Last week's cover story on Phil Aguilar, the pastor of Anaheim's Set Free Church, didn't go unnoticed by former members of what used to be one of the biggest mega-churches in Orange County. As the article explained--although in not as much detail as some might have preferred--Aguilar has a controversial history as a church leader. Accusations of cultishness, mind-control, verbal abuse and physical intimidation led to splits within the congregation and ultimately a mass exodus.
There are already 15 comments on the story and except for one reader who just wanted to say the story was interesting and he liked the cover photo, the closest thing to positive feedback so far seems to involve folks who want you to know that they have a really fantastic selection of Nike Air Jordans that can be shipped to your door. Who knew?
Well, here' s a typical viewpoint:
"Typical OC Weekly; make spitheads look like good guys, and make good guys look like spitheads. Keep peddling your liberal rag....."
It's unclear who are the "good guys" this commenter is talking about. Maybe the Hell's Angels?
Several readers offered to provide damning details about Aguilar's tenure at Set Free, as well as put us in touch with other church defectors, but so far, nobody has followed up on that offer. Meanwhile, here's a taste of the general reaction so far:
- Why do u guys write about Douche bags....What a clown. He uses god as a front!....I grew up with set free and can honestly say it made me resent god for a long time. He bares a bad witness and should be ashamed of his actions.
- I was a member of Set Free Church from 1991-1993...I only attended church, bible studies, outreaches, etc....I started uncovering countless dark secrets and lies that were being filled into the heads of the women that lived in the homes at Set Free. I was told many times that the men were very authoritative, demanding that the women be submissive and not ask questions.... Pastor Phil is still able to rome the streets and terrorize people by sending his "dogs" to do his dirty work! Pastor Phil hides behind the bible and the people he uses as puppets to claim his innocence.
- I am very happy that you had the huspah to bring light to another glorified, convicted child molester...this zebra will never lose his stripes, as expressed by the additional tattoos applied to his face. if I appear to be a little miffed by this particular individual, that would be an understatement at best.
- Just so you know phil is a piece of shit liar!!! I worked for him and know he's no innocent Christ like dude! He's a clown! He got off easy with his bible full of lies! Fuck OC Weekly!!
