*** What does church look like for you after spiritual abuse? Do you still go? What do you do on Sundays? Sometimes I don't feel like going to church at all, but end up going because of my kids or commitments I've made. But if I were without children/commitments, I wonder where I would… Continue reading The Difficult Sundays after Spiritual Abuse
Category: SPIRITUAL ABUSE RECOVERY
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
Lourdes, Lifeboats, and Bounded Choice: Part I (An Illustration)
*** After reading the account of the Lourdes Torres-Manteufel abuse by Vision Forum founder, Doug Phillips, Cindy Kunsman reflects on her own sex abuse story. *** Note from Julie Anne: I remember talking to Cindy Kunsman around the time the Lourdes Torres-Manteufel lawsuit was made public. Lourdes' story greatly affected her in a personal way, reminding her… Continue reading Lourdes, Lifeboats, and Bounded Choice: Part I (An Illustration)
Crumbling Foundation: How Do We Move on after Doug Phillips and Bill Gothard, our Spiritual Leaders, Have Failed Us?
*** How do we move on spiritually when we have based our lives around the teachings of spiritual leaders like Doug Phillips or Bill Gothard who have fallen? *** With the recent scandals involving Doug Phillips and Bill Gothard, it is as if the spiritual rug has been pulled for some families. These men were so… Continue reading Crumbling Foundation: How Do We Move on after Doug Phillips and Bill Gothard, our Spiritual Leaders, Have Failed Us?
Homeschool Mom Responds to the Doug Phillips Scandal and His Influence in Patriarchy, Christian Homeschool Movement and Conferences
*** A homeschool mother responds to the influence of Doug Phillips in Patriarchy, in the Homeschool Movement, in Christian Homeschool Conferences, and how it has affected her family and her faith. *** A comment came in a bit ago from "devaneyjoy" on the article, Attempting to Set the Doug Phillips Record Straight: Part 2 - The… Continue reading Homeschool Mom Responds to the Doug Phillips Scandal and His Influence in Patriarchy, Christian Homeschool Movement and Conferences
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
Restoring What the Locust Has Eaten: Two Years of Blogging Milestone Today and Gratefulness
** Two years of blogging, two years of growth, hope for those hurt by church abuse ** ** In Joel, God talks about restoring what the locusts had eaten. Today marks exactly two years since I began blogging. As I reflect on the 2-year anniversary date of my initial blog and begin my 3rd year of… Continue reading Restoring What the Locust Has Eaten: Two Years of Blogging Milestone Today and Gratefulness
When we are spiritually abused, are we partly responsible?
*** Quick note: Last weekend, I went to the Oregon Coast to a ladies retreat. Knitting is my constant companion at retreats - - especially in case the speaker disappoints. However, I did not get one stitch of knitting done. The message was very good, convicting, refreshing, and motivating. And you cannot put a price… Continue reading When we are spiritually abused, are we partly responsible?
Guest Post: Why I Love My Church
*** It's difficult to find a safe and healthy church "system" with appropriate checks and balances. Lisa of Lisa's Leben shares what has worked well in her church and why she loves her church. *** *** Lisa has been blogging for about a month now and writes at Lisa's Leben. After getting tagged on the… Continue reading Guest Post: Why I Love My Church
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?
Learn to Discern: Living in Fear – Does Perfect Love Cast out all Fear?
*** What does perfect love mean? Is living in fear unbiblical? *** A comment came in on an older thread that has been quite heated. It was from a blogger who has disagreed with a recent blog post here. Unfortunately, we are still not in agreement and the point of the original article seems to… Continue reading Learn to Discern: Living in Fear – Does Perfect Love Cast out all Fear?
Learn to Discern: Church Membership Accountability and Discipline of Children
* * * Learn to discern church websites, church discipline procedures, membership rules and accountability, attendance, and tithe requirements before joining a new church. A lot of information can be found on church websites. * * * * * * The other day,… Continue reading Learn to Discern: Church Membership Accountability and Discipline of Children
When Your Religious Leader Falls Off the Pedestal
* * * Cindy Kunsman responds to fallen spiritual leaders and spiritual abuse after the Doug Phillips scandal. * * * Note from Julie Anne: This article, by Cindy Kunsman was originally posted at her blog, Under Much Grace, and she has given me permission to post… Continue reading When Your Religious Leader Falls Off the Pedestal
Learn to Discern: Wife Has Affair with Pastor . . . and Reconciles?
* * * Kandace has an affair with her pastor. She and her husband, Nathan, talk about their reconciliation process and grace, but leave out something very important. * * * Video: Liberate JA note: Sorry, I've been unable to embed the video. Please click on "Liberate"… Continue reading Learn to Discern: Wife Has Affair with Pastor . . . and Reconciles?
In the Wake of the Doug Phillips Affair, a Mother Grieves and Seeks Our Prayers
* * * The Doug Phillips affair has touched many lives. Read as a mother cries out for prayer as she "fostered some pretty difficult beliefs" on her children by adhering to teachings in the Homeschool Movement and Doug Phillips and Vision Forum. * * * Hear… Continue reading In the Wake of the Doug Phillips Affair, a Mother Grieves and Seeks Our Prayers
Invitation to Participate in New Spiritual Abuse Research Study by Dr. Barb Orlowski
* * * Spiritual abuse author Dr. Barb Orlowski to conduct a new spiritual abuse survivor survey and is looking for participants. * * * * * * Late February of 2012, I started my first blog, Beaverton Grace Bible Church Survivors (later… Continue reading Invitation to Participate in New Spiritual Abuse Research Study by Dr. Barb Orlowski
Finding Refuge from Religion: Forever
* * * Many people who have been hurt by religion want to escape from it. We'll take a look at an organization that is offering a refuge from religion, Recovering from Religion. Is this the answer? * * * * * … Continue reading Finding Refuge from Religion: Forever
Spiritual Edification: What has worked for you?
* * * In our spiritual journey, many of us have had mountain-top experiences and maybe some valleys, too. Mountain-top experiences are pretty exciting and can fuel us for a while, but I'm not convinced that our spiritual journey should be based on one great experience. But in those times… Continue reading Spiritual Edification: What has worked for you?
Back to Church Sunday: What is This? What Do You Think?
* * * Did you know today is Back to Church Sunday? I didn't until just today. The spoof Twitter account, Fair IC Baptist mentioned it here. Below is a screenshot: * * * * * * Fair IC Baptist is usually pretty… Continue reading Back to Church Sunday: What is This? What Do You Think?
Spiritual Sounding Board 