Posted on 02/27/2005 6:57:47 PM PST by xzins
BTK Suspect's Arrest Upsets Kan. Church
By ROXANA HEGEMAN, Associated Press Writer
Sunday, February 27, 2005
(02-27) 17:40 PST Wichita, Kan. (AP) --
They worshipped next to Dennis L. Rader for years, sharing the same pews and singing from the same hymnals. They knew him as a Cub Scout leader, a respected church official, a kind friend. Now, members of Christ Lutheran Church must confront the possibility that 59-year-old Rader is something else: The BTK serial killer, blamed for 10 deaths in the Wichita area from 1974 to 1991.
"We feel dismay, anger, devastation, utter shock and disbelief. The very foundation of our faith is shaken," Gerald Mansholt, bishop of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said during Sunday's service.
Rader, a church member for 30 years, an usher and president of the church council, was arrested Friday in suburban Park City, where he worked as a city codes enforcement supervisor.
He remained jailed Sunday pending his first court appearance.
Just days before his arrest, Rader brought spaghetti sauce and salad to a church supper, even though he was unable to attend himself, church member Paul Carlstedt recalled. Carole Nelson called Rader "a very kind man," recounting his concern over her recent kidney operation.
Bob Smyser, a fellow usher at Christ Lutheran, said his 5-year-old son recognized Rader's photo when it was flashed on the television screen at home. The boy looked up at his father and asked, "Daddy, he tricked us didn't he?"
"I am not sure what to tell him," Smyser said. "I am not sure what to tell myself."
Investigators searched the church property Friday, but the church's pastor, Michael Clark, declined to say what they were looking for. A crisis intervention team was called to talk on Sunday afternoon with church members.
The congregation had prayed for the capture of the BTK killer and the end of the nightmare that has gripped this city for decades.
"We prayed that it would come to a conclusion (this is) not the conclusion we thought," Carlstedt said.
Yep. You've got it interpreted right.
In fact your "good and bad, side by side, for a while at least..." is stone cold, bullseye perfect.
good job. :>)
You apparently have not seen the church pastor say if he is the killer, then it is betrayal of the highest order and he deserves what he gets.
This was a selective article on church reaction.
I have heard a lot of people on the local news from the church say to fry him if he is the real killer.
Satan's agents appear as "angels of light" also. This should not be a surprise.
Thanks...often, its difficult for me to interpret what the Bible is saying...I often follow along on many of the religious threads, where I often see you posting...I dont join in, as everyone there, seems much more 'educated' in Biblical history, Biblical interpretation, and such...but I always read along, for the information, and do appreciate those religious threads very much...I am sure I am just one of many, who merely 'lurk'...and often we lurkers learn a great deal...
Glad to hear you're participating.
You nailed it here. No reason to think you wouldn't be just as good at other times, too.
And, of course, I regularly have some really dumb moments, too. It goes with the territory. :>)
"The article said he'd been active in his church for 30 some years, which would place his suspected murders smack in the middle of those active church years."
I was wondering about this also. Did he use the church as a cover for his crimes?
Associated Press
WICHITA, Kan. - The man arrested in connection with the BTK serial killings has confessed to at least six of those killings so far, The Associated Press has learned.
Investigators now suspect the BTK serial killer may have been responsible for as many 13 killings - including at least one killing after the death penalty was enacted in Kansas, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation told AP on condition of anonymity.
Dennis L. Rader is being held on a $10 million bond in connection with the deaths of 10 people between 1974 and 1991. Police had long linked the BTK serial killer to eight murders, but added two more after Rader's arrest.
Now police suspect the BTK killer in the deaths of two Wichita State University students as well as a woman who lived down the street from another known BTK victim.
I agree completely. See Post #8.
Good points.
He could have left. Perhaps something made him decide to stop, but I can't imagine what that would have been. If 1991 was the last murder, then we're talking 14 years ago. Wonder how old his children had gotten by then?
And then, recently, something made him start contacting authorities again....some desire to get caught?...some desire to challenge modern forensics to see if he was still so smart?....something ego driven?....some urge to kill again and he was now rejecting of it?
It's fascinating in a way.
Yeah, that how the AP headline read the other day.
Cub Scout leader a serial killer, or some such thing.
He's also a government worker...why pick out cub scouts?
How 'bout: "Government Census Employee BTK Serial Killer?"
The wheat and the tares seem to indicate that there are 2 categories: (1) justified sinners, and (2) some additional category of those who only seem to belong, but they never really have.
Am I interpreting your paragraph correctly?
At least one member of that church knows the truth. Out of the mouths of babes.
Look. I left the ELCA because they've abandoned the word of God. Even though I am now a relieved member of the LCMS, I consider this to be unfair. This could just as well have been a LCMS or Catholic, or any other denomination.
Thank you. This discussion is inappropriate. The ELCA deserves lots of criticism but not because of this.
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