In Defense of Owens
The two-part series in The Times on Pastor Dorman Owens and Bible Missionary Fellowship (Jan. 3, 4) caught my interest, for he is my friend and pastor. I am adding it to my “Dormangate” file (my term, not the media’s term). I’ve attended his church since 1980 and I have yet to ever hear him encourage anyone to bomb an abortion clinic.
The sketch of both Dorman and the church had many fine points (like his biography and the military photo and that our church has high moral standards). Some points I think need challenging would be:
A) I find it implausible Dorman would wear the uniform of a Mexican officer, knowing the risks in such an unlawful impersonation. I believe the confusion arose due to the gray AWANA shirt he often wears. AWANA is a Christian organization, similar in some ways to Scouts.
B) Dorman holds that fossils are evidence of the Great Flood of Noah, not “tricks of the devil.”
C) Based on what has been published, I fail to see how Pastor Owens has tampered with a witness (Eric Svelmoe). Then, too, would he attempt such a dangerous task knowing his conversations were being secretly recorded? Let’s credit the man with common sense, even if we disagree with his beliefs.
D) So Pastor Owens is at “war with the courts” because of his pro-life views? Considering that now there is talk about harvesting fetal tissues, I think he has good reason to be “at war”! If Craig Peyer could be released on bail, why not Pastor Owens? Because he is pro-life?
I think we should be thankful that such a man as Dorman Owens is willing to risk so much to save the lives of future generations. My hope is that the stones people throw at him now will be built into a future monument to his memory. God bless him!
JIM FALLON
El Cajon