Sherman Allen
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Claims to fame: “Prosperity Gospel” Pentecostal senior pastor, Shiloh Institutional Church of God in Christ, Fort Worth, Texas; voodoo priest; accused rapist and abuser
Moral apex: There’s just so much to choose from… but if pressed, we’d have to say anally raping a church member with a wooden club — although the constant beatings of this woman, and more than 20 other members of his flock (according to the alleged victims) over the course of more than two decades run a very close second.
(You realize we have to say “alleged,” right, until he’s actually been convicted of something? Not that that means we don’t believe it’s all true; we just don’t want to get sued for libel.)
Julie Lyons of The Dallas Observer has, so far, covered the whole revolting and downright weird story better than anyone.
What’s worse: Over more than two decades, numerous complaints were made to the Church of God in Christ about Allen’s behavior, and nothing was done.
One victim explained why she put up with Allen’s abuse: “I really felt like he was doing what God told him.”
Where things stand now: Allen was suspended from his “pastoral duties” — and promptly began fighting the suspension; he says that his church had was never officially a COGIC church, so he doesn’t have to abide by COGIC “discipline.” He’s also fighting lawsuits by a couple of his victims.
What does Allen have to say about the allegations against him? Of course, he denies everything. He won’t talk to the press, his lawyers consistently decline to comment, and he pleaded the Fifth (to every question) in a recent deposition.
Suggested Bible reading for Mr. Allen:
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.— 2 Peter 2:1
