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. 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?
Category: ABUSE RECOVERY PROCESS-PROBLEMS
Dissecting Gracealone1’s Comment
*** Sometimes we have commenters here who like to challenge us. Sometimes the language and tone used seem familiar to what we experienced in our abusive churches. Commenter "gracealone1" has been engaging SSB readers on the comments in this article, JD Hall of Pulpit and Pen Launches Voice in the Wilderness Radio, and one of his comments in… Continue reading Dissecting Gracealone1’s Comment
The Lingering Pain of Spiritual Abuse
The pain of her leaving caused me to go deep and question the character of God which was being tainted by a man and his crude ideas, perpetuating a church of hate and discord against anyone who didn’t agree with him and his pure doctrine ideologies.
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
Why Don’t Young People go to Church?
*** My friend, Pastor Jeff Crippen, who blogs about domestic violence at A Cry for Justice posted the following note on the A Cry for Justice Facebook page and I asked pretty please if I could share it with you. Yes, I really did say, "pretty please." LOL Sadly, at Spiritual Sounding Board, we do often… Continue reading Why Don’t Young People go to Church?
Is anyone celebrating the demise of Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill churches? Is it really over? Should current Mars Hill pastors be leading new churches?
*** Mars Hill Churches dissolving, becoming independent churches. Are people really celebrating? Should current Mars Hill pastors assume the role of pastors in the new independent churches? *** Yesterday, Mars Hill Pastor Dave Bruskas announced that the Mars Hill board decided that Marks Hill churches were dissolving: Today, I am excited to share… Continue reading Is anyone celebrating the demise of Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill churches? Is it really over? Should current Mars Hill pastors be leading new churches?
Doug Phillips Update, and Beall Phillips Publicly Responds to Michael Farris’ Recent Statement
Doug Phillips and family-integrated churches, his family's new church, and Beall Phillips' response to HSLDA's Michael Farris' statement Attention: All of you families who may have abandoned life-long friends and stopped going to traditional age-segregated churches, proclaiming them anti-Biblical because of the teachings by Doug Phillips and Vision Forum . . . . .… Continue reading Doug Phillips Update, and Beall Phillips Publicly Responds to Michael Farris’ Recent Statement
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
Can High-Controlling Pastors Lead Their Members into Depression and Even Suicide?
Commenters share about high-controlling pastors who leave a path of mental health destruction, even suicide, because they cannot get appropriate help. A while back, I found a comment at SGMSurvivor.com blog that cut like a knife. Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) is in the news a good bit because of the sex abuse lawsuits, but the subject… Continue reading Can High-Controlling Pastors Lead Their Members into Depression and Even Suicide?
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
Loss of Perspective: The Cost of Enduring Abuse
Do individuals suffer harm when they remain in verbally or emotionally abusive relationships? Cindy Kunsman illustrates the effects through an account of spiritual abuse. By Cindy Kunsman, UnderMuchGrace.com After reading Julie Anne's post questioning whether divorce from an abusive spouse is actually a “sin,” I found myself thinking of the loss of perspective and… Continue reading Loss of Perspective: The Cost of Enduring Abuse
Spiritual Recovery and Leaving a High-Controlling Church: Free to Plant, Free to Bloom, Free to Be
*** What does freedom feel like for those who have left a high-controlling or spiritually abusive church? *** ** About a month ago, I was sent beautiful pictures by SSB's friend, BeenThereDoneThat (BTDT). At first I was drawn to them because cobalt blue is my favorite color. Cobalt blue exudes a soothing peace and tranquility for… Continue reading Spiritual Recovery and Leaving a High-Controlling Church: Free to Plant, Free to Bloom, Free to Be
Pastoral Confidentiality: Does it Still Apply after Church Member Resigns?
*** What is the responsibility of pastors for those they deem have "gone astray?" Do pastoral confidentiality rules apply even when someone resigns their church membership? *** *** The other day, I read an article, Stabbed in the Back by a Cult Leader and it left me feeling sad and angry. "Sheldon" is a… Continue reading Pastoral Confidentiality: Does it Still Apply after Church Member Resigns?
Spiritual Abuse: Interview with Doug Bursch
*** *** Yesterday I did an interview with Doug Bursch from Seattle's KGNW radio station. Doug describes himself in his bio as "a speaker, writer, pastor, teacher and evangelist." We spoke about spiritual abuse, healthy and unhealthy churches. I've done quite a few interviews since the lawsuit, but this one is my new favorite. If… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Interview with Doug Bursch
How do you warn someone about a dangerous spiritual group? What if that person is your spouse?
*** How do you warn someone about a dangerous or spiritually abusive leader or group? What if that someone is your spouse? *** Commenter, TIA, responded to my comment with a couple of key questions that were left unanswered. I think would be helpful to discuss these important questions, especially in light of the second… Continue reading How do you warn someone about a dangerous spiritual group? What if that person is your spouse?
Patterns of Abuse: What we can learn from the death and suicide letter of GOP Senate Aide, Jesse Loskarn?
*** Patterns of Abuse: What we can learn from the death and suicide letter of GOP Senate Aide, Jesse Loskarn? *** Jesse Loskarn, 35, was chief of staff to GOP's Senator Lamar Alexander from Tennessee. In mid-December 2013, Loskarn was arrested for possession and distribution of child porn. Officials found child porn on Loskarn's hard… Continue reading Patterns of Abuse: What we can learn from the death and suicide letter of GOP Senate Aide, Jesse Loskarn?
When Sharing Concerns or Asking Pastors Questions Leads to Spiritual Abuse
* * * Questioning authority or raising concerns can be the litmus test to see if your pastor is spiritually abusive or not. * * * * * * Oh boy, is this a biggie. I was really moved when this topic come… Continue reading When Sharing Concerns or Asking Pastors Questions Leads to Spiritual Abuse
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