Wow. You must really be an unhappy person to pick on someone's spelling mistakes while they're going through a difficult time. Your comments are distasteful. Voicing your opinions is certainly your right, but if you expect others to respect your views, perhaps you should begin respecting the rights of others to have theirs.
First of all, let me make it clear that I am not condoning victimization of any kind. I simply cannot believe that these allegations are true. And, I have every right to feel that way. Second, I think it's highly offensive to you to call me and my fellow parishoners "dopes" in any case. Third, we worship and give offerings to God, not to Pastor Giffin. Finally, whether the allegations are true or not, there are countless victims - Pastor Giffin and his family that have to go through this, the accuser and her family that have to go through this, and every single member of our congregation who have had their spiritual lives affected by this. We all feel a sense of loss.
I fully support the comments that bee1012 has made. I am 30 and would have been in high school during the time the alleged acts were occurring. I also was on numerous weekend retreats, senior high youth trips, and other church events with Pastor Giffin, and never, not even once, did I witness anything in appropriate. I have known Paster Giffin for 20 years now. He has done too many things for my family to count, and I am forever grateful to have him in my life. He has been a rock to our congregation. His decisions have always been in what he viewed as the best interest for our parish, and as parishoners, we have a responsibility to trust in the difficult decisions made by the person God brought to lead us. Ron Novak's quote makes Paster Giffin sound arrogant and bull-headed, which are two qualities I have never known him to be. He has dedicated his life and career to our parish. What concerns me most is what triggered these allegations. Why, after 12-15 years, would someone come forward to destroy a man's reputation? It makes no sense. If the accuser lives out of the state and is no longer in contact, what would cause this to suddenly become an issue? This is a painful time for our chuch, and there are too many victims of this whole debacle. My most fervent hope is that this can be resolved peacefully. My thoughts are with Pastor Giffin and his family.
Former pastor Giffin faces 6 rape charges
Wow. You must really be an unhappy person to pick on someone's spelling mistakes while they're going through a difficult time. Your comments are distasteful. Voicing your opinions is certainly your right, but if you expect others to respect your views, perhaps you should begin respecting the rights of others to have theirs.
February 20, 2009 at 1:20 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Former pastor Giffin faces 6 rape charges
First of all, let me make it clear that I am not condoning victimization of any kind. I simply cannot believe that these allegations are true. And, I have every right to feel that way. Second, I think it's highly offensive to you to call me and my fellow parishoners "dopes" in any case. Third, we worship and give offerings to God, not to Pastor Giffin. Finally, whether the allegations are true or not, there are countless victims - Pastor Giffin and his family that have to go through this, the accuser and her family that have to go through this, and every single member of our congregation who have had their spiritual lives affected by this. We all feel a sense of loss.
February 20, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Former pastor Giffin faces 6 rape charges
I fully support the comments that bee1012 has made. I am 30 and would have been in high school during the time the alleged acts were occurring. I also was on numerous weekend retreats, senior high youth trips, and other church events with Pastor Giffin, and never, not even once, did I witness anything in appropriate. I have known Paster Giffin for 20 years now. He has done too many things for my family to count, and I am forever grateful to have him in my life. He has been a rock to our congregation. His decisions have always been in what he viewed as the best interest for our parish, and as parishoners, we have a responsibility to trust in the difficult decisions made by the person God brought to lead us. Ron Novak's quote makes Paster Giffin sound arrogant and bull-headed, which are two qualities I have never known him to be. He has dedicated his life and career to our parish. What concerns me most is what triggered these allegations. Why, after 12-15 years, would someone come forward to destroy a man's reputation? It makes no sense. If the accuser lives out of the state and is no longer in contact, what would cause this to suddenly become an issue? This is a painful time for our chuch, and there are too many victims of this whole debacle. My most fervent hope is that this can be resolved peacefully. My thoughts are with Pastor Giffin and his family.
February 20, 2009 at 10:23 a.m. permalink suggest removal