Local Christian Coalition chair turns out to have molested kids.

[funflower]

PORTLAND, Ore. - The longtime head of the Christian Coalition of Oregon said Monday that he is "withdrawing from public life," a day after news reports detailed accusations of sexual abuse against him by three female relatives.

(snip)

Beres has denied any criminal conduct, and wrote that he will "pursue the Biblical response and do all within my power to reconcile with that person."

(snip)

The three women - now adults - allege they were abused by Beres as preteens. Their families called the child abuse hot line last month, after the three openly discussed the alleged abuse for the first time.

"I was molested," one of the women, now in her 50s, told The Oregonian. "I was victimized and I've suffered all my life for it. I'm still afraid to be in the same room with him."

Beres, 70, has blamed "personal and political enemies" for the complaint.

(more)

http://www.katu.com/stories/80271.html

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002552376_webberes10.html

[onager]

1. Sounds like he already "pursued the Biblical response."

Lot and his daughters...the virgin females of the Amalekites...etc.

[Zenlitened]

2. Gee there's a surprise. It's usually a safe bet that...

... the person doing the most squawking about morals this, morals that... is about the least moral person you'll ever meet.

[arwalden]

3. It's The Perfect Cover...

... after all, the LAST person you'd expect would be the one who persecutes such things.

[Az]

4. Its not something inherant to religion but it is something religion draws

People that have drives and desires that are outside the social mainstream often feel as if there is something wrong with them. If the drive is sufficient abhorent they will feel as if they are evil. Religion offers the promise of ridding people of evil. Thus many in an honest desire to better themself turn to religion to drive the urges from themself.

Unfortunately the clergy is not the best place to deal with such issues. A sexual predator within the clergy will find themself initially isolated from their target group and thus find solace. But once they are ordained it becomes a nightmare scenario. Not only are they exposed once again to their target but now they are vested with a social aura of moral authority. They are trusted as few other indivdiuals are trusted.

The combination of exposure, trust, and intimacy create a monster that can stay hidden for decades.