Here are the comments. (Part 1 of 2)
========================================1
I'm glad that justice is being done. I've googled "2x2, workers and friends" and there is quite a bit of information about them. It doesn't really seem like a Christian outfit. Thank God that this man will be kept in prison away from children. Let's watch and pray that more of this doesn't happen in the future. God bless you all.
Brad L
Portland, OR
12/25/2007 12:08 AM
After thinking upon the many thoughts discussed about this case, may I add some thoughts as a parent of a sexually abused child and as one who has a part in this sect. As some have said, it is NOT the "religion" that is to blame. Most of you know at least one family who adheres to this belief and know them as souls truly wanting to do our best. That said, I will also add that we do, indeed, fail like all flesh. Now, as to the perpetrator, he should NOT be just "forgiven" and then this whole thing shoved under the rug. His forgiveness CAN COME, but NOT through me, the victims, or the workers. It will come when HE understands what it is HE has done, confesses to it WITHOUT PLACING ANY BLAME WHATSOEVER on his tiny victims and without trying to DEFEND HIMSELF in any way, and tells all of this to God through Jesus in deep and wretching, wretching moments of begging. Until then, no matter how much anyone else trys to defend him, he carrys the guilt. We MUST remember - this man was aware of his "urges" toward children many years ago, did not choose to face this ugliness then, and MUST face it all now, plus the additional horror he perpetrated, before he can be released of any of it. Another point that I think we often miss - HIDING anyone and/or making excuses for anyone guilty of heinous crimes against the hlepless, making excuses of any kind for this type of behavior, is simply helping the evil one. This kind of "protection" for the guilty isn't "protection" at all, it never brings the perpetrator to grips with the magnitude of his heinous crime. It allows him to think it wasn't so bad!! Now, as to his sentence, I, too, think it was too lenient. It is too easy not to realize what these children face the REST OF THEIR LIVES. Also, this type of sexual aberation is extremetly, EXTREMELY, difficult to deal with - I don't know if one can ever be "cured." For the little girls - the memories will always be there. They will, however, be able to have healing to some extent, and live nice lives, but this filth perpetrated on them will always live in a corner of their minds. Minds are like that. With "religion",and with our human tendencies,it is easy to become so zealous, so sure we are "right", that we are in danger of assisting the evil one - and that goes for this and every religion on the earth. I have lived all my life in a family that could not deal with issues head-on, they simply shoved them under the rug, hid them, wanted the world to think of us as a perfect family. HUH! Our family was as disfunctional as they come!And it has taken a horrendous toll. Face things openly. To hide and stifle real facts is NEVER productive. One more thing, Yes, the descriptions of his acts were ugly and upsetting. However, how are we to really understand this filthy business of sexual abuse if we don't know what goes on?! Until it struck our family, I was unaware that OLD (like 80-90 yrs old) men are very capable of sexual abuse.They use their fingers and can accomplish their "satisfaction" right in front of you, and you don't know it! Now that is ugly and filthy but had my child (AND MYSELF) even known that such stuff existed (yes, I was way too naive), we may have been able to recognize and stop what was going on. It is absolutely essential that these wretched facts are understood by ALL parents and -as much as is beneficial and appropriate- to children.Thanks for letting me air! DA North Dakota
DeEtta A
Carrington, ND
12/24/2007 10:08 AM
Ahhh. Don A. Another brainwashed cult member perhaps? Are you one of the people threatening me anonymously? I've been getting threats and hatemail since my first comment here. I'm being accused of all kinds of stuff. Seems I hit a nerve. Typical cult behavior. I suppose Tim being in jail is all a big huge conspiracy huh Don A? I won't TELL people what to believe like Don A. I'll let people BECOME INFORMED and decide what to believe on their own. Google "Truth" "Friends" "Workers" "2x2" or Google "William Irvine" to learn about your earthly founder and the fact that the Truth Religion DOES NOT go all the way back to Jesus. -J Landless
J L
12/23/2007 2:04 PM
Do you wonder where JL gets his information? He tell us to read the "truth" website. Do you know this website is composed by losers and they don't have a clue what they are talking about.
Don A
Alexandria, MN
12/22/2007 7:40 PM
This creep is a preacher (aka "worker) in a secretive cult sometimes called "Truth" or "2x2s". These "workers" are homeless, celibate, and live with members of the cult and their CHILDREN. Sexual assault in this cult by these "workers" is VERY COMMON and is VERY OFTEN covered up by church followers and its leadership. (This is documented. Some workers have confessed now that the statute of limitations has expired. Search the web!) Please become informed about this cult! It is very dangerous and they are always trying to lure in new recruits. Someday, after enough children have been victimized, maybe this cult will be the focus of media attention just like the Catholic Church was recently. Sad that more victims are needed to make protecting children a cause worthy of some reporters time! Search the web! Google "Truth" "Friends" "Workers" "2x2"! -J Landless
J L
12/21/2007 9:32 AM
I think that the father and mother should of majorly hurt that basterd who would really know if he was homeless and a traveler .He didn't follow GODS word and hurts young children.Now that son of a doll will get out of prison in about 5 years because of good behavior and wont feel a thing and go on with life in general.But yet the young children will have the rest of their life to live with it,remember it,dream of it,smell him,it's hard to even explain it.thats where I beleive in capital punishment.and I think every household should own a gun.The crime rate would go down, because people would think twice. law enforcement tries to keep up with the law and the judges just slaps their hands and lets them go .Did that judge remember the good behavior? or that young child? What if it was the Judges daughter.That guy should of been casterated at the least before prison so he would always have a memory of that time. just like that girl will have. JUDY K
Judy K
Clara City, MN
12/20/2007 11:41 PM
It would be good if all us parents and grandparents took this opportunity to educate our children. Talk to them about how wrong it is when anyone is inappropriate with them. Describe how 'bad stuff' happens, and what to do! We have little boys. They are old enough to go into the men's rooms on their own, but I still stand outside the entry, with my ears open! Restrooms at malls, airports, etc. are stalked by these sickos! This is not limited to any church. There are very sick people in every community. Protect our children! Keep them safe!
Julie L
Reno, NV
12/20/2007 9:05 PM
So where is the OUTCRY from these millions of "peace loving" Muslims about the jihadists?
Jerry P
Alexandria, MN
12/20/2007 6:03 PM
Do some research or talk to a muslum. There are millions of them that do not stand behind those type of actions even though people of their same religion are the ones doing it. There were times where christians did just as bad of things in the name of god. The kind of attitude that you hold is the kind that keeps us from religious exceptance.
Lars L
Minneapolis, MN
12/20/2007 4:15 PM
In our nation, Christians will speak out against evil behavior. In some of these Muslim nations, where is the outcry when people engage in beheadings of innocent people in the name of Allah?
dk p
Woodbury, MN
12/20/2007 4:07 PM
Great point C.R., I would think there are many people who are of the same religion that would find this news just as terrible as the rest of us. Lets let this discpicable man's actions speak for himself and not blanket a certain religion.
Lars L
Minneapolis, MN
12/20/2007 4:03 PM
========================================2
CR, tell that to the Catholics
Joseph B
New York, NY
12/20/2007 3:31 PM
You cannot condemn an entire religion based upon the acts of a few members. I can quote scripture if you like, but I think that would be taking it a little far. This matter isn't about religion, it's about an individual who committed some horrendous acts against two little girls. Nothing more, nothing less.
C. R
Kensington, MN
12/20/2007 3:29 PM
This is hardly the first time one of these "celibate" preachers (known as Workers) from this secretive cult has been sentenced for child molestation. Recently in Santa Clara County, Calif, one was sentenced to over 30 years for molesting boys. They need to be exposed to the light of day. Their founder William Irvine was so delusional, he was actually expelled from the cult around 1914. He thought he was one of the 2 witnesses in the Book of Revelations. Here are a couple of places to start. You can google the 2x2's, go preachers, church with no name if interested.
www.thelyingtruth.info/index.php www.religioustolerance.org/chr_2x2.htmJoseph B
New York, NY
12/20/2007 2:44 PM
Wow, what a sick SOB. Also this family should be more careful with who they let stay with their young children. A "travelling minister" would seem a little shaky to me. Pray for these poor children.
j d
Trebloc, MS
12/20/2007 2:02 PM
You guys are completely ignoring the fact that the family might not want such graphic details published for all to see. A simple 'sexual assault in the nth degree' should be sufficient detail for any of us.
C. R
Kensington, MN
12/20/2007 1:57 PM
Very well stated Patty. I think the Echo did a good job with this article, because it just puts more awareness in the public's eyes about animals like this that are out there, litterally preying on our children. Sick. Covering things up is not the answer. The family knows first hand ALL of the graphic details, and they will never overcome that.
L J L
12/20/2007 11:46 AM
Editor's note: Timothy Severud pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The story has been corrected online and the newspaper will print a correction in Friday's issue.
12/20/2007 11:15 AM
Ditto. Time to thin the herd. The innocent victims and their family know firsthand the "graphic particulars" of what happened to them. Reading it in the paper will not tell them anything they didn't already know. None of the facts will come as a surprise to them. First degree, second degree....baloney! Crimes against children should result in life in prison....or the death penalty. The scars will remain with the victims FOR LIFE. If this article alerts even one family to the fact that there is real danger out there, even around people who are not strangers, it will have served it's purpose.
Patty W
Alexandria, MN
12/20/2007 11:09 AM
time to thin the herd....
g n
Minneapolis, MN
12/20/2007 10:56 AM
I believe this article is irresponsible on two counts. First, try to put yourself in the position of the family reading their newspaper. Picture the child/victim reading this article. It seems without regard to their welfare because the particulars were so graphic. Secondly, the article stated that Tim plead guilty to first-degree charges. That is an error. It was second-degree charges that were placed against him and to which he plead guilty. I called the court to confirm this mistake.
lyle s
Minneapolis, MN
12/20/2007 10:43 AM
========================================3
This Reynolds that you are talking about, is he the one that is listed on the MN Most Wanted Fugitive List?
Pat S
Alexandria, MN
12/20/2007 10:33 AM
LInda - i must say too, I have to commend the father in this situation for not de-limbing this creep when walking in and seeing what he saw. I would have a hard time not going to any extreme to that guy if I walked in on that.
L J L
12/20/2007 9:55 AM
Y any of this and other bad things happens is a question in itself. And all these Y's never have an answer.
Linda M
Alexandria, MN
12/20/2007 9:49 AM
my heart goes out to the parents how they must feel and taking everything they have to not want to do something. ohh how hard this must be for them. This man was no man of god in my view only in imposter looking for a way to get to children.
Linda M
Alexandria, MN
12/20/2007 9:47 AM
Shannon - that is an excellent point. Because, like I said a page back, there is no way this sicko is a Christian. There is something completely wrong with him in the head, and these poor girls (and possibly more then them), will be affected for the rest of their lives now. and, what happens when he gets out. What if he seeks them out. So scary.
L J L
12/20/2007 9:46 AM
The thing that saddens me is how are these girls going to feel about God and his followers now. I have never heard of this group either. It is very sad that even in faith you are not safe.
Shannon L
Glenwood, MN
12/20/2007 9:40 AM
No, after reading the definition, it doesn't. It's all just so sick and sad, trying to decypher a word to put into meaning for this situation isn't even possible.
L J L
12/20/2007 9:39 AM
Heck, I never looked it up until I realized that I wasn't the only one that didn't know. LOL It doesn't sound like the right word for this case does it?
cc w
Carlos, MN
12/20/2007 9:32 AM
Well, I guess we're all in the same boat then aren't we!! :-) Must be 'dis up nort' education we get learned on around here!! Sorry, I shouldn't make light of this.
L J L
12/20/2007 9:28 AM
I didn't either LJL so your not the only one. good to those who did. Some peoples comments are so rude.
Linda M
Alexandria, MN
12/20/2007 9:26 AM
========================================4
Thanks ccw, I definitely won't lose any sleep over the rude remarks by Country B. That's for sure. I didn't bother looking it up, because I like to hear what other people have to say about it too.
L J L
12/20/2007 9:25 AM
No problem for me LJL, I thought you had a completely legitimate question and I didn't know what the word meant either. Country B evidently has a problem but don't concern yourself as the rude comments against you were totally uncalled for and Country B forgot to take medication it appears!!!!
cc w
Carlos, MN
12/20/2007 9:23 AM
ccw - sorry, i missed that part in the article. I will try and do better next I even attempt to ask a question on here.
L J L
12/20/2007 9:19 AM
Country B - excuse me for not knowing what a word meant. I just assumed since this was part of the conversation I could ask. I certainly did not need your extremely rude comment for a ligitimate question. THat was completely uncalled for.
L J L
12/20/2007 9:18 AM
the guy that got 30 years
Linda M
Alexandria, MN
12/20/2007 9:18 AM
You mean the one that is not in jail, Linda? There are several of them.
cc w
Carlos, MN
12/20/2007 9:13 AM
reynolds family use to live on the same block as me. always was something different about the family kept to themselves.
Linda M
Alexandria, MN
12/20/2007 9:09 AM
Weird maybe but Reynolds' brother is the one that turned him in and that says something for the character of at least part of the family. Isn't it a well known fact that families tend to hide child molestation done by family members in many cases for generations. My problem also, as with GP K, concerning the Reynolds situation was that of the low IQ. Not that it gives reason to let someone go around molesting children but what is punishment to someone who has a IQ about that of the child being molested. He was taking pictures and somebody was going to put them on the internet. That is probably what got the time added but again--did he have a real concept of the wrong involved in what he was doing. It is not the same kind of a situation. In both cases children are violated but one knows the true meaning of the disgusting behavior and it is questionable if the other really comprehended the seriousness of the deed.
cc w
Carlos, MN
12/20/2007 8:45 AM
They should be locked up for good with no possibbilty to ever get out y take that chance ever again.
Linda M
Alexandria, MN
12/20/2007 8:34 AM
GPK ya y is it that this guy only gets a short amount of time good question. Reynolds got more i take it maybe reynolds did alot more not that that should matter in the least bit,but its a very good question why less time. Reynolds other members of his family have low IQ's strange family.
Linda M
Alexandria, MN
12/20/2007 8:33 AM
========================================5
If this conversation is a problem for you then move on to something else. Evidently you have some personal reason that you can't rationally discuss this issue.
cc w
Carlos, MN
12/20/2007 8:25 AM
You seem to have an incredible need for detail on a sexual an attack on small children.......gag to you Go find some chat room where that is approgriate conversation - it adds nothing to this thread. (MY OPINION)
Country B
Minneapolis, MN
12/20/2007 8:15 AM
Hey, what is with your rotten attitude? There is no reason somebody can not know the meaning of a word around here. Who the hell are you to police what we can say?
cc w
Carlos, MN
12/20/2007 8:10 AM
juxtaposed means placed side by side like for comparison according to the dictionary soooooo?
?
cc w
Carlos, MN
12/20/2007 8:03 AM
Come on L J L - Cut the crap - find yourself a dictionary or put the word into Google.com. This is not a place for that question. *** juxtaposed*** : to place side by side –jux*ta*po*si*tion *j*k-st*-p*-*zi-sh*n noun
Country B
Minneapolis, MN
12/20/2007 8:02 AM
MMMmmm, it said she was fully clothed so I assume he was on top and going through the motions. Gag!
cc w
Carlos, MN
12/20/2007 7:57 AM
I have a question maybe someone can help me with, does this mean penetration?? "Severud was “gyrating…his pelvis juxtaposed over hers” while holding her hands back." I guess I don't know what the word "juxtaposed" means. Anyone help me with this one??
L J L
12/20/2007 7:36 AM
Excellent post, Patty.
GP K
Alexandria, MN
12/19/2007 8:10 PM
GP K. Excellent points all. I would guess that the charges were based on the "degree" of abuse. Though he certainly raped their little hearts and souls, it doesn't sound like he actually "raped" their little bodies. Though where crimes against children are concerned, no matter the level of abuse, the law should be "ONE strike and you are IN for the rest of your life". No exceptions. I applaud the Echo Press for bringing this to light. My only question is why wasn't this made public back in July? There was a predator among us. At least we now know what this animal looks like. We still need to fear those that lurk among us undetected. Protect your children and grandchildren. The boogie man is real.
Patty W
Alexandria, MN
12/19/2007 8:04 PM
Baloney!
GP K
Alexandria, MN
12/19/2007 8:02 PM
========================================6
What needs to be kept in mind here is that there are certain elements to a crime which affects how a guilty offender is sentenced. With regards to the case of the man with a disability, he may have a longer sentence if it was a rape,if there was a weapon involved,the age difference, etc. Trust me, there is nothing fishy here with regards to money, intelligence or vocation. It is the circumstance of the crime and the limitations of the judge who has to follow sentencing guidelines.
Tina S
Alexandria, MN
12/19/2007 7:59 PM
Just about one year ago we had a conviction of a man named Reynolds. He was a vulnerable adult with an IQ so low that he was on disability. The man received 30 years. I am wondering why this man only received 7 1/2 years. Was he smarter, have more money, or did the fact that he was a preacher make him less disgusting in the eyes of the law. Maybe it was that he wasn't as easy to lock up for 30 years because he wasn't of a low enough IQ. Seems to me that another 30 years should have been in order here as it is a totally disgusting act done by somebody that doesn't even have the excuse of a limited intelligence. Then again vulnerable adults don't have anybody looking out for them. Don't get me wrong, a sex offender that abuses children is a dispicable human being but why does a man with limited intelligence from birth receive a more severe sentence than a man that is of normal intelligence and should be expected to know better not to mention using religion to gain access to children. Something stinks here.
GP K
Alexandria, MN
12/19/2007 7:42 PM
It's better if they're kept separate, though, because otherwise some father, who might be there just for bad checks or something, would probably kill him, then the father would end up spending life.
larry l
Alexandria, MN
12/19/2007 7:35 PM
Because people need to know what these people do and how they get to our children or we can't see the warning signs. As to him being in a place where the inmates can get to him---I was told that sexual predators like this are kept seperate. That is a shame isn't it.
Carolyn k
Garfield, MN
12/19/2007 5:26 PM
this person is a repulsive animal. and why does the echo press need to put every detail in print?
jm f
Alexandria, MN
12/19/2007 5:07 PM
the man is sick,
walter b
Alexandria, MN
12/19/2007 3:44 PM
people like him need life plain pure and simple never to be able to harm anyone ever again.
Linda M
Alexandria, MN
12/19/2007 3:17 PM
What a freak! So horrible....he needs to be in longer than 7 1/2 yrs...
Collin C
Alexandria, MN
12/19/2007 2:17 PM
Castration...Lorenna Bobbit style!! I don't mean for that comment to make "light" of the subject, because that is certainly not my intention. This kind of crap makes me absolutely sick to my stomach. Like a poor little 6 and 10 year can fend off a "trusted" adult. Ish. Just appauls me.
L J L
12/19/2007 1:52 PM
Castration and life behind bars sounds fitting.
steven b
Alexandria, MN
12/19/2007 1:41 PM