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What Would You Do if a Naked Man Came to Your Church?

Orginally published on Friday, October 07, 2005 at 3:00 PM
by Todd Rhoades

What would you do? [thanks to LHB for the link]A naked man entered St. Mary’s Church during morning Mass and started running around, leaving seven or eight parishioners ‘speechless,’ according to Jim Buerschen, facilities manager for the Catholic church at 310 Allen St. in Dayton, Ohio…

Dayton police identified the man as Michael E. Douglas Jr., 19, of Dayton.

Douglas was arrested Tuesday and charged with public indecency, a fourth-degree misdemeanor, according to Dayton Municipal Court records. He faces 30 days in jail and a $350 fine, if convicted.

Buerschen said he saw the man being escorted from the church by two officers about 15 minutes after he opened the church doors. The man showed no emotion, he said.

?It was bizarre,? Buerschen said Wednesday.

Buerschen said parishioners told him, ?He was running around the church naked.?

A parishioner went into a church office and called 911, Buerschen said.

Dayton police were called to nearby Xenia Avenue around 7:15 a.m. on a call of a naked man sitting at a bus stop, getting on the bus, getting off the bus and walking west on Xenia, according to a police report.

Police responding were flagged down by several elderly people outside the church waiting for 8 a.m. Mass to begin.

?Apparently while the people were inside the church, (Douglas), who was completely naked, entered the side door, and sat down in one of the pews,? the report said. ?All the people who were inside the church then left and refused to return until the police had removed? him.

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TRACKBACKS: (0) There are 8 Comments:

Posted by Matt Johnson

Monday, October 10, 2005 at 11:29 AM

Honestly…
I would probably throw a blanket around the guy and let him stay. To remove him or be offended by him would only hinder him in my opinion. I mean, stuff like that used to happen back in Jesus’ day. All He’d do is cast demons out of him and take him to lunch. Let’s do the same.

Rock on Jesus!
Posted by Franklin Reeves

Monday, October 10, 2005 at 12:17 PM

If someone is naked, clothe him.
Posted by

Monday, October 10, 2005 at 1:35 PM

I agree with both comments. Clothe him then save Him!
Posted by

Monday, October 10, 2005 at 4:53 PM

Been there done that. Had a drunk guy come into service. While someone was making annoucements about the church picnic the next day, he stood up, hollered “I hope God bless you with good weather” and his pants promptly fell down. No underwear. Thus the end to a perfectly good Sunday evening service…
Posted by

Monday, October 10, 2005 at 5:36 PM

I put him in overalls cinched up as tight as they could go and prayed that he wouldn’t wiggle out of them! That was my Houdini-like son who could escape out of everything (car seat, stroller, high chair, and clothing which seemed the most offensive to him - even down to his diapers). The nursery attendents (often me) and the rest of our church family were also treated to his displays. Made even more laughable as he was also quick on his feet, evading capture and “clothesure.” I’m happy to say that he has now learned a bit more modesty.

As for the adult, cover his nakedness and cover him in prayer and, hopefully, Salvation. What a testimony that would be.
Posted by

Monday, October 17, 2005 at 10:54 AM

Preach on the pre-fall state of Adam and Eve? Then pull out a fig leaf for him.
Posted by

Monday, October 17, 2005 at 12:05 PM

David danced naked
Isaiah preached naked

Seriously, had this happen when doing beach ministry years ago - he was given a towel to place across his lap, which he did, then he left before others. Came back on another occasion, this time wearing shorts.
Posted by

Monday, October 17, 2005 at 1:26 PM

There is not evidence that the man doesn’t have salvation. It’s the anthropomorphic nature that we assume that because someone does something outlandish or in this case offensive, that there is a lack of faith. It could very well be a case of misguided zeal.

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Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.