When up against charges of child pornography and sexual misconduct with minors, there are better ways for a clergyman to please a judge. Still, the 31-year-old Torsken, Norway, minister went for it, explaining his criminal behaviour in possibly the least acceptable way: he was bored. Kiddie porn broke the monotony.

The unnamed minister explain-ed to the court that his entertainment options were limited so far up north. Thus, the constant Internet searches for child porn became for him "a kind of extreme sport." According to the defence, the images themselves were never any sort of payoff and children in no way sexually arouse the defendant. Not even the various local boys he'd invite to his home, where he'd show them porn. Porn, he claims, they nagged him to show them.

Though a decision has yet to be rendered, the minister says he's remorseful and believes the experience has made him a better man of God.

» Scott Saxon