"Verbal abuse needs to be taken as seriously as physical abuse. Just because you can't see the effects of verbal abuse doesn't mean that it's not as damaging."
Category: ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH
John Piper Wants You to Marry the Bible This Year?!
John Piper never fails to leave people scratching their heads!
Classical Conversations #8: Personal Story and Financial Nightmare
"I hope this can be a cautionary tale for those interested. Beware of CC. They have no interest in anything but their bottom line."
In Which Ken Gaslights and Lori Thinks Women can Avoid Marrying Abusers
"Lori could stand to learn about abusers before placing the onus of marrying one on a woman."
Spiritual Abuse: What Are Nonbelievers Going to Think?
Spiritual Abuse, ReputationJonathan Hollingsworth This is the fourth blog post referring to an article by Jonathan Hollingsworth, What Not to Say to Someone Who’s Been Hurt by the Church. The article resonated with a lot of people, so I thought it might be a good idea to discuss these unhelpful statements one by one here, and give… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: What Are Nonbelievers Going to Think?
Caution: Children and Predestination
Predestination and Children My friend, Ryan Stollar, posted this on his Facebook wall, and I was struck at how damaging Predestination can be to children, especially vulnerable children. Shoot, I think it could scare adults, too! Special thanks to Ryan for writing about this and giving me permission to share it. ~ja First off, what… Continue reading Caution: Children and Predestination
Spam Alert
I was just informed that spam comments were posted on the blog. I get literally hundreds of these a day. I may have hit a wrong button when I was in the process of deleting spam earlier. Yikes. These are VERY BAD spam links. Trust me. Don't click. Just hit refresh and hopefully you won't… Continue reading Spam Alert
Naghmeh Panahi, Ex-Wife of Former Iranian Prisoner, “Pastor” Saeed Abedini, Posts Public Statement on Facebook
It's been a while since I have posted about Saeed Abedini or his ex-wife, Naghmeh. Naghmeh Panahi posted a public note on Facebook yesterday. You may recall that after Saeed Abedini was released from prison in Iran, Naghmeh filed for separation because Saeed would not get help for his abusive behavior in the marriage. Saeed… Continue reading Naghmeh Panahi, Ex-Wife of Former Iranian Prisoner, “Pastor” Saeed Abedini, Posts Public Statement on Facebook
Spiritual Abuse: It’s Not Gossip to Talk about Abuse!
Spiritual Abuse, Gossip, Jonathan Hollingsworth This is the third blog post referring to an article by Jonathan Hollingsworth, What Not to Say to Someone Who’s Been Hurt by the Church. The article resonated with a lot of people, so I thought it might be a good idea to discuss these unhelpful statements one by one here,… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: It’s Not Gossip to Talk about Abuse!
Creative Exegesis on Social Media
There's a bit of fun "exegesis" happening on Twitter. What is exegesis? It started when my East Coast gal pal blogger, Dee, posted a link to an article on John Piper: https://twitter.com/wartwatch/status/1060540779112861696?s=21 And then what Tim and David added really cracked me up! I copied those 2 tweets together in an image so people could… Continue reading Creative Exegesis on Social Media
Spiritual Abuse: When People Ask You, “Are You Working Toward Reconciliation?”
Spiritual Abuse, What Not to Say, Jonathan Hollingsworth, Reconciliation This is the second blog post referring to an article by Jonathan Hollingsworth, What Not to Say to Someone Who’s Been Hurt by the Church. The article resonated with a lot of people, so I thought it might be a good idea to discuss these unhelpful statements… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: When People Ask You, “Are You Working Toward Reconciliation?”
Does the WASC Commission Letter Address Reports of Sexual Assault at The Master’s University?
"In 2015 The Department of Education cited The Master's University for violating compliance regulations around several areas, including the Clery Act and VAWA for calendar year 2012. TMU was fined $29,000 in 2017 for its non-compliance."
Rep. Matt Shea: When Politics is Fueled by Religion that Harms
Rep. Matt Shea, Biblical Basis for War, Politics, Religion, Dominionism *** I intentionally do not delve into politics much on this blog because politics is divisive and conversation can deteriorate quickly. However, today I want to mention one candidate whose religion is interfering with his politics in a way that could harm. I found about… Continue reading Rep. Matt Shea: When Politics is Fueled by Religion that Harms
Stephen Kilpatrick: While Teaching at Liberty University and Bible to Small Children, He Also Solicited Sex with a Minor
Stephen Kilpatrick, Liberty University, Bible Study Teacher, Alleged Child Sex Criminal A former Liberty University professor has been charged with soliciting sex from a minor. Stephen James Kilpatrick, 63, "was arrested and charged with three counts each of taking indecent liberties with a child younger than 15 years old and soliciting sex from a child… Continue reading Stephen Kilpatrick: While Teaching at Liberty University and Bible to Small Children, He Also Solicited Sex with a Minor
Spiritual Abuse: When People Tell You, “No Church is Perfect”
Spiritual Abuse, What Not to Say, Jonathan Hollingsworth Being hurt at church is tough, and sometimes it's a lonely journey. You may have experienced something that other congregants have not experienced. Some people may have good intentions, but say things that are not helpful, and in fact, may be hurtful. This can lead to… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: When People Tell You, “No Church is Perfect”
Tony Jones Book Update, Christian Industrial Complex, and Domestic Violence
Tony Jones, Emergent, THE NEW CHRISTIANS: DISPATCHES FROM THE EMERGENT FRONTIER, Anniversary, Christian Industrial Complex *** October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month in the US, and so this article is timely. The last time I wrote about popular emergent leader, Tony Jones, was in 2015 in this article, A Spider Web of Emergent Leader… Continue reading Tony Jones Book Update, Christian Industrial Complex, and Domestic Violence
Negative Google Reviews are Still Keeping People Away from My Spiritually Abusive Church 6 Years after Lawsuit
Chuck O'Neal, Beaverton Grace Bible Church, Spiritual Abuse, Negative Google Reviews, Defamation Lawsuit The other day, I got a call from my good friend, Michelle, who used to attend the cult/church we attended. Her husband used to be on staff at the church (Beaverton Grace Bible Church) and was fired. That led to… Continue reading Negative Google Reviews are Still Keeping People Away from My Spiritually Abusive Church 6 Years after Lawsuit
“Someone Offends Me Chart” is Too Black and White; Can Be Used to Control
*** Have you seen this? It's been spreading around on Facebook. The first time I saw it, someone shared that their pastor had sent it to her. She was livid. He was trying to control her in a personal situation. She felt she was being squelched by this. Do you see how she could… Continue reading “Someone Offends Me Chart” is Too Black and White; Can Be Used to Control
Franklin Graham’s Nonprofit Charities, Samaritan Purse and Operation Christmas Child, Cancel Advertisement Account with Relevant Magazine after Quoting Graham’s Own Words
*** Franklin Graham's non-profit organizations, Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child, will no longer use Relevant magazine for advertising. What was Relevant's crime? They printed Franklin Graham's own words! On September 19, 2018, Relevant magazine reported a quote from Franklin Graham which were originally said during a CBN news interview. Here are Relevant's two paragraphs.… Continue reading Franklin Graham’s Nonprofit Charities, Samaritan Purse and Operation Christmas Child, Cancel Advertisement Account with Relevant Magazine after Quoting Graham’s Own Words
Another Sad Church Story
This story is not over yet, but I figure I better check in before people start wondering what's happening with me. If you follow me on Twitter, you may have read about my pastor and church. It's a long story, and one I hope to tell one day, but for now, I am grieving… Continue reading Another Sad Church Story
Spiritual Sounding Board 