Crabapple First Baptist Church, where Robert Aaron Long was an active member, condemned him and his acts, saying the 21-year-old had committed an “extreme and wicked act” that had prompted leaders to remove him from the congregation.
Police say Long has admitted the crimes, and that he acted to eliminate temptation because he had a sexual addiction.
Crabapple First Baptist Church strictly prohibits sex outside of marriage. Long had previously checked himself into a Christian rehab to combat what he called a sexual addiction.
The church’s statement placed the blame fully on Mr. Long. “The women that he solicited for sexual acts are not responsible for his perverse sexual desires nor do they bear any blame in these murders,” the church said. “These actions are the result of a sinful heart and depraved mind for which Aaron is completely responsible.”
New York Times
Long and his family had been active members of the church for many years. The statement from the church said they had begun the process of “church discipline” to remove Long from their membership.
You can read the complete statement here.
