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Evangelical Leader 'Married' 8-Year-old Girl: Ex-Wife

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2009 4:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – An emotional ex-wife of an Arkansas evangelical sect leader testified yesterday that he forced underage girls  to "marry" and have sex with him, reports the Telegraph. The woman, who said she herself was forced into her marriage at the age of 15, said she began having serious doubts about her situation when Tony Alamo, now 74, took as his latest "bride" an 8 year old, and boasted about fondling her as she held a stuffed animal.

The woman testifying, now 30, said Alamo warned her not to question what "the Lord told me to do." She said her parents and grandparents were also Alamo followers, and she feared her family would be shunned if she did not submit to becoming his bride. Another woman who "married" Alamo at 17 is expected to testify today. Alamo set up the multi-million-dollar Alamo Christian Foundation in 1969. He has already served four years for tax evasion. He's currently charged with taking underage girls across state lines for sex.

Evangelist Tony Alamo is led from the federal courthouse in downtown Texarkana, Ark. Alamo is charged with taking underage girls across state lines for sex.
Evangelist Tony Alamo is led from the federal courthouse in downtown Texarkana, Ark. Alamo is charged with taking underage girls across state lines for sex.   (AP Photo/Texarkana Gazette, Evan Lewis)
Evangelist Tony Alamo is led from the federal courthouse in downtown Texarkana, Ark.
Evangelist Tony Alamo is led from the federal courthouse in downtown Texarkana, Ark.   (AP Photo/Texarkana Gazette, Evan Lewis)
This undated photo made available by Tony Alamo Christian Ministries shows Tony Alamo and his late wife Susan during the early days of the Alamo Christian Foundation.
This undated photo made available by Tony Alamo Christian Ministries shows Tony Alamo and his late wife Susan during the early days of the Alamo Christian Foundation.   (AP Photo/Tony Alamo Christian Ministries)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
Corres
Jul 17, 2009 12:03 PM CDT
Matthew the 23rd chapter has indictment after indictment of the Pharisees, pronouncing woe on them for their hypocrisy and giving specific reasons why Jehovah God did not approve of them. This chapter also has Jesus' tender words toward the people who were misled by those religious leaders, where Jesus compares himself to a mother hen wanting to gather them up like little chicks. God's standards haven't changed, so we can still use the Bible today to tell the difference between self-serving hypocrites and self-sacrificing servants of God.
newsrmandan
Jul 17, 2009 12:01 PM CDT
I am not a huge proponent of the death penalty but it there is ever a case its one like this.
kokuaguy
Jul 17, 2009 3:56 AM CDT
Another fine Christian role model.

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