Gun-waving sermon lands pastor in pokey

[brooklynite]

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (AP) - The pastor of a Mount Airy church accused of brandishing a gun as part of his sermon is free on bond after being charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

Jerry Wayne "Dusty" Whitaker, 58, of Mount Airy, was convicted in Virginia in 1990 of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm during drug trafficking.

Members of Whitaker's Victory Baptist Church say they had no knowledge of his criminal background. Whitaker told them he was a retired Virginia state police officer and a retired U.S. marshal who was injured in the line of duty, said Garry Scearce, trustee chairman at Victory Baptist.

...snip...

Whitaker was arrested during church services Sunday. He was released Monday after posting a $20,000 bond.

http://dwb.newsobserver.com/24hour/weird/story/3433736p-12597286c.html

Hallelujah!

[GreenZoneLT]

1. That's Andy Griffith's hometown

Mount Airy is the inspiration for fictional Mayberry. Maybe he was illustrating how God wants you to keep your spiritual bullet in your pocket, until it's time for the salvation showdown with Satan.

[rug]

4. Otis is glad he posted bond.

[yellowcanine]

2. I have heard of not checking references, but that is ridiculous.

Pastors are around young people and kids. Shouldn't they do at least some minimal checking before hiring the guy?

[Ganja Ninja]

3. Not everyone can carry off the preaching scam like Falwell,

Dobson or Robertson. Hopefully he's isn't messing with the young boys.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. I bet the church is Talibangelical and the pastor votes Republican

Ah, love those conservative values. :rofl:

[Ian David]

6. Well, it's not like he was having sex with a gay meth-pushing hooker? n/t

[LilyLibber]

7. "Praise the lord and pass the ammunition...

and pass the pastor the cash for that coke..." :eyes: I cannot believe they didn't check his background and find out about his criminal drug-dealing!