Pastors in Rifqa Bary case knew they broke law, ex-church official says

[alp227]

Amy L. Edwards, The Orlando Sentinel
December 28, 2009

A former administrator at an Orlando church told investigators that the church's pastors who took in a teenage runaway this summer knew that they were doing something unlawful.

In a sworn statement filed this week in Ohio, Brian Smith stated that "many lawyers" told pastor Blake Lorenz he was "breaking the law" by aiding the teen, Fathima Rifqa Bary.

Smith is a former administrator of Global Revolution Church, a church founded by husband and wife pastors Blake and Beverly Lorenz.

Rifqa, then 16, ran away from her home outside Columbus, Ohio, in mid-July and hopped a Greyhound bus to Orlando.

Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-rifqa-orlando-preachers-20091223,0,1612005.story

In case you haven't heard of Rifqa Bary, she's a teenager from a Muslim family. Rifqa converted to Christianity, met the Lorenzes on Facebook, and fled to Orlando because she felt that her Muslim parents who kill her for religious reasons. In Islam, this kind of killing is considered an honor killing. However, two independent investigations found no solid evidence backing Rifqa's claims. A Florida judge ordered Rifqa Bary returned to her parents in Ohio. Here's Wikipedia's article about her.

This case surely reflects darn well on the Lorenzes' character. They violated state child safety laws to protect a fellow Christian from a phony danger. How ironic.

Stupid drama like this is a reason why I avoid religion. Here's a good music video that should reflect how we are as Americans. I also blogged on Sunday about what I think were religion's biggest blunders this year, and I think I forgot about this!

[snagglepuss]

1. I think its effing bullshit they returned the girl to her parents. The girl is

old enough to make up her own mind. I came from a violent home but I was the effing black sheep of the family because in the eyes of relatives my father was a sterling Dad and I was a effing ingrate to leave home at 17. No one but the people invloved came possibly know what goes on in families. Furthermore look at the endless number of idiotic decisions made by various overworked child protection services to send children back to abusive homes where they end up dead.:grr:

[alp227]

2. (1) There's no evidence that her parents were going to harm her,

(2) The priests are a couple of idiotic liars who are brainwashing her and compromising her ability to think independently,
and (3) of course, the state is finding that the priests are violating law and they KNEW it.

[snagglepuss]

4. The evidence is her word. This is not the middle ages where children and

women are chattel to be ignored. If that young woman claims she fears for her life, I side with her. If the parents care so much, let them pay for her to live on her own.

[Better Today]

3. I have to agree with you. I was severely beaten my entire childhood

till I was 16, father was a Dr., mother was a teacher, no one would believe me for God nor money save one Vice Principal who flat out told me he couldn't do squat about it because no one would believe me over such "reputable" parents.

I hate religion, so this isn't a support of the Christians nor hatred toward Muslims. Just a thought about a 16 yo making decisions and considering that to be old enough, particularly if she hasn't required any consideration from her folks after she left.

[L0oniX]

5. Soooo ...I guess no one will be shocked if she ends up dead.

[snagglepuss]

6. IMO the authorities sided with the parents simply to defuse any accusations of being

anti-Muslim. What proof other than he said she said can be produced that shows the parents are not violent? I hope to hell I'm the one who is wrong.


btw your profile is hilarious, the comment "I'm a people person..... I hate them all.", priceless.

[JI7]

7. if they wanted her dead wouldn't they have just had her killed

rather than go to court and trying to get her back legally and going through investigations into their lives to see if her accusations are true.

she was also a cheerleader so her parents aren't the fundie type considering they allowed that. she also attacked her brother for listening to "demonic" music.

it seems like she is the one with the issues from all the evidence i have seen. not her family.

and that preacher guy seems like a pervert to me.