UPC Pastor Convicted of Slander in Pulpit!

[tbpew]

My only take on this story is that we have yet another vivid example of how an individual operating from behind a pulpit concluded that he had a clear charge and authority to determine/affirm that a marriage convenant had ended (disavowed?) in the eyes of God.

This topic makes me wonder if a significant portion AFF folks think that a preacher is the authority that establishes the joining of two people with a marriage convenant....thus making a preacher the authority that can determine a bond no longer exists?

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by tbpew

My only take on this story is that we have yet another vivid example of how an individual operating from behind a pulpit concluded that he had a clear charge and authority to determine/affirm that a marriage convenant had ended (disavowed?) in the eyes of God.

This topic makes me wonder if a significant portion AFF folks think that a preacher is the authority that establishes the joining of two people with a marriage convenant....thus making a preacher the authority that can determine a bond no longer exists?

My view on the party performing the ceremony is that his sole spiritual reason for being there is as a human witness to the vows said. Granted he or she is also a witness for legal reasons as well, but am just focusing on the spiritual.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by tbpew

My only take on this story is that we have yet another vivid example of how an individual operating from behind a pulpit concluded that he had a clear charge and authority to determine/affirm that a marriage convenant had ended (disavowed?) in the eyes of God.

This topic makes me wonder if a significant portion AFF folks think that a preacher is the authority that establishes the joining of two people with a marriage convenant....thus making a preacher the authority that can determine a bond no longer exists?

I believe the vow is between the husband and wife. The pastor is there as a witness of that marriage and for a spiritual guide or counselor if the need arises.

However, I have been in church 25 years and have very rarely gone to any pastor I was under for guidance or counseling. I have the Holy Ghost and God is able to answer my prayers when I go to Him. He has shown that to be true, time after time. I have also prayed for my own healing.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I believe the vow is between the husband and wife. The pastor is there as a witness of that marriage and for a spiritual guide or counselor if the need arises.

However, I have been in church 25 years and have very rarely gone to any pastor I was under for guidance or counseling. I have the Holy Ghost and God is able to answer my prayers when I go to Him. He has shown that to be true, time after time. I have also prayed for my own healing.

Usually a good friend can do far more good then a formal visit to the pastors office.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Usually a good friend can do far more good then a formal visit to the pastors office.

Amen! And when you only go to God alone, it is also a very awesome thing when your need/question, etc. is addressed over the pulpit without ever having said a thing to a living soul. I do like that part of the ministry as well.

[DAII]

Originally Posted by missourimary

For all who are interested, http://spiritualabuse.org/experience...k_fogarty.html has posted clarifications to our assumptions on this board.

From that site, apparently they contacted Angela's attorney and got the following information:
Angela did not file the divorce. James did. Angela didn't want the divorce, and James filed for irreconcilable differences.
Regarding the ever popular bikini incident, it happened years before the divorce, had nothing to do with the divorce, James never mentioned it or any concern for Angela's faithfulness in the divorce. She and another wo
man were swimming. The other woman's husband came and Angela left. She was in a onepiece, not a bikini.

Sounds like the gossip got just a tad out of control.


PO, regarding the assumption on request for relief, here is a link to the original complaint. http://www.13wmaz.com/news/PDF/driver_complaint.pdf

With the record as it is ... granted Lois is not lying ... nor is this Angela's lawyer either ... also not knowing how long the Drivers were members at Rev. Fogarty's church ...

LET'S REVIEW:

- Mr. Driver, by all accounts, files for DIVORCE ON THE GROUNDS OF IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES. His ex-wife does not want the divorce but as no-fault divorce works she must acquiesce.

- Mr. Driver, within a handful of months, falls in love with his pastor's daughter whose father teaches that the only reason for divorce and remarriage is sexual immorality - specifically adultery.

- The future FIL and pastor announces the romance involving his daughter with Mr. Driver by prefacing his announcement at the church by slandering Mrs. Driver for "spiritual fornication" yet not given a specific reason but rather an open-ended menu of types of fornication such as beastiality and child molestation.

- Mrs. Driver sues for slander. The pastor then argues in court that this was spiritual fornication because Mrs. Driver, years ago, according to his SIL, wore a "bikini". It now is being reported that this was a one piece suit in which Mrs. Driver was bathing with a mutual female friend and her husband showed up. Mrs. Driver then left the pool.

If this be true ...

and Pastor Fogarty cannot produce any thread of evidence secularly or spiritually of fornication and Mr. Driver's court documented reason for divorce is IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES ...

keeping to this theological paradigm one must conclude that Rev. Fogarty illegitimately married his daughter, by all intents and purposes, with a "married" man ... or at least according to the apostle Paul

a man who should have "stuck it out" or if separated ... NEVER MARRIED.

QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED, IF WE GO BY THESE PARAMETERS :

Does the Executive Board of the UPCI, the Georgia District and First Pentecostal sanction polygamy and/or sexual immorality?

Will James Driver ever be licensed by the UPCI despite its policies?

Are we dealing with a situation in which a married couple had differences as to what it meant to be "in church" ... only to be cut off by her husband,her church family, pastor, et al.?

Does this now redine the UPCI's definition of fornication and/or reason for divorce to mean the wearing of immodest clothing?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by missourimary

...
Good grief. I think the UPC had better hurry along with a resolution to vote that every member SHOULD have a television in their homes. Maybe that would hinder the Pentecostal grapevine and the entertainment derived from such gossip.
...

We had a UPC pastor that said he'd rather see the people get rid of their telephones than their televisions.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by DAII

With the record as it is ... granted Lois is not lying ... nor is this Angela's lawyer either ... also not knowing how long the Drivers were members at Rev. Fogarty's church ...

LET'S REVIEW:

- Mr. Driver, by all accounts, files for DIVORCE ON THE GROUNDS OF IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES. His ex-wife, 7 years his senior, does not want the divorce but as no-fault divorce works she must acquiesce.

- Mr. Driver, within a handful of months, falls in love with his pastor's daughter whose father teaches that the only reason for divorce and remarriage is sexual immorality - specifically adultery.

- The future FIL and pastor announces the romance and engagement of his daughter with Mr. Driver by prefacing his announcement at the church by slandering Mrs. Driver for "spiritual fornication" yet not given a specific reason but rather an open-ended menu of types of fornication such as beastiality and child molestation.

- Mrs. Driver sues for slander. The pastor then argues in court that this was spiritual fornication because Mrs. Driver, years ago, according to his SIL, wore a "bikini". It now is being reported that this was a one piece suit in which Mrs. Driver was bathing with a mutual female friend and her husband showed up. Mrs. Driver then left the pool.

If this be true ...

and Pastor Fogarty cannot produce any thread of evidence secularly or spiritually of fornication and Mr. Driver's court documented reason for divorce is IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES ...

keeping to this theological paradigm one must conclude that Rev. Fogarty illegitimately married his daughter, by all intents and purposes, with a "married" man ... or at least according to the apostle Paul

a man who should have "stuck it out" or if separated ... NEVER MARRIED.

QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED, IF WE GO BY THESE PARAMETERS :

Does the Executive Board of the UPCI, the Georgia District and First Pentecostal sanction polygamy and/or sexual immorality?

Will James Driver ever be licensed by the UPCI despite its policies?

Are we dealing with a situation in which a married couple had differences as to what it meant to be "in church" ... only to be cut off by her husband,her church family, pastor, et al.?

Does this now redine the UPCI's definition of divorce to mean wearing of immodest clothing?

Where did you get these updates,about the type of bathing suit and he situation in which she wore it?

[canam]

Originally Posted by Esther

Wow I did not realize this was a Houston church.

Its not, houston county is in georgia

[mizpeh]

Nevermind, Dan.

http://spiritualabuse.org/experience...k_fogarty.html