$13 Million Settlement Reached in Sex Abuse LawsuitFriday, August 7, 2009
$13 Million Settlement Reached in Sex Abuse LawsuitWednesday, August 5, 2009
The Pittsburgh Gunman's Religious Views & Goat Sacrifices

Pittsburgh Gunman: "Maybe soon, I will see God and Jesus"
Below is Sodini's final journal entry in its entirety. For more excerpts, visit here.
"August 3, 2009:
I took off today, Monday, and tomorrow to practice my routine and make sure it is well polished. I need to work out every detail, there is only one shot. Also I need to be completely immersed into something before I can be successful. I haven't had a drink since Friday at about 2:30. Total effort needed. Tomorrow is the big day.Unfortunately I talked to my neighbor today, who is very positive and upbeat. I need to remain focused and absorbed COMPLETELY. Last time I tried this, in January, I chickened out. Lets see how this new approach works.
Maybe soon, I will see God and Jesus. At least that is what I was told. Eternal life does NOT depend on works. If it did, we will all be in hell. Christ paid for EVERY sin, so how can I or you be judged BY GOD for a sin when the penalty was ALREADY paid. People judge but that does not matter. I was reading the Bible and The Integrity of God beginning yesterday, because soon I will see them."


Arrests In Murder of Teacher Accused of Proselytizing
In Nouakchott, Mauritania, three men have been charged with murder in the slaying of an American teacher and aiding al-Qaida. The men were arrested last month and could face the death penalty if convicted. The teacher, Christopher Ervin Leggett (l.), 39, was accused by the North Africa branch of al-Qaida of trying to convert Muslims to Christianity.

2 Die While Conducting Muslim Ritual
In Mumbai, two young men (ages 22 and 20) who were conducting a Muslim ritual on a beach on Sunday are presumed dead after they were swept into the sea by powerful tidal waves. The ritual that the young men were engaging in involved immersing flowers and food in the water. Police and rescuers are still searching the bodies.

And finally...Goat Sacrifice Now Legal In Texas
It's a shitty day to be a goat in Dallas as a federal appeals court ruled in favor of allowing a Santeria priest to sacrifice the animals in his home, saying a city's decision to prohibit the ritual violated the man's religious rights. Jose Merced, 46, accuses the city of Euless, Texas, of trampling on his constitutional right to religious exercise. The city claims the sacrifices jeopardize public health and violate its slaughterhouse and animal cruelty ordinances. Fortunately, the Euless city attorney said he plans to file a motion for a rehearing. Santeria, by the way, is an Afro-Cuban religion where members get to chat with dead relatives and deities, kill animals and play a drum.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Protests at Trouser Trial & The Exorcist Look-A-Like

Protests and Tear Gas Outside Trouser Trial

In Islamabad, Pakistan, about 200 people have been arrested in connection with Saturday's anti-Christian riot/arson in Gojra that left seven people dead, 20 injured and a Christian neighborhood up in flames. Police said Muslims were protesting an alleged desecration of pages in the Quran at a Christian wedding.
Rip-Off Rabbi Pleads Guilty to $8.5 Million Tax Scam In Los Angeles, a Brooklyn rabbi pleaded guilty to an $8.5 million tax scam that involved charities run by the Spinka Hasidic sect. Grand Rabbi Naftali Tzi Weisz, 61, admitted conspiring to solicit donations that were mostly kicked back to the contributors. The scheme allowed the "donors" to take tax deductions for the full amounts of their phony gifts -- while skimming nearly $750,000. He faces up to five years behind bars.
Rabbi-on-the-Run Arrested in Israel
In Israel, a former Chicago rabbi involved in a scam that allegedly used the stolen IDs of inmates to file for tax refunds was arrested on Sunday night. Marvin Berkowitz, 62, and nine of his family members and associates have been indicted in connection with the tax-fraud ring. Berkowitz and company used the stolen identities to submit fraudulent documents seeking $35 million and caused $4 million in refunds to be issued to bank accounts it controlled. Berkowitz's two sons and his son-in-law are also facing conspiracy and fraud charges.
Jury Selected for Kiddie Porn Pastor Trial

In Connecticut, a former priest claims a bishop threatened to send him to live with nuns after he hired a private investigator to look into his pastor. The pastor, Rev. Michael Jude Fay, pleaded guilty to a fraud charge and was sentenced in 2007 to three years in prison for stealing more than $1 million from a local church.


And finally...Exorcist Priest Look-A-Like Pleads Not Guilty In Online Sex-Sting
Friday, July 31, 2009
IT'S RAINING BABIES (HALLELUJAH) AND THE CULT OF NO PANTS

Dropping Babies From Rooftops = Health and Prosperity, Apparently
In New Delhi, activists lashed out at local officials who allowed hundreds of infants to be dropped from the roof of a mosque in the belief that the fall — which ends when the babies are caught in a bedsheet — would ensure good health and prosperity for their families. This bizarre and dangerous ritual has been practiced for nearly 700 years at a local Muslim shrine, with both Hindus and Muslims engaging in this nutty behavior. At a ritual on Thursday, infants were dangled from the roof of the shrine before being dropped about 50 feet onto a bedsheet held by parents and other believers. Fortunately there were no reports of injuries.
In St. Cloud, Minn., an 82-year-old former police chaplain was arrested for sexually assaulting a minor. Police say Pastor Arthur Ree, sexually
assaulted a female minor over an 18-month period from 2000 to 2001. Responding to the arrest, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which Ree was a member, released the following statement:“The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Southwestern Minnesota Synod is shocked and deeply saddened by the arrest of art ree on charges of criminal sexual behavior involveing a female victim. Ree is a retired pastor of the ELCA. Charges of this nature are very serious and even more disturbing when they involve the life of the church. The Southwestern Minnesota Synod does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse in any way. Our synod and congregation are and should remain always safe places for all people. We offer prayers for the victim of the abuse and her family and friends. We also offer our prayers for Mr. Ree and his family. Situations like these bring deep pain and sadness to many people. Our comfort rests with God who is with us At all times we pray that God’s care, concern, healing and wisdom may be experienced by all who have been affected.”

Pastor Accused of Sexual Abuse
In Louisville, a pastor has been placed on leave after a man alleged that the priest sexually abused him in 1985. In quite an unprecedented move, The Record, a Catholic newspaper, listed Schook's previous parish assignments and asked that any alleged victims of abuse from those parishes contact the archdiocese. The Archdiocese of Louisville was at the center of a massive sexual abuse scandal in 2002 and 2003. Nearly $30 million was paid out in settlements by the archdiocese after more than 250 people made abuse allegations. More then three dozen priests and other church workers were accused of abusing children as far back as the late 1940s.
Priest Busted in Sex Sting In St. Louis, a Catholic priest was arrested in an FBI sex sting targeting men who wanted to rent young girl for sex. According to the police, James Patrick Grady (r.), 57, showed up at the home of what he thought to be a 16-year-old girl, who he offered to pay for sex. On Wednesday, Grady had responded to an online ad offering young females and started exchanging emails with an undercover officer. Eventually, Grady asked the "girl" for a massage but was refused so he then inexplicably propositioned her for kissing and oral sex. (Perhaps he thought that would be less degrading for the girl.) After he was arrested, Grady said he came to the house because he was "curious". Where the hell is Chris Hansen when you need him?

And finally...Pantless Sex Cult Leader Jailed For Blasphemy
A kinky sex cult leader in Jakarta who performed sermons in his underwear was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for blasphemy against Islam. Agus Noro (l.) aka Agus Imam Solihin, meaning "leader of the faithful," would demand his Muslim followers to perform group sex in front of him and banned them from praying and fasting -- I'm gonna guess it was the latter two injunctions that got Noro into the real trouble. While prosecutors demanded a four year sentence for the pantless preacher, the judge cut him some slack because Noro withdrew an earlier statement where he claimed to be God. So at least he's not crazy.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Today's God Crimes: The Family That Jihads Together and the Naughty Priest

Jihadist-American Family Arrested
In North Carolina, seven men conspiring to wage jihad overseas were arrested by federal authorities yesterday. According to a seven-count federal indictment, the men --which include a father and his two sons-- intended to provide material support to terrorists and to murder, kidnap, maim and injure people overseas. Perhaps most surprising is that the father and suspected ringleader, Daniel Patrick Boyd (left) --who called himself Saifullah, or Sword of God-- is an American. Boyd and his cohorts are believed to have hatched their plot in 2006 and raised donations to support their training. They also recruited and radicalized others -- "mostly young Muslims or converts to Islam, to believe . . . the idea that violent jihad was a personal obligation on the part of every good Muslim."

80 Die in Sharia Law Attacks
In Africa, Muslim rebels demanding the adoption of sharia law expanded their attack against Nigerian security forces to two northeastern states, with at least 80 people dead in two days of violence. The leader of the rebel group Boko Haram, opposes Western education and demands the adoption of sharia law in all Nigeria, has threatened further attacks.
Muhammad's Angels: Muslim Police Officers Issued Uniform Headscarves
In England, the UK's largest police force has started to issue a uniform hijab to its female Muslim officers to wear when they enter a mosque. The headscarves are embroidered with the name and logo of the force and come in two colors. If you think this is yet another concession by the British government to the Islamists trying to impose their values on western society, you would be absolutely 100% wrong -- at least according to a police spokeswoman. She insisted that the hijabs were not intended to purely cater to Muslim cultural sensibilities but were multi-faith. If you believe that, the spokeswoman also wants to know if you'd be interested in purchasing the Brooklyn Bridge.3 Killed as Muslim-Buddhist Violence Continues to Escalate in Thailand
In Thailand, a Buddhist couple and a Muslim man were shot dead in gun and bomb attacks by suspected militants. The incidents took place in one of three rebellious Malay Muslim provinces where nearly 3,500 people have been killed in violence since 2004.

Monk Goes Bonkers
In Korea, a 47-year-old Buddhist monk was apprehended for allegedly beating a female adherant to death with a bottle. His reason? "I was chiding her for meeting a man,'' the monk was quoted as saying.
Transgender Woman Dies While In Care of Voodoo Priest
In New Jersey, a male-to-female transgender woman died while visiting a voodoo priest for "spiritual cleansing". While the priest, Houngan Hector Salva (right), is not suspected in the woman's death, he said the untimely demise was "God's choice...I don't have no say in when God deems your turn." Apparently, the grammar-challenged
Salva has followers from all around the world.The Devil Made Her Do It: Mother Dismembers Infant Son
In Texas, a woman who brutally dismembered her 3 1/2-week-old son told police that the devil made her do it. Relatives say that Otty Sanchez (left), 33, was diagnosed with schizophrenia and postpartum psychosis. She told detectives she had been hearing voices in the week leading up to her son's murder.
Priest Facing Child Sex Charges
In Australia, a Catholic priest appeared in court to face charges of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl 30 years ago. Last month, the 64-year-old priest was charged with two counts of indecent treatment of a child.
Superbad: Naughty Priest Suspected of Tryst with Nun, Exaggerating Miracle Claims and MysticismAnd finally...a well-known priest in Bosnia has left the priesthood after being investigated by the Vatican on allegations that he was guilty of sexual immorality with a nun and exaggerating stories of the Virgin Mary's appearance (I would love to know how the Vatican determined that). Unsatisfied with just a pair of salacious sins, Father Tomislay Vlasic completes his hellbound hat-trick by being under formal investigation for alleged "dubious doctrine, the manipulation of consciences, suspect mysticism and disobedience". Based on the allegations and evidence, I wouldn't be surprised if Vlasic turns out to be a goddamned warlock.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Today's God Crimes: Rabbi Organseller and Obeying the Voices in Your Head
Schmuck Rabbi Accused of Illegally Selling Human Body PartsIn New Jersey, following the wake of last week's FBI take-down of a multi-million dollar money laundering operation that included the arrests of five rabbis comes the shocking news that one of the rabbis, Levy Izhak Rosenbaum (left), brokered the illegal (and lucrative) sales of human organs. Prosecutors say that Rosenbaum was trying to sell a kidney to an undercover federal agent for $160,000 and has been involved in the international black market for kidneys for 10 years.
Randy Reverend Gets Suspension After Sexual Allegations

In Boston, the Archdiocese has suspended Rev. Pedro Jose Damázio from performing any public ministry after receiving allegations against him of adult sexual misconduct. (Great, more time for the priest to be alone and doing God-knows-what!) Meanwhile, Damázio's congregation is in predictable "disbelief" and praying for him. So supportive is this bunch that one follower is prepared to excuse Damázio's --and perhaps other randy reverends' -- transgressions by saying, "They are fathers, but they are men, too...I am OK if they are going to be married." Of course! What victim doesn't wanna marry their victimizer? This is yet another reason why I'm a Yankees fan.
Perv Priest Denied Appeal for Child Sex Convictions
In Australia, a Catholic priest jailed for more than seven years for raping and sexually abusing four boys has been refused a chance for an appeal. Terrence Melville Pidoto was ordained in 1971 and began his child rape-spree a year later. To give you a sense of the depravity and brazenness of Pidoto's libido, one of his victims was a 12-year-old boy who he raped after officiating at the boy's sister's wedding.
That's Hot: Female Lawyers Must Now Wear Headscarves in Gaza
In the Gaza Strip, the top judge has ordered female lawyers to wear Muslim headscarves when they appear in court. The move is being perceived as the latest sign that Gaza's Islamic
militant rulers are increasingly imposing their strict interpretation of Islamic law. I just hope there's air conditioning in the courtrooms over there.Four Arrested in Village Honor Killing
In India, police arrested four people in connection with the honor killing of a 21-year-old man who married a fellow clan-member despite the disapproval of her family. While venturing into his wife's village --under police escort-- to take her back with him, Ved Pal Mor was allegedly attacked by an angry mob and lynched. The four men who were arrested are believed to have "egged on" the mob.
Another Reason to Accept Jesus: 10% off at Denny's!
In Texas, if you dine at a particular Denny's and bring a copy of your church bulletin, the restaurant will donate 10% of your bill to your local church and, as an added bonus, they'll also take 10% off your bill (see right). Although I'd rather eat tumbleweed marinated in vulture excrement than dine at Denny's, this promotion is clearly discriminatory. Fortunately, the good people at the James Randi Educational Foundation are investigating.
Pastor: Obey the Voices in Your Head -- No Matter WhatAnd finally...I came across this very disturbing column in Kentucky's Richmond Register where a local pastor, John Settles, encourages his readers to obey God when He "speaks" to them (instead of, say, seeing a shrink) and admonishes those who balk at carrying out the orders of their imaginary friend. Here is an excerpt:
"Some folks believe they would respond to God if God spoke to them in a vision. I’m not sure if they would. There are so many instances where God has made his will clear in his word, but we hesitate to follow his commands. Maybe we are waiting for a vision.Now I don't expect any semblance of wisdom or profound insight from pastors but this is absolutely irresponsible and potentially harmful demagoguery. I would love to hear what Mr. Settles thinks of Jesus lovin' citizens like Jim Jones and Scott Roeder, who claim they did what they did because they were following the commands of the Almighty. Oh, that's right, that would be an unfair comparison because those motherfuckers were crazy!I suspect we do not follow God’s commandments for other reasons. Where God’s will is clear to us, there is no acceptable reason for us not to follow his will. We may refuse to follow out of fear. We may refuse to follow simply out of willful disobedience. Whether God reveals his will through a vision or through other means, he wants us to be guided by his will. Amen."
Friday, July 17, 2009
Today's God Crimes: Priests Gone Wild
Also in New York, yet another priest was charged with the sexual abuse of six males, aged 11 to 19. The Rev. James McDevitt,63, is alleged to have told the six males to lie bottomless across his lap while he spanked them. Devitt is also facing other misdemeanor sexual abuse charges.
In Canada, a retired priest is facing 22 charges of sexual assault involving boys aged 8 to 16. These incidents are believed to have occurred between 1958 and 1978 when Levi Noel, 83, was a priest in the Diocese of Bathurst in New Brunswick.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Today's God Crimes
In Connecticut, after reading the Bible, a 24-year-old nutcase allegedly beat several people (including two children ages 1 and 3) with a two-by-four while screaming he was "the Son of Jesus".
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Today's God Crimes
In Baltimore, two members of a religious cult want to represent themselves at their upcoming trail for the starvation death of a one-year-old child. The members are accused of denying food and water to the toddler after he refused to say "Amen" after meals.
The French government has condemned the flogging of several women in Sudan for wearing trousers, which violates Sharia law.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Priest fondles woman he's "counseling"
The petting padre, Richard Ordonez, 37, is accused of grabbing and attempting to sexually assault a woman he was giving marriage counseling to in January 2004. Unfortunately, it wasn't until 2008 --after speaking with a friend-- that she reported him. If convicted, Ordonez faces up to seven years in state prison.
Once again, I'm puzzled why religious followers would assume a priest --who don't have wives, children or deal with the day-to-day strife of a "normal" life-- would have any real insight into domestic issues. Now I'm not attacking the victim -- no one, regardless of their credulity deserves to be taken advantage of. Instead, I'm simply perplexed why such a paradigm --priest as family counselor-- is so blindly and widely accepted. What's next, Santa Claus as an addiction specialist??
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Pedophile ex-priest says he's a victim of vandalism
64-year-old Daniel Herek is claiming that someone smashed the driver's side mirror of his pickup truck the day after his birthday.
Cry me a river.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Ex-priest admits to downloading child porn on church computer
Matthew Bagert, 40, was indicted in November for downloading four sexually explicit photos of boys. He's facing up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine and possibly a lifetime of supervised release -- hopefully the "lifetime of supervision" bit will be handled this time around by a parole officer rather than just the Almighty.
However, there is a bright side to all this. Bagert was reported to the police by a fellow clergyman --something that doesn't happen quite often enough-- after he noticed questionable images on the pervy priest's church computer.
Now, I don't know about you, but if looking at pictures of young boys in the nude was my thing, I'd probably do it in private, as opposed to inside a church with nosy priests (who, in all fairness, may not share the same fetish) walking around. But that's just me.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Child raping ex-priest sent back to prison
Defrocked priest back in prison
Sex offender Campobello picked up for probation violation
By MATT HANLEY Beacon News
Mark Campobello, who was defrocked as a Catholic priest after being convicted of molesting teenage girls, is back in prison for violating his parole.
Authorities said today that Campobello, who was a priest in Aurora and Geneva, had been living in McHenry County but had to move out of his house and no longer had a permanent address. Not having a permanent residence is a parole violation.
Campobello was imprisoned for three years and eight months after he pleaded guilty in 2004 to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl over five months in 1999, while he lived at the rectory of St. Peter Church in Geneva.
He also pleaded guilty to molesting a 15-year-old girl while she was a student at Aurora Central Catholic High School between November 1999 and March 2000. He was assistant principal of the school.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Priest stole church donations to pay for plastic surgery and Botox
Here's a new one: a priest who allegedly stole nearly $85 thousand in church funds to pay for clothes, plastic surgery and Botox. Like Bernie Madoff, the good reverend's surname appeared to portend his questionable lifestyle and breach of ethics. His name? Blasingame.
From today's New York Daily News:
Episcopal priest from Staten Island nabbed in 84G theft from church
BY Kerry Burke
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A Staten Island preacher was collared on charges of pilfering $84,537 from his flock and blowing it on fancy clothes, plastic surgery, Botox and booze, prosecutors said Monday.
The Rev. William Blasingame, 66, who recently
resigned from St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal
"The investigation arose from a phone call from church leaders about disparities in the church books," said a source close to the investigation.
Blasingame is also accused of taking church funds to pay for club memberships and car insurance. Prosecutors say he drained two funds. The Friends of St. Paul's foundation was set up for the maintenance and beautification of the church's grounds, and the other fund was a discretionary kitty to provide small amounts of cash to parishioners down on their luck, authorities said.
Blasingame stepped down in January before turning himself in Friday morning at the Staten Island district attorney's office. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance later that day. He's slated to return to court May 12, authorities said.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Protesters Say Archbishop Mishandled Abuse Scandal
From today's New York Times:
A Milwaukee man stood on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday to talk about how that city’s archbishop, Timothy M. Dolan, had dealt with the sexual abuse scandal during his six-year tenure. And his assessment of Archbishop Dolan, who has been chosen to lead New York’s Catholics, was considerably cooler than the reception the gregarious prelate received two weeks ago at the same spot. (read more)