Pastor Beaten After Blunt Eulogy

The Carolina Channel ^ | 21 June 02 | AP

[aomagrat]

LOXLEY, Ala. -- Authorities in Loxley, Ala., are investigating the alleged beating of a preacher by funeral mourners who didn't like his blunt eulogy.

Glynis Bethel told The Associated Press that her husband -- the Rev. Orlando Bethel -- was attacked during a June 14 funeral and dragged out of the church.

That's because Bethel told mourners the deceased was in Hell and that they were headed the same way.

The dead man was Glynis Bethel's uncle.

Orlando Bethel referred to him as a "drunkard and a fornicator."

Glynis Bethel, who's also a preacher, says "the fornicators didn't like what he said so they got up and beat him."

She says police didn't make any arrests, so she and her husband -- who may have a broken nose -- are taking out warrants.

[RnMomof7]

You might be right on with that ..hey a little wine is good for your health..(ask Paul:>)

[HairOfTheDog]

I had no idea being a pastor was such a dangerous job! I guess I will advise my kids to become mine workers after all.

[southern rock]

You might be right on with that ..hey a little wine is good for your health..

Haven't you heard? Jesus never made any wine. It was Welch's grape juice. :)

and I've met Christians that believe it, too

[ClancyJ]

So, you think preaching the Bible will get you sent to Hell?

Afraid you are missing the point. The point was that this pastor was asked to hold a memorial service. He took that opportunity to kick the loved ones when they were down. This was not preaching. This was absolutely an abuse of religion. Where is the love and kindness shown here? Maybe the man is in hell but there is nothing the loved ones can do about it now and the memory of that service and the hurt involved will be with them for a lifetime.

How many of those people do you think would ever set foot in that pastor's church after such a display? He created an absolute horrible memory for the hurt loved ones and totally corrupted Christ's desire to have people come to Him. Why would that action draw anybody?

[southern rock]

and I've met Christians that believe it, too

For instance, don't even get Lowelljr started on that one. LOL!

[TrueBeliever9]

Did not want you to miss this!

[Bella_Bru]

Really?? There are people who believe that? Why do they think it is grape juice and not wine?

[lepton]

as well as breach of agreement and/or fraud.

Based on what? Do you think he signed a contract to "say nice things"?

[RnMomof7]

I worked in addictions/alcoholism for years..what is general said (probably with some validity) is the wine of jesus day was not fermented like the wine today..it was definately alcohol..but with a lower proof..(I think the difference beteen our dinner wine and the dollar a bottle stuff my clients drank...) the wine in the days of Jesus was probaly lower in proof

But be not deceived wine and beer got folks drunk..and wine was used at the weddings for celebration..so they may have needed more to get drunk..but it was NOT grape juice :>)

[joey'smom]

Was the uncle a priest??????

[swampfox98]

Preacher, haven't you learned yet not to cast your pearls before swine? Evidentally, your funeral audience was made up of porkers.

[Windsong]

Speaking of Nikes, bet you didnt know that in The Phantom Menace, you can see Darth Maul's nikes when he jumps in the air during the lightsaber fight. :)

[Aggie Mama]

No, in Alabama, progressive means "Not ALL of us marry our first cousins."

Actually, we drive through this town just about ever summer to go to Gulf Shores. Seems like a quaint little town.

[Aggie Mama]

Really, I didn't find that when we have vacationed there. Everyone has always been pleasant and friendly.

[southern rock]

Really?? There are people who believe that? Why do they think it is grape juice and not wine?

The founder of Welch's grape juice was a Methodist or Baptist minister, I believe. I'm not sure which denomonation. His name was Welch, and he created his grape juice in order to recreate what he believed Jesus and His apostles drank at the Last Supper, so that good Christians could celebrate communion without consuming alcohol.

[another cricket]

the wine in the days of Jesus was probaly lower in proof

Quite a bit lower. The Romans in those days tended to water their wine and sweeten it with a grape syrup called dibbs. And what ever the Romans did was the fashion for the whole world at that time.

Side note: dibbs was made by boiling grape juice in a lead-lined pot. This resulted over time in lead poisoning.

a.cricket

[mn12]

We have ... churches of all denominations as well as outstanding hospitals less than an hour away.

HAHAHAHA!!

Sounds like this is a common occurance!

[eddie willers]

Back when I was a successful drunkard (but a rarely successful fornicator) I spent a night in Loxley.

Eight hours, a nolo plea, and $400 later, I was allowed to continue my journey from Tallahassee to Mobil.

[Texaggie79]

As the saying goes...... "Do not judge, lest ye be beaten to a bloody pulp"

[Palladin]

Remind me not to have my Southern Baptist son-in-law preach at my funeral.