We write because we are deeply distressed about the tragedy of Bob Carlson’s suicide and allegations of child sexual abuse and we wish to identify powerful issues so far not reported in the Bangor Daily News.
First, reporter Eric Russell’s article in the Jan. 14-15 issue declared that Carlson’s credentials were “exaggerated.” The truth here is that Carlson deceived and lied intentionally about his credentials for the purpose of falsely gaining professional credibility and people’s trust.
Second, as a result of this we all need to question whether Carlson was ordained at all and thus should not be honored by being called reverend. Most denominations require psychological testing, academic transcripts, multiple recommendations and examination by the ordaining body at a minimum. There is no evidence that any credible institution asked for any of these requirements, that he passed them or that he was ordained.
This self-created “reverend” used his deceptions to enter into people’s lives, minister to a congregation, officiate at weddings and funerals, serve on boards of local institutions and have a powerful presence in the Bangor-Brewer community. As the cloak of darkness is removed about who Carlson was as a person with such a presence in the community, we are left deeply concerned about his influence and counsel to those who came in contact with him or sought his spiritual direction.
His deception was so overwhelmingly effective that a quotation in one of the BDN’s articles was that he was “larger than life.”
Next, unreported is the incredible effect of the alleged sexual abuse of a minor. The journey from being a victim to becoming a survivor needs professional assistance and takes a great deal of time. Additionally, when the alleged abuse is committed by a “clergy person” the trauma is intensified for the victim. This is because the alleged perpetrator represents the divine and is expected to be trustworthy and above reproach.
Abuse destroys one’s positive view of clergy and makes healthy spiritual growth very difficult or impossible. In addition, because he was a trusted person it made it extremely difficult for a victim to come forward or for anyone to speak about any suspicions or concerns they might have had about him.
Then there is the issue of possible damage to the public’s view of all clergy and religious institutions. Those who have faithfully prepared for ministry in accord with established procedure and including education, field work, personality testing, background search and conducting an honest and trustworthy ministry are also damaged as a result. This is a sad legacy.
Shortly after Carlson’s suicide there was an article the BDN published urging the public’s need to grant forgiveness for Carlson. It is our understanding that healthy and effective forgiveness is best extended when the full truth of any offenses are known and their effects more fully experienced by those involved and the public.
Any attempt to grant premature forgiveness can only cover over the hurt and damage caused to the victim or victims and delay healing for all involved. Therefore we believe that the article about forgiveness was extremely premature and might have made the victim or victims’ healing journeys more difficult.
We claim Jesus’ words: “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free”(John 8:32).
None of us can at this point measure what the fuller legacy of Carlson’s life will be. Certainly some of his “ministry” has been reported in an extremely positive light. We believe that a more accurate legacy can emerge over time and be based on as much truth as can be uncovered. Carlson’s deceptive life has left darkness in its wake. Only the full light of truth can bring true healing in this situation. To that end we affirm the above.
The Rev. Jeffrey Belcher holds a Master of Divinity degree from Bangor Theological Seminary and is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (now retired) and lives in Tenants Harbor. The Rev. Constance Wells holds a Master of Divinity degree from Bangor Theological Seminary and is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (now retired) and lives in Damariscotta.
Very well said. Truth will never let you down.
Mr. Carlson, I believe, was employed by the State of Maine, possibly in the Dept. of Mental Retardation, in Augusta, before he moved to Bangor. Wouldn’t it be interesting to know about their hiring practices and procedures? He already had a fairly impressive “real” resume by the time he got to Bangor, because of his Augusta work experiences.
Anyone check out Eliot Cutler’s real resume?
I don’t know, but that’s an excellent idea, if they haven’t. Come to think of it, I could think of 100 people around the state that should be examined, maybe more!
Why are you changing the subject?
Very well said
I believe that we all are subject to being dupped by wolves in sheeps clothing. Apparently Carlson was able to fool all the people some of the time. It seems that he had a gift of pulling the wool over everyones eyes for quite a while. Fortunately his hidden agenda seems to have been uncovered. Some of our anger shoud be directed at ourselves for being dupped by this con-man.
He is no the first to dress as a man of god to gain power over his victims. He won’t be the last. That he was able to do this without even haveing the documentation to back his claims of being an ordained minister is just icing on the cake. There are those who have been ordained ministers who have been just as warped as this man was. There have been all sorts of positions of trust that have been occupied by these predators. We should all look long and hard at who we trust with the welfare of our children.
where is the background check from the sheriff’s office?
Truth must come from within.
Thank you for the well written essay – and thank you to the BDN staff who lobbied to have this published. Carlson, it seems, was a con-man with a friendly smile and a phony costume.
Bangorian, I agree with you totally. Thank you Rev. Belcher and Rev. Wells for your well-written article. It is unfortunate this “special to the BDN” is buried and did not make the headlines.
I agree that this opinion piece deserved to be published. The authors raise good points. As educated, credentialed, and ordained clergy, they bring credibility to the topic of Carlson’s own credentials. And it does appear that Carlson actually lied about his credentials, and he did not merely “exaggerate.” Likewise, the alleged sexual abuse of a minor is a very serious issue.
The BDN spoke earlier about forgiveness, and the authors of this article put that in perspective. Forgiveness is generally predicated on the perpetrator taking responsibility for wrong-doing, and acting to make amends. Further, forgiveness does not rule out punishment, which could involve jail time or a lengthy prison sentence. And those who forgive may wish to have no further contact with the perpetrator. Carlson’s suicide rules out his taking responsibility for his actions, and cancels his ability to make any amends.
But was this opinion article buried? It’s an opinion piece, and is on the op-ed page, where opinion pieces are normally placed. I read that page almost every day. It doesn’t seem “buried” to me, but appears to be in the appropriate place for an opinion piece.
Bangorian, after reading your comments about the friendly smile and phony costume, I immediately thought of Stephen King’s book – It.
Where can I find that article about his credentials?
It ran on January 13 and I think it was front page. I don’t know how to access it on the BDN web site, however.
Here it is:
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2012/01/13/news/bangor/rev-bob-carlson-likely-his-exaggerated-credentials/
For all BDN articles on this person, enter “Robert Carlson” in the “search” box, top right.
Bob Carlson was an evil man who raped little boys.
Why people like Rev. Dr. Jerry Mick of Bangor Baptist Church continue to defend him and “…the good deeds he accomplished for humanity…” (http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2012/01/18/opinion/reflecting-on-ramifications-of-carlson-fiasco/) is beyond me.
This is probably why he committed suicide: Guilty or not he knew the ramifacations of even being accused. We see them here. :(
To the Reverends, are we not a bit hasty in our comments? Should we not await completion of the investigation(s) before we condemn?
It’s not condemning..it is naming the hard truth about someone who duped an entire ‘congregation of community folks”. Clergy abuse of power is more widespread than you may realize…with children and adults.
This is extraordinary.
Extraordinarily awful.
There is a fine line to walk here, respecting his grieving family while determining the extent of Carleson’s abuse of trust.
So far and to its credit, the BDN has kept to this credo: “Discretion is the better part of valor.” Now it is time to uncover the truth; in this case, a very tricky bit of business for a hometown newspaper.
Just read Eric Russell’s article (link below). Suggestion – keep digging into this issue.
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2012/01/13/news/bangor/rev-bob-carlson-likely-his-exaggerated-credentials/
respecting his family?
does the wife know if he went to divinity school and other credentialing or not?
this guy gives a whole new name to “white collar criminal”
My wife and I were married by Carlson and our children were baptized by him. We have been married for 17 years. I know we are married by common law, but did our marriage and our children’s baptizism really count? Anybody know the answer?
no such thing as common law marriage in ME. i would at this point be contacting a lawyer about where you stand legally
He was representing the authority of the Church he was employed by and any function he did in that capacity would be legal regardless of his personal credentials. Baptism is into Jesus’ Name not Carlsons so that is another issue between Titles and Names. In the eyes of God you are married and have been since your wedding day. I hope the publicans and scribes don’t start a re-marriage service preying on the lives of many who took for granted that Carlson’s position was authentic. The position was authentic even if the man wasn’t. My credential is as Senior Deacon serving The Church at Melbourne.
My question, exactly. That was the first thought to enter my mind. Does the court provide, beside divorce applications, annulment documents? How would that work? If this man had been a catholic priest and officiated at weddings, then if it came to light that he wasn’t a priest in the Catholic church, then all his officiating would be nul and void? So none of the marriages would be legal? Wow, the court would have to put extra manpower in its offices to handle the influx of annulment seekers for those who could see an easy way out of a difficult/unsatisfactory marriage. Right?
did you get a marriage license from the state?
if not , and you legally want to be married, get one.
The favoritism granted the good “reverand” by the BDN since the story first broke has been nothing short of dispicable. From the censorship of the comment section (above and beyond any consideration they have given any other story) to the multitude of assaults on the intelligence of the readers with the “we should not draw hasty conclusion” admonishments to the “we must weigh all of his good deeds” drivel. What little journalistic integrety this paper had left up until this story was flushed down the toilet. Having a personal relationship with the management at the BDN certainly has its privelages.
It reminds me of the young punks who’s actions led to the death of a man on the Bangor waterfront. The BDN certainly did not expend much effort in questioning how someone can walk away from shoving someone to their death without so much as an assault charge.
Thank you
(Mat 7:15) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
(Mat 7:16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
(Mat 7:17) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
(Internetians 1:01) Doeth a background check on your ministers and other professionals or exposeth thyself to mayhem.
Excellent essay.
This is eloquently and accurately stated, especially when describing the subject of forgiveness as it relates to clergy abuse of power.
The language of the sacred and the language of abuse run along a very fine line. Often it is used to ‘entrap’ a victim and keep them hostage…such as:
Perp: I didn’t really mean to do that; I’m only human…will you forgive me? God forgives us sinners you know…therefore, so should you.” Or…”you know, let he who is w/o sin cast the first stone” (after the victim cries out that what just happened to him/her by the clergyperson was wrong).
Victim: “Oh…yeah…hmm..well, I guess”. Confusion and mind-twisting are the underpinnings of perpetrators…and clergy perps are the worst because they use sacred texts to do so.
Thus the abuse continues and the way out seems hopeless…hence the turn to drugs and other behaviors to cope with the shame and guilt. So they stay….even when an adult…
But…you shall know the truth and the Truth shall set you free…..