sacrificed himself...willing to look like a pedophile so that I might be...bonded to the Father

[Rabrrrrrr]

Another religious nutso claiming to be God/Messiah and forcing his followers to do silly things and no under investigation for possible child molestation.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24440240/

Sayer's younger daughter, using the name "Healed," wrote in a December 2007 posting on the church's Web site: "Michael DID NOT molest me, and my laying with him was not sexual in any way, either. Michael sacrificed himself and was willing to look like a pedophile so that I might be bonded inseparably to the Father in Heaven."

:wtf:

[Droopy]

1. Michael is obviously mentally ill

Why do people fall for those messianic complex types?

[skygazer]

6. What makes you say he's mentally ill?

I get tired of that being trotted out as a reason for people's poor behavior. I know you have your demons, Droopy, and I have mine but they don't make us act in criminal ways. And I don't for a minute believe this guy is mentally ill. I think he's a manipulative asshole who uses people for his own ego, for money and for sex.

[Lyric]

2. I have never heard a teenage girl use the word "inseparably".

Not in normal speech, and not in internet conversation.

I believe this post wasn't the girl at all--it was HIM, or at least him standing behind her telling her what to write, word for word.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. If it's a common word at the compound, I could see her using it.

And it's possible that this particular group uses it - there is a Christian tradition of that word being somewhat important.

I think her statement is legitimately hers - it sounds like the language of a child in a cult; someone who is cloistered from the world and knows and experiences only the language of fellow cultists. And I wouldn't be surprised is a number of adults used that particular phrase around her, about "to be inseparably bound to the father" and that Michael was making a sacrifice to do so.

It's too oddly worded in content and theology not to be the work of a brainwashed child's mind.

[Benfea]

4. Whatever you do, don't arrest him.

Remember how angry conservatives got over David Koresh? If the police try to arrest another religious nutjob child molester, the conservatives are liable to start a civil war.

[Adsos Letter]

5. I thought the name "The Lord Our Righteousness" rang some bells...

This is an heretical offshoot from Seventh-day Adventism (and I am sure the SDA public affairs office is gearing up as we speak).

If you look at their website the borrowing from SDA theology is evident...still, I am absolutely sure the SDA church denounced these guys long ago. Looks like they are from Sand Point, too...

EDITED to ADD: I was born and raised SDA, and have studied the denomination's history and teachings since I began my undergraduate work (I am now starting my second year of Grad school in History).

To simplify a somewhat complicated story, there has been a belief among some elements of the church that, in 1888, the church rejected its mission and apostatized. This has led to numerous offshoots and "historic Adventist" groups who have branched off to pursue what they believe to be the original calling. Most of these groups are unassuming, plain living people who differ with the SDA church on theological grounds, as well as the authority and use of the writings of Ellen G. White.

Differing interpretations and periods of emphasis on "perfectionism" have led to some sexually bizarre offshoots, such as the "Holy Flesh" movement in the last half of the 19th century, and are probably involved somehow in this off-shoots weirdness also.

I am gonna' have to study this group now, and see how they got to where they are...

Just for the record...mainstream Seventh-day Adventism would never countenance this guys weirdness, nor anything that exploits people the way this guy is...his movement is definitely heretical, and quite possibly also criminal.