Oh boy! Just when you thought it couldn't get worse!

[B/W Photodude]

Susan Fodor Magaitis is a Seventh-day Adventist pastor who works for the North New South Wales Conference. She and her husband, Steve, are co-pastors at the Avondale Memorial Church located next door to Avondale College in Australia. Susan Fodor Magaitis was also commissioned as a pastor through the laying of hands during a ceremony presided over by Neil R. Thompson, Ministerial Association Director for the North New South Wales Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

When things couldn't be getting worse, we have this "pastor" writing literature that would usually get any male pastor fired immediately!

The recurring theme of “Ghost Girl” from start to finish is an explicit, oral sex act or sex scene penned by the Seventh-day Adventist Youth Pastor in Australia, Susan Fodor Magaitis, not once but several times! This is equivalent to pornography. And even though Susan, the porn-writing theologian, tries to clean up the story by teaching important life lessons, it’s still depicting literary porn.

http://adventmessenger.org/seventh-day-adventist-female-pastor-theologian-and-published-author-from-australia-peddles-dirty-novels-on-amazon/

[Gregory Matthews]

1)  Susan Magaitias is currently ( 1055 hrs. 8/28/2019) listed as SDA clergy on the Conference website.

2)  I have sent the Conference an e-mail in which I asked them to respond to me with a comment on this situation.

NOTE:  Due to time differences (17 hours) , I an uncertain as to exactly when I might be able to receive a response.  It also should be noted that the material written by Susan Magaitias was in a book written by eight (8) different people.  It is proper to hold her accountable for what she wrote.  But, we should not attribute material written by others to her.

 

 

 

[B/W Photodude]

2 hours ago, Gregory Matthews said:

1)  Susan Magaitias is currently ( 1055 hrs. 8/28/2019) listed as SDA clergy on the Conference website.

2)  I have sent the Conference an e-mail in which I asked them to respond to me with a comment on this situation.

NOTE:  Due to time differences (17 hours) , I an uncertain as to exactly when I might be able to receive a response.  It also should be noted that the material written by Susan Magaitias was in a book written by eight (8) different people.  It is proper to hold her accountable for what she wrote.  But, we should not attribute material written by others to her.

Others in Australia trying to get a response on this issue are not getting a response on the situation. Not sure if someone from America will have any better luck.

And true, the story in question was part of an anthology of ghost stories of which Fodor's was one. Aside from the explicit comments in the story, even ghost stories are not really appropriate literature as it does go against the church teachings. So, there were a number of things about this situation which seemed unacceptable behavior for a pastor. She has written books solo as well as stories in collections with others.

I would certainly hope the writers of this article actually read the story to know the comment attributed to her were actually her's. They did allude to other events in her stories which were not quoted, but were considered to be inappropriate for young people. The camel pic still is up on her Facebook page.

[Gregory Matthews]

I have received an extensive response from the  Conference.

I continue to be in contact with that Conference.  I have asked for permission to post in this forum their response to me.

In addition, I have informed them of the discussion in the forum and informed them that they may come here and directly post their response.

Due to the 17 hour time difference, please wait a bit longer for a response.

[Gregory Matthews]

As additional perspective, the following was published on Amazon, in a review of the book and relates specifically to the story written by Susan M, the SDA clergy person.

I enjoyed every story that was in this anthology. Some of them were a little confusing until the end and the rest of them were genius. My favorite story is the last one as I have recently gone through a situation were I am begging for mercy myself. Thinking about how things are today, mercy is a rarity in this world. God delights in mercy and yet only a few grant that to others. The story touched me deeply to my core because no matter how much revenge the victim wanted to inflict, she forgave her former love and showed an uncanny ability to show mercy instead. I will never forget that last story as it relates to my life and what I'm going through now. Thank you so much for this anthology of stories.

[Gregory Matthews]

I have received a response from the elected Conference official, to my request for permission to post his response to me in this forum.  He has explained he is free to respond to an individual request for information, as  he did to me.  However, administratively if the request involved publication in any manner, to include the  Internet, that response must go through a more formal process of approval, as it will be seen as an official statement of a Conference position.  So, on that basis, he has asked that I do not post his response to me, which I will respect.  He has stated that I may state in my words, without a direct quotation, the essence of what he said in responding to me.  I may do that in a later post, as I have done in this post.

He also suggested that I contact Susan Magitias directly and stated that she would welcome my doing so.  I responded that I would do so, if he would give me an e-mail contact for her.

He also informed me that the Conference is very busy in preparing for a Consitutancy  (sp) Meeting in 2-weeks.  From that perspective, I do not believe that it is likely that I will be able to obtain, in the near future, an official statement from the Conference in regard to what Susan has written.

The bottom line:  I will continue to work on this issue and I will keep you informed as to my progress.  My next step will be to contact Susan directly, if I can obtain her e-mail address.

Again, remember the 17 hour time difference.  As it is the Sabbath in Australia,  some may not read their e-mail until after teh weekend. 

 

[Gregory Matthews]

I have obtained a somewhat public e-mail address for Susan Magitias and I have sent her an e-mail requesting more information about her published work.

I had hoped to obtain a more private e-mail address, but, I was unable to do so.

As there is a 17 hour difference in time, The time where she is located in later than 10:30 at night, and it is likely that she will not read my e-mail for some time.

As I did with the Conference representative, I have invited her to come here and read this thread and to directly post her response, if she would like to do so.

[B/W Photodude]

There are multiple addresses for her on the original article including her website and her Facebook page (more than one). Others in Australia trying to get similar answers from the conference have been similarly stonewalled.

[Gregory Matthews]

The Conference has re-established contact with me after a week end in which people were out of the office, probably visiting congregations.
 

 

[Gregory Matthews]

September 6, 2019, 3:15 AM, in California.

As I write this it is 8:15 PM in Australia.  I am going to assume that With the weekend, here, I am not going to receive anything more, at least until Monday.  So, I am going to review what I have done in regard to  the charges against Susan M., a SDA clergy person in Australia.   

When I first read the charge against Susan M, posted in this thread by Photodude, and I followed up by reading the source that he cited I was troubled, both by the actual charges and by some unanswered questions that I had about the factual basis  of the charges.  So, I decided that I would attempt to determine certain facts and in addition to contact the Conference that employed Susan.

I quickly determined that Susan was listed as a Pastor in the Avondale congregation.

One of the Conference officials did respond to my request for information.    I found his response to be of value.  However, he was speaking as an individual.  He informed me that any publication of a response would  need to be approved by an administrative process within the Conference, which has not been done.

He has also suggested that I contact Susan directly, as he believed that she would welcome my questions.  

As I reviewed what he had said to me, and considered putting it into my words, I decided that such would not be helpful and I would not do that.  I decided that some statements on this issue should only be made by an identified source.

I have attempted to contact, by e-mail, Susan.  However, my only e-mail address for her is one that goes through the Avondale Church.  I have not been able to obtain a direct e-mail address for her.  So, while I have sent her a message, by way of the Avondale congregation, I can not be certain that she has actually received it.

In my research, I have considered what  the Conference official said to me about the book.  I have read advertisements for it and I have read reviews, by people about the section that Susan wrote.   In reading those various reports, I have discovered an important disconnect.  There is an issue that I believe to be important to this discussion on  which statements have been made that are directly, as I understand them, opposite to each other.  In my thinking, this issue is important as to what I think about Susan's authorship of a chapter in that book.

I would have liked to have seen Susan  and/or the Conference respond to this issue.   I am not going to  speculate on the actual fact as to this issue. 

The reality is that I do not  have enough verified information to have an opinion on some aspects of this issue.  I am not going to speculate beyond what I can say is actual fact.

Personally,  I have spent enough time and emotional energy in attempting to contact both Susana and the Conference.  So, at this point, absent any further information from either Susan or the Conference, I am through.  I am not going to make any further attempt to determine the facts.

Speaking as  Moderator, in this forum:  I am not, at this time, closing  this thread.  The post by Photodude  and the discussion has been within the boundaries of what we allow on this forum.  But, this does not mean that it would be appropriate to engage in unlimited speculation, and conversation  that does not  have a verified  factual basis.  So, I am requesting that   we maintain some limits as to what we post here.

To all who have been reading and posting in this thread, thank you for your boundaries up to now.

Gregory Matthews 

 

[Gregory Matthews]

The President of the Conference that employs Susan M has began a conversation with me.  At this time he has only asked me for information related to my request.

I will inform you as to how this develops in accord with his willingness give me permission to cite him.

Keep in mind the 17 hour time difference.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

The Conference President and I continue to have a polite conversation.  In a situation like this it is important to have a common understanding on some basic issues.  This has been a part of our conversation.

 

I will keep you informed, to the extent that the President will allow me to quote him.

 

I have given him links to this discussion here so that he can read this thread.

 

 

[Gregory Matthews]

The Conference President and I continue to have an ongoing discussion of this issue.  This discussion is open and fair to both Susan and concerned people.  As such it must remain confidential.  I expect that at a later time I will be able to make a public statement.  I personally thank the President for his willingness to talk to me.

I will keep you informed as is appropriate, when it is appropriate, but not before.

 

 

[stinsonmarri]

On 8/28/2019 at 1:57 PM, Gregory Matthews said:

1)  Susan Magaitias is currently ( 1055 hrs. 8/28/2019) listed as SDA clergy on the Conference website.

2)  I have sent the Conference an e-mail in which I asked them to respond to me with a comment on this situation.NOTE:  Due to time differences (17 hours) , I an uncertain as to exactly when I might be able to receive a response.  It also should be noted that the material written by Susan Magaitias was in a book written by eight (8) different people.  It is proper to hold her accountable for what she wrote.  But, we should not attribute material written by others to her.

 

 

 

But Pastor, is she the author of the book? This is disgusting and shameful! Why would anyone pedal others porno trash? 

I stand and say if you do that kind of sex you allow it! I need answers so I hope you will get back to us soon on this matter!

Blessings!

[stinsonmarri]

On 9/3/2019 at 9:09 AM, B/W Photodude said:

There are multiple addresses for her on the original article including her website and her Facebook page (more than one). Others in Australia trying to get similar answers from the conference have been similarly stonewalled.

I am so glad you are addressing this!

Blessings!

[Gregory Matthews]

Stinsonmarri & Anyone else:

In my experience the critics of the SDA Church often post material that contains partial truths and some falsehood along with some truth.  In addition I have seen the stories grow and expand as one person after another adds their input to the tale.  Speaking frankly I have seen people knowingly make false charges against a denominational leader who have actually confessed to lying against that leader..

In my personal research on this case I have determined that some aspects of the charges against her may be partially false.  I am not going to say any more at this time, on this.

I am engaged in on going discussions with the involved Conference President.    I have suggested some issues that need to be addressed.  A process is taking place.  Susan is being treated fairly.  The alligations against her are being carefully considered.

I hope that at a later time I will have a statement from the Conference that I can post and that I can share some of my thoughts.  But that is not for now.

In the mean time speculations on this issue will not be allowed.  I want to thank Photodude, who posted the opening post, for allowing this process to continue to take place. 

I am keeping in touch with this process, which for the moment is confidential as it should be.

 

 

 

 

 

[B/W Photodude]

1 hour ago, Gregory Matthews said:

In my experience the critics of the SDA Church often post material that contains partial truths and some falsehood along with some truth.  In addition I have seen the stories grow and expand as one person after another adds their input to the tale.  Speaking frankly I have seen people knowingly make false charges against a denominational leader who have actually confessed to lying against that leader..

With this story, it was well documented with links to research it. And the most telling of all is that her book is on sale on Amazon. When I say "her" book, she had a story in the book which was an anthology with many articles, but I suspect her story stands for itself. It is tempting to buy the book to see for myself that this most serious quote of hers was correctly rendered, but I did not really wish to reward her.

So, while sometimes people may post falsehoods, it should be clearly stated if that is the belief regarding this story.

1 hour ago, Gregory Matthews said:

I hope that at a later time I will have a statement from the Conference that I can post and that I can share some of my thoughts.  But that is not for now.

In the mean time speculations on this issue will not be allowed.  I want to thank Photodude, who posted the opening post, for allowing this process to continue to take place.

I have communicated with other critics in Australia who have related their efforts to get information regarding what the conference planned to do regarding these charges and as noted prior, they have been unanswered.

Regarding critics of misbehavior in the church, that is a topic without specific references I wish to look into very soon.

[Gregory Matthews]

A process is taking place that is attempting to determine the truth and to be fair to all.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

I think I need to give some perspective to this discussion:

*  The book in question was published in 2015, and the individual chapter written by Susan earlier.

*   This piece is one of a number of things written by Susan.

*   The current Conference President had only been in office for a few days when I contacted him.

*  IOW, This whole issue is brand new to people who are now dealing with it.  This is not a situation where this President could have dwelt with it years earlier.

*   A process has begun.  But in a sense it must start from the beginning.  Susan must be treated fairly.   In addition to learning the demands of his new job, the President must be given time to become aquainted with the issues associated with these charges.

*  This is going to take time  Let the process work.

 

 

 

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Stand by folks.  I am very close to posting a statement on the questions that have been raised about Susan M.

The process has worked.

GM

 

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Have any of you actually read the story Fodor-Magaitis wrote?  I just did.

I think this is all a tempest in a teapot.  F-M didn't write anything pornographic in her short story in Spectral Tales.  The beginning of her story is just kind of juvenile and dopey, and the entire writing is amateurish, but not pornographic, and certainly not any more suggestive than some of the books I was required to read in academy.  It has nothing to do with ghosts or spectres.

F-M's other books appear to be the same genre:  insipid and dopey fluff.  F-M can write whatever floats her boat, but don't Australian pastors have anything else to do with their time?

[Gregory Matthews]

Susan Fordor-Magaitis is a SDA pastor, employed in Australia, who has written a number of fictional stories for a non-SDA audience in an attempt to stimulate their thinking about God.   One of her fictional stories was published about five (5) years ago in a book that was a collection of stories by other non-SDA authors.

A member of this forum posted a comment on that book that essentially stated:

·        *   That the story that Susan wrote presented dead people returning to Earth, as ghosts, to communicate with those living on Earth.

·          *  That the chapter that Susan wrote contained material that was clearly pornographic.

·          *  That attempts had been made to contact the Conference that employed Susan and that the Conference had refused to address the charges against her.

I posted a statement on this forum to the effect that I would attempt to contact the Conference that employed Susan.  I have, as outlined in the Bible, attempted to contact both Susan and the Conference that employs her.    Susan has not responded directly to me.  She has responded to the Conference.  Conference Officials have responded to me multiple times in the on-going conversation.  The Conference has been open, transparent and willing to respectfully engage me in a conversation on these charges.  To be clear, the Conference, in harmony with established policy, investigated the charges against Susan in a manner to be fair to all.

In my report to you I am putting into my words the essence of what has happened.  My wording actually reflects statements made to me by more than one person. I will also make additional comments that reflect my thinking and were not made to me by others:

·          *  Certain elements in the published story do reflect a lack of considered judgment on the part of Susan.

·           *  Susan deeply regrets certain aspects of what she wrote.

·           *  Her story has been published in a book and posted on the Internet.   Susan wishes that she could remove those. But they have been legally posted and she does not have either the ability or the authority to remove them.

What follows next are my comments:

·        *   At all times I have found the Conference willing to respectfully engage me.  The process has taken time for multiple reasons. One of which is due to the fact of my injury, surgery and the fact that I have had to type with one finger.

·          *  I am not clear as to exactly what Susan wrote.  I have found statements to the effect that some charges against Susan actually apply to other authors in the collection of stories.

·        *   Pornography reflects a specific style of writing. Porn is more than graphic and explicit.  It has a specific style of writing.  I question whether what Susan wrote was actually pornographic.  But I do not know as I have not read what she actually wrote.

The Conference that employs Susan has investigated in terms of denominational policy.  Susan has acknowledged a lack of judgment and expressed regret for what she wrote.  I hope we can accept this and put this conversation to bed and let it go.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Stand by:  Additional and totally new information has been given to me.  I will post more (I will attempt to do so today.)  later.

This will be a substantial post.

[Gregory Matthews]

 

Gentlepeople:  I have been given a digital copy oy the book that contains Susan’s story.  I have read her story and will comment on it in detail.

In the interests of transparency, I must provide the following about me:  I have a close relative who as a teen was involved in a major accident.  He spent 30+ days in a coma.  He is now a published author who has published a slightly fictionalized account of his life and time in the coma.

In brief, the story goes like this:  Two (2) teens are traveling to a party.  The male driver is texting and this results in a horrific accident in which the female teen is pronounced dead.

In an effort to evade responsibility for the accident, the driver states that the female caused the accident by sexually assaulting him.

The female, unknown to the  male is revived and enters a coma.  The next part of the chapter reflects her thinking as she remains in the coma, but with some understanding of what is going on about her.

As the story continues she regains useful function and plans to clear her name of the false accusations against her, and to send the male driver to prison’

In the final part of the chapter she forgives him.

I agree that in the early part of the chapter Susan was not clear in her writing.  I was confused, but I continued to read.  That confusion was cleared up by reading further as Susan wrote more clearly. In actual fact, this is a story of forgiveness.  However, Susan could have developed this  more, which would have been helpful.  To sum up:

1)      This story in no way is pornographic.

2)      This story does not present a dead person returning to Earth as a ghost.  It presents a person coming out of a coma, in the same manner that happened to my close relative.

3)        it does have a Christian message.

4)       The charges against her while true in part are also substantially false.

 

[B/W Photodude]

2 hours ago, Gregory Matthews said:

1)      This story in no way is pornographic.

 

3)        it does have a Christian message.

The original link in the original post quoted Fodor's story and the text does not really seem to be pure. I suspect whether it is pornographic depends on the individual reading it, but I would be embarrassed to have my name as the author on this story.

Also, mixing a "Christian message" into a story with questionable morals is also not really acceptable. Reminds me of all the "Bible movies" Hollywood has produced with orgies and every other form of misbehavior, but they have a "Christian message." 

So, still of the opinion that Fodor is an unacceptable example of the behavior that should be expected of a pastor today.