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Subscribe to RSSAn Oregon pastor, upset with online comments made by former church members, sues four former parishioners, seeking $500,000 for defamation. KGW's Wayne Havrelly reports.
An Oregon mother of seven is being sued for defamation by her former church over critical comments she made online.
Julie Anne Smith, a stay-at-home mom who home-schools her children, said church members began shunning her and her family after they left Beaverton Grace Bible Church almost four years ago.
She took to the Web in October 2009 to air her concerns about the church's practices on Google reviews, but said her comments kept being pushed down by other church members' more recent reviews. So in February of this year, Smith launched a blog called Beaverton Grace Bible Church Survivors to counteract what she called the "cat and mouse game" on Google.
"My primary issue was to discuss spiritual abuse in the church,” Smith told msnbc.com. “In essence, the legal suit is [O'Neal's] attempt of continuing that spiritual abuse.”
But days after Smith launched her blog, pastor Charles O'Neal filed a $500,000 lawsuit against Smith, her daughter and three other former church members, claiming some of the comments posted online amounted to defamation. O'Neal has been the pastor of the church for 13 years.
"We have not gone hastily to court," O'Neal said in a statement released to msnbc.com. "For three and a half years this group has been engaged in a public, church to church, and World Wide Web defamation, showing their willingness to discredit God, harm the church, harm wives, harm children, and harm the testimony of Christ's Gospel."
"It is BGBC's firm conviction that this cannot continue," he added.
In reaction to O'Neal's lawsuit, Smith's attorney filed an anti-SLAPP motion to dismiss the suit. The motion, which is meant to protect individuals sued for exercising their constitutionally protected rights, will go before a judge on May 21.
Defamation lawsuits triggered by online comments are not unusual, but they typically involve businesses, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Aden Fine told msnbc.com.
"It’s very clear, especially in the age of the Internet, that companies don’t like to be criticized and don’t want the world to see this criticism, and so many companies have been very aggressive about suing people for criticizing them," Fine said.
"The result will be that people will be afraid of posting critical comments on the Internet," he said, adding that he expects these kinds of lawsuits to happen more even frequently in the future.
Smith, who used to play piano at the Beaverton church, said she and her family were asked to leave the congregation in November 2008, but it was almost a year before she took her grievances online. Church leaders, however, deny ever asking the Smiths to leave and claim her family left of their own accord.
“When you’re in a cult or a spiritually abusive place, your brain takes a while to process, to uncover all of that stuff that was going on, so I was kinda stewing,” she said. "Things were coming clear to me.”
Shunned?
Smith said the shunning by church members was so extreme that one of them even skidded out of a grocery parking lot to avoid her. "They treat you worse than a stranger," she said. "It just seems so cruel.”
She said her eldest daughter, Hannah, even left home about 4.5 years ago because she no longer wanted anything to do with the church. "My daughter willingly gave up many things to protect her sanity and leave the place that was emotionally killing her," Smith wrote on her blog.
Smith said she tried calling and emailing the church to resolve the conflict, but received no response.
The decision to eventually start posting reviews on Google came “out of desperation.”
"The mama bear in me came out," she said.
According to the complaint filed by the pastor, the defamatory statements included claims that O'Neal had "chosen to mislead the congregation" and "destroy relationships." Other messages quoted in the filing say the pastor is an example of "narcissism in the pulpit," and the church is "creepy" and uses "control tactics" for "spiritual abuse."
"You will be fine at this church if you never question the elders or pastor," the filing quotes another statement as saying.
Other comments Smith reportedly posted online state the church is "very destructive and disturbing."
"Leaders of cults convince their people that their church is the only true place to be..." and "turn a blind eye to known sex offenders in the church," Smith reportedly posted on Jan. 4.
O'Neal's attorney told msnbc.com in an email that the latter claim is "the second worst thing that any pastor can be accused of."
Court documents revealed the sex offender claim refers to a mentally disabled teenage church member who allegedly touched one of his sisters inappropriately. His family brought the matter up with the pastor, who said the boy "was never again allowed in the church nursery and never allowed to be alone in the company of children around the church.”
Smith said some of her statements were taken out of context in the filing, but she said she stands by everything she wrote.
Abuse 'unfounded'
Court filings state that another defendant, Meaghan Varela, allegedly made accusations of child abuse against the pastor, which led to a December 2008 visit from the Oregon Department of Human Services. The social worker informed O'Neal's daughter that someone also reported that pornography was being distributed to children at church.
"The allegations of child abuse filed by Meaghan Varela were extremely painful to my family," O'Neal's daughter said in a statement.
The DHS concluded that the child abuse allegations were "unfounded," court papers say.
ACLU's Fine said the court will look at whether the defendants' statements qualify as opinions or assertions of fact. Opinions are protected under free speech law.
Smith told msnbc.com she received messages of support from church members, and some told her they would like to post online about their own concerns but they're afraid.
"They've seen what happened to me," Smith said. "[O'Neal] sued me."
“He’s trying to bully people," she added.
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Both parties seem to be at fault here. She should have just let it go and gone to a different church. Churches love having new members from "that other" church.
msnbc strikes again, deleted upon posting.
If she made comments specific to situations then I assume she has some proof or something with which to back up such claims - if so she'll get to present them during the trial.
However, it is also possible that she is someone who is just mad about something and can't just walk away and had to start a lot of stuff and say things and now its coming back to bite her.
I don't know the facts and neither does anyone posting here (unless you are in that church and even then you may or may not know everything) so let's see what evidence she has to back up her claims and we'll see what the church has to defend themselves.
But you have to admit, it is odd that the church is bringing a civil suit for a monetary judgement. If they're right, then the Mom committed fraud, this is a criminal case, and the DA should investigate and prosecute if there are any grounds.
A civil proceeding will not require the church to undergo much scrutiny, but it will put the burden of proof on the Mom. It makes me think that the church really doesn't want anyone looking into their business, which a DA would be required to do.
Another fruitcake church that in the end will take the money and run and try to bury the truth with a bible lesson. How can people be so stupid. I hope everyone takes as fact what she said to protect their children and get out!
Religion is a b@tch isnt it! I left "the church" several years ago and won't go back.....similar story to this. We sat the leaders of the very large DFW area church down and told them in no uncertain terms, that if they started a single rumor, a lawsuit would follow. Others that had left were talked about by the leadership...they are sinners, they have fallen into sin, their marriage is weak, their faith is weak, they are not committed, they don't care, on and on. We were youth pastors....volunteers, cause I wont take money for telling some about Christ, the church leadership was very well paid and after being exposed to "behind the scenes" we had to leave. I will NOT attend organized named church anymore. I study, pray and live life to the fullest. I hope this woman stands strong.
Yep, exactly. I know what you are saying, I've been there. I was a church secretary for 14 years, played the piano and coordinated their worship team. When I started to question their ethics in some people's lives and they way they were controlling the congregation in the direction of their teaching and our worship. That was it for us... They were even telling people that I was possessed and insane to discredit me just for my questions to them! They are the ones that pushed it into the public realm by their own fear and guilt. Yet finally I had never been healthier.
And I've never been happier. I will not go back. I have my faith and beliefs, but it has nothing to do with being part of brainwashed people that are trapped in a building.
I learned a long time ago not to get overly involved in church, as if you do so and pay attention closely, you are sure to become disillusioned. If you want to go, see if it is the sort of place that is content to have your presence on your terms. If they insist that you attend every service "every time the doors are open", involve themselves in every activity of your life and insist that you involve yourself in every activity of theirs, back away slowly and find somewhere else to attend if you want to be part of a congregation. Needless to say, a place that insists on nothing less than most of your money and most of your free time, with the rest of it being used to earn more money for "tithes and offerings", then don't walk, RUN!
Rlquall - You are a wise person and that's the best advise I've heard.
Two wrongs don't make a right,The pastor was wrong because God Almighty can take care of himself and she is wrong to air laundry about spiritual things to unspiritual people---------------------------------------------------------- 1 Corinthians 6:1
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
What that means in Corinthians is that you should solve your problems from within the church with members of a common faith before you go to the law of the land which is the law of the unbelievers. How could the law of the land understand the laws of God if they are not followers of God? It doesn't say you can't have a matter against another, just don't solve your problem outside of the group of the church.
The other missquoted verse is "if the eye is bad, pluck it out, if the foot is bad, cut it off" (paraphrased). The Church is the body of Christ and is made up of the people of God. If there is a bad element within the church, pluck it out, in other words, ask them to leave. You do not need to put up with a bad seed in your congragation. That is the way with any organization. If you don't follow the rules, you are out.
Grounded123 - is a cult troll... time to ignore them. Probably a zombie sheep from this guys very congregation.
A lawsuit? She's worried about a lawsuit? Try being an "apostate" criticizing a mosque online! Heads will roll!
Now that the lawsuit's been filed, it's up to the courts to decide if it's free speech or defamation and slander. One's legal others ain't.
Two points:
1. We have only heard one side of the story. The article is clearly biased and almost entirely hearsay.
2. There is a very fine line between airing a grievance and slander. This article makes it appear as though the woman in question has crossed the line from general complaints into the realm of defamation of character. Unless she can prove her allegations now, I suspect she will have to pay up.
Real defamation is awfully hard to prove in this country. Offering a "review" saying the church is creepy in a public forum is not the same thing as saying somebody embezzeled money from the church coffers, which really had better be true.
Here's another aspect: When is a pastor well-known enough to become a "public figure" and hence can only be slandered or libeled with the very high bar of "actual malice" from the Sullivan decision. Obviously high-profile pastors like Dr. Charles Stanley, Dr. Richard Land, etc. are such, with an ongoing presence in the national media. So would a Catholic archbishop. Some guy who has a heating and air business and on the side "pastors" a flock of a dozen or so is almost certainly not a "public figure". But what about a pastor of a medium-sized but insular and apparently somewhat secretive church? It's much like trying to determine who is a "public figure" because of involvement in politics. If you're running for governor or senator you obviously are, but what if you are the part-time mayor or vice-mayor of a town of 90 people?
All God-tards must die!
More typical church games. Spoiled children in adult clothes playing God. This happened to us, too. Different, but basically the same. If you don't go along with everything they say they attack like a swarm of killer bees. Ruin your reputation, ruin your friendships, ruin your life... but only for a time. Then things will get better, so much better. I'm so glad I'm out of the church and away from the crazies. I will not go back!
First the congregation... any congregation is warm and inviting, they say things like, "Welcome, if you have any questions or doubts come to us and ask, about ANYTHING, we are here to help, explain things, and talk with you about anything." Then if you come to them and try to talk, this was after many years as a member and in service there, ask them why they are saying this or you can't agree on this could they help you understand... they freak out, point fingers at you. To them if any of your questions ring true and it ignites guilt or opens light into a bad situation into the church... wooo weee look out! They will put you and your family through the ringer, BIG time. It's a nightmare, like the whole world has turned on it's axis, especially if you've locked yourself away with them for so long. Believing what they've told you. So many people are in church from childhood they know nothing else, they've never thought for themselves. But there's a big world out there a GOOD world out there, where you can still have your faith, but health, too.
I'm sorry for the people this has happened to, churches don't want freedom, or communication they want conformation. Shut up and be a yes man, a yes woman, play your roll. It's spiritual abuse. If you feel this is happening to you, don't stay and try to work it out, it will only make it worse. Get out and get help!
Welcome to humanity, It's not about religion, It's about God and our relationship with our creator in the Spirit16" For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Except if they would have pushed the issue anymore, one more step from them any further I would have taken it to a lawyer so fast for slander it would have made their head swim. There needs to be a control on these people, who have so much control in their place of authority over the lives of others. Just like a boss can not slander his workers. So a community church can not slander or ruin the lives of the members of that congregation.
James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
God gave his only begotten son. Give me a break. Do you know how many mothers have given their sons in the first world war, the second world war, Korean war, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Millions of sons and Daughters.
Is it a fundamentalist church?
I don't think the Church has a leg to stand on. Under the definition of "Cult" just about every church could fall under that title.
Christian religions are the only ones who rule by fear of God,
If you know good from bad and always do your best to help others less fortunate you do not need to go to a building to have some dude yell at you, blow smoke at you , splash water on you, dress in silly clothes, and tell you you are a bad person unless you do what they say.
Most people go to Church to make others "think" they are good, and most are not.
My God is in me and I do not need anyone to argue the point.
Wrong there are many others. I'm not pointing fingers, but maybe just for example, there's one if you're caught outside with out your burka on you are stoned to death. That might be a little scary.
In another religion here if you don't "perform" well enough here on earth you might come back as a flea on a back of a dog. That makes a nice controlling story to make people snap to attention and be controlled by a congregation or leader.
Religion is religion. By any other name it smells the same. The same negative concepts can be adopted by any of them.
I applaud Mrs Smith. She has courage to expose wrongdoing. And shame on the chiurch for not responding to her requests to talk to her.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.----- James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Oh, I get it. Monetary payment for forgiveness. This is supposed to be religion? It is another indication of religion as a business, not instruction in the messiah's work.
So...."turn the other cheek"....good enough for Jesus, but not the church. Gotcha.
They said she Discredit God. How can you Discredit something that Doesn't Exist, or ever existed. How can you Discredit a Figment of someones imagination?? A Fairy Tale??
If the church is really the innocent party, why are they suing in civil court for defamation, and for a monetary judgement?
This ought to be a criminal proceeding, and the local DA should investigate and bring charges for fraud and potentially perjury if there are any grounds. If the church is right, they should have lodged a complaint with the DA, saying the Mom had committed fraud if she had accused the pastor of theft or physical abuse in print when it didn't happen.
The fact that the corporation is suing for civil damages means that 1-, they got bad advice from a lawyer, which I doubt, or 2- they really don't want that much scrutiny of their own actions or history, which a criminal investigation would bring. Not to mention that it's easy for an institution with a few resources to outgun a single mom in civl court and push her into bankruptcy- bury her in paper, make her spend all her money. Not so easy to do in a criminal trial! This is a (stupid, abusive) lawyerish tactic that puts the spotlight on the mom and takes it off the church.
If a church could sue a former member for saying nasty things about them the Catholic church would have already done that. lol
I've been in a church like this before (every Independent Separatist Fundamentalist Baptist church I've ever been in, as a matter of fact). I hope she wins...this kind of group are not Christians, they are merely a little cult filled with little people who bully others and hide behind the church and "religious freedom". From what I saw in the article, there is no defamation here...simply a statement of yet another person who was hurt by fakes.
Why is everyone so Afraid of God?? Has anyone ever seen God? Has anyone ever been punished by God? Does anyone even know IF there is a God. Don't be so Afraid people there is nothing that is going to come out of the clouds and strike you except maybe a thunderstorm. If there was a God there wouldn't be all these Murders, people blowing other people up, Rapists, Pervert Catholic Priests, etc. etc.
This really isn't about God... it's about silly people, being dangerous enough to ruin other people's lives.
sounds to me like she should counter sue for 5 times the amount the church sued her for
I, too, have experienced "silencing" at the last church I attended. An eye-opening experience if ever there was one! Whoever thinks pastors are immune to egotism, authoritarianism and dishonesty haven't spent enough time around churches. They are susceptible to the same power-mongering we can find in any organization where there is money, status, power and control at stake. Why do people think Jesus was most angry with the Pharisees? This "pastor" has no business filing such a lawsuit. It shows incredible disrespect for everything Jesus stands for. The only person I see doing harm to the congregation as well as the spreading of the gospel, is this vindictive and self-serving "pastor". SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!
Church suing...what a laugh...the majority of the problems are being created by Churches..and this Church wants too sue....talk about Bullys in the pulpit...I would suggest for the Church that they pay their fair share of taxes..the majority of them are cults....with people that follow them blindly...there is only one true Church and it not in this country...the so-called Churches in this country are cults...
That's not a church, it's a cult. Shunning? Are we back in the 1600's?