Free Thinker, Atheist, Christian Blogger, Thought Reform, Patriarchy, Spiritual Abuse, Cults Last Sunday, I had the privilege of speaking at a Free Thinkers group. Privilege, some might ask? You bet. I will take any opportunity afforded to share the truth, set the record straight, and especially let people know that I, as a Christian, am displeased by the… Continue reading Christian Blogger Invited to Speak at Free Thinkers’ Meeting about Abuse in Christian Churches
Category: Recovery Process
An Abuse Survivor’s Response to Pastor Phil Johnson’s Insensitive Tweet on Domestic Violence
Phil Johnson, Grace Community Church, Sex Abuse, Domestic Violence, Twitter *** Blog reader, Christina, left an important comment on yesterday's post regarding an insensitive and callous tweet Pastor Phil Johnson sent out regarding domestic violence. His tweet created quite an uproar on Twitter. Because Christina's comment is addressed to Phil Johnson, I didn't want it to get lost… Continue reading An Abuse Survivor’s Response to Pastor Phil Johnson’s Insensitive Tweet on Domestic Violence
Update from Alex Grenier on His Reconciliation with his Parents Who Sued Him
*** Earlier, I posted about the reconciliation between Alex Grenier and his parents. I don't think I've ever done that before -- reported on a situation that has a positive outcome. The thought of restored relationships after years of harm makes me cry. This has been so amazing. When I first got involved with Alex's… Continue reading Update from Alex Grenier on His Reconciliation with his Parents Who Sued Him
Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 5
Tullian Tchividjian, Personal Survivor Story, Clergy Sex Abuse LINKS: My Story: Part #1. Part #2. Part #3. Part #4. Part #5. Editors' Note: This is Rachel’s story, and she is sharing what she recalls of her relationship with Tullian Tchividjian. She is sharing her facts, opinions, and what she believes to be true. Tullian is… Continue reading Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 5
Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 1
Tullian Tchividjian, Personal Survivor Story, Clergy Sex Abuse LINKS: My Story: Part #1. Part #2. Part #3. Part #4. Part #5. * * * * * * * An Introduction, from Julie Anne Smith and Brad Sargent Several of those who have alleged victimization by Tullian Tchividjian have contacted me (Julie Anne) over the past… Continue reading Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 1
Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 2
Tullian Tchividjian, Personal Survivor Story, Clergy Sex Abuse LINKS: My Story: Part #1. Part #2. Part #3. Part #4. Part #5. Editors' note: This is Part 2, a continuation of Rachel's story which began here. The remaining parts of the series will be posted soon. Edited to add 11/30/16: This is Rachel's story, and she… Continue reading Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 2
Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 3
Tullian Tchividjian, Personal Survivor Story, Clergy Sex Abuse LINKS: My Story: Part #1. Part #2. Part #3. Part #4. Part #5. Editors' Note: This is Rachel’s story, and she is sharing what she recalls of her relationship with Tullian Tchividjian. She is sharing her facts, opinions, and what she believes to be true. Tullian is… Continue reading Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 3
Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 4
Tullian Tchividjian, Personal Survivor Story, Clergy Sex Abuse LINKS: My Story: Part #1. Part #2. Part #3. Part #4. Part #5. Editors' Note: This is Rachel’s story, and she is sharing what she recalls of her relationship with Tullian Tchividjian. She is sharing her facts, opinions, and what she believes to be true. Tullian is… Continue reading Survivor of Tullian Tchividjian’s Alleged Clergy Sexual Abuse Goes Public with Her Story – Part 4
A Father Shares the Fallout His Family is Facing after Being in a High-Controlling Church
Spiritual abuse, children, mental health, high-controlling church, NAR, New Apostolic Reformation *** Special note: I am in Chicago until 11/5 and would love to get together with survivors or those interested in helping survivors. If you would like to meet up, please contact me and let's see if we can arrange a gathering. spiritualsb@gmail.com … Continue reading A Father Shares the Fallout His Family is Facing after Being in a High-Controlling Church
Help! My Family Member or Close Friend is Trapped in a High-Controlling Church or Cult. How Can I Encourage Them to Leave?
How to help a family member or friend leave a high-controlling church group or cult: spiritual abuse, trapped, thought reform, mind control, freedom “Mind control is the process by which individual or collective freedom of choice and action is compromised by agents or agencies that modify or distort perception, motivation, affect, cognition and/or behavioral… Continue reading Help! My Family Member or Close Friend is Trapped in a High-Controlling Church or Cult. How Can I Encourage Them to Leave?
If Being Hurt by the Church Causes You to Lose Faith in God . . .
This meme was posted on Facebook. For those who have been harmed by church leaders/people, what does this message say to you? I'd love to read your first impressions of this meme. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1030079060400810&set=a.657459694329417.1073741837.100001961781470&type=3
The Bully: Familiar Feelings, Completely Different Environment
Spiritual abuse, bullies, connections, gaslighting *** A few weeks ago, I started Spring term at college. The professor has a PhD in her field, and told us she's been teaching from high school level to grad school since the 80s. READ: she's no spring chicken and has a lot of classroom experience. As the days… Continue reading The Bully: Familiar Feelings, Completely Different Environment
JA has put herself in blog time-out
So, yesterday I read a tweet that left me reeling. It made it difficult to concentrate on my school work, and got me thinking and emoting quite a bit. I've tried numerous times to put up a blog post today and yesterday and realize that I just need to let my emotions simmer… Continue reading JA has put herself in blog time-out
The Fallout of Spiritual Abuse on Our Children
Children Harmed by Spiritual Abuse Yesterday, I was talking with my programming language tutor and mentioned that I had a blog. He asked what my blog was about and I told him the long story. He was absolutely dumbfounded by what he was hearing and kept shaking his head, not wanting to believe it, even… Continue reading The Fallout of Spiritual Abuse on Our Children
Tangled Lives of Spiritual Abuse Survivors
Spiritual Abuse, Recovery Process, Tangled Lives, Support It must be that time of year. I had a rough day the last two days and had to call a support person to help me get on track. And it's not that I didn't know what my issues were, or how to fix them. I knew what… Continue reading Tangled Lives of Spiritual Abuse Survivors
Spiritual Abuse: Trouble Letting Go
One disturbing aspect of spiritual abuse is how it can leave us questioning our salvation and in a state of confusion. I received an e-mail this morning and asked if I could post it here for discussion. ~ja Trouble Letting Go Compared to some of the stories on your blog, my spiritual abuse is… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Trouble Letting Go
Four Primary Conditions that Result in People Leaving Abusive Churches and Cults
Spiritual Abuse: Leaving Abusive Cults and High-Controlling Churches I have been very moved by many of your stories of abuse in the recent article, Spiritual Abuse: What Was the Last Straw That Caused You to Leave Your Abusive Church? Spiritual abuse is obviously not isolated. It's happening all over and crosses denominational lines. Several people have said… Continue reading Four Primary Conditions that Result in People Leaving Abusive Churches and Cults
A Spotlight on Abuse and Death of VCY America Founder Vic Eliason
*** Here are some interesting articles that have been making the rounds: If you have not seen Spotlight, I urge you to see it. It is about "Spotlight" a specific group of investigative reporters from the Boston Globe who uncovered the systemic sex abuse and cover-up in the Catholic Church. This movie is very… Continue reading A Spotlight on Abuse and Death of VCY America Founder Vic Eliason
“Do Good and Do No Harm” Project by Brad Sargent aka FuturistGuy
Spiritual Sounding Board and The Wartburg Watch are supporting a Go Fund Me Campaign to help Brad Sargent finish the first stage of developing resources that will assist survivors of church abuse. Most of my long-time readers know Brad aka "FuturistGuy." I met Brad after spiritual abuse author Barb Orlowski pooled people together she… Continue reading “Do Good and Do No Harm” Project by Brad Sargent aka FuturistGuy
Debriefing and Processing Recent Church Scandals
*** The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalms 18:2 *** *** These last few weeks with never-ending stories of pastors mishandling sex abuse, celebrity pastor behaving inappropriately and then blaming wife, celebrity… Continue reading Debriefing and Processing Recent Church Scandals
Spiritual Sounding Board 