Alyson, Dallas (10/17/2007 11:37:25 AM)

I'm happy to hear this. I loved my time at ORU, and wouldn't trade it for anything. This will give the university time to make some important decisions. If it comes out in the end that none of this is true, Richard can come back. If that is not the case, then ORU can start fresh with a new administration. Either way, ORU will benefit in the end.

Comment, (10/17/2007 11:37:43 AM)

It's about time he stepped aside. I just wonder how much the Regents played into this decision. Alot I hope.

Joe-Allen Doty, (10/17/2007 11:39:50 AM)

None of the academic and spiritual education which I received at ORU was in the classroom and from individual professors outside of class time when I was a graduate theology student during the school terms 75-76, 76-77 and 77-78. I certainly did not get any spiritual education in ORU chapels or any other worship service on campus.

. . . I just heard this announced on Tulsa's Channel 2 TV station a few minutes ago and decided to check the Tulsa World website for local news.

. . . I hope that Richard Roberts ends up with a permanent "Leave of Absence" with ORU continuing on with a completely different administration. That probably won't happen; but, I can still have a vision of it taking place.

. . . IMO, Richard Roberts is not a preacher and definitely not a teacher. He should have stayed in show business where he was more qualified to be an entertainer.

Wipe the scales from your eyes, (10/17/2007 11:47:26 AM)

Go ahead and say it ORU: Billy Joe is interim president, isn't he?

ORU Alumnus, Tulsa (10/17/2007 11:49:53 AM)

This was the right move for the University. Hats off to RR for moving aside so the investigation can properly take place. I hope they do not have access to all the records / video tapes though. To "publically" step aside and not do it behind the scenes would be, well, sad to say the least... My prayers are with the University as the days ahead will still be difficult.

Relieved, Tulsa (10/17/2007 11:51:19 AM)

Interesting timing, since the students are all gone this week on Fall Break. Special commendation and consideration should be given to surviving faculty for continuing on through this distraction; however, many of them should have been part of the whistle-blowing but were too afraid to speak up.

ORU Alum '06, Tulsa (10/17/2007 11:55:19 AM)

This is a good thing for the university and everyone involved. The truth will be revealed....either way. ORU has never been about a person .... its God's university, and it will always be. God bless ORU and the Roberts...

ORU Alum, (10/17/2007 12:12:04 PM)

Joe-Allen,

If you didn't gain any academic or spiritual education from the classroom, or Chapel services while at ORU then that is your own fault, not RR, or anyone else for that matter.

It seems you write this statement pridefully.

This will now be one of your most public moments of shame. What a ridiculous statement to make. How foolish to keep paying so much money per year for nothing in return. You are caught in your own words. No one else, has been foolish enough to make such a statement in all these blogs. If this is true, it is your fault, not the professors, or the administration, or other students of ORU.

Now turn, repent, and bring yourself back to a place of usefulness in GOD's kingdom. Sorry this is harsh, but you are wasting your time and ours. But God will be faithful and just to forgive you, if you are willing to repent.

Rev. Peter, (10/17/2007 12:13:05 PM)

This is a fully paid Leave of Abscence. All that has changed is that RR will have an other reason to refuse to answer questions i.e. "I'm on a Leave of Abscence." Meanwhile the Roberts gang lawyers are trying "settle" i.e. buy back the photos, using money donated to the "ministry" and ORU. I wonder how long it will be before ORU announces that the rogues gallery on the ORU board of trutees are also taking a leave of abscence. They have certainly proved to be a liability.

The Prophet, (10/17/2007 12:14:09 PM)

I told you guys! So far, 1 of my 2 prophesies has now come true. That's one more than any Roberts has ever had come true! Now let's see if # 2 happens: Billy Joe will be pres. Then I'll decide whether or not to start my own TV show...

CharismaniaDOTwordpressDOTcom, (10/17/2007 12:15:29 PM)

Wow, perhaps a sign of some character? This is the best thing that could have happened.

.

I do have a question, though...I read through both lawsuits and found no actual allegations of "sexual misconduct." There was nothing overtly sexual mentioned, just that Lindsay had allowed a young man to move into their home, had visited his Christian high school 80-some times with him, and had been photographed smoking with him. Why not just stick to those allegations? Why not refute them? It seems relatively easy to do, if they're not true. But instead, RR includes that high and mighty comment about something that has never actually been spelled out. That's weird to me.

The Prophet, (10/17/2007 12:17:53 PM)

P.S. If I do, ya'll don't forget: SEND ME YOUR MONEY.

ORU Alumn, (10/17/2007 12:23:34 PM)

Thank you Richard. This is the best thing for the University and I applaud you for taking the correct action.

Michael Gehret, Colorado Springs (10/17/2007 12:23:52 PM)

Shame on some of you folks, "thou shall not judge"...The Roberts have done a lot of good and may be guilty of some small things, but the big picture is that they are good people and heart is / has been in the right place.

I believe innocent until proven guilty ...

lets give the Roberts family that as well.

John, (10/17/2007 12:26:08 PM)

Denying something of which you were not accused is a PR trick from the Nixon Watergate days. It is called a non-denial denial. Anybody else notice that Mrs. Roberts also denied being sexually involved with another man? There was absolutely no mention of another man--her improper relationships, whatever they involved, clearly were related to BOYS, not MEN. Another non denial denial.

ORULAWSUIT . ORG, Tulsa, OK (10/17/2007 12:26:42 PM)

This is not over yet.

ORU Alum- Indiana, Indianapolis (10/17/2007 12:27:26 PM)

Thank you Richard. I believe that this was the right decision. It is in the best interest of the university and still allows you to continue in the ministry of ORM and OREA. You and your family will continue to remain in my prayers.

very interesting, Tulsa (10/17/2007 12:28:16 PM)

The big question is, will Lindsay also be taking a leave of absence from her micro-managing at ORU?

ORU Alumni 79, (10/17/2007 12:28:54 PM)

Richard did the honorable thing. Let the healing begin. I do hope Billy Joe will serve as interim president. He is an honorable man by his own reputation is well suited to help restore the University's credibility. Dean Boyd would also be a great candidate to lead the University. He is an African American with impeccable credentials with an earned Doctorate, has served on staff for over 20 years and is capable of leading the University. Are we ready for a Black man to lead the University?

DTaylor, (10/17/2007 12:33:54 PM)

#18-

That was my question.

We could only hope.

That cookbook has been quite the soul winner though, so I should be quite. A jewel in her crown.

Carl Smith, Tulsa (10/17/2007 12:34:09 PM)

It's a shame that another one of GOD's chosen few as fallen by secular criticism. But as it has been said for awhile that he does not like the touch of a woman anyway. But we can't be shocked more and more of these so-called religous leaders are unveiling the true spirit of the Church. Greed, fornication, and bigotry towards other denominations. Richard of course isn't the first and definitely will not be the last. Ain't that right Juanita Bynum, self-proclaimed prophet.

Incredulous in Michigan, Troy (10/17/2007 12:36:52 PM)

I'm glad to see this. They need to put a whole new regime in place.

very interesting, Tulsa (10/17/2007 12:37:22 PM)

#22 - cookbook?

Lori, Tulsa (10/17/2007 12:37:22 PM)

Send me his money.

Pat Brown, Tulsa (10/17/2007 12:40:31 PM)

We should be ready for a scholar that believes stronly in higher education. Any corny with credentials coming from ORU is questionable. Professionalism has been comprismed too long. Many of the Board of Regents are simply cronies as well, they have no respect for higher education. Visit their churches and hear what they say about advance degrees.