I don't mean to be curt but...: Anti-Gay "Pastor" Turns Himself In For Fraud, Theft

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Anti-Gay "Pastor" Turns Himself In For Fraud, Theft

via Towleroad News #gay by Andrew Belonsky on 9/29/11

Remember Harris Himes?

He's the president of Montana's Eagle Forum who called homosexuality an "abomination" and testified to stop that state's cities from enacting non-discrimination legislation.

Well, activist D Gregory Smith informs us that Himes has been charged with six felonies, including theft and fraud for allegedly bilking an associate of $150,000 to fund a phony company.

While many of us cheer the downfall of our ideological enemies, Smith teaches us why we should have more class:

If Himes is guilty, it means that he separates personal and public morality in a way that's of personality disorder proportions.

If he's guilty, it means that he has a narcissistic ability to separate himself from the message of morality he presents as a pastor in the Christian tradition. He's exempt.

If he's guilty, it's more than simple hypocrisy- it means that the Ten Commandments have not been internalized- they don't apply to him. Arguably, there are many interpretations to the scriptures, but most scholars agree that when it is written,"Thou Shalt Not Steal" there's really not much wiggle room.
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Now here comes the bittersweet part: I also feel sorry for the guy. I can't help it.

If he's able to separate himself so completely from his message, then he probably has a mental illness. He probably hasn't formed life-giving attachments in his life. He probably never progressed very far developmentally- the tormented kid on the playground who becomes the bully when he has a little bit of power- and religion gives pastors more than just a little bit. The cycle of abuse, continued.

According to The Missoulian, Himes and a partner, Jeb Bryant, told a potential investor they owned a business, received the aforementioned investment and then ran off with the dough.

Himes also apparently stretched the truth about being a pastor: "Himes claims to have been ordained as a pastor by Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel, where he served for a few years, said Pastor Kevin Horton. But Himes split from the chapel, Horton said, and proclaimed himself pastor of the Big Sky Christian Center, which lists its address as Himes' post office box."