Preacher Beaten For Blunt Eulogy
Told mourners that deceased in hell, warned they're headed same direction


Reverend Calls Deceased 'Drunkard And A Fornicator'
June 21, 2002

LOXLEY, Ala. -- Authorities in Loxley, Ala., are investigating the alleged beating of a preacher by funeral mourners who didn't like his blunt eulogy.

Glynis Bethel told The Associated Press that her husband -- the Rev. Orlando Bethel -- was attacked during a June 14 funeral and dragged out of the church.

That's because Bethel told mourners the deceased was in Hell and that they were headed the same way.

The dead man was Glynis Bethel's uncle.

Orlando Bethel referred to him as a "drunkard and a fornicator."

Glynis Bethel, who's also a preacher, says "the fornicators didn't like what he said so they got up and beat him."

She says police didn't make any arrests, so she and her husband -- who may have a broken nose -- are taking out warrants.

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