Joe.My.God. LGBT News
Charlotte’s CBS affiliate reports:
A Union County pastor is under fire after a clip of his sermon went viral online, in which he blames rape victims for their attire. Pastor Bobby Leonard of Bible Baptist Tabernacle can be heard saying that he wouldn’t convict a rapist if the victim was wearing shorts.
The clip, which has been viewed millions of times, sparked outrage and condemnation online. In the clip, Leonard talks about how many women wear shorts nowadays rather than dresses or pants.
“If you dress like that and you get raped, and I’m on the jury, he’s going to go free,” Leonard said. Later, he adds, “I’m right, you know, because a man’s a man.”
The Roys Report reports:
A pastor whose comments on rape sparked national outrage has apologized, saying he failed “to uphold the biblical values of love and compassion” and feels “deep regret for the statements made from the pulpit.” People in the pastor’s community saw Leonard’s statement on social media.
Jason King, a truck driver from nearby Wadesboro, North Carolina, organized a small protest of a half-dozen people outside the church during a midweek service. The next day, the church posted an apology on its marquee, saying, “I am sorry for any hurt. I was wrong. -Pastor Leonard.”
Last year the private Christian school run by Leonard’s church received nearly $1 million in state-funded school vouchers.
Pastor laments women wearing shorts, then says: “If you dress like that & you get raped & I’m on the jury, he’s going to go free…because a man’s a man.”
Yes, a man is a man–not an animal. And HE is responsible for controlling himself. This pastor needs to resign.… pic.twitter.com/IMWgylx1uk
— Julie Roys (@reachjulieroys) February 21, 2024
Hey, @reachjulieroys , I did some digging, and the son of a different pastor at this church was sentenced to 15 years for sexually abusing 6 & 7 year old children at this church. https://t.co/NGcM4opssE
— Sheila Gregoire–She Deserves Better is here! (@sheilagregoire) February 22, 2024