Monroe Pastor Apologizes For Sermon That Blames Rape Victims

February 22, 2024

Gary Brode,

MONROE, NC – A pastor from Monroe is going through a trial by social media fire.

Video of one of his sermons is being shared all over social media. The sermon appears to be from last year, but the outrage is fresh.

“If you dress like that and you get raped and I’m on the jury, he’s gonna go free.” – Pastor Bobby Leonard of the Bible Baptist Tabernacle in Monroe, NC pic.twitter.com/CEQvdgzMBU

— Outspoken™️ (@Out5p0ken) February 21, 2024

A clip being shared around social media shows Pastor Bobby Leonard at Bible Baptist Tabernacle in Monroe blaming rape victims for their clothing.

Pastor laments women wearing shorts, then says: "If you dress like that & you get raped & I'm on the jury, he's going to go free…because a man's a man."

Yes, a man is a man–not an animal. And HE is responsible for controlling himself. This pastor needs to resign.… pic.twitter.com/IMWgylx1uk

— Julie Roys (@reachjulieroys) February 21, 2024

The sign at Bible Baptist Tabernacle has a message from Pastor Leonard that says “I am sorry for any hurt, I was wrong”.

An apology is posted at Bible Baptist Tabernacle in Monroe after a video has resurfaced on social media of a sermon from Pastor Bobby Leonard saying “If you dress like that and you get raped and I’m on the jury, he’s gonna go free.”

See the video tonight at 10 on WCCB pic.twitter.com/97lwqrPiZb

— Gary Brode (@GaryBrodeNews) February 22, 2024

WCCB reached out to the Bible Baptist Tabernacle multiple times for additional comment but were unable to reach someone with the church.