Prominent Pastor Robert Morris Confessed to Sexually Abusing a Minor in the Late 1980s, Yet Continues Ministry and Speaking Engagements

Dallas, Texas United States of America
Abuse continued until she was 16 years old
Gateway Church aware of Morris' abusive history but did not hold him accountable in a significant way
Morris confessed and underwent restoration process including counseling and stepping out of ministry for two years
Morris returned to ministry at Gateway Church as primary speaker on weekends despite accusations and confession
Robert Morris admitted to sexually abusing a minor in the late 1980s
Prominent Pastor Robert Morris Confessed to Sexually Abusing a Minor in the Late 1980s, Yet Continues Ministry and Speaking Engagements

In the late 1980s, Robert Morris, a prominent pastor and former spiritual adviser to Donald Trump, admitted to engaging in 'inappropriate sexual behavior' with a young lady who was 12 years old at the time. The abuse continued until she was 16.

Morris confessed to his wrongdoing in March 1987 and underwent a two-year restoration process that included stepping out of ministry and receiving counseling. Despite this, Morris has since returned to ministry and continues to be a primary speaker at Gateway Church on weekends.

The young lady, Cindy Clemishire, came forward with her allegations in 2024. She told various news outlets that the abuse started when she was just 12 years old and continued for several years. Morris did not mention her name or age in his confession but acknowledged the behavior took place 'in a home where I was staying'.

Morris's admission comes as he has been a vocal critic of school learning plans acknowledging the existence of LGBTQ people and discussions about social inequality, believing them to be part of societal decay. However, his own past actions raise questions about his moral authority on these issues.

Despite being accused and confessing to sexual misconduct with a minor, Morris was never criminally charged due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for criminal or civil action. He was also appointed to Trump's evangelical advisory board for his 2016 presidential campaign.

Gateway Church, where Morris continues to be a primary speaker on weekends, stated that they were aware of Morris's abusive history but allowed him to return to ministry following his restoration process. The church did not respond to requests for comment from various news outlets.

Morris's accuser said while she had forgiven him for the sexual abuse, she did not believe he should have returned to ministry. She also expressed disappointment that the church allowed him back without holding him accountable in a more significant way.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Was there any follow-up on the status of criminal or civil charges against Morris?
  • What specific actions did Gateway Church take to hold Morris accountable?

Sources

78%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Megachurch pastor and ex-Trump adviser admits child sexual abuse

theguardian.com Article URL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/13/ pakistan-·coalition-·agrees-to-form-government Erum Salam Monday, 17 June 2024 19:43
  • Unique Points
    • Robert Morris, a founding pastor of Dallas-based Gateway megachurch and former spiritual adviser to Donald Trump, confessed to sexually assaulting a young girl who was 12 at the time.
    • The abuse continued until she was 16 years old.
    • Morris admitted to the Christian Post that he was involved in ‘inappropriate sexual behavior’ with the victim in a home where he was staying.
    • Morris received counseling after his admission of wrongdoing in 1987 and returned to ministry despite the victim’s objections.
    • Gateway church, where Morris continues to be a primary speaker on weekends, stated that they were aware of Morris’s abusive history but allowed him to return to ministry following his restoration process.
    • Morris was never criminally charged due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for criminal or civil action.
    • Morris was appointed to Trump’s evangelical advisory board for his 2016 presidential campaign and attended a roundtable discussion with faith leaders in Texas in 2020 where Trump thanked him publicly.
  • Accuracy
    • The age of the victim when the abuse started: The article states the victim was 12 at the time, while other articles state she was in her early twenties.
    • The length of time for the abuse: The article states it continued until she was 16 years old, while other articles do not provide this information.
  • Deception (30%)
    The author uses emotional manipulation by describing the victim's feelings towards being called a 'young lady' and her difficulty processing the abuse. The article also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning that Morris received counseling and has since 'walked in purity and accountability,' without providing any context or details about the nature of his counseling or how long it lasted. Additionally, the article implies that Morris's accuser decided not to pursue legal action due to the statute of limitations, but it does not provide any evidence or confirmation of this claim.
    • Only mention of Morris's restoration process is that he received counseling and has since 'walked in purity and accountability'
    • The victim was 'appalled' at being described as a 'young lady'
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority when quoting the Gateway church's statement about the 'resolution' of the matter. The use of 'great people with a great reputation' and 'incredible in hosting us' by Trump implies that Morris has a good reputation, which may influence readers to trust him despite his admission of sexual abuse.
    • “The two-year restoration process was closely administered by the elders at Shady Grove church and included him stepping out of the ministry during that period while receiving professional counseling and freedom ministry counseling.”
    • “Great people. Great people with a great reputation. I have to say that,”
    • “Gateway church 〓 the team has been incredible in hosting us.”
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

88%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Pastor of Texas Megachurch Reportedly Admits 'Inappropriate Sexual Behavior' After Woman Alleges Abuse from Age 12

People Magazine Tuesday, 18 June 2024 05:08
  • Unique Points
    • In the 1980s, Texas megachurch pastor Robert Morris admitted to ‘inappropriate sexual behavior’ with a ‘young lady’ in his ‘early twenties’
    • The situation was brought to light and confessed in March 1987
  • Accuracy
    • The inappropriate sexual behavior occurred in a home where Morris was staying
    • Morris stepped out of ministry and received counseling during a lengthy restoration process
    • Morris returned to ministry following his restoration process
  • Deception (50%)
    The article reports on an allegation of sexual misconduct by Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church in the 1980s. The author does not make any editorializing or pontification statements, but they do use emotional manipulation by stating that a woman accused him of molesting her when she was 12 years old. The article also uses selective reporting by only mentioning the allegation and not providing any context or details about the outcome of the investigation or Morris' response to it beyond his admission of 'inappropriate sexual behavior'. The article does not provide any peer-reviewed studies or disclose that it is referencing pre-print studies. It also does not use any banned phrases.
    • The pastor's admission comes after a woman accused him of molesting her when she was 12 years old, per CNN.
    • a woman accused him of molesting her when she was 12 years old
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

56%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

MAGA pastor’s sexual abuse scandal underscores the right’s hypocrisy on LGBTQ people

MSNBC News Monday, 17 June 2024 22:53
  • Unique Points
    • Robert Morris, a MAGA megachurch pastor and religious adviser to Donald Trump, is accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with a young girl over multiple years starting when she was 12.
    • Morris confessed to the misconduct in 1987 and went through a two-year restoration process that included stepping out of ministry and receiving counseling.
    • Morris has been a vocal critic of school learning plans acknowledging the existence of LGBTQ people and discussions about social inequality, believing them to be part of societal decay.
  • Accuracy
    • Robert Morris confessed to the misconduct in 1987 and went through a two-year restoration process.
    • Morris has been a vocal critic of school learning plans acknowledging the existence of LGBTQ people and discussions about social inequality.
  • Deception (30%)
    The author uses emotional manipulation by expressing their disdain for the subject and making a comparison between the subject's actions and those of other church leaders. The author also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning details that support their negative view of the subject.
    • Despite lacking evidence, Trump and his followers would have you believe that perhaps the greatest threats to human decency – and children’s innocence, in particular – are drag performers or LGBTQ people as a whole.
    • I'm not so sure that a two-year hiatus settles it.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by labeling the MAGA movement and its leaders as hypocrites and frauds without providing concrete evidence. The author also makes a dichotomous depiction by portraying LGBTQ people as societal decay while implying that sexual abuse is acceptable behavior for religious figures.
    • Take that mask off, I wanna see what’s under them achievements
    • Why believe you? You never gave us nothing to believe in
    • MAGA megachurch pastor Robert Morris's sexual abuse scandal
    • Morris has railed against ‘what Satan has been trying to do even in our school systems’, and the NBC News podcast Grapevine has detailed how his church is aligned with the bigoted portrayal of LGBTQ people as being part of societal decay.
    • Despite lacking evidence, Trump and his followers would have you believe that perhaps the greatest threats to human decency – and children’s innocence, in particular – are drag performers or LGBTQ people as a whole.
  • Bias (0%)
    The author expresses bias towards the religious right and specifically calls out Robert Morris for his hypocrisy regarding LGBTQ people while ignoring similar scandals within other religious groups. The author also uses derogatory language towards Trump and his followers.
    • , but it was wrong. This behavior happened on several occasions over the next few years.,
      • But too often, it’s right-wing Christian men who are the ones being exposed as a true danger.
        • Despite lacking evidence, Trump and his followers would have you believe that perhaps the greatest threats to human decency – and children’s innocence, in particular – are drag performers or LGBTQ people as a whole.
          • > I thought about these bars over the weekend as I read about MAGA megachurch pastor Robert Morris’ sexual abuse scandal.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          62%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          Texas megachurch Pastor Robert Morris admits 'inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady' after he's accused of abusing 12-year-old girl

          New York Post Isabel Keane Monday, 17 June 2024 12:08
          • Unique Points
            • Robert Morris admitted to 'inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady' in the late 80s.
            • The young lady was allegedly groomed for abuse starting when she was 12 years old.
            • Morris confessed after being accused by Cindy Clemishire who said the abuse continued until she was 16.
          • Accuracy
            No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
          • Deception (30%)
            The author uses the term 'young lady' to describe the victim who was only 12 years old at the time of the alleged abuse. This is an example of emotional manipulation and minimization as it downplays the severity of Morris' actions towards a child.
            • Morris claims he submitted to church elders and Clemishire’s dad – who was head of the church he belonged to at the time – who all asked me to step out of ministry and receive counseling and freedom ministry, which I did.
            • He confessed after Cindy Clemishire told the Wartburg Watch that she was allegedly groomed for abuse that continued for four years until she was 16. 'When I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying.', 'It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong.'
            • A Texas megachurch pastor has admitted previously having 'inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady'
          • Fallacies (80%)
            The author uses the term 'inappropriate sexual behavior' which is a vague and ambiguous term that can encompass a range of behaviors, some of which may not be fallacious but others could be. The author also quotes the pastor using the term 'young lady' to describe the victim, which could be seen as minimizing or downplaying the age and vulnerability of the victim. These actions do not meet the threshold for a clear and definitive finding of logical fallacies, but they do raise concerns about potential biases or imprecise language.
            • The pastor has admitted previously having 'inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady'
            • He told the Christian Post, a dismissive description that 'appalled' his accuser
            • Morris says he repented after the situation came to light in the late 80s. Robert Morris / Facebook
            • It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong.
            • My father never ever gave his blessing on Robert returning to ministry! My father told him he's lucky he didn’t kill him. I am mortified that he is telling the world my dad gave his blessing!
          • Bias (5%)
            The author uses the term 'young lady' to describe the victim who was only 12 years old at the time of the alleged abuse. This language is disrespectful and minimizes the severity of the situation.
            • A Texas megachurch pastor has admitted previously having ‘inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady’
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            94%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            WFAA: Megachurch pastor admits past ‘inappropriate’ behavior with ‘young lady’ after accusation of molesting 12-year-old

            CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Monday, 17 June 2024 09:32
            • Unique Points
              • In the 1980s, Robert Morris admitted to 'inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady' which lasted several years.
              • The abuse was brought to light in 1987 while Morris was a pastor at Shady Grove Church and he confessed and repented of it.
              • Morris underwent a two-year ‘restoration process’ after the moral failure in his twenties during which he stepped out of ministry and received counseling.
            • Accuracy
              • The abuse lasted several years.
              • The abuse was brought to light in 1987.
              • Morris confessed and repented of it.
            • Deception (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Bias (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication