The church where the Atlanta massacre suspect adored him criticized him on Friday for having a “sinful heart and depraved mind”.
Robert Aaron Long was an active and lifelong member of Crabtree First Baptist Church in Milton, Georgia – but in a long, sulfur-filled statement, leaders condemned the murders he allegedly carried out as “egregious” and “wicked” and promised the trial of God will be just.
“We believe in a Holy and Righteous God who abhors evil and will judge all sins with perfect justice,” said the statement.
“We have been in full cooperation with the police authorities and we pray that justice is done. We pray for earthly justice and divine justice, ”said the statement.
“We were absolutely devastated by this senseless loss of life and insensitive contempt for human beings created in the image of God,” said the church, calling the shooting that left eight dead “a total repudiation of our faith and practice”.
The leaders extended their prayers to the victims of the shooter’s massage parlor staff, who Long told police officers he blamed for making up for his “sex addiction.”
“We regret the victims and their families and continue to pray for all those affected by this heinous crime as they deal with unimaginable pain and sadness,” the statement said.
“Aaron’s actions are antithetical to everything we believe and teach as a church,” he said.
“In the strongest possible terms, we condemn Aaron Long’s actions, as well as his stated reasons for carrying out this wicked plan. The shootings were a total rejection of our faith and practice, and such actions are completely unacceptable and contrary to the gospel. ”
The church emphasized that “no blame can be placed on the victims”.
The statement added by Long, 21, “He is solely responsible for his evil actions and desires.
“The women he requested for sexual acts are not responsible for his perverse sexual desires, nor are they to blame for these murders. These actions are the result of a sinful heart and a depraved mind, for which Aaron is fully responsible. “
Six of the victims of the shooting were Asian Americans. Although the authorities have not yet considered the shooting to be a hate crime, the church has singled out Asian Americans for their prayers.
“We deeply regret the fear and pain that Asian Americans are feeling as a result of Aaron’s unforgivable actions,” said the statement.
The church also “explicitly denounces[s] any form of hatred or violence against Asians or Asian Americans. “