i dont think this is the right place to discuss this issue. especially since this has hurt a lot of people like the families and friends involved. i wish people could have the balls to actually talk to each other face to face about this. c[:

poo-flingers!

I've read all the comments, honestly it's truly a shame with what everyone is saying. I see a lot of finger pointing and blame. I don't believe the "CHURCH" is to blame. There is bad all around, the world, you can't blame the church for it happening. There is sin in everyone, whether they are members of a church or not. We all commit sins, some are more severe then others. All of the high and mighty ones that say "you don't believe that a person is capable of committing a crime", anyone can commit a crime. Were you there with them at all times, have you followed their steps all through their life. Crimes like this go on all the time, the people committing them are not going to stand in public and commit and expose themselves. They don't walk around the world with signs saying I've committed a crime." I don't know if he is guilty or innocence. But I hope that if he is guilty then he serve the time for his crimes. Honestly how can you put blame on a innocent child, 9 times out of 10, a child lies because they are scared. All the what ifs am I going to be in trouble if I speak up, will I be believed, what will happen if I speak up. Honestly for those who are attacking "Mrs.G" that's preposterous. I have known "Mrs. G" for along time, I don't see how anyone can blame her. But then again maybe your just trying to aid your own guilt, because maybe you knew something and didn't speak up. I don't know your reasons for placing blame. Benjamin Franklin wrote, 'Don't throw stones at your neighbors', if your own windows are glass.' Those who throw stones, are not always innocent. I'm not judging. But ask yourself this "IF THIS WAS YOUR CHILD OR A RELATIVE WOULD YOU NOT WANT JUSTICE FOUND?" His peers did find him guilty. I honestly think everyone involved needs prayer and a chance to heal. I hope that the girls will be able to move forward in their life's with a positive outlook, and not be jaded. I'm personally thankful that I have had the pleasure of knowing "Mrs.G", she has made a positive effect on my life, she's a person I would call friend any day of the week.

I agree....you ppl would stoop so low as to actually PREFER TO blame children for lying than to believe this man did this?!?!? I do not know if he did or didn't...I dont know any of the details, only 2-3 instances where the man in question made me very uneasy....but to blame children, churches, pastors, pastor's wives, & the convicted man's family?! PROPOSTEROUS! And all you name-callers, and "poo flingers" as one man called them....If you are so RIGHT, then do the RIGHT thing and PRAY FOR THE ENTIRE SITUATION. PUT IT IN GOD'S HANDS, AND CHILL OUT!!!! THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRULY HURTING. THIS IS A REAL SITUATION,NOT JUST SOME JUICY THREAD!

Satan has nothing to do with this, even if the old woman exists which is doubtful. This free for all is typical for this wensite, you have a a group of self righteous, know it all people, who judge someone based on news reports and rumors rather than facts. I have no idea if the man is guilty, if he is he belongs in jail, but the rumors I'm seeing here should have been investigated by both sides. DNA proves men innocent every year, showing you can't convict someone just on word because mistakes are made. Like I said I don't know if he's innocent or guilty neither do I know him, I just hope that he had the money to get a fair trial which in this day and time is doubtful.

I used to automatically believe that when people where charged with such a crime they were guilty and should be punished. But after having a close friend of mine be convicted of a crime of this nature and know that he is truly innocent. I try to keep an open mind. I know for a fact in my friends case this is the 2nd man the woman has accused of molesting her daughters and both got convicted. It seems every time she doesn't want to be with a man anymore thats what she does. I don't know Mr. Hufstetler, and I hope if he is truly innocent that he will get another trial.

Wow, so much poo-flinging in here, it's a wonder someone hasn't had a defamation-of-character filing yet. Christians telling each other off and saying "don't ever talk to me again"? Unbelievers starting flame wars over something that they have no first-hand knowledge of? People saying a church is a "pit of snakes" and attacking the clergy, when they once were a part of the same "pit"? So sad. I've read all this and i'm thinking "Wow, Satan is very succesfully accomplishing his mission to destroy these people."

Not that you asked, and not that I care if you asked, but here is my take:

FACT: Randy Hufstetler, after evidence from a two year investigation was reviewed, was found guilty of child molestation by a jury of twelve peers. The evidence says that he did the crime he was convicted of, and now he will pay the punishment that men have set up for this type of crime. His soul can be redeemed, if he is willing and sincere enough to turn to the God that he apparently walked from before these things happened.

OPINED CERTAINTY (My opinion but not a proven fact): There were people that while they may not have known about these particular incidents, knew that this man had a problem with children, possibly dating years back. Molesters usually don't just pop up after thirty or forty years and one day decide they are going to do their dirty deeds. They've told someone they have a problem, they've been caught at it and it's been covered up, they written a letter, an e-mail, a text, something. But if others did know about it, so what? Could they have prevented it? Try going to the cops and telling them that you think someone is going to commit this type of crime. See how fast you get told "if there's no crime, we can't do anything", and shown the door. Blaming the family, friends, clergy, the person who brought this to the authorities, whoever, isn't going to do anything but maybe get you into the aforementioned libel suit for airing your thoughts online and in print.

FACT: You can blame the church if you want to, but it was not been proven, nor was it a filing in this case, that any of the misdeeds happened at the church. I think you people that are blaming Plainville are doing so because you have been watching to much TV, and anytime something bad happens at any church you automatically assume it's a Ted Haggerty or Jimmy Swaggart thing.

You say that the church needs to be cleaned out from top to bottom? Come on down and they'll hand you a broom! All of you flamers who haven't darkened the doorsteps of Plainville because you are afraid the place would burst into flames, I dare you to come on and see what it's like to be in a church (any church). I'll be the first to admit that Christains aren't the only ones there; evil shows up right on time every Sunday, and just like a Russian spy, Satan has got those on the pews who will do his work as well. Jesus Christ himself said "not everyone who calls on my name knows me". But I would say that about half of the people who go to church are trying to do right, trying to live a life that is pleasing to the Father. If you unbelievers think it's so easy, why not try it yourself, see if you'll become a believer or a pawn?

Now that i've defended, I do have a word of warning for the church in question, and it also applies to ANY church in the world. This case should once again show us that the days of letting anyone and everyone in the doors without question are long over. At every church i've been to, John Nobody can walk in the door, get on his knees, say an Amen, and end up in ANY position in the church. No questions, no background checks, just the assumption that the Lord has changed them and that everything is going to be ok. Furthermore, once a person is in a position of power, there are no checks to see how that person is doing, or even if they are doing what they've been "called" to do in a satisfactory manner. Just as the Bible said it would be, this is an evil, cruel world, and it's going to get worse. No matter how much you want to be nice to people, no matter how afraid you are that you will run an unpaid volunteer off if you start snooping around in their business, you just cannot take the risk and assume people are going to do right. The church got lucky this time; if there had been a doubt that any of these actions had taken place in the church, it would have been lights out, game over. Just ask the Catholics about that.

Enough with this post. Time to let this issue die, let everyone either get on with serving their time, getting the counseling or help they need, or go back and worship. Keeping this article alive and on the front page serves no purpose but to cause more damage to all of those involved.

Instead of he said/she said, we as christians need to be praying for the ones that are feeling the hurt over this. There is no reason for Mrs. G to be attacked, she is a wonderful Godly woman.

Sounds like they did start cleaning out the church top to bottom. They started with cleaning out all of the PERVERTS!!!

Sounds like DullDribble got a bad problem. You about the filtyist person I know. You proved what I said about preverts like you. Its true what I aid about color anf you know its so.

MY MY MY...I first and formost want to address KDM62, you are right in your opening post nosey you are...I have stood this as long as I can..I happen to know Mrs. G. aka pastors wife..Mrs.G has worked in the GC school system for many years. 2 of my children have been in the classroom she works in..THANK GOD for brave women like Mrs. G who is not afraid to get involved when it comes to innocent children..It is my understanding tho that her only involvement was reporting "suspected" child abuse...the authorities are the ones who completed their job with a thorough investigation that lasted 2 years..I do not attend church, some of the reason is because of people like KDM but if I did I certainly would attend where Mrs. G. goes...Thank you again Mrs. G. hold your head up high and do not listen to the nay sayers...I am happy that my children have had the priviledge of being under your supervision..

The comments here are mind-boggling. No child molestor is going to go about their normal day promoting him/her self as such. Many child molestors, and other criminals are often perceived as "good people". The guilty verdicts speak for themselves. Neither this church, nor its pastor, pastor's wife, congregation or any other innocent people affiliated with the church were/are on trial.

Jesus' words in Matthew chapter 18, verse 6 are VERY clear: "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

When we know the Word, we are responsible and accountable for that Word.

A man has been convicted on charges of child molestation, period.

KDM...

I am confused as to what arguement you have that our church needs a "TOP TO BOTTOM" cleaning? I am lost as to what the CHURCH did wrong in this situation. What exactly is this "behavior" you mentioned in your post? Yes, the people involved attended there at one time, but the accused does not represent the character of the church as a whole. I also have not seen any evidence that the CHURCH had any part in the crime that we are speaking of???

I am just asking that you leave out the church and its members that I so dearly love. The fact-of-the-matter is: You come against the work of the church when you speak negatively of it. And no matter what the image is being portrayed on this website, there are people there...who want to see God's kingdom enlarged, and see him receive the glory in everything we do.

the thing is....why is this church the object of your persecution....from what ican see it's just that the parties involved attended there people have lost sight of the truth here

If he were black I doubt if eny of you would be suporting him. Preverts come in ALL colors not just one!

I agree with sick&tiredofjudgers. Don't be ashamed that your church needs a "top to bottom" cleaning, thats to be expected when you put your self in other's business. Maybe all of this gossip that is sorrounding your church is just what it needs to take a step back and evaluate its behavior. When there is gossip it doesnt occur for no reason, theyre is uasually cause for some of it. obviuosly something isnt right. dont be so defensive, dont think you're too perfect to make mistakes, dont ignore this, step back, realize your mistake and CHANGE. No church is perfect, because people arent perfect. i do believe this church will recover from all of this turmoil but i hope that you do change your behavior so this never happens again.

John 16:22 - "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.". (NIV)

I attend the Plainville GOGOP. I love my church, and its members. With all of our faults, at our core, we are a family of believers who love God and his people. I am saddened to hear so many comments questioning our morals and our actions. Ignorance is defined as a "lack of knowledge." I find it to be exemplified in many of the comments below. I can say this, because only Randy, the victims, and GOD truly "KNOW" what happened between them. To offer your prayers, your concerns, or even your belief/disbelief, is appropriate. However, I feel that it is neiter appropriate or acceptable to "point fingers" or "place blame" toward parties not involved.

Furthermore, I would remind you: the verdict is in. The negative slander and hate perpetuation only hinder the healing process for all parties involved. There is no going back...what has been done, is done. What has been said, is said. Let us pray that we as God's imperfect children, can from this point forward... chose to take the high road. Our heavenly Father's ways are higher... so let us be called UP to them.

Let us not forget Proverbs 6:16-19

16 There are six things the LORD hates,

seven that are detestable to him:

17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,

feet that are quick to rush into evil,

19 a false witness who pours out lies...



AND A PERSON WHO STIRS UP CONFLICT IN A

COMMUNITY.

I fear most of us have been one of these at some point in time. Lord, forgive us.