Classical Conversations, High-Controlling Groups, Deleted Comments, Blocked Commenters, Noble Gibbens *** NOTE: This is part of a series that began with these earlier posts: Classical Conversations #1: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Classical Conversations #2: What Led You to Join a Classical Conversations Homeschool Community? #ClassicalConvMadeKnown Please take a seat and join the conversation,… Continue reading Classical Conversations #3: Leaders Delete Comments and Block Commenters Who Don’t Toe the Line
Category: Abuse Systems and Transformation Tools
BREAKING NEWS: Dr. Paige Patterson Terminated, Effective Immediately: No Title, No Housing, No Ongoing Compensation
Paige Patterson, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, SBC, #Churchtoo, #ChurchToo, #MeToo *** A new statement was just released at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: During the May 30, 2018, Executive Committee meeting of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) Board of Trustees, new information confirmed this morning was presented regarding the handling of an allegation of… Continue reading BREAKING NEWS: Dr. Paige Patterson Terminated, Effective Immediately: No Title, No Housing, No Ongoing Compensation
Lyvonne Picou’s Research on Black Christian Women Survivors of Male Sexual Violence
by Brad Sargent, aka brad/futuristguy, and cross-posted at futuristguy website. * * * * * * * “I am fiercely committed to addressing the taboo and stigma attached to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in the Black community.” ~ Lyvonne Proverbs Picou * * * * * * * Occasionally, I find out about surveys or… Continue reading Lyvonne Picou’s Research on Black Christian Women Survivors of Male Sexual Violence
A “Systems Approach” and Some Historical Background on Dealing with Abuse and Violence
To deal with "systemic abuse," we must understand systems, victimization, and what makes individuals and institutions vulnerable. Guest post by Brad Sargent, with input from Julie Anne Smith. Cross-posted at futuristguy. * * * * * * * How will our church serve those who’ve suffered the harm of childhood sexual abuse, and seek to… Continue reading A “Systems Approach” and Some Historical Background on Dealing with Abuse and Violence
Book Review: The Child Safeguarding Policy Guide, by Boz Tchividjian and Shira Berkovits
Key component in a system of resources on child sexual abuse for policy makers, survivors, educators, and advocates. Guest post by Brad Sargent, with input from Julie Anne Smith. Cross-posted at futuristguy. * * * * * * * Spiritual Sounding Board was invited to participate in the Litfuse "blog tour" for the recently released… Continue reading Book Review: The Child Safeguarding Policy Guide, by Boz Tchividjian and Shira Berkovits
Blog Series: Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery by Pastor Ken Garrett, Wk 2
Spiritual Abuse, Pastor Ken Garrett, Spiritual Abuse in the church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery *** Ok, here we go, plowing through Pastor Ken Garret's dissertation about spiritual abuse. I used the word plowing intentionally. For some of us, it will be work. It is not enjoyable to be reminded about difficult experiences. However,… Continue reading Blog Series: Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery by Pastor Ken Garrett, Wk 2
New Blog Series: Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery by Pastor Ken Garrett
Spiritual Abuse, Pastor Ken Garrett, Spiritual Abuse in the church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery *** As I was reading through Ken Garrett's dissertation, I had to stop and soak up what I had just read. It took time to process and I felt like if I continued reading, I might miss something. It… Continue reading New Blog Series: Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery by Pastor Ken Garrett
Help! My Family Member or Close Friend is Trapped in a High-Controlling Church or Cult. How Can I Encourage Them to Leave?
How to help a family member or friend leave a high-controlling church group or cult: spiritual abuse, trapped, thought reform, mind control, freedom “Mind control is the process by which individual or collective freedom of choice and action is compromised by agents or agencies that modify or distort perception, motivation, affect, cognition and/or behavioral… Continue reading Help! My Family Member or Close Friend is Trapped in a High-Controlling Church or Cult. How Can I Encourage Them to Leave?
Four Primary Conditions that Result in People Leaving Abusive Churches and Cults
Spiritual Abuse: Leaving Abusive Cults and High-Controlling Churches I have been very moved by many of your stories of abuse in the recent article, Spiritual Abuse: What Was the Last Straw That Caused You to Leave Your Abusive Church? Spiritual abuse is obviously not isolated. It's happening all over and crosses denominational lines. Several people have said… Continue reading Four Primary Conditions that Result in People Leaving Abusive Churches and Cults
A Spotlight on Abuse and Death of VCY America Founder Vic Eliason
*** Here are some interesting articles that have been making the rounds: If you have not seen Spotlight, I urge you to see it. It is about "Spotlight" a specific group of investigative reporters from the Boston Globe who uncovered the systemic sex abuse and cover-up in the Catholic Church. This movie is very… Continue reading A Spotlight on Abuse and Death of VCY America Founder Vic Eliason
Breaking the Pattern of Idealizing Parents: Cynthia Jeub and the Trap of All-or-Nothing
Second Generation Adult, Cynthia Jeub, Gaslighting, Homeschool Movement Breaking the Pattern of Idealizing Parents: Cynthia Jeub and the Trap of All-or-Nothing By Cindy Kunsman Think for a moment about the manner in which children learn. We teach basic distinctions to keep them safe – such as hot and cold – sensations which are rarely ambiguous. Fire… Continue reading Breaking the Pattern of Idealizing Parents: Cynthia Jeub and the Trap of All-or-Nothing
Attorney David Gibbs III Discusses the IBLP Lawsuit and Answers Important Questions
Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), Bill Gothard, lawsuit, David Gibbs III Many are probably aware of the recent news that five very brave women have come forward and have filed a lawsuit against Bill Gothard's former ministry, Institute in Basic Life Principles, Inc. (IBLP), and six men who serve as Directors of IBLP: John Stancil, Anthony… Continue reading Attorney David Gibbs III Discusses the IBLP Lawsuit and Answers Important Questions
Victim of Bill Gothard’s Teachings Speaks out about Josh Duggar Scandal, Mike Huckabee: Bill Gothard’s Dangerous Agenda and Influence in Political Arena and Society at Large
*** Bill Gothard, Mike Huckabee, Sex Abuse Coverup, Political and Social Influence, and an Agenda *** *** Some may remember Dash's (pseudonym) personal story I posted a while back. Dash was raised with parents who adhered to Bill Gothard's teachings and suffered severe emotional, physical, and spiritual abuse. I covered his story in two articles: Man… Continue reading Victim of Bill Gothard’s Teachings Speaks out about Josh Duggar Scandal, Mike Huckabee: Bill Gothard’s Dangerous Agenda and Influence in Political Arena and Society at Large
Elephants and SGA’s Everywhere! Coming to Terms with Homeschooling’s Pitfalls
The need of parents to both deal with the pitfalls and understand their Second Generation Adults of homeschooling (those who suffered in a high demand Christian homeschooling culture). A post by Cindy Kunsman of UnderMuchGrace.com In the Spiritual Sounding Board series about the Second Generation Adult who grows up in high demand religion… Continue reading Elephants and SGA’s Everywhere! Coming to Terms with Homeschooling’s Pitfalls
BGBC Defamation Lawsuit Archive: How to Document Spiritual Abuse in Your Church
Every account like this makes a difference for those of us who've survived spiritually abusive situations. And hopefully, in the long run, courageous people like yourself and others who choose to do something will help turn the tide. ~Brad Sargent Stroll back with me to one year ago. A year ago, my life was… Continue reading BGBC Defamation Lawsuit Archive: How to Document Spiritual Abuse in Your Church
Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part Two
Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part Two © Brad Sargent (brad/futuristguy), November 2012 5. Individual and Crowd-Sourced Snapshots for a Viable Video In Part One, I explained why I felt it was worth spending a day analyzing a Covenant Life Church (CLC) Members Meeting, despite my being an outsider to… Continue reading Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part Two
Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part One
Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part One © Brad Sargent (brad/futuristguy), November 2012 After I wrote my analysis piece on Sovereign Grace Ministries in the previous post, I was asked two questions and invited to share more detail on: Why evaluating a Members Meeting that happened at Covenant Life Church (CLC) over a year… Continue reading Detailing Events and Discerning the Times: Part One
Sovereign Grace Ministries: Analysis of CLC Members Meeting
Analysis of CLC Members Meeting of August 17, 2011INTRODUCTIONThe following analysis was produced by Brad Sargent. He is more known by his online handle of “brad/futuristguy,” and he often writes about recovery from spiritual abuse and how to prevent toxic organizations. For this article, Brad used a transcript of the Covenant Life Church (CLC) members’ meeting of August… Continue reading Sovereign Grace Ministries: Analysis of CLC Members Meeting
Julie Anne’s Musings
Countdown: 4 more days until court hearing, drawn by 9-yr old Resident Artist I have been inundated with requests to set up a Legal Defense fund. That blesses my socks off. Thank you for your support in this practical way. * * * * * * * * * * * * * *… Continue reading Julie Anne’s Musings
List of Cultic Tendencies
Charles Lester wrote a list of cultic tendencies (originally posted Oct. 1991 in Spiritual Counterfeits Project newsletter) which can be viewed in full online at the Battered Sheep website. The entire list can be found here. Below are the items that hit a nerve with me. Is your pastor fully accountable to a board of… Continue reading List of Cultic Tendencies
Spiritual Sounding Board 