A Kentucky The church is encountering criticism following a widely shared video depicting a fake execution team entering a kids' Bible class and acting out shooting the devil.
The footage, first shared on TikTok Prior to being taken away, it depicted men dressed in military uniforms rushing down the aisle at Mt Olivet Baptist Church in Lexington.
The fake troops acted as though they were firing at an individual dressed in dark clothing who was depicting the devil on the altar stairs.
Artificial gunfire sounds can be heard while the individual acting as the devil is shown moving quickly along the floor, appearing to be struck multiple times by bullets.
While the performers rushed into the chapel, kids sitting in the benches could be heard shouting: "Get rid of him. Bomb him."
The individuals wearing combat attire are subsequently shown pulling their "target" from the room as the minister faces the kids and starts a countdown.
A short time after, the noise of a simulated blast can be heard.
The video triggered an online 'outbreak of controversy,' leading Pastor Dewayne Walker to respond to the event in a Facebook post on Monday.
Walker labeled the responses as "false information" and indicated that the footage had been removed from its original setting.
"The false information circulating is unfortunate, and I suppose it's something this generation has come to accept," the minister stated.
"Each year, we have characters who embody goodness, righteousness, and divinity, as well as those who symbolize evil, wrongdoing, and things to steer clear of," Walker stated.
He referred to the "skits" as efforts to make worship more enjoyable, noting that they have been performing them for the last 32 years.
In the past few years, we've had the soldiers of Christ," Walker stated, continuing, "The video you watched was merely defeating the Devil.
"You might consider it somewhat excessive, and perhaps you're correct, yet don't you feel that the devil is truly employing drastic methods in our time," he stated.
The minister mentioned that worried residents contacted him, claiming the footage implies the church is responsible for harming those who do not hold their views.
"What else can I say? Where did that idea come from? It's a figure known as the Devil, and it has been misinterpreted," Walker stated in the video.
He stated that the unfavorable conclusion was never his aim and expressed regret, saying, "That was never my intention."
What you witnessed, just a small part of it, doesn't come near who we truly are.
Amidst the anger and backlash, the Kentucky branch of Moms Demand Action described the footage as "extremely unsettling."
A Lexington resident named Kathi Crowe criticized the church, stating that Bible school ought to serve as a "safe environment for kids."
Putting children through a complete simulated military attack and firing line is a shocking misuse of that environment, representing a serious violation of confidence that must be dealt with.
"Every teaching moment for kids regarding right and wrong must begin with grown-ups demonstrating security and elegance," Crowe said.
The Lexington police mentioned they got several reports, suggestions, and worries regarding the footage, yet indicated that no illegal actions were taking place.
The Daily Mail contacted Mt Olivet Baptist Church for their response.
Read more