was an utter lie built to control and destroy everything "human" that exists within the upright walking amazing animals. Here are some key things that may help you to turn away from Yahweh: Read the rest here.

31st July 2007, 06:16 PM	#5
Roadtoad Bufo Caminus Inedibilis Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gone. Posts: 15,738	This is just wrong... Quote: The Johnson City Press reported Saturday that Thomas Dale Tester, 58, of 17426 Hobbs Road, reportedly faces charges of driving under the influence, indecent exposure and violation of the open container law. Morris said Monday in a phone interview that Tester, known to listeners as "Tommy Tester," is also pastor of Gospel Baptist Church on Reedy Creek Road. "So far, they (members of the congregation) have rallied behind Tommy," Morris said. Yup. Never mind that he was busted wearing a skirt, and that he was making sexual advances to kids, as well as driving under the influence, those folks are standing by the preacher! Good God....

31st July 2007, 06:21 PM	#6
Roadtoad Bufo Caminus Inedibilis Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gone. Posts: 15,738	Sure, religion's harmless... Quote: Officers arrived at the house Saturday and entered when they heard screaming coming from a bedroom, Tranter said. A bed had been pushed up against the door; the officers pushed it open a few inches and saw Marquez choking his bloodied granddaughter, who was crying in pain and gasping, Tranter said. A bloody, naked 19-year-old woman who police later determined to be Marquez's daughter and the girl's mother was in the room, chanting "something that was religious in nature," Tranter said.

31st July 2007, 06:47 PM	#7
Roadtoad Bufo Caminus Inedibilis Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gone. Posts: 15,738	This probably says it better than I ever could... Quote: WHEN Times editors assigned me to the religion beat, I believed God had answered my prayers. As a serious Christian, I had cringed at some of the coverage in the mainstream media. Faith frequently was treated like a circus, even a freak show. I wanted to report objectively and respectfully about how belief shapes people's lives. Along the way, I believed, my own faith would grow deeper and sturdier. But during the eight years I covered religion, something very different happened.

4th August 2007, 12:24 PM	#8
Roadtoad Bufo Caminus Inedibilis Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gone. Posts: 15,738	Jesus saves! Just not this kid, and not from this pastor in training: Quote: Swain says Useyugi promised a 14 year old's family he could cure him of autism using an exorcism to cast out demons. The boy was in a group home, but Swain says Useyugi told the family, "he could be home for good. He just wouldn't have to have home visits." Useyugi was a minister in training at Cherry Hill Christian Church and the boy's mother -- thinking the exorcism was part of church teaching -- agreed to let him try inside the family home in Monroe County. You can read it here.

4th August 2007, 04:35 PM	#11
Carnegiea Student Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 36	Originally Posted by T'ai Chi Yes, a lot of individuals do bad things. Yes, but religious figures should arguably do less bad things on account of their religious faith. According to the Bible and popular Christian thought everyone's a sinner, but you should see a lower level of really serious ethical lapses (i.e., embezzling thousands of dollars of donated money) with religious leaders if their religious beliefs actually made them follow a higher moral path.
Carnegiea Student Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 36

4th August 2007, 05:35 PM	#12
Silly Green Monkey Cowardly Lurking in the Shadows of Greatness Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,043	Originally Posted by Roadtoad This probably says it better than I ever could... Requires login.

5th August 2007, 03:25 PM	#13
Tumblehome Graduate Poster Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Beside the point Posts: 1,445	Originally Posted by T'ai Chi Yes, a lot of individuals do bad things. Good observation. If only it didn't entirely miss the point of the thread.