Why is it that we love to hear about the fall of Churchmen? And why is it that we hide it behind grave concerns about the victims? Ironically, in such news items the focus is always on the perpetrator of abuse and the victims are mentioned as afterthoughts.

Archbishop Earl Paulk, a self-styled Archbishop of a suburban Atlanta evangelical church has been accused of siring a child by his sister-in-law. The child now heads the Church and is all of 34 years. News Week reports that previously too allegations of sexual misconduct were brought against Earl Paulk. Now his illegitimate son Pastor D.E. Paulk heads the Church. The illegitimacy came to light after a court-ordered paternity suit. Apostasy Alert also reports how Earl justified his wrong-doings by labelling himself God.

The flesh is weak, the spirit is willing. Being flawed is the basis of being human. So it should not be surprising that another Churchman has fallen. What surprises me is the speed at which Christianity condemns its own. Do the reporters have the guts to criticize those men who routinely beat women as part of their religious doctrine? Does the Western world hit out at the Saudi judges who very recently ordered a rape victim’s whipping? She has been found guilty of venturing alone in the streets and thus inviting rape. Do the western media start a circus when a crazed cleric blames women for preventing men from sleeping? No, never. Why not? Christianity is a soft target. The so called secular-intellectuals can sit in their arm-chairs and rant. There is more juice in the peccadilloes of clerics than in the blasting away of Buddhas in Pakistan. Fatwas are potent weapons for silencing people.

It is in the light of this biased criticism that we should see this disgusting episode in holy matters. It is no doubt a matter of great shame for the Archbishop, and one wonders whether he has the sense to fathom the extent of his wrong-doing. Also, his church is often termed cult-like. This is a matter of concern. Christianity as a Faith will not last if it keeps dividing. The Catholic Church is the best model to follow as far unity is concerned. Divided religions give rise to cults and have no power to withstand more aggressively proselytizing forces.

I do not go into what steps can or should be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring. I believe that nothing really can be done to prevent mortal sin. Sin is a part of us, socially and individually. According to the Christian faith, Christ accepts our sinfulness and chose to die for us. This proves that as long as we remain human we keep sinning. And it is not possible to be divine in this life. We can only pray for the errant clergy-men.

Via: News Week

Image: Apostasy Alert
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