General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMinnesota minister told girls that ‘God’s word’ made raping them normal
By David Edwards
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 15:09 EDT
Authorities in Minnesota have launched a manhunt for a minister who is facing 59 counts of first-degree sexual assault in cases against girls called Maidens as young as 13.
The Star Tribune reported that authorities announced on Tuesday that the two women who had come forward with allegations against 59-year-old Victor Barnard, the former minister of a cult-like faith community in central Minnesota, were not the only girls raped by the religious leader.
In a phone interview with the paper, one of the women, Lindsay Tornambe, confirmed the details of charges that were filed in court documents by prosecutors.
Tornambe, now 27, said that she met Barnard at the age of 9 as a part of her parents home schooling. At age 11, her family joined the Shepherds Camp. And then, Barnard chose her to be sacrificed to God by raping her at age 13 in 2000.
The rapes continued over the course of nine years.
If I wasnt being spiritual or following his orders, he wouldnt have sex with us, she recalled. If we were doing well, it was almost like he rewarded us.
In the charging documents, the second victim explained how Barnard compared their relationship to Jesus and Mary Magdalene. And he spoke of the concubines of King Solomon. He allegedly told the girls that sex with him was normal because of Gods word.
Tornambe said that she tried to run away at the age of 15, but Barnard threatened her with damnation. So, she decided to stay. But a few years later, she did escape. And in 2012, she reported the ordeal to authorities.
For so many years it seemed like Id never have the chance to
even know who I was
we didnt really have a chance to think for ourselves, she pointed out. We were told what time to get up, what time to go to bed, what we were eating, when we were going to sew.
I definitely dont want Victor hurting anyone else.
A nationwide warrant has been issued for Barnards arrest. He was thought to be hiding in Washington state.
Watch the video below from KMSP, broadcast Feb. 26, 2014.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/04/16/minnesota-minister-told-girls-that-gods-word-made-raping-them-normal/
###
Posted with permission
snooper2
(30,151 posts)tularetom
(23,664 posts)Some of the most gullible people in the world are related to me. Half of them are women. Yet I can't in my wildest imagination, think of one of them that would be stupid enough to fall for something like this.
Its no wonder somebody like Bachmann can get elected in Minnesota.
A HERETIC I AM
(24,368 posts)If one can instill enough guilt in someone, you can get them to believe and do just about anything.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)Initech
(100,076 posts)n/t
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)Boomerproud
(7,952 posts)I wonder if they blame her or themselves. What a disgusting story.
d_b
(7,463 posts)LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)With so many judges, politicians, ministers,and other leaders of society agreeing collectively to one degree or another or another that legitimate rapes run the gamut from not-so-bad to normal, one might begin to believe there is a rape... something, rape grounding? No... rape development? Nope... not that one either.
Rape culture! Yea... that's it.
With so many judges, politicians, ministers,and other leaders of society agreeing collectively to one degree or another or another that legitimate rapes run the gamut from not-so-bad to normal, one might begin to believe there is a rape culture in existence.
AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)it certainly does make you wonder sometimes.
Mister Ed
(5,934 posts)He was a friend of my brother's during their high school days. He was handsome and personable, but, as it turns out, a natural-born con man. By the time they got out of high school, his friends had figured that out about him. My brother and the other guys haven't had any contact with him in thirty-five years now.
flying rabbit
(4,634 posts)innit? Thanks for sharing.
AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)And now I hope they catch this scumbag and lock him up for the rest of his natural life. And maybe, as a bonus, he might even get the occasional smackdown from some of the other prisoners.....he'd certainly have earned it.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)our authoritarian leaders. Being open-minded, questioning authority, etc., should be taught, esp. by parents. Speaking of which, where were the parents? They should be prosecuted for neglect.