This blog features observations from Randy Turner, a former teacher, newspaper reporter and editor. Send news items or comments to rturner229@hotmail.com
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
KY3 provides additional information on sentence
According to a report just issued on KY3:
Circuit Judge Mark Orr sentenced a man from Branson to two consecutive life prison sentences for having sexual relations with boys. Peter Newman also received three concurrent 30-year sentences and three seven-year sentences.
19 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I have read all the comments listed on this blog, even prior to sentencing.
Just remember to support his wife and child- they did nothing wrong and are themselves victims. Pray for them and come along side them a the body of Christ. Their pain will last for years to come as well while they experience the death of what they thought they had in a husband and spouse. Their dreams and lives have abruptly taken a new course without their choosing and because of someone else's choices.
Remember too, that God was in the ministry at the camp. Not everything was bad just because this man sinned. Remember all the good things God did through this camp and in the lives of those who attended. Some people may actually have grown out of this ministry because God is bigger than this sin.
You have absolutely NO idea in hell what some of the innocent children went through and WILL go through for life because of this satanic pedophile.
Do NOT contribute any of this EVIL to saying some people may actually have grown out of this ministry!!
Yes, God is bigger than any sin. But to say that some people may have grown out of this is simply WRONG! Some people have fallen away because of it, and the impact that it has had on their families and children. I am sorry to say that trust from a person that represented to the young an example of how a Christian should live and act has been deeply scarred.
As a former kanakuk employee and kamper of Pete's, and having followed this entire thing on this website from start to finish, having read all the comments, I have this to say: I am disgusted with every person on here who continually condemns Pete to hell. The man has a problem and deserves a life in prison away from all young boys - yes, I completely agree.
At the same time though, as Christians (and I'm assuming most of you are "Christians"), we are taught our sins have caused us to fall away from God, no matter how big or small. We all have our closet sins, our idols, the things that we selfishly live for over the Creator, our heavenly Father. The fact of the matter is: we need Jesus just as much as Pete does. And what's more, I don't know whether Pete still does have a faith in God or not, but if he does, if he is STILL a Christian, who is screwed up like the rest of us, then we should not only be praying for those who were hurt in this case, for the victims, victims families, and Pete's family, but for HIM. Pray that he grows from this experience, that his faith is deepened, and that he might actually go out and TRULY pursue Christ and push people more towards our Mighty God without anterior motives anymore.
Pray for the victims and their parents. Pray for Pete's Family. And pray for PETE. Jesus did not come for the healthy, but for the sick: the people who are enslaved by their sin. Pete needs Jesus like you and me. God is bigger than Pete's sin. PRAY for him as he sits in jail. I believe Jesus would want us to do nothing less than this... - Austin
You may think the anger people feel and express is "unchristianlike"...but, your condemnation and judgement of everyone who feels the need to express this anger is just as unchristianlike.
God will forgive all of our anger and your disgust. Your sin is just as great as mine.
Hey Austin? You're right to be passionate about Pete's rehabilitation and the cause of his repentance. You're wrong to condemn anyone for righteous indignation at the lives he destroyed.
Anything less than vocal, strong condemnation of Pete's sin ignores the Biblical principle that it would have been better for a millstone to have been tied to Pete's neck and for him to have been thrown into lake Taneycomo than for him to do what he did. And if/when Pete and Jesus are back on the same page, he'll believe that, too.
Austin, Are you serious? Can you actually believe that God would want you to choose this moment in time to pass judgement on those who are experiencing some of the worst pain and emotional distress they will most likely ever experience in their life? I am with Ross. I understand your passion. But, your lack of Christian compassion is not helping your argument for prayer and forgiveness. One of the hardest parts of witnessing to others is choosing the opportune time to talk with others about your beliefs and God...the time where they are ready to hear what you have to say.
Also, I don't see any comments from people condemning Pete to Hell. I see a lot of people agreeing with the prison sentence, a lot of anger and sadness, and a lot of people hoping he never comes within 10 feet of any young boys ever again. But, no one has said "Gee, I hope he burns in Hell."
To Everyone whom I have offended with my comments, My words were strong, and perhaps not justly. I just continually see over and over people saying "Good riddance" to a fallen brother, knowing my heart bears the same blood, evil intension, and ability to sin, and my immediate reaction goes out to the families whom were hurt and humiliated, but then my compassionate heart goes to Pete and cries that he repent on the foot of the Cross.
I have been praying all parties, including Pete, and yet, no one seems to be doing the same (at least not in word on here for Pete). On this board, we seem to have dehumanized Pete. He is STILL human, even though it may not feel like it. Satan has came and twisted something good Pete had and turned it evil. This can happen with so many different things in my life and in your life. It's Satan's favorite thing to do.
I am not condemning you all in any way, but simply asking why we aren't praying for him too? I cannot help but get the image of the adulterous woman out of my head when hearing all of this about Pete. Let me say again he is WRONG in his actions and should be punished with Life in Prison. But I do not think Jesus would not throw him to the Lions. He would allow him to see his sin and call him to repent, and I believe he calls us to pray for him as he is still a brother.
The families involved as DEVASTATED, and will need counselling for years to come, and will need an abundant amount of prayer. But, the point of my post is this: Pete needs prayer too. Pray for our fallen brother that he might turn, repent, and be used by Christ while in Prison for the rest of his life. - Austin
There have been some "burn in hell"-type comments on here over the time since these charges were filed, and justifiably so. I'm a typically sweet-natured, optimistic camp mom who "knew" Pete for years, and when I read the entirety of both probable cause statements last year detailing the accusations by the victims of what Pete said and did to them I felt like I could have done serious bodily harm to him. I'm sure I'm not alone.
I have seen a few comments of the "rot in hell" variety on this blog and others directed at Newman. Having said that, I think the emotion behind it is understandable.
Austin, you sound young...perspectives change when you have children. I only prayed for a fair sentence in the judicial system, and that has happened.
Now, this moves to other jurisdictions and civil suits. It's still productive to allow the victims and families to "feel" their feelings and process all that has happened to them.
Pointing fingers at others, and admonishment (I'm a "better" Christian than you) simply isn't productive. God will deal with Pete Newman.
I strongly feel very sorry for his wife and child ...
however, many Christian Fundamentalists turn a blind and naive eye to homosexuality. From all accounts, Pete was obviously gay just was and is Ted Haggard. As a mainline Christian, I truly believe that there are gay (and very spiritual) people in this world. Most choose not to hide behind a traditional marriage as Pete did while destroying his wife and child by doing so. No one else is guilty.
Personally, I am apalled that the Kanakuk for profit ownership held onto Pete even after they knew what he really was because he was a "rainmaker" for them (even though it was so obvious to so many of Pete's true sexual orientation).
Of course, Pete is not the first high profile person in SW MIssouri to be leading an alternative lifestyle and remaining "loyal" to conservative Republican values. We have just come to expect it here and in other parts of the southern belt.
Further, as terrible as the things are that Ted Haggard did, he did not have sex with children. Remember, Pete's victims are children (think about how young an 11 year old is!). I would think that all the gay people in the world would be highly offended that you would compare them having feelings for and entering into relationships with adults of their own gender as the same thing as having sex with children.
Unfortunately, I did not express myself very well in my writing. I had no intention of comparing a gay lifetsyle (which I have no issue with) with that of pedophiles. My apologies.
WHether he was gay or not has NOTHING to do with his calculated decisions to repeatedly abuse children "in the dark" while posing as a Christian leader.
19 comments:
I have read all the comments listed on this blog, even prior to sentencing.
Just remember to support his wife and child- they did nothing wrong and are themselves victims. Pray for them and come along side them a the body of Christ. Their pain will last for years to come as well while they experience the death of what they thought they had in a husband and spouse. Their dreams and lives have abruptly taken a new course without their choosing and because of someone else's choices.
Remember too, that God was in the ministry at the camp. Not everything was bad just because this man sinned. Remember all the good things God did through this camp and in the lives of those who attended. Some people may actually have grown out of this ministry because God is bigger than this sin.
Also remember
Please don't tell others what to remember to do.
You have absolutely NO idea in hell what some of the innocent children went through and WILL go through for life because of this satanic pedophile.
Do NOT contribute any of this EVIL to saying some people may actually have grown out of this ministry!!
Yes, God is bigger than any sin. But to say that some people may have grown out of this is simply WRONG!
Some people have fallen away because of it, and the impact that it has had on their families and children. I am sorry to say that trust from a person that represented to the young an example of how a Christian should live and act has been deeply scarred.
Thank you, Judge Mark Orr!
God bless you!
I'm loving Judge Orr right now. He "gets" it.
As a former kanakuk employee and kamper of Pete's, and having followed this entire thing on this website from start to finish, having read all the comments, I have this to say: I am disgusted with every person on here who continually condemns Pete to hell. The man has a problem and deserves a life in prison away from all young boys - yes, I completely agree.
At the same time though, as Christians (and I'm assuming most of you are "Christians"), we are taught our sins have caused us to fall away from God, no matter how big or small. We all have our closet sins, our idols, the things that we selfishly live for over the Creator, our heavenly Father. The fact of the matter is: we need Jesus just as much as Pete does. And what's more, I don't know whether Pete still does have a faith in God or not, but if he does, if he is STILL a Christian, who is screwed up like the rest of us, then we should not only be praying for those who were hurt in this case, for the victims, victims families, and Pete's family, but for HIM. Pray that he grows from this experience, that his faith is deepened, and that he might actually go out and TRULY pursue Christ and push people more towards our Mighty God without anterior motives anymore.
Pray for the victims and their parents. Pray for Pete's Family. And pray for PETE. Jesus did not come for the healthy, but for the sick: the people who are enslaved by their sin. Pete needs Jesus like you and me. God is bigger than Pete's sin. PRAY for him as he sits in jail. I believe Jesus would want us to do nothing less than this...
- Austin
You may think the anger people feel and express is "unchristianlike"...but, your condemnation and judgement of everyone who feels the need to express this anger is just as unchristianlike.
God will forgive all of our anger and your disgust. Your sin is just as great as mine.
Hey Austin? You're right to be passionate about Pete's rehabilitation and the cause of his repentance. You're wrong to condemn anyone for righteous indignation at the lives he destroyed.
Anything less than vocal, strong condemnation of Pete's sin ignores the Biblical principle that it would have been better for a millstone to have been tied to Pete's neck and for him to have been thrown into lake Taneycomo than for him to do what he did. And if/when Pete and Jesus are back on the same page, he'll believe that, too.
-Ross (also a former all-the-things-you-said)
Thank you Ross.
The last thing any victim, victim's family or even concerned needs to worry about now is Ausin's "disgust" with us all.
We have way more emotions to deal with...that are way more important than Austin's judgement of our feelings.
God loves me. I know this.
Austin,
Are you serious? Can you actually believe that God would want you to choose this moment in time to pass judgement on those who are experiencing some of the worst pain and emotional distress they will most likely ever experience in their life? I am with Ross. I understand your passion. But, your lack of Christian compassion is not helping your argument for prayer and forgiveness.
One of the hardest parts of witnessing to others is choosing the opportune time to talk with others about your beliefs and God...the time where they are ready to hear what you have to say.
This is not the opportune time.
Also, I don't see any comments from people condemning Pete to Hell. I see a lot of people agreeing with the prison sentence, a lot of anger and sadness, and a lot of people hoping he never comes within 10 feet of any young boys ever again. But, no one has said "Gee, I hope he burns in Hell."
Unless, I have missed a post somewhere.
To Everyone whom I have offended with my comments,
My words were strong, and perhaps not justly. I just continually see over and over people saying "Good riddance" to a fallen brother, knowing my heart bears the same blood, evil intension, and ability to sin, and my immediate reaction goes out to the families whom were hurt and humiliated, but then my compassionate heart goes to Pete and cries that he repent on the foot of the Cross.
I have been praying all parties, including Pete, and yet, no one seems to be doing the same (at least not in word on here for Pete). On this board, we seem to have dehumanized Pete. He is STILL human, even though it may not feel like it. Satan has came and twisted something good Pete had and turned it evil. This can happen with so many different things in my life and in your life. It's Satan's favorite thing to do.
I am not condemning you all in any way, but simply asking why we aren't praying for him too? I cannot help but get the image of the adulterous woman out of my head when hearing all of this about Pete. Let me say again he is WRONG in his actions and should be punished with Life in Prison. But I do not think Jesus would not throw him to the Lions. He would allow him to see his sin and call him to repent, and I believe he calls us to pray for him as he is still a brother.
The families involved as DEVASTATED, and will need counselling for years to come, and will need an abundant amount of prayer. But, the point of my post is this: Pete needs prayer too. Pray for our fallen brother that he might turn, repent, and be used by Christ while in Prison for the rest of his life.
- Austin
There have been some "burn in hell"-type comments on here over the time since these charges were filed, and justifiably so. I'm a typically sweet-natured, optimistic camp mom who "knew" Pete for years, and when I read the entirety of both probable cause statements last year detailing the accusations by the victims of what Pete said and did to them I felt like I could have done serious bodily harm to him. I'm sure I'm not alone.
I have seen a few comments of the "rot in hell" variety on this blog and others directed at Newman. Having said that, I think the emotion behind it is understandable.
Austin, you sound young...perspectives change when you have children. I only prayed for a fair sentence in the judicial system, and that has happened.
Now, this moves to other jurisdictions and civil suits. It's still productive to allow the victims and families to "feel" their feelings and process all that has happened to them.
Pointing fingers at others, and admonishment (I'm a "better" Christian than you) simply isn't productive. God will deal with Pete Newman.
Was Katie, or any of the Galloways, present today in the courtroom?
Did the Buttons testify on his behalf?
Well said Amanda.
I strongly feel very sorry for his wife and child ...
however, many Christian Fundamentalists turn a blind and naive eye to homosexuality. From all accounts, Pete was obviously gay just was and is Ted Haggard. As a mainline Christian, I truly believe that there are gay (and very spiritual) people in this world. Most choose not to hide behind a traditional marriage as Pete did while destroying his wife and child by doing so. No one else is guilty.
Personally, I am apalled that the Kanakuk for profit ownership held onto Pete even after they knew what he really was because he was a "rainmaker" for them (even though it was so obvious to so many of Pete's true sexual orientation).
Of course, Pete is not the first high profile person in SW MIssouri to be leading an alternative lifestyle and remaining "loyal" to conservative Republican values. We have just come to expect it here and in other parts of the southern belt.
Wait till 60 Minutes gets a hold of this.
Further, as terrible as the things are that Ted Haggard did, he did not have sex with children. Remember, Pete's victims are children (think about how young an 11 year old is!). I would think that all the gay people in the world would be highly offended that you would compare them having feelings for and entering into relationships with adults of their own gender as the same thing as having sex with children.
Unfortunately, I did not express myself very well in my writing. I had no intention of comparing a gay lifetsyle (which I have no issue with) with that of pedophiles. My apologies.
WHether he was gay or not has NOTHING to do with his calculated decisions to repeatedly abuse children "in the dark" while posing as a Christian leader.
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