the chapter on louis beres

It looks like we’ve got another entry for our Big Book of Family Values? This one comes from Oregon, where the leader of the Christian Coalition is about to be charged with multiple counts of child molestation. Here’s a clip from Editor and Publisher:

After news broke that local law enforcement officials were investigating complaints that Louis Beres, longtime chairman of the Christian Coalition of Oregon, had molested three female family members when they were pre-teens, The Oregonian in Portland went out and interviewed Beres’ family members.

Two told reporters that Beres, indeed, had molested them. All three said they have been interviewed for several hours by detectives.

“I was molested,” said one of the women, now in her early 50s. “I was victimized, and I’ve suffered all my life for it. I’m still afraid to be in the same room with [Beres].”

The coalition led by Beres, 70, champions socially conservative candidates and causes. Its Web site describes the group as “Oregon’s leading grassroots organization defending our Godly heritage.” The group opposes abortion, gay rights, and stem cell research. It is affiliated with the national Christian Coalition, which was founded in 1989 by television evangelist Pat Robertson….

I liked that part about “defending Godly heritage.” (Apparently God approves of incest and child rape, but draws the line at consentual relationships between male adults.)

Oh, and it shouldn’t be left out that Beres is also a former chairman of the Republican Party in Multnomah County.

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9 Comments

  1. Tony Buttons
    Posted October 11, 2005 at 4:07 pm | Permalink

    Who has time to rape their kids, what with all the mule fucking and all.

    http://markmaynard.com/index.php/2005/05/12/family_values_on_parade

  2. john galt
    Posted October 11, 2005 at 7:42 pm | Permalink

    as terrible as this is, your allusion that since he’s on the christian coalition and a republican somehow tarnishes both those organizations. It kinda falls flat when if you remember the much underreported story of Barny Franks(D) having male prostitutes at his DC home (I think it was his home). I guess he gets a pass though since he’s a (D) rather than an (R).

  3. mark
    Posted October 11, 2005 at 9:17 pm | Permalink

    My outrage wasn

  4. chris
    Posted October 11, 2005 at 10:39 pm | Permalink

    OK I will jump at that bait John. Are you seriously comparing the solicitation of prostitutes w/ child molestation and incest? BTW, most liberal democrats pass no judgement regarding gay sex, or even possibly the consensual sale of it. We probably draw the line at child molestation though.

    Apparently, conservative christians, as posited by Mark, find it in their ever contorting minds to accept the converse. See this is the ting that bothers me about conservative christians, I always feel they have got some scary shit to hide and this is why they cling so desperately to the Bible.

    If you want to us to continue to engage with you, please use plausible analogies. Or at least stick to cutting and pasting.

    Oh BTW, I see your OJ and raise you one Robert Blake.

  5. Shanster
    Posted October 12, 2005 at 5:21 am | Permalink

    Let’s not rush to judgement here. This report has only been out one day.

    If its true, maybe the reason he ‘clings so desperately to the Bible’ is because of his guilt and need for forgivenes. Maybe that’s why he got involved with the CC. People who are converts to a religion are often the most radical defenders of it (Dr. Laura is one example, but there are many).

  6. Doug Skinner
    Posted October 12, 2005 at 10:06 am | Permalink

    Perhaps the “godly heritage,” with its ideal of asexual innocence, promotes a fetishization of children that is particularly conducive to child abuse. Perhaps that’s one reason some of us prefer the ungodly heritage.

  7. Tony Buttons
    Posted October 12, 2005 at 10:26 am | Permalink

    I think you might be on to something there, Doug.

  8. Ranee
    Posted October 12, 2005 at 8:24 pm | Permalink

    one of my close friends was one of the three victims. She is a Christian. She is angry with Beres, of course, especially since he doesn’t admit it, but does she then immediately turn her back on everything that has ever given her comfort? No, as Christians we are free to sin. She lives in the hope that someday, God will convict him of his sin and bring healing. That’s what she wants, healing, not retaliation. It’s the same thing that Nelson Mandela wanted. The only way to truly set an individual or community free is through reconciliation. Justice needs to happen, but what will heal is reconciliation and the only way I have ever seen that truly happen interpersonally is through God’s mercy.

  9. mark
    Posted October 12, 2005 at 8:55 pm | Permalink

    Thank you for leaving your thoughts, Ranee. I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we wish your friend well, and I hope that you believe me when I tell you that it wasn

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