Bynum discusses marriage on 'Divorce Court'

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UPDATED: 12:20 p.m. May 02, 2008
Bynum discusses marriage on 'Divorce Court'
Judge 'had never heard of her before' appearance.

By D. AILEEN DODD
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/22/08

Just when the media spotlight was fading on national evangelist Juanita Bynum, the pastor found a new forum where her star could shine again —reality TV.

Frankly, Judge Lynn Toler, of Fox TV's "Divorce Court", had no idea who Bynum was when producers asked if they could invite her on the popular courtroom show. Creative minds behind the scenes of Divorce Court wanted to tackle a serious topic —spousal abuse.

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Toler's staff thought Bynum's national story of surviving domestic violence would help others living with abuse find the strength to leave violent relationships —and attract some solid ratings.

"I had never heard of her before," Toler said of Bynum Wednesday. "The executive producer came to me and said I know you don't like to do shows on domestic violence, but this is a way we could do it responsibly.''

Footage of Bynum's two-part interview on Divorce Court has been posted on www.divorcecourt.com in anticipation of her appearance today. And if ratings hit a home run, Bynum could be invited back.

A spokesman for Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III on Wednesday said he, too, was asked to go on Divorce Court, but declined the offer. In March, Weeks pled guilty of assaulting Bynum last summer and was given probation as a first offender.

"Bishop Weeks understands that he cannot prevent his wife from saying whatever she wants, but as in the past, if mistruths are told, he will respond accordingly," said his divorce attorney Randy Kessler.

Bynum's decision to appear on Divorce Court after the media blitz surrounding her domestic violence trial has some metro Atlantans wondering whether the Pentecostal "prophetess" is trying to extend her stay in the limelight.

Latoya Hardamon of College Park, who has followed Bynum's ministry, said enough is enough. "You are a woman of God, what is your purpose of going on Divorce Court?" Hardamon said. "We have seen all of that already, we don't have to hear it again."

The Rev. Cynthia Hale, who pastors a flock of 5,000 at Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, is also puzzled. "I am not sure how going on Divorce Court is going to extend her ministry," said Hale . "I believe that something as sensitive and as personal as divorce should not be aired in public."

However, David W. Key, director of Baptist Studies at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, says since Bynum has no formal church of her own, that reaching out to souls through Divorce Court, couldn't hurt her. Bynum developed her ministry based on her life experiences as a woman looking for love. "I don't think it will impact her as it would other ministers who have not created their ministries off of their personal stories," he said. " I think she will find a new audience on Divorce Court."

Divorce Court Judge Toler said she also had some concerns about Bynum, but later came to understand her. " I asked her if she was trying to stay in the limelight," Toler said. "She said the fact that I got into a domestic violence dispute with my spouse was more of a threat to my ministry than anything else."

Bynum tells Toler on TV about her decision to leave Weeks: "I said to myself, I love him, but I love me more."

Toler said she learned something from watching Bynum minister to a couple dealing with domestic violence on the episode. "She was able to speak to the offender in a way that I couldn't," Toler said. "She said things I didn't think of."

Meanwhile, Bynum's divorce is still pending. An attorney for the evangelist tried twice to get a tell-all book about the Weeks-Bynum marriage yanked before the divorce could be resolved arguing that it contained "false statements" about Bynum's alleged drinking and drug use, among other things. Two judges - including the Gwinnett County Superior Court judge scheduled to hear the divorce - denied an appeal for a retraining order to stop Weeks' book, "What Love Taught Me."

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Comments

By impi

Nov 19, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

From what I have seen this woman is a false prophet. She certainly does not have any of God's spirit in her. She is not sincere and her teachings are other than biblical. She bases her preaching on life experiences and not on biblical truths. Remember Gods way is not our way. Remeber the devil knows the bible better than anyone. The bible teaches in the last days people will raise up prophets and teachers for themselves, they will draw them out. Amazing how many people are so blindly decieved.

By impi

Nov 19, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

By Linda Perkins

Nov 1, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

I am a person of mental abuse in a marriage. After looking at the episodes on Thursday and Friday, it bought back lots of memories. I could feel the pain from the young lady when she were afraid to answer questions or make comments about her marriage. I am presently separated. It's been three years and I feel free but still attached. My children also went through the same abuse, the only difference was they were not his children, so the beat them. They suffered and so did I. They are all grown young adults now, but they still remember. One of my daughters is in a similar relationship, now my grandchildren along with their mother is going through the same. She covers up a lot of what's happening, the same as I did. It hurts because it's nothing anyone can do because we learn how to cover up things well, make excuses. Now, I have come to have a very personal relationship with my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can give me that love and peace. I have learned to love and Lord and myself. Right now I would like to encourage other women in abusive relationships whether mentally or physical, don't fear man, fear God. When I came to that realization that man only did what I allowed him to do, that's when the change came. I prayed and I promised the Lord, that if he would allow me to get out of that relationship, that I would do whatever he wanted me to do. I was able to make a total commitment, where before I couldn't, because I didn't give God full control, I gave my husband full control. He abused it, he told me where to go, when, he would called if I stayed too long. He constantly yelled, hollowed, screamed and cursed. He left mental scars, but I have learned how to take the scars and turn into stars, and the hurts into halos. Letting women know the that the best husband you can have is Christ Jesus, he won't leave you, he won't hurt you, he will comfort and love you all the time. Because he said in his word, I will never leave you nor forsake you. He says he'll be with you until the end of time. I am now believing and trusting God for his word.
About my daughter, I pray that the Lord will open her eyes just as he opened mine.
Because I once was blind, but now I can see. Ladies, God is Good, God loves you and so do I.

By Evelyn foster

Oct 15, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

As i was reading pastor juanita, it reminded me of katherine kuhlman. We are bound 2 face challenges in our lives, and has happened in pastor bynums life is another steping stone to explosion in ministry.

By P. Holley

Oct 3, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

What has happen can happen to others. So in that I would not be so fast to speak out on something we don't know all the FACTS.

By nicole

Sep 4, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

I never cared too much for Juanita Bynum. She appears fake and not sincere at all.

By Gloria

Aug 29, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

You T Moss or whatever you call yourself, becare of what you say to the anointed one because when God created her and pronounce His purpose as a preacher in her life you were not there so how come you judge her or them.

By creola taylor

Aug 20, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this

i'm so grateful for this woman of god she and her lifetime story has changed my life i pray i could be as bold as her i,m 22 and been saved 3 years i pray i could go on in god for 39 years. may god bless you and keep living.

By Joy Irving

Aug 17, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

There is no oita of doubt in my mind that Juanita Bynum is a woman of God. I pray that no matter what she's going through at the moment, that the Almighty God will come through for her. The Bible says that "the righteous may fall 7 times; but 7 times he will rise again." Juniata Bynum may seem to be on the floor at this time; but I know that she will DEFINATELY RISE AGAIN AND DO GREATER EXPLOITS FOR GOD AND FULFILL HER MINISTRY. Personally Juanita has been a blessing to me; and now I am trying to be ablessing to her in return by praying for her. God bless and keep Juniata - Amen!

By DERRICK TUCKER

Aug 15, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

The next time she wants to committ suicide, I hope no one stops her!

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