Unmasked blogger blames First Baptist, Sheriff's Office

[copperfiend]

Don't allow this to get swept under the rug. I wish him the best.

[reednavy]

That mail and stalker piece is such a crock of shyt. I hope this detective loses his job and pension, save us some money. The SA should get slapped with at least a reprimand or more.

[Shwaz]

Here comes the civil suit!

http://www.news4jax.com/news/20161425/detail.html

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The controversy started on a blog called fbcjaxwatchdog and now the man behind the blog has filed a defamation lawsuit against his former church.

Thomas Rich was unhappy with things going on in the church when Mac Brunson took over as the new pastor. Rich is suing his former church and Brunson for reasons that include defamation and fraud.

“Mr. Rich feels that it's his civic duty and religious duty,” said attorney Michael Roberts. “He's had to leave the church because of what they've done.”

Roberts said his client was airing out grievances on his blog when they claim First Baptist asked a church-goer, who happens to be a member of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, to find out who was responsible for the then anonymous blog. Rich was essentially "outed" as the blogger.

In a statement from Rich he writes, "then they found out my identity, they never once contacted me according to scripture and their church teachings, but had trespass warnings delivered to me and my wife.”

“It's created other problems at his new church,” Roberts said. “We believe First Baptist has contacted his new church asking that church to somehow sanction Mr. Rich.”

The suit cites an article from the Florida Times Union where it said Pastor Brunson described Rich as "(1) obsessive compulsive (2) unstable and (3) a sociopath."

“Tom Rich is not a sociopath,” Roberts said. “I invite anyone to go to this blog.”

The church released the following statement:

“Despite numerous efforts by the church to facilitate resolution privately and in accordance with Holy Scripture, Mr. Rich has been unwilling to participate. Having made every effort to settle this matter biblically, the Church stands ready to have the matter addressed according to law, though this is not, and never has been our desire.”

“Their side of the story will be able to be told, but we believe the facts will show that they made mistakes, serious mistakes,” said Roberts. “And they weren't honest mistakes, they were intended to hurt Mr. Rich.”

[copperfiend]

I'm more concerned with what the Sheriff's Office did than the church.

[Shwaz]

I'm more concerned with what the Sheriff's Office did than the church.

I think: "The suit cites an article from the Florida Times Union where it said Pastor Brunson described Rich as "(1) obsessive compulsive (2) unstable and (3) a sociopath." - raises concern that FBC one of the most powerful entities in Jax is capable of such slander.

[copperfiend]

Don't get me wrong. I am disgusted by both. I hope he gets everything he can from FBC. I think it is very inappropriate for a church pastor to refer to someone as a "sociopath".

[macbeth25]

I have a question about another church's activities.  Again, I've tried to find this "thread" but have had no luck.
 
I tried searching for a headline: "Islam is of the devil," but I can't find it on Metro Jacksonville.  It's shown up elsewhere.  I believe it is wrong for a church to post a sign (they may have taken it down by now) which says "Islam is of the devil."

I think it is wrong to say such a thing about a religion, a people or a way of life.  My opinion is that in posting such a sign, that church may well be doing the work of Satan unaware since one of his principles, or so I've read, is to create discord among others so that his works won't be noticed as well.

[reednavy]

I have a question about another church's activities.  Again, I've tried to find this "thread" but have had no luck.
 
I tried searching for a headline: "Islam is of the devil," but I can't find it on Metro Jacksonville.  It's shown up elsewhere.  I believe it is wrong for a church to post a sign (they may have taken it down by now) which says "Islam is of the devil."

I think it is wrong to say such a thing about a religion, a people or a way of life.  My opinion is that in posting such a sign, that church may well be doing the work of Satan unaware since one of his principles, or so I've read, is to create discord among others so that his works won't be noticed as well.

Wth does this have to do with this FBC lawsuit?

In addition to FBC, I'd consider filing suit against the JSO officer as well, because what he did was totally out of line and an abuse of power.

[Shwaz]

I have a question about another church's activities.  Again, I've tried to find this "thread" but have had no luck.
 
I tried searching for a headline: "Islam is of the devil," but I can't find it on Metro Jacksonville.  It's shown up elsewhere.  I believe it is wrong for a church to post a sign (they may have taken it down by now) which says "Islam is of the devil."

I think it is wrong to say such a thing about a religion, a people or a way of life.  My opinion is that in posting such a sign, that church may well be doing the work of Satan unaware since one of his principles, or so I've read, is to create discord among others so that his works won't be noticed as well.

Wth does this have to do with this FBC lawsuit?

In addition to FBC, I'd consider filing suit against the JSO officer as well, because what he did was totally out of line and an abuse of power.

That ship has sailed. JSO has stood behind the officers actions and found them with in the law. However a civil suit vs FBC should be an easy win.

[macbeth25]

Nothing, really.  Have you seen the comment elsewhere on Metro Jacksonville?  Perhaps I can start a new thread.  I think it would be worth discussing, though probably not here.

[reednavy]

Nothing, really.  Have you seen the comment elsewhere on Metro Jacksonville?  Perhaps I can start a new thread.  I think it would be worth discussing, though probably not here.

I was gunna say this site probably isn't the best to discuss a religious quote like the one you're trying to find.

[reednavy]

That ship has sailed. JSO has stood behind the officers actions and found them with in the law. However a civil suit vs FBC should be an easy win.

Pfft, of course they'd stand behind him. IMO, he was abusing his power, but what can we say.

Anyways, anyone else hear about the Westboro nuts protesting last weekend outside FBC? I thought it was kinda funny actually, only when referring to the FBC, not the other stuff they love to slander.

[brainstormer]

I didn't see much news coverage of the Westboro Cult, which is awesome because that is what they feed on.  I'm hoping their lack of news coverage and personal engagement here will make them discouraged and they will go elsewhere.  When I lived in WI, they spent a good part of a year protesting military funerals all over the state until a law was passed making it illegal to protest at a funeral.  That sent them packing.

[DavidWilliams]

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-09-17/story/jacksonvilles_first_baptist_church_seeks_to_dismiss_blogger%E2%80%99s_suit

[reednavy]

God I hope FBC gets the book thrown at them.