I don’t have much time for blog posts, but when something gets me worked up, I might just make the time and effort to report on it. Such is the case of Pastor Chris Gore of First Baptist Church in Beggs, Oklahoma.
Brenda Blake Bickskey wrote a diary of what happened to her, her marriage, and her family on her Facebook page while she and her family attended his church. I read it and was appalled by what Brenda has endured. Once again, Patriarchy has reared its ugly head and destroyed a family.
Her words tell the whole story.
But now, Pastor Chris Gore doesn’t want this woman to talk about her experience, so he sent her a Cease and Desist note on the church letterhead. I think it usually carries more clout when written from an attorney.
I decided to have a heart-to-heart with Pastor Gore on Twitter. (I don’t like calling it X).
Do you think he will listen to me? We’ll see!
My long-time online friend, Lois, chimed in to let me know that Oklahoma has an anti-SLAPP law which will certainly be in Brenda’s favor should the pastor foolishly sue her.
Pastor Chris Gore should probably stop now. This is not going to look good for him if he continues the path he has threatened.
My heart goes out to Brenda and her family. This is so, so painful. And it makes Christianity look terrible.
Spiritual Sounding Board 
I wish I could read the entirety of the exchange, but based on what was shared here, it seems that pastor is nothing more than another enabler-abuser. The victim’s revelations wouldn’t be considered inflammatory if he had chosen to protect and support her rather than burdening her with what would be characterized as a heavy load of guilt, shame and obligation to accommodate wickedness in her home.
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Julie Anne, I’m really glad you’re still here. It’s lonely on the blogs. God bless you.
–Ted
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Hey Ted! So good to see you!
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Same here! I don’t get out to the “other” Portland these days; daughter Heather has moved back to Maine. I’m still checking in on Wartburg Watch too, but it seems that blogs have lost a lot of steam, including my own. Keep posting when you can!
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Me too Julie Anne, I am one of your avid fans!
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Oh, Muff, it’s so good to hear from you, too! It feels like reunion week!
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I hope for the sake of all involved, Mr. Gore won’t do something stoopid.
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This “we’ll sue you if you try to tell” is very disappointing. Several “Christian” leaders (ie. Israel Wayne being one) are threatening to sue me if i don’t shut up about abuse or wrongdoing in the family and church (and one death) that they are determined to keep covered up.
He also said, “You won’t even be ready for the smear campaign that is about to come down on you!”
I was amazed. This is not what Jesus would do, or said to do.
It’s a deep, dark and systemic evil. The women are derided and threatened, not believed (even though frankly, they do Know the truth, they are just determined to Suppress it). I am unjustly labelled a “liar”, even though I am standing here with evidence — because no one even cares enough to Review the evidence before just attacking or dismissing the speaker with a “smear campaign”. 😦
This is not how the Bible says to resolve conflict or such claims. But Israel Wayne and his comrades only produce the Bible for Profitable ventures, and do not actually live it in their daily life. And the result is that all manner of crime is being covered up, and all manner of evil Persists.
I grieve.
The church primarily wants to “ignore” anything it finds uncomfortable… which is shameful. But people keep looking to these evil men as “ministers of God” and it makes me want to throw up, physically.–Savage
I do not know how to deal with this. There is no way to resolve it, and no way to live with it. 😦
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Sad, do you blame this Pastor’s behavior on Patriarchy, what’s your understanding of Patriarchy, biblically?
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Patriarchy?
Biblically?
That’s like asking to make sense of the Space Shuttle ‘biblically’.
‘Biblically’ is one of the most misused and abused terms around.
As an ex-fundamentalist, I’ve found that you (generic you) can make the Bible say just about anything you want it to.
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