But for many pastors, the allegations have created a dilemma. They want to denounce what Mr. Moore was accused of doing, but in many cases they want to do so without denouncing Mr. Moore himself.

In interviews over the past week, pastors said they did not want to alienate members of their congregation who still support Mr. Moore, and that as a rule, they never endorse or oppose political candidates so that anyone can feel welcome in their churches.

Yet they did not want to stay silent, because they did not want their congregants — or people watching Alabama from around the country — to think that evangelicals believe it is normal or acceptable for a man in his 30s to molest and sexually harass teenagers.