Naghmeh Abedini, statement, Pastor Saeed Abedini, Domestic Violence, Counseling A short while ago, Naghmeh released a public statement on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NaghmehAbedini/posts/10153907080785767 IMPORTANT UPDATE: Dearest friends and prayer warriors, Many of you have been concerned about and have asked about updates on Saeed and our situation. At this point Saeed has not been… Continue reading Pastor Saeed Abedini Unwilling to Seek Abuse Counseling
Category: Mental Health and the Church
Troubling Tweets: Biblical Counseling to Treat Schizophrenia, Bulimia, Depression, ADHD?
Mental Health, Biblical Counseling, Geoffrey Kirkland, Addictions, Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar, Bulimia, ADHD This evening, I tweeted the following: https://twitter.com/DefendTheSheep/status/702398385924546560 After seeing this tweet: https://twitter.com/GeoffKirkland/status/701831415583928323 Who is Geoffrey Kirkland? From Geoffrey Kirkland's bio: Geoff grew up in St. Louis and then moved to LA to go to the Master's College. God saved Geoff in 2001. Geoff… Continue reading Troubling Tweets: Biblical Counseling to Treat Schizophrenia, Bulimia, Depression, ADHD?
Bill Gothard Added to Lawsuit; Victims Alleging Sex Abuse and Rape
Bill Gothard, Institutes in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), Lawsuit, Sex Abuse, Rape, Sexual Grooming Many of you are probably aware of the recent amendments to the sexual abuse lawsuit against Institutes in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), the group being sued by women who are claiming that Bill Gothard sexually abused and groomed them.… Continue reading Bill Gothard Added to Lawsuit; Victims Alleging Sex Abuse and Rape
While the Board of Bill Gothard’s Former Ministry, IBLP, Claims Judge Dismissed Lawsuit, Attorney for Plaintiffs Says Four New Plaintiffs Have Come Forward
Bill Gothard, Sexual Grooming, Lawsuit, IBLP Board, 4 New Plaintiffs, Lawsuit Not Dismissed It's been a while since we've had an update on the lawsuit brought on by former volunteers/workers at Bill Gothard's former ministry who were allegedly sexually groomed by Bill Gothard. In November, Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) published a statement regarding the lawsuit… Continue reading While the Board of Bill Gothard’s Former Ministry, IBLP, Claims Judge Dismissed Lawsuit, Attorney for Plaintiffs Says Four New Plaintiffs Have Come Forward
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
Blogger Claims Because of our Culture of Death, Our Children Need a Belt and the Bible
Culture, Spanking, Bible, Lori Alexander, Abortion, Feminism, Divorce Do we Have a Culture of Death? In a recent article, Children Need a Bible and a Belt, blogger Lori Alexander complains about today's children, our politically correct culture, and our culture of death which she concludes is caused by abortion, and feminism, which she claims leads to the… Continue reading Blogger Claims Because of our Culture of Death, Our Children Need a Belt and the Bible
What Can Happen to Sex Abuse Survivors When They Are Not Believed or Supported?
Sex abuse survivors need to be believed and supported What happens when sex abuse survivors spend years trying to tell others of their abuse and it is met with deaf ears? What happens when family and friends turn their backs and ignore the abuse? In the next personal story, we will read a response to… Continue reading What Can Happen to Sex Abuse Survivors When They Are Not Believed or Supported?
Incest Survivor Shares Her Personal Thoughts about the Josh Duggar Case: “Truth and Reconciliation”
*** Sex Abuse, Incest, Truth and Reconciliation, Josh Duggar, 19 Kids and Counting, Purity Culture *** What is it like for a sex abuse survivor to see the news of a sex abuser and victims on National television? What is it like for a survivor to hear the words of parents explain away abuse, when leaders… Continue reading Incest Survivor Shares Her Personal Thoughts about the Josh Duggar Case: “Truth and Reconciliation”
A Closer Look at Ethical Issues Involving First Christian Church of Florissant and the Counseling They are Offering to Sex Abuse Victims
*** Pastor Steve Wingfield and First Christian Church of Florissant offer counseling to Brandon Milburn's sex abuse victims, but are there ethical issues involved? *** There is a large group of people, some current and some former members of First Christian Church of Florissant (FCCF), who have been very disappointed in how Pastor Steve Wingfield and church… Continue reading A Closer Look at Ethical Issues Involving First Christian Church of Florissant and the Counseling They are Offering to Sex Abuse Victims
There is a Pedophile in My Family: The Tools I Gave My Children to Protect Them from Harm
*** Tools to Help Protect Children from Pedophiles and Sex Abuse *** After reading, A Betrayal at Home, an article on incest and child sex abuse, I became angry - angry about trusted individuals who should have been loving and protecting precious children, but instead silenced and victimized children by abusing them sexually, sometimes destroying their lives emotionally… Continue reading There is a Pedophile in My Family: The Tools I Gave My Children to Protect Them from Harm
NonFamily Sex Abuse Victim Expected to File Civil Lawsuit against Josh Duggar
*** Josh Duggar's (nonfamily) sex abuse victim intends to file lawsuit against him. *** Recent news reports claim that Josh Duggar, son of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, who was reported to have sexually abused five children as a young teen, will be facing a civil lawsuit filed by the non-related victim. It should be noted… Continue reading NonFamily Sex Abuse Victim Expected to File Civil Lawsuit against Josh Duggar
My Personal Mental Health Story: When Christians Say Potentially Harmful Words to Someone in a Mental Health Crisis
*** Mental Health, prayer, Bible, professional counseling, harmful advice *** A friend found this quote and was very disturbed by it. When I saw it, I was equally disturbed...no, make that horrified, because it brought me back to a very difficult time in my life when it was said to me by well-meaning Christians: *** ***… Continue reading My Personal Mental Health Story: When Christians Say Potentially Harmful Words to Someone in a Mental Health Crisis
How I Would Have Responded as a Parent to the Josh Duggar Sexual Abuse Scenario
*** This past week has been a whirlwind with the Josh Duggar sex abuse allegations from 12 years that recently surfaced. Josh Duggar is the eldest child of Patriarchical family and model ATI (Bill Gothard's homeschool curricula) family. Josh Duggar and his family star in the popular reality show on TLC, 19 Kids and Counting. As this… Continue reading How I Would Have Responded as a Parent to the Josh Duggar Sexual Abuse Scenario
Encouraging Shift from Bethlehem Baptist Church Regarding Domestic Abuse and Care for Abused Women
 *** Pastor Jason Meyer of Bethlehem Baptist Church Preaches on Domestic Abuse and Care for Abused Women, Marking a Change in Direction from John Piper's Teachings *** *** Yesterday, I received an e-mail from reader, Ben, about a sermon preached at Bethlehem Baptist Church last Sunday concerning domestic violence. This is significant coming from John Piper's former church and… Continue reading Encouraging Shift from Bethlehem Baptist Church Regarding Domestic Abuse and Care for Abused Women
Does Christian Fundamentalism Cause Mental Health Issues?
Mental Health Issues and Christian Fundamentalism *** There's been some great discussion on fundamentalism in the previous post about "Bethany," who over time was able to see the relationship she was in as destructive and abandoned the relationship. Â I thought it might be good to give the topic a post of its own, so I… Continue reading Does Christian Fundamentalism Cause Mental Health Issues?
Personal Account from Former BJU Student
Rachel Patrick shares personal experiences at Bob Jones University Rachel Patrick was a former student of Bob Jones University (BJU). Although she did not participate in the GRACE investigation, she recently gave a public statement on Facebook, giving permission to share it. It is copied in its entirety as follows: *** I have made this post… Continue reading Personal Account from Former BJU Student
Bob Jones University Sex Abuse Investigation and A Breakdown of BJU President Pettit’s Leaked Chapel Message
*** Bob Jones University Sex Abuse Investigation and BJU President Steve Pettit's leaked chapel message *** Bob Jones University (BJU) has been in the news prominently after GRACE released their long-awaited report (trigger warnings if you read the report) on the sex abuse investigations at BJU. Many major news sites are covering the story, including, The New… Continue reading Bob Jones University Sex Abuse Investigation and A Breakdown of BJU President Pettit’s Leaked Chapel Message
Russell Moore and John MacArthur Offer Diverse Responses on Challenging Issues
***Two Influential Christian leaders offer diverse responses regarding (1) professional counseling and (2) response to [adult] children with same-sex issues or identity.  Christiandom tends to follow church leaders when it comes to difficult life issues. Earlier, when reading an article at Religion News Service (RNS) by Adelle M. Banks, Russell Moore answers all you wanted to know about sex (but… Continue reading Russell Moore and John MacArthur Offer Diverse Responses on Challenging Issues
Christian Response to Suicide
A look at Christian response to suicide.***Yesterday, I tweeted this after hearing of Robin Williams' death by suicide:I asked him if he considered depression to be sin?His response:***We had more exchanges, he refused to answer my question.I also got a personal e-mail from someone who had recently gone through postpartum depression and loss. She, too,… Continue reading Christian Response to Suicide
Emotional Chaos after Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual abuse can leave damaging scars, some resulting in real difficulties, including anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, etc. *** Longtime SSB reader, Refugee, left a comment with questions regarding the difficulty she is facing after having experienced spiritual abuse. Because she responded to an older article and I really want her to get answers (and likely… Continue reading Emotional Chaos after Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual Sounding Board 