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Wednesday, September 1, 2004
Salvation or Sex?

Read the first part of this story, "House of Worship or Den Of Sex" at: http://www.foxcarolina.com/Global/story.asp?s=2243205

New information Wednesday on a story we first broke Tuesday. Sex or salvation at �Thee Bunny Ranch� in Spartanburg County? There are lots of questions about a church near Greer that may really be a sex palace. Now another church, with the same name, has sprung up in Woodruff and upset neighbors there are on bended knee.

On Tuesday night �Thee Bunny Ranch� was doubling as a church. Since our investigation aired the church signs have come down and gone up again. But it�s what sits behind those gates still remains a mystery.

If it was a church on Highway 101 it was probably unlike any you�ve ever seen. The building is secured by a barbed-wire fence. A black limousine is parked at the front door. The church's hours are 4pm-4am . Guests are by appointment only and entrance is granted for a modest donation of three hundred dollars.

But once the gates open, some say you�re more likely to see a penthouse of sin- not a house of worship. Instead of a rectory, recliners. No bibles, just bars and a bed. The confession rooms, really private rooms to fulfill your every fantasy.

Jane Doe says, �It�s like he�s looking for ways to get around what he�s done before. You know to make it seem like that�s not what its going to be.�

And those concerned neighbors who don�t want to be identified may be on to something. The signs that were just there Tuesday are on this building on South Main Street in downtown Woodruff. Our investigation uncovered the building is being leased to a Charles Penland- the same person who leases �Thee Bunny Ranch� on Highway 101. He also has a list of other properties he owns including Woodruff Auto Sales.

Liz Marcellino, a concerned neighbor say, �For who�s doing this, to get the business up and running, no, it doesn�t surprise me. Money talks, money always will talk.�

Inside downtown Woodruff's latest religious addition, behind the heavily tinted glass are pool tables, a bar under construction and a stereo system with satellite. All red flags that what's advertised on the outside are different than the inside.

�It�s not going to be another church. Not with the activity they�re bringing in. If it�s a church they should bring in pews not gutting the walks, leather chairs in there,� says Marcellino.

Charles Penland has agreed to interview with FOX Carolina. We�ll air that Thursday night at 10. As for the church in Woodruff, FOX Carolina has learned no permit has been issued there for business or occupancy.

To comment on this story email FOX Carolina's Jamie Guirola: [email protected]

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