Topless Strippers to Protest in Front of Ohio Church; Strip Club Owner Says Congregants 'Don't Go Away,' Harass Patrons
Exotic Dancers from an Ohio strip club are set to protest topless on Sunday in front of a church that has been protesting against their establishment for over eight years.
The Fox Hole strip club owner, Thomas George, has tried suing New Beginnings Ministries from Warsaw, Ohio in the past, but hopes his employees' upcoming indecent demonstration gets his message across.
"We've been backed into a corner, and they continue to harass the customers," said George, according to USA Today. "I don't want to use nudity, but obviously he (pastor) doesn't understand the meaning of just go away."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The feud between New Beginnings Ministries' pastor Bill Dunfee and George has been escalating through the years as church members usually protest by standing at the club's parking lot to voice their disapproval of the strip joint.
However, Dunfee notes that Geroge's problem is not merely because his members disapprove but also because patrons have turned away from the club due to their protests and because at least one stripper has left the club to commit her life to Christ.
In the past, Dunfee's church has also extended a helping hand to the strippers by offering them housing, food and money for their personal bills.
"The bottom line for us is that it's a gospel issue," said Dunfee. "When the church was born over 2,000 years ago, it was in the midst of opposition. We know what we're doing is working."
Last week, over a dozen strippers clad in bikinis camped out in front of the church's entrance with lawn chairs, one of them even flashed a church member.
George says he cannot control who sees the topless women on Sunday even if children are present, noting that "they just happen to be unfortunate innocent bystanders in this whole mess."
"Everyone has the right to express their first amendment rights and views, but at what point does it become just flat out harassment with what goes on?," said George. "It's not my intention to offend the locals down there."
According to Ohio law, individuals are required to cover their private parts in public, meaning male and female genitalia, not including breasts.
However, if the women take their bottoms off or engage in illegal activity, then they could be cited by police or arrested. George says if any of his employees is charged with public indecency on Sunday, he will fight the citation in court.
Dunfee welcomes the protesters as he says that it gives his congregation a sense of purpose as to what they are fighting against.
"Every time they show up at our church, it just strengthens our ministry," said Dunfee.
