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Top 10 Most Shocking Religious Scandals


hold this cut behold the atheists

hold this cut behold the atheists nightmare these were the moments that

nightmare these were the moments that

nightmare these were the moments that rocked some religions to their very core

rocked some religions to their very core

rocked some religions to their very core the banana and the hand op perfectly

the banana and the hand op perfectly

the banana and the hand op perfectly made one for the other welcome to

made one for the other welcome to

made one for the other welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten religious

down our picks for the top ten religious

down our picks for the top ten religious scandals for this list will be ranking

scandals for this list will be ranking

scandals for this list will be ranking high-profile and widespread scandals

high-profile and widespread scandals

high-profile and widespread scandals that had some serious repercussions

that had some serious repercussions

that had some serious repercussions within their respective religious

within their respective religious

within their respective religious institutions number 10 Jim and Tammy

institutions number 10 Jim and Tammy

institutions number 10 Jim and Tammy Faye Baker rape and fraud scandals I

Faye Baker rape and fraud scandals I

Faye Baker rape and fraud scandals I never asked for a scandal and I’m never

never asked for a scandal and I’m never

never asked for a scandal and I’m never gonna shut my mouth about this

gonna shut my mouth about this

gonna shut my mouth about this televangelism has proven popular and

televangelism has proven popular and

televangelism has proven popular and lucrative since the 1950s with a number

lucrative since the 1950s with a number

lucrative since the 1950s with a number of high-profile preachers like Rex

of high-profile preachers like Rex

of high-profile preachers like Rex Humbert and WV grant achieving massive

Humbert and WV grant achieving massive

Humbert and WV grant achieving massive financial success Jim and Tammy Faye

financial success Jim and Tammy Faye

financial success Jim and Tammy Faye Baker were even more popular running

Baker were even more popular running

Baker were even more popular running their praise the Lord or PTL Club

their praise the Lord or PTL Club

their praise the Lord or PTL Club ministry / TV show from the 70s to the

ministry / TV show from the 70s to the

ministry / TV show from the 70s to the 1980s scandal arose when Jim was alleged

1980s scandal arose when Jim was alleged

1980s scandal arose when Jim was alleged to have raped his church secretary

to have raped his church secretary

to have raped his church secretary Jessica Hahn the PTL ran into further

Jessica Hahn the PTL ran into further

Jessica Hahn the PTL ran into further problems when the Baker’s were accused

problems when the Baker’s were accused

problems when the Baker’s were accused of defrauding their flock of donations

of defrauding their flock of donations

of defrauding their flock of donations for heritage USA a Christian theme park

for heritage USA a Christian theme park

for heritage USA a Christian theme park allegedly the Baker’s pocketed the

allegedly the Baker’s pocketed the

allegedly the Baker’s pocketed the excess funds and promised hotel stays

excess funds and promised hotel stays

excess funds and promised hotel stays that could not be fulfilled Jim was

that could not be fulfilled Jim was

that could not be fulfilled Jim was sentenced to 45 years in prison serving

sentenced to 45 years in prison serving

sentenced to 45 years in prison serving only five while Tammy Faye divorced him

only five while Tammy Faye divorced him

only five while Tammy Faye divorced him during his incarceration number nine

during his incarceration number nine

during his incarceration number nine Mother Teresa’s motivations and charity

Mother Teresa’s motivations and charity

Mother Teresa’s motivations and charity scandal to her the convent and the

scandal to her the convent and the

scandal to her the convent and the Catechism mattered more than the clinic

Catechism mattered more than the clinic

Catechism mattered more than the clinic Albanian Indian nun and missionary

Albanian Indian nun and missionary

Albanian Indian nun and missionary mother Teresa founded the missionaries

mother Teresa founded the missionaries

mother Teresa founded the missionaries of charity and did a large part of her

of charity and did a large part of her

of charity and did a large part of her work in India where her organization ran

work in India where her organization ran

work in India where her organization ran hospices and assistance programs for the

hospices and assistance programs for the

hospices and assistance programs for the poor and sick in 2015 however Mohan

poor and sick in 2015 however Mohan

poor and sick in 2015 however Mohan Bhagwat the head of a Hindu nationalist

Bhagwat the head of a Hindu nationalist

Bhagwat the head of a Hindu nationalist group criticized Teresa’s legacy citing

group criticized Teresa’s legacy citing

group criticized Teresa’s legacy citing suspected ulterior motives to convert

suspected ulterior motives to convert

suspected ulterior motives to convert those she helped to Christianity

those she helped to Christianity

those she helped to Christianity journalist Christopher Hitchens had

journalist Christopher Hitchens had

journalist Christopher Hitchens had expressed similar denunciations saying

expressed similar denunciations saying

expressed similar denunciations saying the Teresa’s perceived altruism was in

the Teresa’s perceived altruism was in

the Teresa’s perceived altruism was in fact a ruse he alleged that she wished

fact a ruse he alleged that she wished

fact a ruse he alleged that she wished to advocate suffering and not to save

to advocate suffering and not to save

to advocate suffering and not to save people from the hardships of poverty

people from the hardships of poverty

people from the hardships of poverty others held mother Teresa accountable

others held mother Teresa accountable

others held mother Teresa accountable for misusing

for misusing

for misusing funds and delivering poor medical

funds and delivering poor medical

funds and delivering poor medical assistance accusations that fail to

assistance accusations that fail to

assistance accusations that fail to impact your declaration of sainthood by

impact your declaration of sainthood by

impact your declaration of sainthood by the Vatican in 2016

the Vatican in 2016

the Vatican in 2016 why are you not boiling water and

why are you not boiling water and

why are you not boiling water and sterilizing your needles says there’s no

sterilizing your needles says there’s no

sterilizing your needles says there’s no point number eight Gilbert day at child

point number eight Gilbert day at child

point number eight Gilbert day at child abduction and trafficking scandal this

abduction and trafficking scandal this

abduction and trafficking scandal this kenyan evangelist ran into controversy

kenyan evangelist ran into controversy

kenyan evangelist ran into controversy soon after establishing his gilbert de m

soon after establishing his gilbert de m

soon after establishing his gilbert de m ministries in the united kingdom in the

ministries in the united kingdom in the

ministries in the united kingdom in the late 1990s dia who refers to himself as

late 1990s dia who refers to himself as

late 1990s dia who refers to himself as the Archbishop of Peckham has made many

the Archbishop of Peckham has made many

the Archbishop of Peckham has made many claims over the course of his career for

claims over the course of his career for

claims over the course of his career for example he sold olive oil by suggesting

example he sold olive oil by suggesting

example he sold olive oil by suggesting it had the infused holy power to combat

it had the infused holy power to combat

it had the infused holy power to combat cancer and HIV the most serious

cancer and HIV the most serious

cancer and HIV the most serious allegations against daya and his wife

allegations against daya and his wife

allegations against daya and his wife Mary daya however were those involving

Mary daya however were those involving

Mary daya however were those involving child trafficking and abduction tied to

child trafficking and abduction tied to

child trafficking and abduction tied to his ministry’s promised to assist

his ministry’s promised to assist

his ministry’s promised to assist infertile couples marry day was arrested

infertile couples marry day was arrested

infertile couples marry day was arrested in 2004 and bishop daya was apprehended

in 2004 and bishop daya was apprehended

in 2004 and bishop daya was apprehended two years later after it was revealed

two years later after it was revealed

two years later after it was revealed that they had stolen children from a

that they had stolen children from a

that they had stolen children from a nairobi Maternity Hospital

nairobi Maternity Hospital

nairobi Maternity Hospital and presented them as miracle babies

and presented them as miracle babies

and presented them as miracle babies number six but Zaitsev up a herpe

number six but Zaitsev up a herpe

number six but Zaitsev up a herpe scandal the practice of male

scandal the practice of male

scandal the practice of male circumcision is an ancient covenant of

circumcision is an ancient covenant of

circumcision is an ancient covenant of the Jewish faith dating back to the

the Jewish faith dating back to the

the Jewish faith dating back to the religions foundation Medici Pope a is a

religions foundation Medici Pope a is a

religions foundation Medici Pope a is a traditional form of circumcision that

traditional form of circumcision that

traditional form of circumcision that became newsworthy in the early 2000s

became newsworthy in the early 2000s

became newsworthy in the early 2000s when a number of Israeli and New York

when a number of Israeli and New York

when a number of Israeli and New York City infants were diagnosed with herpes

City infants were diagnosed with herpes

City infants were diagnosed with herpes critics claimed the virus was

critics claimed the virus was

critics claimed the virus was transmitted by the moil during this

transmitted by the moil during this

transmitted by the moil during this process this is due largely to the fact

process this is due largely to the fact

process this is due largely to the fact that Mitsuba pay involves Lamoille

that Mitsuba pay involves Lamoille

that Mitsuba pay involves Lamoille sucking the blood from the circumcision

sucking the blood from the circumcision

sucking the blood from the circumcision before bandaging the area

before bandaging the area

before bandaging the area New York’s Department of Health later

New York’s Department of Health later

New York’s Department of Health later responded by passing a regulation

responded by passing a regulation

responded by passing a regulation requiring that all parents recognize the

requiring that all parents recognize the

requiring that all parents recognize the health risks associated with medida by

health risks associated with medida by

health risks associated with medida by pay and sign a consent form before

pay and sign a consent form before

pay and sign a consent form before proceeding with the ritual number 6

proceeding with the ritual number 6

proceeding with the ritual number 6 creflo dollar Gulfstream jet and

creflo dollar Gulfstream jet and

creflo dollar Gulfstream jet and domestic violence scandals truth is that

domestic violence scandals truth is that

domestic violence scandals truth is that a family conversation with our youngest

a family conversation with our youngest

a family conversation with our youngest daughter got emotional in 2014 the

daughter got emotional in 2014 the

daughter got emotional in 2014 the Atlanta based evangelist creflo dollar

Atlanta based evangelist creflo dollar

Atlanta based evangelist creflo dollar came under fire when he asked for

came under fire when he asked for

came under fire when he asked for donations to purchase a six

donations to purchase a six

donations to purchase a six million-dollar Gulfstream jet which he

million-dollar Gulfstream jet which he

million-dollar Gulfstream jet which he stated he would use to spread the

stated he would use to spread the

stated he would use to spread the ministry of his non-denominational world

ministry of his non-denominational world

ministry of his non-denominational world changers church international if I want

changers church international if I want

changers church international if I want to believe gone for sixty-five million

to believe gone for sixty-five million

to believe gone for sixty-five million dollar plane cannot stop me

prior to that in 2012 a more serious

prior to that in 2012 a more serious accusation of domestic violence was made

accusation of domestic violence was made

accusation of domestic violence was made against the minister by his teenage

against the minister by his teenage

against the minister by his teenage daughter dollar was arrested for battery

daughter dollar was arrested for battery

daughter dollar was arrested for battery after his daughter claimed she was

after his daughter claimed she was

after his daughter claimed she was choked and punched by her father at

choked and punched by her father at

choked and punched by her father at their home the altercation actually

their home the altercation actually

their home the altercation actually stems from an argument over the 15 year

stems from an argument over the 15 year

stems from an argument over the 15 year old attending a party the charge was

old attending a party the charge was

old attending a party the charge was later dropped after dollar who

later dropped after dollar who

later dropped after dollar who maintained that he was innocent

maintained that he was innocent

maintained that he was innocent completed a required anger management

completed a required anger management

completed a required anger management course I should have never been arrested

course I should have never been arrested

course I should have never been arrested number 5 mount Cashel orphanage child

number 5 mount Cashel orphanage child

number 5 mount Cashel orphanage child sex abuse scandal the mount Cashel

sex abuse scandal the mount Cashel

sex abuse scandal the mount Cashel orphanage was a home for wards of the

orphanage was a home for wards of the

orphanage was a home for wards of the state

state

state located in Saint John’s Newfoundland

located in Saint John’s Newfoundland

located in Saint John’s Newfoundland which took in young children for decades

which took in young children for decades

which took in young children for decades starting in the 1950s

starting in the 1950s

starting in the 1950s unfortunately the orphanage is largely

unfortunately the orphanage is largely

unfortunately the orphanage is largely remembered for the scandal that

remembered for the scandal that

remembered for the scandal that eventually forced it to close its doors

eventually forced it to close its doors

eventually forced it to close its doors in 1990 it was revealed that over 300

in 1990 it was revealed that over 300

in 1990 it was revealed that over 300 residents had been abused by staff

residents had been abused by staff

residents had been abused by staff members of the Christian Brothers of

members of the Christian Brothers of

members of the Christian Brothers of Ireland in Canada during their time at

Ireland in Canada during their time at

Ireland in Canada during their time at Mount Cashel this sex abuse scandal was

Mount Cashel this sex abuse scandal was

Mount Cashel this sex abuse scandal was the largest in Canadian history and one

the largest in Canadian history and one

the largest in Canadian history and one of the largest worldwide

of the largest worldwide

of the largest worldwide it was made all the more troubling given

it was made all the more troubling given

it was made all the more troubling given the fact that many religious and local

the fact that many religious and local

the fact that many religious and local authorities knew of the abuse and had

authorities knew of the abuse and had

authorities knew of the abuse and had paid off several victims in my opinion

paid off several victims in my opinion

paid off several victims in my opinion we’ve just scratched the surface I mean

we’ve just scratched the surface I mean

we’ve just scratched the surface I mean there’s a lot of people out there that

there’s a lot of people out there that

there’s a lot of people out there that haven’t even come forward there’s a lot

haven’t even come forward there’s a lot

haven’t even come forward there’s a lot of people have to read have settled

of people have to read have settled

of people have to read have settled already and are still living with this

already and are still living with this

already and are still living with this because you never shake this number for

because you never shake this number for

because you never shake this number for Bishop Eddie Long sex scandal because

Bishop Eddie Long sex scandal because

Bishop Eddie Long sex scandal because men are being feminized and women are

men are being feminized and women are

men are being feminized and women are becoming masculine in 2010 the New Birth

becoming masculine in 2010 the New Birth

becoming masculine in 2010 the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church into Cobb

Missionary Baptist Church into Cobb

Missionary Baptist Church into Cobb County Georgia became a center for

County Georgia became a center for

County Georgia became a center for scandal multiple male parishioner

scandal multiple male parishioner

scandal multiple male parishioner stepped forward with lawsuits claiming

stepped forward with lawsuits claiming

stepped forward with lawsuits claiming that new births Bishop Eddie Long a

that new births Bishop Eddie Long a

that new births Bishop Eddie Long a crusader against gay marriage during his

crusader against gay marriage during his

crusader against gay marriage during his ministry’s have pressured them into

ministry’s have pressured them into

ministry’s have pressured them into sexual relations when they were in their

sexual relations when they were in their

sexual relations when they were in their teens I don’t trust nobody I will not

teens I don’t trust nobody I will not

teens I don’t trust nobody I will not trust anybody I’m have to go to a lot of

trust anybody I’m have to go to a lot of

trust anybody I’m have to go to a lot of therapy sessions I know I will the

therapy sessions I know I will the

therapy sessions I know I will the lawsuits detailed that long had plied

lawsuits detailed that long had plied

lawsuits detailed that long had plied the young boys with presents and trips

the young boys with presents and trips

the young boys with presents and trips in exchange for sex long denied the

in exchange for sex long denied the

in exchange for sex long denied the claims via his attorney and in prepared

claims via his attorney and in prepared

claims via his attorney and in prepared statements he eventually resolved

statements he eventually resolved

statements he eventually resolved out-of-court with the plaintiffs though

out-of-court with the plaintiffs though

out-of-court with the plaintiffs though details remain confidential

details remain confidential

details remain confidential why did you settle the case the ohh

why did you settle the case the ohh

why did you settle the case the ohh gambling song gotta know when to hold it

gambling song gotta know when to hold it

gambling song gotta know when to hold it know when to fold it know when to walk

know when to fold it know when to walk

know when to fold it know when to walk away

away

away number three Jimmy Swaggart sex scandal

number three Jimmy Swaggart sex scandal

number three Jimmy Swaggart sex scandal I have sinned against you my lord and I

I have sinned against you my lord and I

I have sinned against you my lord and I would ask that your precious Jimmy Lee

would ask that your precious Jimmy Lee

would ask that your precious Jimmy Lee swagger was a well-known televangelist

swagger was a well-known televangelist

swagger was a well-known televangelist in the 1980s and a minister of the

in the 1980s and a minister of the

in the 1980s and a minister of the Pentecostal Christian denomination known

Pentecostal Christian denomination known

Pentecostal Christian denomination known as the Assemblies of God Swaggart

as the Assemblies of God Swaggart

as the Assemblies of God Swaggart success and notoriety came under fire in

success and notoriety came under fire in

success and notoriety came under fire in the public eye however when the preacher

the public eye however when the preacher

the public eye however when the preacher became involved in a sex scandal with a

became involved in a sex scandal with a

became involved in a sex scandal with a prostitute this ultimately led the

prostitute this ultimately led the

prostitute this ultimately led the assembly to strip him of his ability to

assembly to strip him of his ability to

assembly to strip him of his ability to practice religious ordinances Swaggart’s

practice religious ordinances Swaggart’s

practice religious ordinances Swaggart’s struggled during the scandal reached its

struggled during the scandal reached its

struggled during the scandal reached its peak when in 1988 he addressed his wife

peak when in 1988 he addressed his wife

peak when in 1988 he addressed his wife and congregation in a choked up

and congregation in a choked up

and congregation in a choked up confession it was watched on television

confession it was watched on television

confession it was watched on television by millions and served as one of the

by millions and served as one of the

by millions and served as one of the most memorable moments of the 80s

most memorable moments of the 80s

most memorable moments of the 80s televangelist boom mr. kentley number 2

televangelist boom mr. kentley number 2

televangelist boom mr. kentley number 2 the Vatican leaks scandal the Vatican

the Vatican leaks scandal the Vatican

the Vatican leaks scandal the Vatican leaks scandal or vatileaks received

leaks scandal or vatileaks received

leaks scandal or vatileaks received significant public attention when a book

significant public attention when a book

significant public attention when a book by Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi

by Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi

by Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi entitled his holiness the secret papers

entitled his holiness the secret papers

entitled his holiness the secret papers of benedict xvi was released the book

of benedict xvi was released the book

of benedict xvi was released the book contained letters between pope benedict

contained letters between pope benedict

contained letters between pope benedict xvi and his personal secretary that

xvi and his personal secretary that

xvi and his personal secretary that exposed stories of financial corruption

exposed stories of financial corruption

exposed stories of financial corruption including bribery further fuel was added

including bribery further fuel was added

including bribery further fuel was added to the fire when an internal vatican

to the fire when an internal vatican

to the fire when an internal vatican investigation revealed the church

investigation revealed the church

investigation revealed the church outsiders had blackmailed homosexual

outsiders had blackmailed homosexual

outsiders had blackmailed homosexual clergymen ultimately Pope Benedict

clergymen ultimately Pope Benedict

clergymen ultimately Pope Benedict resigned his position in February of

resigned his position in February of

resigned his position in February of 2013 the first time in almost 600 years

2013 the first time in almost 600 years

2013 the first time in almost 600 years that a pope had done so before we unveil

that a pope had done so before we unveil

that a pope had done so before we unveil our number one pick here are some

our number one pick here are some

our number one pick here are some honorable mentions La Cosa Nostra s

honorable mentions La Cosa Nostra s

honorable mentions La Cosa Nostra s assistant Ariat o contest Otto ma lost I

assistant Ariat o contest Otto ma lost I

assistant Ariat o contest Otto ma lost I saw Roberto Calvi persona capacity I

saw Roberto Calvi persona capacity I

saw Roberto Calvi persona capacity I conduct a census crouppen Mike Jones is

conduct a census crouppen Mike Jones is

conduct a census crouppen Mike Jones is standing by his stunning allegations

standing by his stunning allegations

standing by his stunning allegations that Reverend Haggard paid him for sex

that Reverend Haggard paid him for sex

that Reverend Haggard paid him for sex at a once a month for three years as

at a once a month for three years as

at a once a month for three years as well as for methamphetamines that is God

well as for methamphetamines that is God

well as for methamphetamines that is God penetrating your heart it’s burning on

penetrating your heart it’s burning on

penetrating your heart it’s burning on the inside of you and you need to make a

the inside of you and you need to make a

the inside of you and you need to make a vow of faith of $1,000 number 1 the

vow of faith of $1,000 number 1 the

vow of faith of $1,000 number 1 the Boston sexual abuse scandal

Boston sexual abuse scandal

Boston sexual abuse scandal Cardinal law and the Boston archdiocese

Cardinal law and the Boston archdiocese

Cardinal law and the Boston archdiocese are defendants in 25 of those lawsuits

are defendants in 25 of those lawsuits

are defendants in 25 of those lawsuits accused of negligence for not properly

accused of negligence for not properly

accused of negligence for not properly supervising Gagan the Academy

supervising Gagan the Academy

supervising Gagan the Academy award-winning 2015 film spotlight takes

award-winning 2015 film spotlight takes

award-winning 2015 film spotlight takes inspiration from this series of news

inspiration from this series of news

inspiration from this series of news reports first published in 2002 by

reports first published in 2002 by

reports first published in 2002 by journalists at the Boston Globe we’ve

journalists at the Boston Globe we’ve

journalists at the Boston Globe we’ve got two stories here we’re gonna story

got two stories here we’re gonna story

got two stories here we’re gonna story about the generate clergy and we’ve got

about the generate clergy and we’ve got

about the generate clergy and we’ve got a story about a bunch of lawyers turning

a story about a bunch of lawyers turning

a story about a bunch of lawyers turning child abuse into a cottage industry the

child abuse into a cottage industry the

child abuse into a cottage industry the articles brought to light accusations by

articles brought to light accusations by

articles brought to light accusations by a number of plaintiffs of sexual abuse

a number of plaintiffs of sexual abuse

a number of plaintiffs of sexual abuse against Catholic priests in the

against Catholic priests in the

against Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Boston some of whom said

Archdiocese of Boston some of whom said

Archdiocese of Boston some of whom said their tales of abuse went all the way

their tales of abuse went all the way

their tales of abuse went all the way back to their childhood that abuse was

back to their childhood that abuse was

back to their childhood that abuse was happening during the time that I was

happening during the time that I was

happening during the time that I was growing up in discovering Who I am as a

growing up in discovering Who I am as a

growing up in discovering Who I am as a person this series of articles assured

person this series of articles assured

person this series of articles assured in even more claims as more alleged

in even more claims as more alleged

in even more claims as more alleged victims came forward perhaps most

victims came forward perhaps most

victims came forward perhaps most notable was the criticism that landed at

notable was the criticism that landed at

notable was the criticism that landed at the feet of the church itself the

the feet of the church itself the

the feet of the church itself the institution was accused of covering up

institution was accused of covering up

institution was accused of covering up these crimes

these crimes

these crimes having reappointed the incriminated

having reappointed the incriminated

having reappointed the incriminated pastors to other parishes in order to

pastors to other parishes in order to

pastors to other parishes in order to protect its reputation

protect its reputation

protect its reputation now that globe investigation into court

now that globe investigation into court

now that globe investigation into court documents revealed that the church knew

documents revealed that the church knew

documents revealed that the church knew a great deal about Gagan and his

a great deal about Gagan and his

a great deal about Gagan and his offenses at the time they were committed

offenses at the time they were committed

offenses at the time they were committed do you agree with our list which

do you agree with our list which

do you agree with our list which religious scandal shocked you the most

religious scandal shocked you the most

religious scandal shocked you the most for more controversial top 10s published

for more controversial top 10s published

for more controversial top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to

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watchmojo.com we’ve seen midgets grow

watchmojo.com we’ve seen midgets grow we’ve seen arms and legs that stopped

we’ve seen arms and legs that stopped

we’ve seen arms and legs that stopped going because the grow cells that stop

going because the grow cells that stop

going because the grow cells that stop none dead about such I don’t make this

none dead about such I don’t make this

none dead about such I don’t make this stuff up

”

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