Text 165, 70 rader
Skriven 2006-06-05 00:24:00 av ROSS SAUER (1:123/140)
Ärende: Ohio craziness
======================
From Ohio, this is one of those stories that only get a "What the 
(bleep)?" reaction.

Pastor accused of witchcraft

By AMANDA SMITH-TEUTSCH Tribune Chronicle

BLAIR 
AUSTINTOWN 

It may not be focused on the horrors that befall college students in 
some creepy woods, but Mahoning County now has its own "Blair Witch 
Project," complete with elements of witchcraft and intrigue.

The Rev. Mark Musser of Austintown is suing Emmanuel Lutheran Church 
from which he was fired on claims that he was involved in witchcraft.

"For an ordained minister, these are very serious accusations," said 
attorney Matt Blair, who is representing the pastor in the witchcraft 
lawsuit project.

"Webster's Dictionary defines witchcraft as practicing the dark arts, 
and the dark arts are defined as being in league with the devil," Blair 
said.

According to a lawsuit filed by Musser in Mahoning County Court, Elder 
Dominic Monroe of Boardman came into a Bible study group and announced 
that Musser was being fired for practicing witchcraft.

"Apparently, Monroe accused (Musser) of manipulating the congregation, 
of casting a spell on them," Blair said.

A woman who answered the phone at the church Wednesday referred all 
questions to the church's attorney, Martin Yavorcik. A message left for 
the attorney Wednesday evening was not immediately returned.

A woman who answered the phone at Monroe’s residence said "I'm sorry, I 
have no comment’’ and hung up.

The lawsuit alleges slander and defamation of character. It names 
Monroe, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, where Musser was pastor for the last 
year, and unnamed church elders as defendants. 

Monroe changed the locks on the doors of the church and announced to the 
congregation at services that Musser had been fired for practicing 
witchcraft, Blair said.

According to the church's bylaws and constitution, a pastor can only be 
fired by a two-thirds vote of the congregation, not just because of the 
accusations of one church elder, Blair said. 

"We're hoping the church trustees and deacons will have the sense to 
distance themselves from this and reinstate him immediately," Blair 
said. 

From the church, in lieu of compensatory damages, the lawsuit seeks 
immediate reinstatement and back pay.

Monroe does not and never has practiced witchcraft, Blair said. 

"It sounds like something out of the Salem witch trials," the attorney 
said.

Copyright © 2006 The Tribune Chronicle

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