Last week, Fred Butler issued a public apology to the Smith Family on his own blog per my husband's request. Comments on the post were closed, so I have copied Steve's words here (and sent Fred an e-mail):Fred, Concerning what you wrote about Hannah - your apology is accepted and I forgive you. Thank you for… Continue reading Response to Apology – Trolls and Spiritual Abuse
Category: ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH
The World is Watching Us
*** One of the key signs of a healthy person and a healthy church is looking at the fruit they exhibit. What kind of love do they show? How do they model Christ to the world? The world is watching and judging. I read some words yesterday that were shocking to me on many levels.… Continue reading The World is Watching Us
Hannah’s Personal Story in Her Own Words
Readers: I've had this post in my "draft posts" for quite some time, but the time to post it is now and I will explain more about that very soon. You'll see why it is important to hear from her own words. I shared my perspective of Hannah's story in the most popular blog post,… Continue reading Hannah’s Personal Story in Her Own Words
Independent Churches = Recipe for Spiritual Abuse?
** We were taught submission at our former church: children to parents, wives to husbands, husbands to Christ, congregants to pastor/elders, civilians to governmental authorities. Most churches have a check and balance system in place to ensure that there are no abuses going on in church. Here is part the doctrinal statement from our former… Continue reading Independent Churches = Recipe for Spiritual Abuse?
Outside Family Members: Why Are They Shunned?
After this busy weekend with the court case (no ruling yet), spending wonderful time with my friends and a little birthday celebration, I woke up in a funk. Two e-mails were pressing on my mind and then I realized, no, there were actually three e-mails that arrived over the weekend that described the destruction… Continue reading Outside Family Members: Why Are They Shunned?
False Teachers Who Mark and Avoid Church Members
I received an e-mail from a missionary today who was involved in a church whose pastor used similar tactics with church members as my former pastor. He sent me a link to look at and I realized I could easily replace his pastor's name with my former pastor's name; he said the same thing… Continue reading False Teachers Who Mark and Avoid Church Members
My Story – Key Blog Posts
*** I began this blog in Feb. 2012 after noticing that the Google reviews I had posted of my former church were being removed. Days after the commencement of this blog, I received a legal summons suing me and three others for defamation to the tune of $500,000. The story of spiritual abuse needs to… Continue reading My Story – Key Blog Posts
Creepy Pastors and Churches Using Creepy Stalking Control Tactics
* * * There have been a few stories of spiritual abuse in the news lately. A kind reader sent me this article from The Christian Post: Spiritual Abuse: Shepherds – or Fleecers – of God's Flock? This article starts by discussing the abuse of gaining members' funds through… Continue reading Creepy Pastors and Churches Using Creepy Stalking Control Tactics
Spiritual Abuse Blogs: Christ-Honoring?
Flowers in my neighborhoodThis has been an interesting week or so, none like we've ever had before on this blog, that is for sure. (If you are just coming to the blog for the first time, we had some great discussion in the three previous posts which are linked at the bottom of this post.) … Continue reading Spiritual Abuse Blogs: Christ-Honoring?
The Big Elephant: Contend for the Faith or Not!
Note to Fred Butler: My husband and I discussed this post at length, gave me his approval, and also said that if you want to call him, he knows you have our number. Here is the big reveal. What is the big elephant in the middle of the room that so many pastors and… Continue reading The Big Elephant: Contend for the Faith or Not!
How Far Will We Go to Contend for the Faith?
* * * Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been waiting for this response from Mr. Butler for a while. He has now addressed the issue and I would like to open it up for discussion. I was concerned that we wouldn't hear from Fred again and that the questions might remain… Continue reading How Far Will We Go to Contend for the Faith?
Glad You Asked!
Muckraker asked great questions yesterday and I'll address them on this post. MuckrakerJune 16, 2012 5:51 AM Julie Anne: What does it mean "reviews are slowly being removed"? Who removes them?? Google? The church requests it? Or demands it with some kind of legal pressure?I thought the whole point of online reviews is that "customers"… Continue reading Glad You Asked!
The Fingerprints of a False Teacher
During the week the media found out about my lawsuit, I got an e-mail from Ken Garrett who is a pastor of a church in Portland, OR (about 20 minutes away from my former church). Ken pastors a church named, Portland Grace Bible Church. My former church also is Grace Bible Church, but with a… Continue reading The Fingerprints of a False Teacher
Survival Strategies for Hyper-Authoritarian and Repetitive Sermons
* * * I'm a little bit surprised if you are still reading my blog. The last three posts were rigged to make a point and I took you on a ride without your permission so you could understand first-hand what it felt like. I tricked you and purposefully kept the… Continue reading Survival Strategies for Hyper-Authoritarian and Repetitive Sermons
Commenter Asks: Is Church Safe Anymore?
A few admin notes first: When I first was served the subpoena, I reached out to people on the internet who had dealt with spiritual abuse for help. One person was Barb Orlowski who reads and comments here. Barb put me in contact with a group of people, some who have gone through tragic stories… Continue reading Commenter Asks: Is Church Safe Anymore?
Additional Former Church Member Has Been Sued!
* * * I'll get to the subject of the former church member sued in just a moment, but want to make sure this point is told: I believe that suing former church members is just an extension of the spiritual abuse. How can that be? Let me explain.This is old… Continue reading Additional Former Church Member Has Been Sued!
Hyper-Modesty in the Church, Part 2
Does Hyper-Modesty Lead to Lust? Yesterday's post dealt with the subject of hyper-modesty with regard to how we dressed, the preoccupation of not showing cleavage, not accentuating a woman's figure, diverting eyes when seeing female joggers on the road, staying away from public swim areas and areas where people are dressed immodestly, etc. I also… Continue reading Hyper-Modesty in the Church, Part 2
Do I have an unforgiving heart?
David, a blog reader, has been having dialogue with me and others in the comments section on previous posts and I wanted to highlight some of his comments and address them publicly. We were discussing his thoughts that focusing on my personal stories shows a lack of forgiveness. I asked David what forgiveness looks like… Continue reading Do I have an unforgiving heart?
"Justice" Responds
* * * FrederickaMay 17, 2012 11:07 AM I must confess myself mystified as to the nature of 'Justice's' complaint, which seems to be lacking in a certain, shall we say, precision. What exactly is it that he or she is alleging was done to him or her? AnonymousMay… Continue reading "Justice" Responds
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
Spiritual Sounding Board 