Slander & Defamation in Church

[jgwi1414]

What is the name of your state? Tennessee

My wife was requested by another church member to attend a meeting with the co-pastor. The other church member requested to tape the meeting and the pastor agreed.
My wife asked a couple of questions regarding disbursement of funds from the pastor's descretionary fund. In question was over $6000.00 used for the pastor's brother at a time when finances were in the red.

In the pastor's Sunday school class the next Sunday, the pastor told the class members(about 10 people) these women were "troublemakers" and telling "untruths". He mentioned them by name. There were no untruths by either women in the meeting. This has caused us being shunned by some members and the pastor has continued his campaign but not mentioning anyone by name.

Would we have a case?

 

[Silverplum]

You might think I'm kidding, but I'm not. You might think I'm being sarcastic, but I'm not. My honest opinion on this is: WWJD?

What is the name of your state? Tennessee

My wife was requested by another church member to attend a meeting with the co-pastor. The other church member requested to tape the meeting and the pastor agreed.
My wife asked a couple of questions regarding disbursement of funds from the pastor's descretionary fund. In question was over $6000.00 used for the pastor's brother at a time when finances were in the red.

In the pastor's Sunday school class the next Sunday, the pastor told the class members(about 10 people) these women were "troublemakers" and telling "untruths". He mentioned them by name. There were no untruths by either women in the meeting. This has caused us being shunned by some members and the pastor has continued his campaign but not mentioning anyone by name.

Would we have a case?

 

[fairisfair]

I would say that you have a very strong case. To change churches.

 

[The Occultist]

He mentioned them by name. ...but not mentioning anyone by name.

You're contradicting yourself...

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state? Tennessee

My wife was requested by another church member to attend a meeting with the co-pastor. The other church member requested to tape the meeting and the pastor agreed.
My wife asked a couple of questions regarding disbursement of funds from the pastor's descretionary fund. In question was over $6000.00 used for the pastor's brother at a time when finances were in the red.

In the pastor's Sunday school class the next Sunday, the pastor told the class members(about 10 people) these women were "troublemakers" and telling "untruths". He mentioned them by name. There were no untruths by either women in the meeting. This has caused us being shunned by some members and the pastor has continued his campaign but not mentioning anyone by name.

Would we have a case?

No, you do not have a case because what the pastor said was not defamatory.

 

[jgwi1414]

Defamation/Slander

the act of defaming; false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel

This is the definition of defamation.

The pastor made false statements and did cause injury to the reputation of these two women by telling untrue statements to a group without the two people he was talking about there to defend themselves.

Curious, are you a judge or a pastor?

 

[fairisfair]

the act of defaming; false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel

This is the definition of defamation.

The pastor made false statements and did cause injury to the reputation of these two women by telling untrue statements to a group without the two people he was talking about there to defend themselves.

Curious, are you a judge or a pastor?

if what he said, is what you said that he said, then no it was NOT defamatory.

He said that they were troublemakers, he apparently believes that they are. He did not say, these women are guilty of inciting a riot that caused numerous people to be injured, and I have proof. There is a big difference in expressing one's own opinion and in the defaming of another's character.

What the heck are you still doing at this church? Isn't the basic premise of religion belief in right and wrong? obviously your beliefs are much different than this pastor, so find another church.

 

[jgwi1414]

We had already left the church, along with over half the membership, when he made the statements. This church willl not be able to survive financially just because of this pastor. The ultimate is he will not be a preacher much longer because he will not have a church.

 

[Silverplum]

We had already left the church, along with over half the membership, when he made the statements. This church willl not be able to survive financially just because of this pastor. The ultimate is he will not be a preacher much longer because he will not have a church.

Then let it go.