Because that's how child molesters think. Especially since they were still out there. Eventually someone was going to find her. And if they find her alive, he's screwed. If he goes back to find her, he can fill her head with things like "this is God's will" and "God meant for this to happen". I'm not saying he's guilty of anything. I'm just saying religious people who are caught sexually abusing children use this EXACT tactic. "If you tell anyone, God will be angry". "God sent me here because this is his will".
This way, IF he did something other than play hero of the day, he now has an argument and an appeal to the general public. He's no kidnapper or molester, he's a hero. And not just any hero....he's a miracle sent from God.
I'm not saying he's guilty. I'm just saying that normal people don't act the way he did. Not in those situations.
Well, I can't argue with any of that....I mean, it's all very Columbo to me. Maybe this, maybe that. This is what crazy people do. This way he's safe. This way he's a hero. I mean, it's just very Silence of the Lambs and hollywood. Sure, like I said before, it's possible. But come on, isn't that kind of thing possible every time anywhere anything good happens.
As for him not reacting how you think he would react....again, I ask about the girl. She isn't playing an Oscar worthy role for the found child. Truth is, maybe we don't know how "normal" people react in these situations. Out side of a movie, when is the last time this kind of thing happened? Maybe the guy was totally at peace the entire time because he was just walking and praying, never taking the burden of finding her on his own shoulders, but instead leaving that part of to God. So maybe that's why he was calm. I can't really answer that. But to act like we know how "normal" people would react in that situation is a little assuming.
It's funny that you use examples of how "religious" people use God to cover up sexual abuse.
Why are these same things not also examples of how a God-fearing "religious" person would help find a lost little girl? Why does it have to go back to the preconception that something's not quite right. To me, whether you realize it or not, I think when "it's a miracle, God led me to her" was the headline, your judgment and suspicion of this guy was shaped at that moment. That's why you steer his religion to support sexual abuse instead of just his faith in God. That's why the scripture he was telling her comes across to you as sexual cover-up and brainwashing instead of someone trying to comfort and share what he truly believed just happened.
I know, I know, I'm no psychologist. I could be totally wrong. But I'm just willing to bet that most of the people that see "creepy sexual abuser kidnapper" started down that path in their minds because of "it's a miracle, God led me to her". Not that everyone consciously decided that, but it shaped the direction of their evaluation of the story. Just my opinion, and nothing more.
I guess in time we'll see. Maybe he did something, maybe not. I just don't remotely see all of the "obvious" signs.