Letter to Mr. Scott from a Community Member (May 7, 2017)
Mr. Scott,
I recently listened to one of your online sermons. I felt heartsick and grieved to the point of feeling physically ill. You described a time in your youth when you "knocked [a young girl] out," "boom, jacked her up and she went into a wall." You were called into the principal's office. He said, "Bob, you can't... (a pause as you and the congregation laugh)... be hitting people". More laughter from you and the congregation. And then the principal looked at you and said, "Now, I know she deserves it." And more laughter from you and the congregation.
You next referred to "demon deacons" that you wanted to punch out (one because "he got in my face over nothin') but God had supposedly changed you, and you controlled yourself. You spoke of how people should be very glad God changed you because in the past you would have just as soon hit people.
Your next story is of "one of our haters that was sitting across from us at the mall the other day." According to you, this "hater" stayed on purpose to listen to your conversation. (perhaps she was just eating her meal). You mocked her by raising your voice and speaking of your great humbleness learned through the persecution you have endured. All the while laughing and joking about the "hater." Again, your congregation was laughing at your cleverness and your supposedly momentary backslidden state.
Mr. Scott, you think this is funny? You should be ashamed of yourself. I have no idea who was sitting near you at the mall, but my guess is you are responsible for bringing great heartache into her life. How do I know this? I have talked with ex-members of Calvary Temple and have heard the same horrific stories again and again. Stories of abuse. Marriages and families destroyed. Intimidation tactics. Lies told from the pulpit. Children put out of homes. Personal confessions revealed to all. Physical, emotional and sexual abuse known and covered up. All the while, you mock and ridicule those you are supposed to be protecting. A true shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, even when they leave the "fold" of Calvary Temple. But you, Mr. Scott, you do all you can to kill and destroy the little ones Jesus died for. Again, you should be ashamed. How do such incidents become comedy material? The very work you say Jesus did in your life is clearly non-existent. If He had delivered you from such fleshly responses, you would fall on your face before you would verbally "jack her up." Just because you were able to physically restrain yourself doesn't mean you are a changed man. You assaulted her in your heart. Do you remember the scripture "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart"? Same principle, Mr. Scott. All you have learned is a socially acceptable way to beat people up.
And as for the members of your congregation, I wonder if any felt repulsed or saddened by these remarks. Or are they immune to such disgusting behavior? Have they heard many such stories throughout the years and think it is the norm? I would pray that the community at large does not hear these kinds of stories and think the man telling them is an example of a Christ-follower. Because he is not.
Signed,
A member of the community
(staying very far away in case you "momentarily backslide.")
I recently listened to one of your online sermons. I felt heartsick and grieved to the point of feeling physically ill. You described a time in your youth when you "knocked [a young girl] out," "boom, jacked her up and she went into a wall." You were called into the principal's office. He said, "Bob, you can't... (a pause as you and the congregation laugh)... be hitting people". More laughter from you and the congregation. And then the principal looked at you and said, "Now, I know she deserves it." And more laughter from you and the congregation.
You next referred to "demon deacons" that you wanted to punch out (one because "he got in my face over nothin') but God had supposedly changed you, and you controlled yourself. You spoke of how people should be very glad God changed you because in the past you would have just as soon hit people.
Your next story is of "one of our haters that was sitting across from us at the mall the other day." According to you, this "hater" stayed on purpose to listen to your conversation. (perhaps she was just eating her meal). You mocked her by raising your voice and speaking of your great humbleness learned through the persecution you have endured. All the while laughing and joking about the "hater." Again, your congregation was laughing at your cleverness and your supposedly momentary backslidden state.
Mr. Scott, you think this is funny? You should be ashamed of yourself. I have no idea who was sitting near you at the mall, but my guess is you are responsible for bringing great heartache into her life. How do I know this? I have talked with ex-members of Calvary Temple and have heard the same horrific stories again and again. Stories of abuse. Marriages and families destroyed. Intimidation tactics. Lies told from the pulpit. Children put out of homes. Personal confessions revealed to all. Physical, emotional and sexual abuse known and covered up. All the while, you mock and ridicule those you are supposed to be protecting. A true shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, even when they leave the "fold" of Calvary Temple. But you, Mr. Scott, you do all you can to kill and destroy the little ones Jesus died for. Again, you should be ashamed. How do such incidents become comedy material? The very work you say Jesus did in your life is clearly non-existent. If He had delivered you from such fleshly responses, you would fall on your face before you would verbally "jack her up." Just because you were able to physically restrain yourself doesn't mean you are a changed man. You assaulted her in your heart. Do you remember the scripture "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart"? Same principle, Mr. Scott. All you have learned is a socially acceptable way to beat people up.
And as for the members of your congregation, I wonder if any felt repulsed or saddened by these remarks. Or are they immune to such disgusting behavior? Have they heard many such stories throughout the years and think it is the norm? I would pray that the community at large does not hear these kinds of stories and think the man telling them is an example of a Christ-follower. Because he is not.
Signed,
A member of the community
(staying very far away in case you "momentarily backslide.")
