Ravi Zacharias report and witness testimony

As unpleasant as this, we must see this AND Christian or not these predators must be exposed.
The dishonour they bring to God and the affect they have in their victims life and faith is immense.
God will judge these wolves.

I had heard of this and appreciate this man coming forward with a truly Christian response.
Thank you for posting this, it was an excellent video.

LovesOurLord said:

This needs to be seen. This man was a serial sexual predator. Witness upon witness. Case closed. This is graphic but people need to know. This video is a Reformed pastor presented accumulated evidence.

I can only hope all his videos and books are removed from Christian stores, churches, and schools and his ministry shuttered.

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Prior to watching that long video and based on what I have learned so far from following the story:

What Ravi did was inexcusable.
What Ravi taught that I know of was good.
What RZIM is doing now, with its audit and with the people they're bringing in to help correct the culture and practices that allowed this to happen, appears to be the right thing.

I therefore don't agree with getting rid of his books or videos.
RZIM should probably re-brand, but what is more important is that it should transform.

I replied before I watched the whole of the video, but even though it goes for a while, it is very well worth persevering to the end.

This is an exceptional biblical response and set out in love and truth. I really applaud Mike Winger for explaining the whole story and also the OP for posting.

LovesOurLord said:

This man was a serial sexual predator.

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This is, of course, the big headlines. But beside this, there are many other problems including:

1) Misuse of ministry funds. Stealing.
2) People travelling with Ravi knew that he had female companions: masseuses. Cover-up.
3) Denomination defrocked him only after death. Failure to hold accountable.

The bottom-line is that other Christians aided and abetted in the abuse of authority.

Andrewn said:

2) People travelling with Ravi knew that he had female companions: masseuses. Cover-up.

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On that, it appears that he had groomed them into trusting that he would do nothing untoward with the masseuses (which turned out to be wrong), and that he had a regular need for massage due to chronic pain. When there is too much trust in one leader and a subsequent lack of checks and balances, subordinates are lulled into being less vigilant. The organization needs to have policies that encourage actual accountability so that if someone advises the leader not to do so and he lashes out in response, the leader is seen as the bad guy instead of the subordinate.

Sketcher said:

On that, it appears that he had groomed them into trusting that he would do nothing untoward with the masseuses (which turned out to be wrong),

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I knew a wise pastor who used to say that Christians do not "fall off the cabbage truck."

Sketcher said:

and that he had a regular need for massage due to chronic pain.

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There is no back pain that requires a masseuse companion. There are different modalities of treatment.

Sketcher said:

The organization needs to have policies that encourage actual accountability so that if someone advises the leader not to do so and he lashes out in response, the leader is seen as the bad guy instead of the subordinate.

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True. Most of the celebrity preachers are non-denominational, so there are no checks and balances anyway. But in this particular case, he was an ordained minister of the Christian & Missionary Alliance and they still failed to support his subordinates.

I used to respect the C&MA.

Sketcher said:

Prior to watching that long video and based on what I have learned so far from following the story:

What Ravi did was inexcusable.
What Ravi taught that I know of was good.
What RZIM is doing now, with its audit and with the people they're bringing in to help correct the culture and practices that allowed this to happen, appears to be the right thing.

I therefore don't agree with getting rid of his books or videos.
RZIM should probably re-brand, but what is more important is that it should transform.

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RZIM needs to do a lot more than rebrand. They failed to provide oversight and, until very recently, their leadership was overtly hostile to victims who levied accusations and folks within the organization who expressed concern.

iluvatar5150 said:

RZIM needs to do a lot more than rebrand. They failed to provide oversight and, until very recently, their leadership was overtly hostile to victims who levied accusations and folks within the organization who expressed concern.

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Clearly. The rebranding should only happen after the fundamental changes are made internally, to emphasize the values and priorities they will have moving forward..

LovesOurLord said:

I can only hope all his videos and books are removed from Christian stores, churches, and schools and his ministry shuttered.

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Why?... Here is someone whose best friend worked for Ravi's ministries, he's a Christian apologist who's present work has numerous Muslims leaving Islam.

Edit:spelling

Doesn't this make you wonder about everyone else you know who supposedly has that type of back condition that requires them to disrobe with their masseuse?

Sketcher said:

Prior to watching that long video and based on what I have learned so far from following the story:

What Ravi did was inexcusable.
What Ravi taught that I know of was good.
What RZIM is doing now, with its audit and with the people they're bringing in to help correct the culture and practices that allowed this to happen, appears to be the right thing.

I therefore don't agree with getting rid of his books or videos.
RZIM should probably re-brand, but what is more important is that it should transform.

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Good day!

If you want to keep Ravi's materials for personal edification, that's fine. However, a ministry or church that continues to use his teachings, knowing what we now know, can end up severely misleading those new to the faith or even seasoned saints who may get the wrong idea. Paul talks about not injuring a fellow believer in the exercise of our liberties, and perhaps this concept is applicable here as well.

John Lujan said:

Good day!

If you want to keep Ravi's materials for personal edification, that's fine. However, a ministry or church that continues to use his teachings, knowing what we now know, can end up severely misleading those new to the faith or even seasoned saints who may get the wrong idea. Paul talks about not injuring a fellow believer in the exercise of our liberties, and perhaps this concept is applicable here as well.

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Yeah, I can see that. I would not be surprised if many a church library soon got rid of their books and videos by him. Of course, there's also videos and books he contributed to, which makes for a tougher decision.

John Lujan said:

Good day!

If you want to keep Ravi's materials for personal edification, that's fine. However, a ministry or church that continues to use his teachings, knowing what we now know, can end up severely misleading those new to the faith or even seasoned saints who may get the wrong idea. Paul talks about not injuring a fellow believer in the exercise of our liberties, and perhaps this concept is applicable here as well.

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His teachings stand of fall on their own merits. They are not invalidated by his sexual immorality. This speaks to the reality that the church is composed of sinners. Had this come to light while Ravi was still alive, it would have been grounds for discipline. It’s water under the bridge now.

This is extremely sad to see. I found my faith in Orthodoxy, but on my way Ravi Zacharias’ preaching was most helpful to me in rediscovering Christ. Prayers that those who were hurt be healed & that his soul is at peace.

Lukaris said:

This is extremely sad to see. I found my faith in Orthodoxy, but on my way Ravi Zacharias’ preaching was most helpful to me in rediscovering Christ. Prayers that those who were hurt be healed & that his soul is at peace.

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Same. Its so disappointing when leaders fall from grace or are exposed. I know were all human but man.

Macchiato said:

Same. Its so disappointing when leaders fall from grace or are exposed. I know were all human but man.

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I wonder if the recent murders in Georgia's Asian masseuses is related to Ravi's issues. The murderer is a religious Baptist.

Andrewn said:

I wonder if the recent murders in Georgia's Asian masseuses is related to Ravi's issues. The murderer is a religious Baptist.

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Dont want to blame religion. Those were his actions alone.

Lukaris said:

This is extremely sad to see. I found my faith in Orthodoxy, but on my way Ravi Zacharias’ preaching was most helpful to me in rediscovering Christ. Prayers that those who were hurt be healed & that his soul is at peace.

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I hear that. My husband actually met him. I had admired his beautiful and articulate preaching, and I believe that his sermons helped lead me to Christ. I had always wanted to meet him.

But the pain and emotional and spiritual fallout from sexual abuse, especially abuse from a respected religious leader, can’t be brushed aside. This was not a consensual affair; it was abuse. And lying. And covering stuff up. Over and over again. That matters. Our works matter, even more than our beautiful words or polished speeches or humble demeanor.

I am sad for everyone.

Andrewn said:

I wonder if the recent murders in Georgia's Asian masseuses is related to Ravi's issues. The murderer is a religious Baptist.

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Completely different massage parlors. I find it unlikely.