The World’s Largest Coalition of Nontheists and Nontheist Communities!

Police: Man raped woman he met on Christian dating website

Just thought this was news worthy - you have to be very careful online.

(CNN) -- A California man is accused of raping a woman he met on a Christian dating website -- and police fear there may be other victims.

Sean Banks, 37, met the victim on the matchmaking website Christianmingle.com, where he went by the user name "Raritiy," La Mesa Police said in a statement.

Banks used three additional online identities -- "Rylan," "Rylan Butterwood" and "Rylan Harbough" -- and police said they are concerned "there may have been more cases with other women."

ChristianMingle touts a safety section that includes a warning to avoid contact with members who cannot take "no" for an answer.

Police: Rape suspect prowled dating site

The site is cooperating with the investigation, CNN affiliate KSWB reported.

Banks was arrested February 11 and has been booked on two rape charges in the incident as well as one count of residential burglary, police said.

He has pleaded not guilty and is free on his own recognizance after posting $500,000 bail.

Who's who on the Internet? Who knows

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/us/california-dating-site-rape/index....

1 member likes this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on February 23, 2013 at 10:45pm

Growing up means not falling for scams and cons while becoming more skeptical and cautious. That is why religion is so dangerous; it has simplistic answers for complex problems, and a promised rescuer who doesn't rescue.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on February 23, 2013 at 10:56pm

I agree Joan - religion is the biggest scam of all.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on February 23, 2013 at 10:51pm

The good news is, men and women both have to learn how to discern and make judgments to prevent or reduce vulnerability. We are never safe, secure and stable, but we can work toward those ends. If one is a victim, he/she has a hard time recovering. If one is an agent, he/she will think and act, knowing there are lions and tigers in the jungle, figuratively, and be cautious and if victimized, get up and get going.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on February 24, 2013 at 1:08pm

OK, OK, Alan, you don't know the words for "...they get whatever they allow."

Plus...

Besides, women have no doubt used Jesus to get into men's bank accounts long before the Internet.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Luara on February 23, 2013 at 11:49am

Steph,

Other crimes besides rape happen with online dating. I read about scams on online dating sites. People have online "love affairs", the scammer pretends to be in love with the victim, then they start pressuring them for money or they do some kind of scam.

People get hurt emotionally that way as well as ripped off.

Also it's easier for someone to pretend by email

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on February 23, 2013 at 10:58pm

That's true Luara, you have to be careful who you talk with online. You never should give anyone any money online - it might be a scam.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Secular Forces 2013 on February 23, 2013 at 8:13pm

shit he's a ringer for hitler youth yikes.. see BTK movie and the Ed Gein? story; netflix? both serial killr. both (btk forsure) xtian fundy church member etc..

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Secular Forces 2013 on February 23, 2013 at 8:14pm

extended families are good. atheist groups are good. common sense is good. 2nd amendment with a side of 1st; got this USA as far as it's gotten and seems to be where many come to hide from worse situation overseas.. jus sayn

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sentient Biped on February 24, 2013 at 10:06am

It's not safe in church either. So many stories of violence and sexual abuse by priests, ministers, pastors, and youth pastors. Like this one today on google news. NJ pastor convicted of stabbing his long time mistress, who was also a minister.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pat on February 24, 2013 at 10:43am

SB. Maybe the guy was just trying to give her a stigmata. After all, such a "miracle" would bring higher denominations, from the members of the denomination, in the collection plate.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by The Flying Atheist on February 24, 2013 at 11:14am

Absolutely no one should be surprised by this story. Religious people are no more moral than anybody else. It's just that they don't know that, which is why this particular story made the news despite all the other rapes that occur daily in our society.

On a deeper level, this also shows how religion itself is portrayed in the media as being victimized and worthy of getting special attention. A christian raping another christian from a christian dating site? I'm not surprised, but christians naively think that's not supposed to happen, which is why it made the news. Are the rapes that occur outside the confines of a christian dating site not equally significant? (A rhetorical question, my friends.)