Pastor acquitted of sex charge
(CNS) Full story: It took a jury of four women and three men around three hours Thursday to find former youth pastor Felix Manzanares (27) not guilty of indecent assault on a 41-year-old West Bay woman. Manzanares was accused of making sexual advances towards her at her home in December 2011. Speaking for her client in her closing address, defence counsel Keva Reid had asked the jury to remember that they were "not trying him as a pastor" but they were "trying him as a human being". During the proceedings of this case, the court heard Manzanares express the feelings of humiliation the allegations had caused, as he pointed out he had lost his post as a pastor at the George Town Church of God and his role as a TV talk show host.
Manzanares, who is married, had admitting to kissing his accuser but had insisted that he had done so as a result of her encouragement and denied that he had fondled or groped her breast and thighs against her will.The complainant claimed that the former pastor had insisted on meeting with her on the evening of 19 December 2011 and when he arrived at her home, he grabbed the woman and tried to kiss and grope her.
While summarizing the case for the crown prosecuting counsel, Maralyn Brandt told the court that if the meeting was planned, as suggested by the accused, then the woman would not have hurried her friend to come early for their dinner plans that night. Counsel also submitted that Manzanares knew what he was doing and had a degree of premeditation to sexually assaulting her but the jury came to a unanimous decision that this was not the case.
The jury heard defence counsel state that the complainant was angered when she had heard rumours about the incident, which gave her the motive to give false statements. Counsel said that the woman was trying to defend her integrity and wanted to destroy Manzanares' life.
The courtroom was almost fully occupied and there was a wave of emotions from his friends and family as the verdict was handed down Thursday. Manzanares, who was discharged of the indictment, gave a sigh of relief before leaving the dock and walking away from the court with a clean record.
Category: Crime
It is a sad day for Christianity because non-Christians will pounce on this and denounce Christianity as if a person somehow becomes perfect and immune to sin when they become a Christian. The young man was wrong for putting himself in that situation and giving in to desires of the flesh. Yes thou shall not commit adultery, and being a pastor, he was held to a higher standard, they should be a shining example for people to follow but alas he is still a man! Still prone to sin. When one becomes a Christian they still have a sinful nature, they will always have a sinful nature and it is solely up to them to make the choice to sin or not to sin. They don't suddenly have superhero powers that make them immune from sinning. Just because the church does not talk about it publicly does not mean that they are covering it up, it means they are no gossipping about it and they are not condemning the young man. However, the church is not condoning or justifying his actions in any way but simply following the Bible and leaving the young man to be judged by God because every one of us have fallen short of the glory of God, Christian and non-Christian alike. As Jesus said "let him without sin cast the first stone." For all those who denounce Christianity because of this young man's actions who are you ultimately hurting?
As a single man, as well as a married man, can sexually assault a woman then logically because this case came to court , every male who 'French kisses' a female could be brought before the court. Surely, there should be a procedure for a case to be assessed and if it is obvious, like it was in this case, that there is no real evidence of an assault taking place there should be no case, This man's name was "splashed" everywhere and he had to wait many months to clear his name and his accuser, whom the jury disbelieved , remained anonymous
youth pastor has some repenting to do. all will be fine. halleluyah!
Praise be for repeat offenders, becasue it increases church revenues for all that repeat business.
Ok let's pray for this young man and his family that God will use this error in his life for the benefit of others. Also pray for this young man and his family as theyuy deal with public opinion which can be worse than the Courts judgement most of the time.
Pastor cheats on wife. Education minister done for drinking and driving while potentially cheating on wife. Premier of country arrested and charged. These people should be role models to our young generation. And the we ask ourselves why the young comit crimes, fail in school or are unemployed?
Big, big differences
Pastor immediately resigned, Minister carried on as though nothing had happened.
Pastor truthful about incident ( believed by jury), Minister lied, (3 different accounts to police).
Pastor "not guilty" verdict, Minister "guilty" verdict.
I think that there will be another difference. Pastot Felix will come back stronger. Minister Anglin was rejected by West Bay in the General election and will forever be an ex-Minister
How many more pastors and reverends are out there that has not been caught?
The church will try to minimize and cover this up as much as possible instead of expose it for what it is. Some of these comments are subtle manifestations of severe denial.
Authorities abusing thier responsibilities is common everywhere on this Island. The churches provide the perfect get away vehicle for their henous acts and decisions made in their private meettings that affect, unkowing, people's dreams and goals.
From what I have read so far in the news, Felix is not a pastor anymore – he was removed from that position from time of the incidient so stop referring to man as a pastor and role model.
The only crime I believe he is guilty of is Attempted Cheat on his wife as he only kissed and so called “gropping of the breast” which was a big fail – he never busted a nut!
XXXX
Minimizing is a wonderful and distractful tool. Is that how you justify managers or people in position of authority who take advantage of thier flock?
You seem to be indriectly promoting his actions by creating some made up cheating scale.
Please consider. WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY. Jesus forgave us for all of our sins and asked us to go and sin no more. Any christian who would speak evil of the young pastor is no better them selves. Remember a pastor is not God, whether he touches someone or looks at them and have it in his mind is the same. Remember he is a Pastor, but also a man. NOT GOD. I am familiar with the young Pastor and I say ask our selves WHAT WOULD JESUS DO before we throw stones at him. When I heard and read the story, I always felt there was more to it than we knew. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO. I am keep asking my fellow christians that. He is our brother in Christ yes SO WHAT WOULD JESUS DO. I say the young pastor is to be given councel and returned to his pastorship. He love the lord, but the Devil is WIDE AWAKE temptations that are out there today , that I would feel sorry for Jesus if he walked among us in the flesh now. BE FORGIVING AND ASK YOURSELVES, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO
Exactly the problem with you religious people- you can do what you want because you will be "forgiven"- I live by MY morales and I have to live in my skin and I don't justify doing wrong because some imaginary man "died for my sins" ha
Seriously, do people even read the Bible these days. To those condemning Felix for what he did, I give you David, the greatest adulterer ever known to mankind and yet God used him. I also give you Peter, who denied that he even knew Christ, yet he went on to build what we now know today as the Christian Church and finally Paul, that killer of Christians who received his enlightenment on the road to Damascus to kill Christians.
As someone said up front, let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
I agree, lets give this annointed individual a second chance and promote him over all others. He is like a hero that is being tested, and we as christians need to do the exact opposite of what our common sense is telling us.
Felix. Now is when you take up this cross and hand it to God. He has big plans for you and the devil is working hard to filter the minds of people across the world. You remind me of Tebow. As the devil tries to knock you over, you come back stronger than ever. Keep your head up. And resume your walk with Jesus. He never left you. He never will. Come back with passion and commitment Felix. We need more young men in the church.
You need more young men like him in your church…why? You want a kiss and fondling too?
00:12 that is great talk but that is all. While people can change it is uhat they will. What this man has is a front. He is a Pastor who preaches the word of the Almighty and then is calculating a extramarital sexual encounter with a married woman. This was not a spur of the moment incident. You can talk de devil and evil but what it boils.down to is moral principles. When ypu calculated a plan like his to detrimental descruction of his vows it comes down to one thing – he is scum who’s influence is not what should be bestowed on our youth. Impulses and the control of them is what makes you a person of good character and the privilege of the title of role model, not the fact that you are severely flawed and can fond Scripture to justify your actions of slime. People make mistakes for sure but when you are a role model you are held to a higher standard than the average Joe. Shame on him and shame on anyone who accepts this type of slime as a man that should influence the youth. He needs to zip his mouth and pance.
My my…married, a Pastor and a cheater…obviously he has never read the Bible! Lawd av Mercy
Which bit of the bible, exactly?
So glad not to belong to any of these "churches" or follow these "preachings" THANK GOD! lol
An acquittal merely means that the jury was not satisfied there was evidence to establish beyond reasonable doubt the elements of the offence. It does not establish what did or did not happen.
It can also mean that the jury believed the defendants version of events and did not believe the accuser. I was not on the jury, but I attended every minute of the trial and I was convinced of this. XXXX
In this case it means that the jury did not find the complainant's story credible.
Not necessarily. "Credibility" is a far lower threshhold than "beyond reasonable doubt". The jury could easily have found the allegations credible or even the more likely version of events and still ended up with a "not guilty" plea.
Wrong. This entire case was decided upon which party you believed. Had the jury believed the complainant there would have been a conviction. Obviously that is the basis on which the prosecution brought the case. Convictions have been secured on that basis.
There is no point discussing this with an idiot who is too stupid to grasp the issues.
Thanks for the advice. I'll refrain from further debate with the poster.
Every single person individual on this web-site has sinned in one way or another. So stop judging this man.
There is no sin greater than the next… Lying, stealing, committing adultery, raping, and even murder are all the same in god’s eye. So stop judging this man and look at what you have done wrong lately.
your god is an idiot…a murderer is not the same as a liar…while you may be both one sin is definitely greater than another….a white lie is to save anothers feelings…you can't really say the same about most murders.
HaHaHaHa! Church people are the biggest bunch of finger-pointing, sanctimonious, hypocrits, tearing our communities apart as they foul-mouth this group and that and telling decent people they're going to be tortured forever for not believing in their invisible daddy yet when these frustrated blue noses get caught snatching their forbidden fruit they beg your forgiveness.
I was bad yesterday and I'll be bad tomorrow and today I'll judge this guy, and your suggesting that I shouldn't is asking me not to have a reasoned opinion on the events around me. You go joint a flock if you like, but I'm no sheep. I'll judge this guy all I want.
As to your claim to know what things look like from a god's eye, well that's just stupid. From what you are saying you can barely see through your own eyes, let alone be positioned to know what the universe looks like thought the eyes of a superbeing. What drivel…
I don't go sucking face of women who aren't my wife. So I fell reasonably qualified to judge.
You said it!
All sins are equal in God’s eyes? What a stupid moral code. Lying is the same as rape or murder? Really? Do fundies ever stop and listen to the ridiculous things they say? If your god equates lying with genocide and pedophilia then he’s a moron and you should pick another imaginary friend to worship.
"The fundies" I like that. You can't reason with them. They are blinded by their own cultish ways. You have to leave them be, but stand firm when they try to interfere and impose their silly ways on rational people. By the way, anyone up for a bit of false idol worship this evening?
Hey, he is a married man…Caribbean crap or no…..he is a married man!
He has no right to be on TV, he has no right to be a "Pastor', he has no right except apologise to his wife to publicly shame himself as he did his wife!
You go French kissing a woman, you not innocent from your wife, never mind us all that are commenting.
All catches up with you in the end….see! Found innocent….let him get a conscience!
Let us examine how morally bankrupt this community is. He is innocent of a criminal sex crime but look at the situation. This man is a pillar of the community. He is a role model and a man of God. Noone is without sin or course, but those who are role models let alone a Pator who is married should not be trying to have a sexuall encounter with another woman. The fact that people defend this action and quilify this as normal and acceaptable, proves whuy we are invade by the headlines of today. The family unit is more important than his unit, and praising God and church is cheap when you do such things. Talk is cheap, and you lead by example. What a fine example a youth Pastor sets. This MAN MUST PROCREATE AND ACT LIKE A DOG is a poor way for a leader to act, and I for one would not want his influence on my children,
So does being a Pastor make you less HUMAN?
Felix I'm extremly happy things have turned. You've always been encouraged to remain strong and trust God amidst your circumstances. You may have felt alone as there were those who were ready to condemn you to eternal hell and damnation. XXXX
Felix, God in His infinite glory, wisdom & power has shown up in your circumstances. As like David, he who was an upright man before God sinned, but was forgiven and restored unto God.
You are only human, and so often we forget. We are gently reminder by our Creator of our frailty before Him. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. You are a chosen vessel for Christ, his word/promises have been given as a gift to lead others unto righteousness for His name sake. COME HOME FELIX – GOD LOVES YOU.
Ahh, there's that vessel word again.
A chosen vessel for Christ? Buy some q-tips and wash your eyes as your are having problems seeing and hearing. He was trying to dock his “vessel “ina port thay was not where he should not have tried to come to port. He is a Pastor that works with youth. He is not only a let down to God but to his community. He is a messenger for/of God, this is what hs represents, what kind of message is he sending.it is bewildering how so many people support this kind of behavior. This is why our youth are in trouble. Not because of his actions so to say bit the fact of the Championing of it by many. The family means so little in such a God cearing community.
Did you understand that was written in that post?
Yes Felix, come home and French kiss your wife! God bless your wife that you have so publicly disrepected. Don't see anybody writing and standing up for her.
You are not important anymore, you had your five minutes of fame!
Would rather know that your wife is doing ok after all this.
I wish all una would shut the hell up about this so called preacher. If he was such a great man he would have been home with his wife and kids. Bet when he go looking woman again he going to be careful!!
Real caymanian you are!!! Respect
Damn strait! lol
I know felix I went to school with him , when I herd this first I know it wasn't true because I know felix is a nice guy and he wouldn't have done something like this . The kind of guy felix is he would give you his shirt of his back if he needed to . Furthermore felix loves his children to death and would never do anything to be separated from them. XXXX Glad cayman now see that felix is no bad person and I will continue to defend him
Ruben s whittaker
Scanned you post. Only saw 'shirt off'. Stopped reading.
So what 11:45 is saying is that the esteemed Pastor would not want to be seperated nor do anything to seperate from his kids. Thhis would imply a strange situation in the Pastors home. Either his wife accepts his affairs and is forced to stay with him, as no woman in the free world js pleased with the arrangement of the husband trolling for sex with other woman or the Pastor will lie and she will never know so she does not divorce her sleezy mab. He was trying to give the accuser a lot more then the shirt off his back. Perhaps his sbirt woupd come off his back but not to cloth her. The whole attitude of he would not do something like that is so poor – he was trying to have sex with another woman. While a man may lust and think about or be attracted to another woman, the whole thing that seperates us from wild animals is not to act on impulses. Self control. Praise the Lord all you want but he is a hippocrit and I would not want his influence on my children nor him around my wife.
Yes I'm sure when you herd it you knew it was not true!
My ex-GF used to say that men have an upper brain and a lower brain, and they are usually ruled by the lower brain, and their upper brain only trips in, when the lower brain gets them in trouble…
Well.. She is a lonely ex GF who still has her half a brain, and I still have my two… And a nicer GF who can appreciate my two brains…
Sounds like you new girlfriend came with two brain cavities?
Probably very happy lady without you.
Feliz, you did not receive jail time but you have really disappointed a lot of people. I feel sorry for your wife, child and family.
Many are casting stones at the man, but which of you are without sin? His might be in the open but a lot of you are doing your thing under cover.
Many of us don't pretend to be all high and mighty and better than everyone else.
So true 11:29 thats why the same bible they be waving around warns about being proud … high and mighty …
How many people have to deal with the same type of idiot manager at work who acts morally superior over others and has leveraged his church connections to gain unearned promotions and bonuses. We wouldn't want to shine some light on that good ole boys network, would we?
I plead with all men young and old; think with the head above your neck and not the one below the waist. How can something so ugly lead to so much trouble?
Whtch you talkin bout Willis?
I’m old. And both of mine are STILL beautiful.
"Ugly"? Speak for yourself. I get compliments about mine.
Yes but we don't profess to be God's holy messengers.
10:58, most people do not preach about their practices, and he clearly does not practice what he preaches.
See the difference?
His is only in the open because the woman brought into the open! Get it yet? If she hadn't, it would have been under cover as you say! Got it yet?
Relieved! This case was such a height of rubbish! A good mans face and name tarnished by the press for a kiss, when you have "real rapists" being protected for what??? You will always be a target for the press and "da badmind" never forget that this day forward. And know that I respect you more as a person for showing that "man is just a man" we are only human and will make mistakes – but its accepting, acknowledging, admitting and taking accountability for your actions that show true character. God has already forgiven you, and the public will too:)
Amazing how low some people want to set the bar 10.24…in a position of responsibility he had no business to kiss any lady other than his wife.
A man put into a position of moral superiority cheated on his wife and we should just continue to look up to that kind of trash. I guess "everybody get one" in the "taking advantage" with my position category, in your twisted view.
David was after God's heart check out his deeds then search your own heart and look into your own deeds before you write about others hypocrite.
We need to promote this man to show the real sinners who is still in control.
'A good mans face and name tarnished by the press for a kiss…' So, why didn't he gohome and kiss his wife?
'Relieved'? What you 'relieved'about? A married man and father who obviously does not respect either his wife or child. He admitted what he did.
Would rather have the man that pleaded 'not guilty' for the accusations against him because he was set up by the child's mother.
You have nothing to be relieved about.
An innocent is found guilty on a non guilty plea and a guilty is found innocent having said he did it???
Nothing to be relieved about!
Do not quote Morgan Heritage "A Man is Just A Man'…..this is not the meaning of the song.
Does the article have to include "he had fondled or groped her breast and thighs against her will"? Can't this just stay on "he sexually assaulted her" or something less explicit?
exactly
Yeaaaaa…..we need to suppoert our walking self contradictions….somebody the kiddies can look up to …..
Agreed. "He tried to pastorize her" would have been much more fitting.
Jesus has covered his sin with his blood, nothing to see her folks. move along.
Now we need to work on how we can promote this young man over others so that sinners don't think they have one over on him and the established religion that he represents.
An acquittal merely means that the jury was not satisfied there was evidence to establish beyond reasonable doubt the elements of the offence. It does not establish what did or did not happen. The details assist us draw our own views.
No! "the details" do not assist you to draw your own views. By law the jury expressed its view and found the defendant "not guilty" Just before the lunch adjournment on the fourth day they went to consider their verdict.and immediately after lunch they returned with a unanimous "not guilty'. I attended every minute of the trial and I feel sure that like me the jury believed the defendant and disbelieeved the accuser . As an ex-pat from the U K and interested for many years in England and Wales law my question would be 'Why did this case ever come to Court XXXX?
Thank you for telling us how we think and what we rely upon to inform ourselves. I am glad you can read minds so well. While you may "interested" in law, I suspect that means you watched whatever TV shows were on tin the UK hat had court cases in it – CSI Manchester or whatever. You missed the point that a determination of "not guilty" means no more or no less than the original poster pointed out.
Thou shalt not commit adultery. Which bit of that is difficult for a pastor to understand?
You do realize that pastors aren't exempt from human nature. He is still a human being and he has all the hormones that every heathen man and woman out there has. Yes he is a man of God but we are all sinners. Get off your soap box.
You know what human beings have that other animals don't? A little thing called self control. Just because you have urges doesn't mean you need to act on them!
You right! Only adults commit adultery.
Or, or, how about this one.
THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S GOODS. (if you know what I mean).
– This rule however is just plain stupid. Coveting your neighbor’s goods is what keeps the economy going: Your neighbor gets a vibrator that plays “O Come All Ye Faithful,” you want to get one too! Coveting creates jobs. –
-Thank you Mr. Carlin.
Now now listen, holy water comes in many forms these days.
If the case went more or less as reported I'm amazed CPS took it to trial. No evidence – just one person's word against another's. Even if he had previous, I cannot see a judge finding for the prosecution on such a flimsy case.
Let us hope that Felix and his family can get their lives back on track after this devastating experience and also pray that the young lady who accused him will find peace.
I suspect it is impossible for any woman to get justice in Cayman in a claim involving a pastor.
There are no winners in this case. Sadly, the value placed on women and need for reponsible male role models for our children lost today. This was a mess from the start. God bless.
It amazes me that people continue beliveing in an imaginary friend that a human being used to manipulate a women into believing he was justified in getting some on the side.
this sordid tale tell us everything we need to know about the so called 'churches' & 'pastors' around here
That would be called prejudice. At most, it tells us something, not everything, about the parties involved.
God answers PRAYER so glad too know this case is over and Felix can move on with his life although being battered in the media and scarred for life…The judge found you not guilty XXXX…Hold your HEAD HIGH MY FRIEND GOD is on your side…Love Ya Much..
He may not have been guilty in that regard, but as a Pastor, his behavior leaves lots to be desired. He acted more like politicians than he did of of a Pastor who should be setting a Christ like example. Hope he gets his act together now.
He acted exactly as a pastor in these islands does. They, like politicians, think they are UNTOUCHABLE, and we buy into it by confirming their beliefs.
…….and I hope that all those people who flock on Sunday's to church to listen to someone preach to them do realized that those ones who are preaching are just humans too. So they should take a lot of what is being preached with a big grain of salt!
Felix – glad you got off dude…never thought you'd ever try to force yourself on any woman. Just remember none of us need sex cuz our gov't screws us everyday. Peace and love brother!
Congratulations, Felix. We all fall short of the glory. Unfortunately, you had to be subjected to yours being aired in the public domain but in the end justice always prevails. Keep your head high – you are not the first to travel down a similar road and you won't be the last. Everything in life happens for a reason. Pick the pieces of your life up, where you can. And where life has changed for you, be brave and walk in faith that good things will come.
Can we set up a fund to help Felix out. He needs to take a vacation. When he gets back and all the dust has settled(people have short memories), I think this young man and his courage deserves a step up in salary.
I don't want to attend no Church that this man is a part of.. what is he doing messing with another woman, when he is married with childen? what kind of role model is he to his kids?
Married man with kids cheats on wife – Are you really shocked by this? Something that occurs everyday all around the world? Being a Pastor doesn't mean he is no longer a man and being a Pastor doesn't exempt him from mistakes/errors in judgement either. Women are sitting on a goldmine and don't know it. Dining at the Y has always been a man's weakness from BC.
But being a pastor much less a youth pastor lifts him to a different standard. He is judged on a different level. What do the kids that was in his program think? That since our pastor did it it is okay.
Simply put if you are going to be inclined to those manly weekeness then dont go and be a youth pastor. the church and Christianity as a whole already has enough problems.
Note the attitude of some of the posters on this very site. His actions are being listed as being the norm in the church. They dont see the others that dont do these things but a leader that does it stains the church.
Him being a "young" person has a lot to do with his actions also. He is still learning. Do I feel he was ready to be a Pastor and mentor young kids "apparently not" and I'm sure he realizes this now and should seek another career path until he is older/wiser. Many of us have skeletons but his closet was opened for all to see. He likely was not ready for marriage either but that's up to him and his wife to determine and work out. He did what MANY men have done, including Pastor's. He was very wrong for what he did but I don't believe the woman was innocent either. He is the married one, kids, Pastor etc. so ppl will emphasize his wrongs. We know nothing of the female involved so I can only assume.
Signed,
Woman
American's and Hillary forgave Bill Clinton so let's forgive and let Felix move on with his life. Remember forgiving is the Christian thing to do. Stop being a bunch of judgy wudgies!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Who ever said that Hillary or Americans forgave Bill??? Speak for yourself.
Cheating is not as accepted in other parts of the world…. Everyone in Cayman seems to turn a blind eye and accept their husbands infidelity. Sad state.
Huh? You obviously know nothing about the lax morals of many European societies.
It is so ,sad to see the way that so many good women are treated by their husbands. I witnessed a certain man in high standing drive up to pick up his lovely wife one day with his sweetheart/ secretary sitting in the front and his poor wife had to sit in the back seat.
Had you gone to church at all you might recall that David not only committed adultry but killed the husband when he couldnt cover his tracks – and God forgave him and he went on to do great things in spite of all of that. Good luck to all involved in putting thier lives back together.
Oh!! Good so that makes it all okay… Of all people, a pastor is and should be held to a higher expectation to follow the ten commandments!
Here's hoping that all the parties involved in this (including the families affected) are able to move forward and gets the help and healing they each need to rebuild their lives.
Heres hoping that all the unreported incidents of similiar manipulation are brought to light. Maybe some employees will now find the courage to report to the police, abusive managers or morally superior charlatans.
Happy that you got off the charges XXXX. However, I am concen that as a married man and a pastor you disregard your vows to your wife and God, then to your role as a pastor. My colleagues and family looked up to you and at the time placed our trust in you. We know now that was a cover for your devious plans. Whether you were tempted or not, you should have prayed much harder.
i am so sadden for you and of your actions.
Can someone please explain how these fundie preachers do things like French kiss women who aren’t their wives? Aren’t these the same guys who are always saying that God is everywhere and Jesus sees everything? Temptation aside, if they really think an invisible Jesus is standing next to them, how do their tongues keep ending up in the wrong mouths?
Wouldn’t having that invisible lord a few feet away kill the mood? Seems like deep down they don’t really believethe nonsense they preach. Otherwise wouldn’t they say, “sorry, babe, I just can’t get my freak on with Him watching. How about we watch The Last Temptation of Christ instead?”
Another point, when preachers get caught rubbing the wrong rubharb many of them blame demons or the devil for controlling them. But they still testify under oath about what they say happened. But wait, how do they know what happened if they were under Satan’s spell or whatever at the time? Wouldn’t having a demon in your skull disqualify you as a reliable witness?
Felix did not claim to be under Satan's spell. He took full responsibility for his moral failing. The 2nd 1/2 of your post has no relevance to this case.
Anybody cam claim full responsibilty for their sins:
1) If your not legaly convicted, you just need to wait out the storm from your peers
2) If you are convicted, so much easier to appeal when you have Gods forgiveness to impress a Judge that is partial to christianity.
It seems claiiming responsibility under a God of your choosing is nothing more than a cheap tactic. If he was really sorry , he would be suggesting how many hours of community service(away from the kiddies and churches and schools) he should be subjected to for the next 7 years(because 7 is a nice biblical number for a pastor).
You are so confused. God gives each of us free will to do whatever we want to do. He is always near to hear our prayers and to answer (sometimes not the answer we want to hear) but answer nonetheless. Felex did wrong- no question about that but if he has asked(will ask) God for forgiveness he will forgive him as he will forgive all of us if we ask. Remember sin is sin- let those of us who are without sin cast the first stone!! It is so wonderful that no matter what we have done, God is forgiving and we do not have to walk around with the guilt forever.
Oh, the usual get out clause! Its alright to do wrong as long as you go to Church and repent on Sunday!! Monday you can start doing wrong all over again…I have met so many like this it sickens me, and not just here. I think (my view only) our good Lord meant us to know what was right and wrong and act accordingly.
That's so funny. When I was a kid in Sunday school I always thought how cool it was that you could do whatever you wanted, break laws and have loose morals but it was all okay cuz God would forive you and all would be right in the world… LOL
You had a poor Sunday school teacher if that is what they taught you.
I agree with you on this one:"nonsense they preach". Its just pure NONSENSE.
There is no beared man in the clouds or wherever. You can't make sense of this stuff they preach.
Based on the evidence presented in the press, it seems to be the right verdict.
And he should find an occupation better suited to his morality or lack of it.
Like MLA…..
Or start his own church.
"Manzanares, who is married, had admitting kissing his accuser but had insisted that he had done so as a result of her encouragement and denied that he had fondled or groped her breast and thighs against her will." Either way, I believe this "pastor" has lost his credibility. It wasn't forced, it was with consent. Not the behavior of someone who is always waving the bible around. But, this is Cayman, we have twisted religion to suit us, like every where else i guess.
To 18:07 I could not have said it better. I thought at one time he had something going for him, but he blew it. He knew what he was doing and was playing with fire in his hands. It is difficult to take fire in your hands and not get burned.
People in Cayman have become so spiteful, hateful and unforgiving no wonder the country is going to hell and the sooner the better.
Now THAT's what I call spiteful, hateful and unforgiving.
I am really glad to hear that and I hope Felix can get back to his normal life.
Praise God!!
In these type of cases the penal code falls short of gender equality as this case should never have gone to court as a sexual assault case as it was obviously a he said/she said situation with no physical evidence. Noteworthy, where is the gender equality in the fact that his name gets splashed all over the media and the false accuser does not especially when the accused is found innocent. Also, there is no gender equality in the penal code as there is no charge for insulting the modesty of a man but a charge for insulting the modesty of a woman! Likewise, a man cannot live off the proceeds of prostitution but no charge for a woman doing so. There needs to be a review of all legislation that deals with sexual offences to prevent abuse of the legal system and promote gender equality.
This incident shows how fallible we are irrespective of what title we wear. The great King David, a man after God's own heart sinned wretchedly when he not only organized the killing of Uriah but he also stole the man's wife. God forgave David and He will forgive us too for the wrongs we do. Hope there will be some form of reconciliation with the families involved.
Maybe his congregation should buy the poor guy a phone so he’s not forced to meet attractive single ladies at home alone “to talk”.
All in agreement post AMEN!
One is really left wondering why he was insistent on going to her house 'to talk' in the first place.
16:17, I think a face to face chat was in order because of the long distance rates and problems with dropped calls associated with calling someone from Mt. Pleasant when you live in Brich Tree Hill.
Then perhaps the poor fella should sue Lime for his gross misfortune.
There is nothing to wonder about. That much was clear. The issue here was whether it was consensual, whether they already had a thing going. He said they did.
Thats not what SHE said.
Congrats Felix, Let's get on with the Lord's work now!! We all make mistakes, but God forgives them all if we confess them!! Congrats again.
Congradulations !!!
I hope you rise again to "movie star" status…
You have our full support and encouragement !!!
Don't you dare speak for me 16.03, you have no right. Just as this man had no right to kiss the woman in question.
This is one sexual assult case that I am happy with the decision. I wish you well Felix! Go with God.
Seems fair based on the evidence printed here.
However, it just goes to show all you bible bashers out there that all Churches (and not just Christian ones) are made of and by men, who are weak. In some other well publicised cases Pastors abuse the trust and confidence of their flocks. The same rules apply anywhere, if you are going to trust someone, make sure you know them damn well first and even then treat them with healthy scepticism. Even more so for "proclaimed" or "ordained" people, as they were also ordained by men.
The man still (in my view) abused his moral authotiy by kissing the Lady and his position at the church was not tenable. Now he has to hope and work hard so his wife will not leave him.
We already knew all that but thanks anyway.