Pastor apologizes for ‘sinful comment’ he made in sermon about women’s attire and rape

North Carolina pastor apologizes he was accused Regarding women’s clothing and comments about rape.

Pastor Bobby Leonard made this comment in a sermon from the pulpit of Bible Baptist Tabernacle in Monroe. Leonard lamented that in the Tennessee vacation spot of Pigeon Forge, there are far more women wearing shorts than dresses and pants.

“You know I used to say this. I never said this. [in a] Are you ready for a long time? I said if you dressed like that and got raped and I was on the jury, he would go free,” Leonard originally said in comments in August.

“If you don’t like it, you can’t help it. I’m right. A man will be a man,” he added.

A video of the comment was posted on Instagram, garnering millions of views on social media and eventually making headlines. Many people reacted with anger and anger to the pastor’s comments.

“Yes, man is a man, not an animal, and he has a responsibility to govern himself. This pastor needs to resign.” answered Christian investigative reporter Julie Roys.

One man organized a protest outside the church during Wednesday’s service.

“We won’t allow people to stand in a pulpit in Union County and say things like this. It’s wrong,” Jason King said. “You can’t stand there and teach God’s word and then claim that you believe it’s okay to rape someone because of what they’re wearing.”

On Thursday, the pastor left a statement of apology on the church’s bulletin board.

Along with the pastor’s name, the sign read, “I’m sorry I hurt you, I was wrong.”

he elaborated in a longer statement obtained by WJZY-TV.

“I am just beginning to understand the hurt and offense caused, and I take full responsibility for my words,” Leonard wrote.

“As a pastor, I have failed to live up to the Biblical values ​​of love and compassion. I apologize for the pain I have caused and am committed to learning from this foolish and sinful statement.”

Leonard has been the pastor of Bible Baptist Tabernacle Church for 40 years. according to Go to the church website. The church closed its social media accounts following the controversy.

As for the controversial comments:

Do you like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Please register here!