Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, emotional abuse, It's All About the Image, Ravi Zacharias, Religious Power and Control, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies, Women and the Church

Julie Anne Smith Interviewed on Almost Heretical Podcast: Spiritual and Sexual Abuse

Nate is the first person to interview me specifically about the Ravi Zacharias sex abuse scandal and ask me why I thought it took so long for the collective church to "get it."

Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Ravi Zacharias

The Vince and Jo Vitale Case Study in Pseudo-Confessions

"Am I the only one bothered by the use of โ€œfailureโ€ language in the rush of mea culpas that we now see bursting from the bowels of evangelical Christianity as Ravi Zachariasโ€™s empire goes the way of the Titanic?"

Clergy Sex Abuse, Religious Power and Control, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority

Former Seminary President “Deeply Shocked” by Ravi Zacharias’s Moral Relativism for Sinning Leaders

"Sometimes people in leadership have to do things that are unethical" - Ravi Zacharias

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Christian Marriage, Complementarianism, Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, Divorce, Domestic Violence and Churches, John MacArthur, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Master's University / Master's Seminary, Patriarchal-Complementarian Movement, Religious Power and Control, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Bullies, Troubling Tweets, Women and the Church

How Pastor Steve Swartz uses Scripture to Elevate His Position as Pastor and His Response to an Abusive Marriage #Blech

Ok, popping in here for a quickie post for discussion. Notice this dude is a Master's Seminary Alum. This does not surprise me with the kind of pompous attitudes I have witnessed and encountered from John MacArthur's camp. Case in point, Bill Shannon reached out to me during my lawsuit case. I'll never forget how… Continue reading How Pastor Steve Swartz uses Scripture to Elevate His Position as Pastor and His Response to an Abusive Marriage #Blech

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH

Where are Kathi and Julie Anne?

I pulled over to take a picture of the beautiful hoarfrost in College Place, WA. Wow - it's been pretty quiet around here, if you haven't noticed.The reality: Kathi and JA are a bit tired and overwhelmed with life at the moment, so we are taking a blog sabbatical, without apologies. Life has been challenging… Continue reading Where are Kathi and Julie Anne?

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH

Redeeming Power / Diane Langberg–The Book I’ve Waited for, for 45 Years! Guest Review by Brad/Futuristguy

Redeeming Power by trauma psychologist Diane Langberg is the best book Iโ€™ve seen that introduces, equips, and challenges Christian leaders to deal with systemic abuse and historic oppression. Buy it, savor it, share it! ~brad/futuristguy I have survived multiple situations of spiritual abuse by people in positions of power in churches, ministries, and non-profitsโ€”starting from… Continue reading Redeeming Power / Diane Langberg–The Book I’ve Waited for, for 45 Years! Guest Review by Brad/Futuristguy

Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches

Domestic Violence Awareness Month – Resources for Pastors and Churches

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This post lists several resources for churches and pastors to use when thinking about responding to domestic abuse.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Ravi Zacharias, Religious Power and Control, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority

Ravi Zacharias: Reports of Sexual Predation and Sexual Abuse at Health Spas

And now, Steve Baughman has uncovered more of the same . . . Ravi has a history of seeking sexual gratification for himself, using his position of power and trust to obtain those "favors." This is clergy sexual misconduct and spiritual abuse!

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Abuse Systems and Transformation Tools, Authoritative Preaching, Biblical Manhood, Christian Marriage, Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, Disturbing Trends, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Doug Wilson, emotional abuse, Extra-Biblical Nonsense, Gender Roles, God's Design for the Family, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Mental Health and the Church, Misuse of Scripture, Religious Power and Control, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Bullies, Women and the Church

The Whoโ€™s Who and Whatโ€™s What of Poisonous Patriarchy in Contemporary Christianity: Introducing Brian Sauvรฉ

This power-over structure is harmful, demeaning, and depersonalizes women who were made in the Image of God.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Christian Marriage, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, emotional abuse, Extra-Biblical Nonsense, Gender Roles, God's Design for the Family, Julie Anne's Personal Stories, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Religious Power and Control, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Bullies, Women and the Church

The Who’s Who and What’s What of Poisonous Patriarchy in Contemporary Christianity

"Iโ€™ve decided to document pastors and individuals who promote patriarchy here on my blog. I will post screenshots of their tweets or social media posts, and name them and their churches as a public record."

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Christian Marriage, Divorce, Julie Anne's Personal Stories, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Personal Stories, Safe Churches, Single and Christian, Small Groups, Well Done, Church Leaders!

We are Image Bearers of Christ in Our Marriages and in Our Singlehood

" . . . unless the church treats all individuals as image bearers of Christ, we will not be the Body of Christ as the church was intended to be."

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, emotional abuse, Religious Trauma Institute, Spiritual Abuse

Religious Power and Control: Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is a tactic used by abusive leaders or groups to maintain power and control over their members.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH

My Personal Mental Health Journey

So..right now I am living life to the fullest....camping with my kiddo and friends. Bike Bubba made a comment regarding getting off my meds and it reminded me that I forgot to give an update on that part of my life, too. I posted about it on my Facebook page and on Twitter, and once… Continue reading My Personal Mental Health Journey

Christian Marriage, Complementarianism, Doctrine as Idol, Gender Roles, John Piper, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority

John Piper Questions Whether Wives Should Share Their Wisdom with Their Husbands

John Piper could have stopped with "I don't know" in his response to a listener about wife submission. Instead, he gives a round about answer which ultimately adds an extra emotional and spiritual toll on the wife.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH

Blog Update

I indulged in this bouquet from my local farmer's market yesterday. Admin note: well, if it weren't for Kathi posting her Sunday posts, this blog would probably be officially dead. THANK YOU, Kathi!!!! I didn't plan for the silence from me. It just happened. I'll explain more later (sooner, rather than later). It will all… Continue reading Blog Update

Clergy Sex Abuse, Domestic Violence and Churches, Religious Power and Control, Religious Trauma Institute, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Women and the Church

Religious Power and Control: Minimizing, Denying, and Blaming

Minimizing, denying, and blaming are tactics used by abusive leaders and groups to maintain power and control over their members.

Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Dies; More Lies Uncovered

The two former Ravi-colleagues both clearly remember that Ravi did not preach at the graduation. That was a role reserved for the college president. So they checked the program from that day and then shared it with me.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Ravi Zacharias

Before Evangelicals Canonize Ravi Zacharias, will they learn from Jean Vanier and Lโ€™Arche?

The evidence against Ravi Zacharias is, after all, serious and compelling. If evangelicals ignore it they will show the world that they do not take their Holy Bible seriously (1 Timothy 5:20).

Religious Power and Control, Religious Trauma Institute, Shunning, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority

Religious Power and Control: Isolation

Isolation is one tactic used by abusive leaders and groups to maintain power and control over their members.

Biblical Manhood, Christian Love, Christian Marriage, Complementarianism, Doctrine as Idol, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Egalitarianism, Gender Roles, John Piper, Together for the Gospel

John Piper on Complementarianism and Abuse – #T4G20

What is up with John Piper's erratic response on Complementarianism and abuse?