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By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Juanita Bynum is back in business and ready for divorce.
The Pentecostal Prophetess, who made national headlines two weeks ago when her husband allegedly assaulted her in an Atlanta hotel parking lot, is pursuing legal avenues to end her marriage to Bishop Thomas Weeks, III.
Her spokesperson Amy Malone of GCI Public Relations did not respond to queries regarding published reports of the impending divorce proceedings.
"Bynum said she loves her husband but she is finished with what she called an abusive marriage," EURweb.com reported today. "She confessed she thought the routine heated arguments in their marriage were normal initially. She said she gave her attorney the go-ahead for divorce proceedings last week."
During an interview with Atlanta's Fox 5, the Chicago-born celebrity clergywoman said that this wasn't the first time they had a physical altercation but it had never been to this degree - only pushing and shoving. She said he had never physically drawn a fist back and hit her.
The former welfare recipient, flight attendant, hairdresser and anorexic reportedly said she will assist prosecutors with the aggravated assault case but she could not pass judgment on whether Weeks should go to jail.
She believes he still has redeeming qualities.
She said she doesn't believe her love for her husband will ever die and she thinks she could marry him twice -- but this one is over. She said he's a brilliant man and she believes God will get that purpose out of his life.
Maybe Weeks wasn't meant to be with her but she wished him the best.
Meanwhile, the Washington-based National Black Church Initiative is reportedly calling for his suspension as the leader of Global Destinies Ministries.
Comments: (327)
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By: Natalia on 9/07/2007 9:39AM
Wonderful, she definitely needs to divorce him and move on to better things. No one deserves to be abused. Visit http://executees.net
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By: true dat on 9/07/2007 9:42AM
THANK YOU, THANK YOU juanita for swiftly divorcing this fake idiot. he was wrong and he is a punk. you don't see him fighting a man like that....hopefully he will get his chance to do so behind bars. he is not a preacher or a pastor. thomas weeks is a business man...and a WEEK one at that. he beat down the only thing that could help his fake ministry. LADIES when a man shows you who is, believe him. don't wait for him to change...instead be thankful that he is showing you who he really is. If a man hits you, LEAVE (o:
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By: dre-1 on 9/07/2007 10:32AM
The people of the church should not be biased because of the relationship they have with the church spiritually or finacially. If it were their daughter they would not act or be as forgiving. The man beat her in a vile way while threatening her life. And if the bellhop had not been there what would have happened? She was screaming for her life... God did step in and spared her. To get back together could be the situation that makes society turn silent on domestic violence, and she should be forgiving after being beaten in such a disrespectful manner not as if any beating is a "good" manner but we all know that this had motive and meaning; to leave behind shane, emotional scars and abuse---mess with your mind and self esteem and plant the seeds to destroy the spirit. I am so glad that the state is going to put it to him... If he thought he was going to go to jail instead of getting away with it again, oh! like he did when he attacked the head of church finances, then he would have kept that wrath to himself. He should have been praying in the church when he was mad instead of allowing his anger to consume him. It is just no reason for anyone to over look his consistance violent behavior. And while one of those members are giving him the second chance they just better make sure he's in a good mood... because he got some issues that are noticable if they get him to that level.
suspend, suspend, fine or demote or something !!!
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By: true dat on 9/07/2007 10:37AM
SistaBeGeMe... i can't believe you could say something
so RETARTED as " what did she do to provoke him." you and anynoe else who thinks like this needs to have your heads examined. that fool is responsible for his own actions. no matter what she did or said, he DID NOT HAVE TO RESPOND LIKE THAT. YOU CANNOT CHANE A PERSON, BUT YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR REACTION TO THEM!!!He could have walked away. IF HE WAS SMART, he would have. he made an a$$ of himself of his own free will. it's women like you who perpetuate domestic violence (O:
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By: andrea on 9/07/2007 11:32AM
This type of violence in marraige goes on all the time in the church but it never get exposed like Juanita's has and it's because of her being in the public. I truly hate that this happened to her but just maybe God used this couple to expose what some of his so called christian men are doing to their wives behind closed doors.
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By: Belinda on 9/07/2007 11:57AM
A minister is only effective as long as the people believe he/she is living by the principles they teach. If he is beating his wife, then he is worse than an infidel. (That's not a direct quote from the Bible regarding brutality) I realize that he is only human and subject to the weakness of the flesh. But I still think that he has an anger management problem that he is unwilling to control. As long as he is in this spiritual state, he is not capable of engaging in a loving relationship and any wife he has is in great danger. We have seen enough on TV about how these people kill their mates. Men and women do it; but men to a greater degree.
Juanity Bynum has grounds Biblically to get a divorce from this man. We as Christians must cease condoning this kind of activity from our leaders. He has an obligation to God to exhibit more restraint. If he cannot do that, then he should step down from the ministry. His flock should read their Bibles and stop letting him be their Bible. A leader must be worthy of the task set before him. Is he worthy in the eyes of God?
http://groups.msn.com/FaithfulToHisWord
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By: Angela Leverett on 9/07/2007 11:45AM
Thank God for RWP's comments! I am so VERY TIRED of people assuming the female in these situations is always, without question, ALWAYS the righteous victim. I have been listening to and blessed by Juanita Bynum since I got saved 8 years ago. I just noticed we don't use her married name--now what does that fact tell us? Did she ever INSIST on going by her married name only? I don't think so--it's not as if we wouldn't recognize her if she went by Mrs. Weeks, but I don't EVER recall her honoring her husband by INSISTING she be addressed as HIS WIFE! using his name.
As RWP has stated: "But in no way do I think we should come to any conclusion as if Mrs. Weeks was randomly attacked: 1) without her possibly throwing some blows at Mr. Weeks first (make no mistake about, Juanita is a fighter and a fusser) - quite naturally, his physical strength prevailed hers , 2) without knowing exactly what Mrs. Weeks said to Mr. Weeks that morning - whether her language was provocative or degrading, encouraging and influence his rage and anger, and, 3) whether all during the marriage Mrs. Weeks was 'a submissive and honoring wife', as the Scriptures commands her to be (Ephesians 5:22-24). I'm sorry, but Juanita, no matter how anointed she's supposed to be, she doesn't strike me as submissive at all..."
I agree with RWP 500%, there is something very convenient about this whole PUBLIC event. Marriage vows, especially that salt covenant and other vows before God are to be kept--come hell or high water. I was admiring Sister Bynum for being such an intense witness to us christian women--a spritual powerhouse living in Godly SUBMISSION and honoring her younger husband. This proves to me that I was sorely mistaken, Now I don't believe she was EVER truly submitted or honoring/RESPECTING her man of God. Attention Sisters in Christ!!! Men, ALL MEN--need and crave RESPECT from us. The song made famous by Aretha Franklin was written by Otis Redding--by a man, explaining men's position, listen to the words. As Christians we know perfecting well what the roles God has assigned in families are, you don't have to like it, but are you GOD? Men are to be the Priest/Leader, Provider, and Protector in our homes. We are to submit to them in honor to God. Meek is not weak, it is the stronger person who can submit to another. Are the men of today really allowed to walk in their assigned roles? We women want love first, whereas men want RESPECT and HONOR--Read the Word of God--over and over again He says "Wives HONOR your husbands---husbands LOVE your wives..." These are two separate and distinct emotional needs. I know that I know that those two people did not submit first to God Almighty which would enable them to walk and maintain a Godly union. Sin is rooted in Selfishness--I, I, I--ME, ME, ME!!! As Christians, we are called to submit FIRST to God, then ONE TO ANOTHER in marriage--if you always put your spouse's needs before your own, you are acting in humility, God will take care of the rest. the Word tells us that when we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. God bless you all and look at the facts, I am really tired of men being disrespected and blamed for being men.
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By: true dat on 9/07/2007 11:58AM
Angela Leverett - are you married???? and if so MAY YOUR HUSBAND BEAT YOU THE NEXT TIME YOU DISRESPECT HIM. and if your not married MAY YOU FIND SOME ONE TO BEAT YOU(o:
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By: tlee on 9/12/2007 11:13AM
i am a saved woman that is currently in a marriage full of different levels of abuse from being told on several occassions that i was gonna be killed by him to being pushed,being held down ect he has taken money from our account about $3,000 for phone sex and i can go on it has me on edge when he gets mad i start looking for things in case i have to defend myself i am feisty at times but over all a very good wife no one should have to live like this or like prophetess bynum there is no justification for putting your hands on or even threatenig another person especially if we are professing to be seasoned disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. im not judging because God is the judge but some things ought not be . i pray for healing ,the peace of God, forgiveness and most of all repentance in the Bishops and the Prophetess lives in Jesus name. i need to leave but just dont have the finances. God said he would help me and i believe he will.
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By: marsha on 9/07/2007 5:38PM
ANGELA, GOD SAID RESPECT AND LOVE EACH OTHER. I HARDLY CALL SOMEONE PUTTING A FIST TO SOMEONE'S HEAD TO CAUSE BODILY HARM RESPECT OR LOVE! I THINK YOU MUST BE A MAN BECAUSE NO OTHER WOMAN ON THIS EARTH WOULD AGREE WITH YOU!!!
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