Atlanta megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar discussed the child
battery charges against him as he preached at his church Sunday. Dollar is
founding pastor of World Changers Church International.
Two days after being arrested for allegedly choking and
slapping his 15-year-old daughter, the prominent minister denied the
allegations during a sermon, the AP reports. Fayette County Sheriff’s deputies
Friday charged the minister with simple battery and cruelty to children. USA
Today reported that Dollar was released on a $5,000 bond.
ABC News reported that “Dollar’s version was that she became
disrespectful and he was tried to restrain her, the report said. Only when she
started to hit him did he wrestle her to the floor and spank her, the police
report said.”
Dollar, news reports noted, along with Eddie Long, “is one
of the most prominent African-American preachers based around Atlanta.” Like
the allegations of sexual misconduct with male teen congregants and Long’s
subsequent out-of-court settlement, the allegations against Dollar cast a
shadow on his ministry.
Dollar was greeted with rousing applause Sunday as he
approached the pulpit and spoke about an argument with his youngest daughter
and accused news reporters of sensationalizing the incident. He and his wife,
Taffi, have five children.
“As a church family, I want you to hear personally from me
that all is well in the Dollar household,” he said after thanking the
congregation for their prayers and support.
In response, many throughout the sanctuary applauded again.
“We remain committed to raising our children in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord,” he said about the boundaries and guidance he and
his wife instill in their home.
After applause subsided, Dollar continued: “I would never
put any fault on my children. As Jesus would never put any fault on me. I love
her with all of my heart. Amen. There are two things that are certain in the
life of a Christian parent. Number one is that we win. And number two: Is that
tests will come to try and shake your faith.”
The incident generated widespread attention from media as
well as the blogosphere where observers commented on parenting issues, faith
and the blurred lines between the public face and private life of well-known
religious leaders.
“I am not a fan of Creflo Dollar. But I raised two teens. So
while I may not agree, I do understand. They can push you to the edge,” tweeted
the Rev. DeForest Soaries, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln
Gardens in New Jersey, Friday night.
People cross the street and head into World Changers Church
International in south Fulton County, Ga., for services led by pastor Creflo
Dollar on Sunday, June 10, 2012. (AP)
“Why am I not surprised by this? Dollar is one of the most
disciplinary, judgmental prosperity preachers on the circuit. He blames
everything on everyone in his congregation if their finances are not ‘right,’
and warmth is not a word one uses to describe his sermons. Dollar’s brittle,
hard theology of prosperity makes for an inflexible and disciplinary
personality,” wrote Anthea Butler, contributing editor for the daily online
magazine Religion Dispatches Friday afternoon.
“My thoughts on #Creflodollar incident--parents have a right
to discipline their kids. But when girls get over the age of 13,” tweeted
author and political strategist Sophia Nelson Friday. “Fathers have to be
careful with physical hitting, slapping. Girls mistakes discipline for how a
man is supposed to keep me in line. Mother’s should step up if there is any
physical discipline to be administered to girls. Father’s need to talk & discipline
verbally.”
“We may never know the full story in the Dollar family
drama. But, in general, one thing’s certain: regardless of the circumstances, a
man who raises his hand to his teenage daughter is weak,” wrote Wil LaVeist
Friday on Urban Faith Web site.
The author and journalist said that “in these types of
domestic cases, it’s always unwise to leap to conclusions. … You certainly have
my prayers for your entire family, brother. But my respect for you as a man and
a father? If the police report is true, you’re too weak for that.”
“I don’t know @Creflo_Dollar personally, but he does strike
me as a man who loves his family and would not purposely harm them,” tweeted
Clinton McFarland, senior pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Atlanta
and Lithonia, Ga.
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