GETTING PAST ALL THE SCANDAL TO COME OUT ON TOP!It was back in 2003 when prominent Houston minister Dr. Joe Ratliff found himself in a firestorm. Not only was it a rumor but there was an audio tape to go with it. The head of Brentwood Baptist Church was caught in a scandal of biblical proportions. He was accused of taking several excursions to Atlanta, Georgia to see what was termed as 'go go boys.' Then there was the allegation he allegedly sexually assaulted a 37 year old man. It was also alleged that Ratliff offered to pay the man for sex. A lawsuit was eventually filed and the issue was settled out of court. Now, let's fast forward 7 years. It appears all is forgiven. After all that is the way of the church. Tuesday Dr. Ratliff found himself front and center at Houston's City Council. He was given a proclamation for his 40 years of service in the community. It's not clear if those 40 years included 2003. The Insite was not quite clear if the pastor was vetted before getting his own day. But maybe the good he has done in the community surpasses the allegations of sexual assault which were settled out of court. What do you think about the pastor getting his own day and being honored by the city? I guess if the Insite can get my own day why not Dr. Ratliff who was caught in a little scandal!
UPDATE: Apparently, the proclamation was the idea of Council Member Jarvis Johnson. I asked Johnson in a text why did he decide to bestow this honor on Ratliff despite the controversy. In a text Johnson writes: "Can't deny 40 years of service. He IS still pastor of Brentwood. I was giving him proc (proclamation) for his 30 years of service."
As a Pastor i am all for forgiveness but Can we Get some accountability?!
ReplyDeleteDr Rat is a non repentant man who NEVEER apologized for his role in that scandal! Remember God ALWAYS has the Last and final laugh!!!!
The COH should have given him a happy hour.... i dont know about a whole day!
ReplyDeleteJarvis talks about SJL for hanging with Hillary, well look who he takin pics with now. I guess Jarvis never heard the tape!
I hate Jarvis did that...Shelia will kick his ass now!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteUPDATE: I'd rather see Jarvis supporting someone in out community because Ratliff has stayed out of the spotlight VS flying to California to be seen at Michael Jackson's funeral declaring a fake proclamation and not supporting Barrack like Shelia Jackson-Lee did.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marcus. I think before this man is honored there should be an apology and recognition for what we all know he did. He expects us to just pretend that we did not hear him talking about the go go boys on the tape in Atlanta. Now how do we digest what we know to honor him?
ReplyDeletePeople kill me how they hold some at certain levels and can forgive so quick. This is not a regular you & I...This is not a 18 Chris Brown who assulted his then girlfriend. This a man of GOD (I use that term loosly) It doesnt matter what years of service he has given or how much money they can donate. It is about his actions. Im sorry but Im not sure what Jarvis is really thinking. Jarvis is running for S.J.Lee's seat...right. I wonder if there is a hidden agenda in there somethere...Something in this Gumbo is tainted.
ReplyDeleteI don't even know the amount of "wow" to assign to this story...
ReplyDeleteFirst Pastor Dixon gets "handsy" and now this?
Forgiveness? Yes...
Leadership? Not so much...
those proclamations don't mean diddlysquat...counsel member hand them out every week to insignificant individuals and insignificant causes just more frivolous spending of tsx payers $$$$
ReplyDeleteelection time is near,and Jarvis has a motive for posing w/Rat. That proclamation means nothing, just something to make u feel good for those few min it took to take that pic. Jarvis has an agenda, and its trying to reel in votes!!!
ReplyDeleteGod says we reap what we sow, so Rat is in good hands. Maybe he's been delivered from them boys dancing on top of them tables and shit. (his own words)
As a member who was baptized at Brentwood and been there since 1981, I am glad to see that Rev. Ratliff is finally rewarded for all of the good things he has done in the community. Feeding the hungry, providing toys for children whose parents are incarcerated and providing shelter for AIDS patients are among the many great accomplishments of Rev. Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff. One of his best sermons is about "a good mane is rather to be chosen." Despite his downfalls, he still has a good name. No matter what is printed here. Like many other pastors (and I won't roll call although I could) he has fallen short at times. He who is among us that is without sin..... We, as a church, have moved on and moved forward. So should the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteCynthia,
ReplyDeleteDon't be trashing the COH Proclamations... You never know who might be reading this and has one, right Insite?
This looks like a case where Jarvis should have done a little research on who he was celebrating.
I seem to remember a few years ago when there was a similar problem with Pe-Te down in the Clear Lake area when, I think, someone tried to name a street after him without doing due diligence. You must do your homework before something like this.
Yes we should forgive and I belive that most people have. I for one DO NOT want a PASTOr who watches boys dancing on the table. Just sayin.
ReplyDelete