executive committee member of the Southern Baptist Convention framed????

And Mr. Latham will have his day in court to explain, having the title "Pastor" does not make one exempt from having to deal with either wrongly or rightly accused of commiting a crime.

 

A 2005 Mercedes is not a bad way to get around witnessing!

 

This makes me sad.

 

It makes me mad.

 

Yes, Mr Latham will have his day in court, as is entitled. If he is guilty as charged, he must pay the price.

On the surface, it would be hard pressed to make a case for being framed. I mean, even if an undercover propositions you, you're not being forced to say "yes". But I will reserve judgement (which, as a Christian, I'm required to) upon the man until his verdice is decided according to law.

 

Everyone who is caught in one of these stings is "set up" by a team of officers who videotape and record everything said and done for evidence. The "bait" officer impersonates a prostitute and a team of officers monitors and records the proceedings. All of the stings I have heard about from police officer friends involve the officer being approached for sexual favors instead of the officer propositioning the objects of the sting to avoid accusations of entrapment.

It is certainly possible that he was framed, but any decent attorney would be able to get the charges dropped by taking the case to court because the evidence would be there on the tapes.

I hope he is innocent, but it seems rather unlikely.

His family is facing quite an ordeal. I certainly hope his church (and other Southern Baptists) will respond redemptively in this situation. But with the prevelence of sexual sin (both heterosexual and homosexual) among Southern Baptist "leaders", he is likely to get shunned and condemned instead of redeemed.

Those who are hiding their own sexual sins cannot afford to look "soft" on someone else's sin for fear of their own sin being somehow revealed through their gracious actions. Preachers tend to preach against their own sins from the pulpit.

 

Several points.

1. Don't be quick to rush to judgment here. We had a pastor in our area arrested and booked on sexual assault charges a few months back. His mug shot was all over the local tv stations. The media rushed to judgment but his church and family supported him saying the charges were false. The police held him for several days and bail was posted. However they still stated, on tv, that they believed him to be a dangerous man. However the charges have been dropped because it seems the young lady who made the charges had issues and was looking for attention. I know of several other simular cases one involving a Christian High School teacher (same result). So let's be careful not to assume the charges are true (even though it looks like an open and shut case).

2. There are cases of misunderstandings. I heard of a case several years ago in which a man traveling through a major city in this state was arrested for "propositioning a plainclothes policewoman". However it was later proven that the man was only asking for directions to a hotel for the night and not, as the police claimed, "propositioning". So we need to be careful because there are misunderstandings. However I doubt the pastor was framed.

3. Being a pastor does not equal being saved (Matt 7:13-23). It could be that this man is lost and needs salvation (1Cor 6:9-10, Gal 5:19-21, 1Jn 3:9-10). I say this because his alleged actions seem rather bold for someone who is just struggling with lust (etc).

4. This in no way reflects on his church, his family, or the Southern Baptist Convention. This kind of thing, sadly, happens in all denominations. However with the SBC the media is paying closer attention.

5. I believe the gospel should be shared with this man. He needs to be brought to Jesus so he can be saved from his sinful ways and from eternal hell fire (Rev 21:8).

Just some words of caution before we all start throwing stones:

1. We need to realize that this is probably a man trapped in sin needing a Savior. Now it is possible that this man is a saint who has fallen. In that case the Bible gives us clear directions (see Gal 6:1). However if he refuses to admit his sin then the church should witness to this man about his need for the Savior (Matt 18:15-17).

2. Nothing is gained by throwing stones.

3. We need to keep in mind that we are all sinners. Not one of us is above falling into sin. So we need to be careful and not think we can't fall. Be warned because when you proudly think you are standing strong that is when you will probably fall the hardest (1Cor 10:12, 1Pet 5:5, Pr 13:10, 16:18).

In Christ,
Martin.

 

Nicely said Martin.


Jamie

 

Anytime someone thinks he is doing great and does not remain alert will see the fate he thinks he is above.

 

If he did this, it is an awful thing.

However, should we not hold our judgement until he is found guilty?

 

Yes. He will have his day in court (if he wants it) and the evidence will be presented for all to see.

 

We all know that innocent people are proven innocent, and guilt are proven in guilty in the court of law. Right?

 

It's been done before. It could be an actual vendetta, it could be a rogue cop trying to make his quota. On the other hand, some of the harshest condemners of homosexuality have been closet homosexuals, ironically.

As others have said, we don't have enough information to make any kind of judgement, either way.

 

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=22401

 

I agree with Martin and PastorSBC.

 

What Latham was charged with is a Misdemeanor
in the State of Oklahoma but is a Felony among
Southern Baptists. Latham has resigned all
SBC affiliations including Head Pastor of
his church in Tulsa. This is the equivalent
of pleading guilty to the Felony changes
among the SBC. Latham's career is dead.
Fortunately for him he is 59-years old and
elgeble for retirement.